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"the comeback is always stronger than the setback."
__________
Finnick and I are laying with the bed sheets draping over us. My hand is on his bare chest, and he runs his fingers along my scars. I was right; when I thought Katniss and my sister were plotting something. They had left 13 in a hovercraft carrying medical supplies. I had been distraught; Finnick had to remind me that they wouldn't be on the front line. They were more of a face for the war. Finnick sighs.
"What's wrong?" I ask, not sure if I wanted to know the answer. Other than Marina leaving, things had been peaceful. I guess I knew things had to go back to the way they were.
"Coin wants us to join Squad 451. She says that the more victors Snow sees that are on the rebellion's side, the more likely they'll be able to join. Cora, I tried to get us out of it; maybe I can plead for her to just let me go." I close my eyes for a second, taking in the news. The more I got to know my mother, the less I liked her. I felt that when no one was looking, she was a completely different person. I hadn't talked to my father much, I wasn't sure what he was thinking of his wife. I knew for a fact that Marina couldn't even look at her. As for me, I just felt confused. I had grown used to it just being the three of us. I think I prefer it that way. I keep telling myself she's not a bad person, but I'm not sure I believe it.
"Where ever you go, I go. Til death do us apart." I tell him, grabbing his hand. The thought of being back in battle makes my skin crawl, but I won't let Finnick go alone. If something were to happen to him, I would never forgive myself.
"Cora, you scream every night in your sleep, and you don't even know it. Sometimes, I sit and watch you sleep, because I'm afraid your heart will stop beating. I love you. I don't want you to have to fight again. You don't deserve this." He says, stroking my face with his hand.
"And you do? Finnick, I've already made up my mind. I'm going with you. No ifs or buts." I respond. He shakes his head, chuckling. "What?"
"You always say Marina is the stubborn one, but I have to disagree." I chuckle, holding on to him tighter. He doesn't question it - he holds me just as tight. "We leave tomorrow." He comments. At least it gives me time to say goodbye to my father, uncle, and Mags.
"Let's enjoy tonight."
***
"Finnick? Coralia? Are you with us?" I hear Katniss ask. She pulls us both into a hug. Katniss had never been affectionate towards me, but it was a nice change. My sister makes her way over to us, her eyes wide. She looks guilty, and I glare at her shortly to let her to know the surprise hadn't been appreciated. My Uncle Fletcher follows behind us. He had insisted on coming so he could watch over his nieces. He knew his brother couldn't fight, and he wanted to keep them safe.
"That was a short honeymoon." Katniss jokes. With Finnick beside me, I feel safe, so I don't mind that the 'honeymoon' has been cut short. I give my sister a hug, and she apologizes, saying it was for the greater good.I tell her that I forgive her, but that dad's gonna be pissed when we get back.
"Yeah, well, I guess we're going to have one in the Capitol. After we take down-"
"Gather around." I turn my attention away from Finnick, though our bodies are still touching. We both are carrying our tridents as it we were better with them than guns. It's weird to see my sister with a gun; frightening, actually. I had never been trained with a gun, but it seemed simple enough.
"Squad 451, you're my unit. Lieutenant Jackson is my second in command. Each one of you is elite in some form of combat, but we are a non combat unit. So we'll be following days behind the front line troops." Boggs explains. Katniss and Marina look pissed off about this, and I assume it has something to do with their plan.
"We're gonna be the on-screen faces of the invasion. The star squad. It's been decided that you're most effective when seen by the masses." Cressida tells us. I realize I've been digging my nails into my skin; a habit I had when I got nervous. I relax my hands, paying attention to the leaders of the group.
"So, we're not gonna fight?" Gale doesn't seem too happy, either.
"You'll do whatever you're ordered to do, soldier. It's not your job to ask questions." Gale nods, taking a step back. "Yes, Sir."
"Even though we'll be working on abandon streets miles behind the front lines, I guarantee you, where ever they put us, it will not be safe. This is a war zone. It is likely that we will encounter both active pods, and peacekeepers. You're considered high value targets to the Capitol. Our unit has been given a holo." Boggs explains, setting the holo down.
"A database that contains a detailed map of the Capitol, and a list of every known pod. These pods can trigger anything from bombs, to traps, to mutts. Whatever they contain, they are meant to kill you." He finishes. We're given Nightlock pills in case of an emergency, and told that the holo will blow itself and everything in a five mile radius if we say the word 'Nightlock' three times. My only thought; please don't let it come to that.
Finnick leans down so his mouth his next to both Katniss' and I's ears.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 76th Hunger Games."
***
i hate the cover for this book but i suck at making them so 🤷♀️🤡
