"We are simply ash."
•••
It had been five years since Autumn's Hunger Games. She now lived with visions and voices that haunted her every night, watching her district partner die right in front of her eyes. Only one good thing came out of the Games...
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•••
Autumn woke up to the birds chirping in the morning. While it was sometime in winter, it was still warm enough for the birds to stay.
Autumn rolled over in her bed, facing Finnick's sleeping body. Autumn watched him for a second, seeing how peaceful he looked while asleep. He was truly the most beautiful man Autumn had laid eyes on. And not just physically.
Autumn couldn't remember ever meeting someone more intelligent, kind, and wise than Finnick. He was beyond his years yet youthful all at once.
It was the day the President Snow made the announcement, telling Panem that the Hunger Games week would start tomorrow, as the Reaping would.
Finnick and Autumn decided to watch it with Mags as they weren't sure if Autumn or Mags could handle seeing another Games announced.
Autumn waited until Finnick's eyes opened. He smiled at the sight of her, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.
They both soon got up for the day, trying their best to look presentable on such a horrible occasion. Autumn wore a black shirt with a gray shawl that wrapped over her shoulders and around her body. She wore simple jeans and knee high lace up boots.
Finnick and Autumn shared a kiss before walking out the door of their house. They walked past Finnick's house, which sat basically abandoned since Finnick moved into with Autumn.
Past his house in victor's village was Mag's house. Autumn always loved Mag's house. It felt peaceful with the wooden bench right outside and the flowers planted by the doorstep.
Since Autumn became a victor five years ago, she had spent a great amount of time with Mags. The older woman was kind and understanding with Autumn's trauma, as she had had to deal with it for longer than Autumn.
Whenever Finnick was gone and Autumn felt panicked, she would spend time at Mag's house. Wether that meant reading to the woman, drinking hot cups of tea in silence, or making fish hooks together it always calmed Autumn.
They walked up the steps and knocked on the door. A moment later, the woman opened the door and smiled, opening it wider so they could walk in.
The house was warm and smelled like vanilla. Finnick helped Autumn take off her coat as to be a gentleman, hanging it up next to the door.
Autumn walked through the house, finding her way into the parlor. She sat down on the couch and fidgeted with her hands, imagining all the possibilities for tomorrow.
What if a twelve year old was reaped? Autumn could watch someone not even in their teens die. What would she do with herself? She has already blamed herself for the deaths of every District For tribute for the last five years.
Finnick sat down next to Autumn, wrapping his arms around her. She cuddled up close to his chest, finding comfort in his warmth. Mags then sat on the other die of Finnick, smiling at the couple.
They had sat down just in time for the announcement from President Snow to begin.
The hologram flickered on and illuminated the small room. President Snow stood at his podium, speaking out to the Capital. He looked just as old as ever with his white hair.
Autumn shuttered at the sight of the man who had ruined her life. But Autumn often thought about what would've happened if she had not volunteered for the Games that day five years ago. She would be sane. She wouldn't be a murderer. She wouldn't be a prostitute. But she also wouldn't have met Finnick.
"Ladies and gentlemen," President Snow began as he quieted down the cheers of his adoring fans. "This is the 75th year...of the Hunger Games. It was written in the charter of the games. In every 25 years there will be a Quarter Quell." Autumn shuttered again. She hated the thought of a quarter quell. Not only were children going into the Games, but this year they were even more gruesome. "To keep fresh for each new generation the memory of those who died. And the uprising against the Capitol. Each Quarter Quell is distinguished by Games...of a special significance.
Autumn scoffed. "Significance," she mumbled.
"Now on this eve of we celebrate the third Quarter Quell. As a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol," Snow continued. Except for Katniss Everdeen Autumn thought. "On this the third Quarter Quell game, the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district."
A shriek came from Autumn's mouth as she processed the words President Snow had uttered. It felt as if her world collapsed from under her. Autumn began to have a panic attack, breaking free from Finnick's hold as he tried desperately to calm her.
Autumn jumped up from the couch and ran out of the parlor. She stumbled into the main hall and opened the door to the house, leaving it opened behind her as she ran out.
Autumn wasn't sure where she was going, but she let her feet's carry her. She ran and ran with tears blurring her vision.
She finally stopped running, collapsing onto her hands and knees in front of a house, it was her family's house.
When Autumn won the Hunger Games, she was forced to live in Victor's Village. She was unable to keep the house and sold it. It now is owned by the bank and sits abandoned.
Tears streamed down Autumn's face as she stared at the house. She would have to go back into the Games. It was inevitable.
