𝕎𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣, 𝕎𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣 | 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐎𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐫 [Hunger Games]

Roses & Uprisings

↳ FIVE ↵

The President's mansion was the most popular house in all of Panem.

I looked around the huge mansion, situated in the heart of the Capitol; a sign to remind everyone who is in charge. The lavish columns and velvet drapes made it seem like something taken out of a book. My fingers itched to reach and touch the hanging paintings that were almost lifelike.

The Peacekeepers, silently flanked my side as I was led to Snow's office where we could have a meeting. The only noise being my heeled boots as they hit the ground. It didn't seem to be the first time they had done this and when they opened the large doors that revealed Snow standing in what seemed to be a frozen position waiting for me to come, it made me know that this was definitely not some new idea that Snow had, this was something he had done before.

"Please sit," President Snow smiles at me as I look at the ornate chair with a scared expression. I look back at the door that I had entered in to see two Peacekeepers guarding it with massive guns. I give them a nervous smile before sitting in the chair across from Snow's desk. President Snow smiles as he plops down in his desk chair and places his folded hands on his clutter-free desk.

Snow tuts at the Peacekeepers before waving his hand with a small smile, "Leave," he gives me a wink with his beady snake eyes, "I doubt Miss Flanagan would try to hurt me," he says with utmost certainty.

While he speaks, the stench of blood fills my nose. I do everything in my power not to turn my head to avoid the horrible smell. If it weren't for the faint smell of roses that seemed to be covering the odor slightly, I was sure I would have done so.

President Snow was the only person I had ever hated in my life. I remember what my mom told me when I first said that I hated Snow, "Hate is a powerful thing, honey. It only causes problems that forgiveness solves," that was the last day I hated him. That was also a few days before she died. I was four.

"Now that we are alone," he smiles at me although his smile doesn't quite reach his eyes which seems to be anything but chipper, "We can finally discuss why I asked you here today," he leans back in his seat.

"Why did you ask me here, sir?" I ask him my voice full of nothing but unbridled curiosity.

"Well, I am not sure you know this, Miss Flanagan, but you have created quite a riot. Districts eight and three have begun protesting, and I worry others will follow," he says happily, as if this is just a regular school lesson, "See, my dear, you have become a symbol of hope around them, and that is a problem."

I am silent as I just watch Snow dumbfounded by this information. How was I a symbol of hope when I didn't even know what people were hoping for? Freedom form the Capitol? I'm sorry but if that is the case then I am not the person to find hope in. I barely won my games!

"Do you know why there is always one Victor in every game? Why I don't just slaughter you all?"

I lean back in my chair, as Snow leans closer to me, trying to hide my confusion as I say, "No."

Snow relaxes back in his chair, recollecting himself, "Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained," he gives me a mischievous smile as he takes a small rose out of a vase that I didn't notice was sitting near the desk and hands it to me, "That is why you are here. So I can contain you."

I immediately look around, scared of what he might do to me. I almost feel like I'm transported back in the games, but to my surprise, he simply laughs. I turn back at the masochistic president as he chokes on his own laughter, pulling out a handkerchief and coughing into it before looking back up at me, "Sorry, I have a cold," he takes a deep swallow before continuing, "I am not going to hurt you, Miss Flanagan."

I feel my shoulders relax slightly but still keep my stance as President Snow continues, "I have an offer for you."

I look at him inquisitively before nodding my head, "Go on."

Snow beamed up at me as he said, "I heard that your singing voice is as exquisite as your beauty. I once knew a girl quite like you with the gift. The ability to charm others," I felt my stomach churn as I listened to him continue, his eyes starting to almost glaze over at the memory, "She was almost like a siren. Charming those around her to do her dirty work. Much like you did in your own game, cheating your way out of death," Snow sneered as his faraway look fell into a scowl. No words leave me as I wonder who must have affected the cold president in front of me so powerfully. And whether I would fall victim to his anger against them.

"You will become Panem's Siren if you will. The citizens have already claimed you as their Darling, but the people of Panem believe that you are more. That you are the spark they need to rebel," Snow seems amused by the idea. "You will convince them otherwise, distract them and sharm them into what you want them to believe, what you need them to believe. That you are with the Capitol, not against it."

 "I'm sorry, but I-"

Snow cuts me off speaking in a harsher and curt tone, "It was not a question but a demand," his voice is venomous, "You will do this for me or I will kill your grandmother, Mags. You should be glad that I am not forcing you to do worse," He sighed as he patted an envelope on his desk, "But I have already made prior agreements and although I am capable of breaking them, I won't. Regardless I believe this would be better, the nation needs a ballad to live by," he smirks, "And you my little songbird shall sing it."

"Agreements?" I was so confused. Who would have made an agreement with Snow that had something to do with me? Mags? And what was it?

Snow allowed his hand quickly brush the white rose attached to his jacket. It looked just like the one I gave him when I was younger. I never realized that he began wearing them around that time. Snow motioned his hand for me to stand up with him which I complied to, "He was right when he said that you were far too innocent for your own good, but he never mentioned how easy it was to fancy you," Snow hands me the rose that was previously sitting in front of me. What is he talking about?

The rose was unlike the ones I planted in my garden, it seemed too controlled. I knew that it was genetically enhanced because of the strong frgarance emitting from the orange flower.

I dubiously take it with a small frown on my face, barely hearing him as he walked out the room muttering, "You are so much like her."

And then I am left alone once again.