When We Burn~Finnick Odair {Book 2}

Chapter Nineteen

•••

"I have a plan," Beetee told Johanna, Katniss, and Peeta.

"Finnick! Autumn! Stop making out and come join our discussion!" Johanna yelled at them, even though they were only sitting on the sand and talking.

The couple ran up to the rest of the group, Autumn blushing slightly from the fact that Johanna yelled at them they to stop making out when they weren't.

"I have a plan," Beetee repeated himself. "Where would the careers head to that's safest? The jungle?"

"Jungle's a nightmare," Autumn shook her head.

Peeta spoke up. "Probably here on the beach." He shrugged.

"Then why are they not here?" Beetee asked.

"Because we are," Johanna spoke with strength in her voice. "We claimed it."

"And if we left they would come?" Beetee asked.

"Or stay hidden in the tree line," Finnick spoke with a nod.

"Which in just over four hours will be soaked from water from the ten o'clock wave." Beetee continued, a small twinkle in his eye. "What happens at midnight?"

"Lightning strikes the tree," Katniss answered, earning a nod from Beetee

"Here's what I propose," Beetee began. "We leave the beach at dusk. We head to the lightning tree." Beetee pointed in the direction they would go, Autumn following his finger with her eyes to where he was pointing. "That should draw them back to the beach. Prior at midnight we then run this wire from the tree to the water. Anyone in the water or in the damp sand will be electrocuted."

"How do we know that the wire's not gonna burn up?" Johanna asked, crossing her arms.

"Because I invented it," Beetee smirked. He definitely knew he was smart. "I assure you it won't burn up."

"Well it's better than hunting them down," Johanna nodded, slightly impressed with Beetee's smarts.

"Yeah, why not," Katniss shrugged. She looked around at the rest of the group. "If it fails no harm done anyway right?"

"Alright," Peeta showed a little smile. "So we try it."

Finnick placed a hand on his hip, the other holding onto his trident for support. "So what can we do to help?" He asked.

"Keep me alive for the next six hours?" Beetee smiled at Finnick. "That would be extremely helpful."

They all nodded as they continued to plan out their moves. They spent a couple of hours deciding who would go with who.

Autumn would go with Johanna and Katniss to wrap the coil around the tree and get it to the beach while Peeta, Finnick, and Beetee would stay at the lightning tree and work there. Finnick and Autumn were hesitant to separate , but agreed to it in the end.

Peeta and Katniss went off to speak on their own, which is when Beetee took the opportunity to tell the real plan to Johanna, Finnick, and Autumn.

"Johanna and Autumn," Beetee spoke in hushed tones incase there was a camera and microphone around. "You will protect Katniss with your lives. When you get the opportunity, cut out her tracker."

"Got it," Autumn nodded. Beetee then turned to Finnick.

"Finnick, you and I will protect Peeta and get the coil ready so we can blow the force field. Don't let him out of your sight." Finnick nodded, understanding. "Okay everyone, let's go."

•••

By the time they made it to the lightning tree, night had fallen and the sky was dark and filled with stars. It would've been beautiful if death wasn't lurking around every corner.

Autumn's legs were already very tired by the time they made it to the tree and she was not berry grateful for the fact that she would have to walk with the coil back.

"Let's get started. Typically a lightning strike contains five million jolts of energy," Beetee explained. "We don't wanna be here in the vicinity when this hits. You three girls take this," Beetee handed the coil to Johanna. "Unspool it carefully. Make sure the entire coil is in the water. Understand? Then head to the tree to the two head sector. We'll meet you there." Autumn nodded.

"I'm gonna go with you as a guard," Peeta spoke, already beginning to walk over to the Katniss.

"No, no, no," Beetee shook his head. "You stay. You have to protect me. And the tree."

"No," Peeta argued. "I need to go with Katniss."

Beetee sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "There are two careers out there I need you two as guards."

Peeta looked at Finnick then back to Beetee. "Finnick can protect you fine on his own."

"Yeah why can't Finnick, Autumn, and Johanna stay with you," Katniss asked. "Peeta and I will take the coil."

"You all agreed to keep me alive 'til midnight correct?" Beetee asked, slightly annoyed with Peeta and Katniss's arguing.

"It's his plan," Johanna spoke. "We all agreed to it."

"Is there a problem here?" Finnick asked, walking up behind Beetee.

"Excellent question," Beetee smirked.

"Peeta, of I didn't think it was safe I wouldn't leave Autumn," Finnjck placed a hand on Peeta's shoulder, trying to comfort him. But he didn't sound very convincing as he hadn't convinced himself. Finnick didn't think it was safe and he didn't want to leave Autumn.

"There's no problem," Katniss's face blanked.

Katniss walked up to Peeta. They kissed, saying their quick goodbyes till midnight.

Autumn walked up to Finnick and wrapped her arms around the back of us neck. He grabbed her hips as she pressed her lips to his. Their kiss was cut off, however, when Johanna coughed as to interrupt them.

"It's bad enough we got lover boy and Girl on Fire but I have to deal with you two also?" Johanna scoffed, making Autumn and Finnick break apart. Finnick smirked. "Alright let's go," Johanna waved Autumn to follow her.

"I'll see you later," Autumn smiled at Finnick, giving him another quick kiss before letting go of his hand and joining Katniss and Johanna.

"Come on," Johanna waved Autumn over.

Autumn looked back at Finnick, grasping the ring and chain around her neck. She knew that soon, they would both be out of this arena.