ichor (finnick odair)

one; the announcement

However, soon enough, came the Third Quarter Quell. Meaning, something special was in store for the tributes this year. Isla hadn't been alive for the past ones, although Haymitch Abernathy – a good acquaintance of hers won the last one. Isla was sat in her home, facing the display of President Snow speaking.

"On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it."

He continued. "On the fiftieth anniversary, as a reminder that two rebels died for each Capitol citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes."

Now Snow reached out and picked an envelope parked with a 75 and opened it. "And now we honour the third Quarter Quell. On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors."

Isla felt numb in that moment. She didn't know how to feel. Many emotions ran through her. Sadness. Pain. Anguish. Anger. Betrayal. They were promised a life of peace after their games. This wasn't peace. She felt so betrayed.

And then came the tears. They came running down her cheeks as she began remembering her own games, and how many people she had to kill. How many people she knew that died. It would be even worse this time, considering she had known the victors for a long time.

She knew her and Finnick were going in. This time, she would have to fight against her best friend, not for. She wouldn't have anyone to go home to.

Isla managed to drag herself to his house, right opposite hers and open the door to find him on the ground on his knees, his shirt messy and his hair looking like he ran his fingers through it. She dropped to her knees beside him and hugged him close to her.

"I don't want to go back Isla."

"Neither do I Finnick. But we're the only ones left, we have to go back." She cried into his shirt, wetting it with her tears. "There's nothing we can do."

"Why does he want to hurt us like this?"