ODDS

ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇꜱꜱ

Alana

𝓘 𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝔂 eyes, despite the impending darkness. I couldn't see a thing, not even my hands which were placed a few inches from my face. I had only ever been in such darkness one other time in my life.

My heart sped up as my thoughts were plagued with memories of my first games. Was everything a dream? Was I still in the arena?

My breaths became shaky as I hyperventilated. Choked cries escaped from my throat and hot tears gathered on my cheeks.

Where was I?

"Alana."

At the sudden voice, I stopped, tears still leaking from my eyes. I knew that voice. That calming, caring voice. Peeta.

"P-Peeta? What- Where are we?"

I heard the sympathy in his voice as he spoke, and it calmed me, in a way. I knew that I wasn't safe, but at least I wasn't alone.

"I think we're in the Capitol. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

I gulped before answering, the iron taste of blood on my tongue. "Yeah, I-I think so. Why is it so-"

Suddenly a sound erupted from across the room, metal across metal. I covered my ears as the noise vibrated my teeth. It quickened my heart as I let out a gasp. Yells and screams echoed all around me. I felt disoriented and confused.

"Get off me, you meat cake!" the voice rasped out.

"Johanna!" Peeta's voice piped up again. "Are you okay?"

She gave a grunt in acknowledgment to his question. The metal sound took over my senses again, and I whimpered in pain. A loud echo silenced the room.

"Peeta, are you still there?" I called out quietly. The silence made my voice sound ten times louder, and I jumped at the sudden noise.

"I'm here, Alana. Sit up and look over-"

Johanna interrupted before he could finish. "Sleeping Beauty is awake?" A teasing tone laced her words. She gave a small laugh. "You okay, Knight?"

"Fine." I answered, a small smile playing at my lips. At least, Johanna and Peeta were here.

"You took a beating. Just thrown in there like a rag doll." I could hear the animosity in her voice. She no doubt rolled her eyes.

"Really? How could you tell? It's so dark in here." I sighed.

Silence filled the room. My eyebrows scrunched in confusion. Just before I spoke again, Peeta piped up from wherever he was.

"Alana, the lights are on."

***

Finnick

"𝓗𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓸, 𝓜𝓻. 𝓞𝓭𝓪𝓲𝓻. How are you feeling today?"

I had forgotten the name of the doctor that was supposedly making me better. Physically, I couldn't argue that she was doing her job. But physical health was only half of the problem.

Mentally, I was demolished.

I couldn't blame Katniss for her deadly outburst when she found out about Peeta's location. I felt sick to my stomach knowing that Alana was imprisoned in the place that had caused the both of us more trauma than we could have cared to admit. She was there; and I was here.

I wished we were both dead.

"Uh-yeah. I'm feeling alright." I answered, not even trying to make it sound believable. These people couldn't help me. The only person who could help me was in the Capitol.