ODDS

purebred

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓱𝓸𝔀𝓵𝓮𝓭, rattling my eardrums and making it hard to stay still in one place. It pushed against me, swaying my movements as if it were stopping me from continuing on. Despite the force, I had a mission.

Morgan stood a few feet ahead, facing the drop of the cliff which overlooked the churning sea. He seemed unaffected by the elements, which might have surprised me in different circumstances. The temperature continued to drop, and soon, we breathed in the frozen air, our lungs screaming.

"Morgan." I called. My voice wavered as my throat felt as if it were tearing. I didn't know how much longer I could take it. If it weren't so cold, I would probably have cried.

Something unexpected happened then, something dark and evil filled every space, every molecule. I became colder, but in a mental sense. It felt as if I had lost all sense of hope and safety. Everything slowed, time stopped, and I was trapped.

My lip quivered as I continued to stare down my brother's figure. Even in the tense atmosphere, and despite the change around us, he seemed unfazed. I called out his name again. This time, my voice registered in his ears. My brother turned just a bit, where he was still facing the ocean, but he could focus on me.

The voice that came out of his mouth was not his own.

It was as icy as the air, cold, dark, and brooding.

"Miss Knight. We meet at last." His voice made my blood run cold. I was aware of my beating heart, as it fluttered in fear. My breathing shallowed.

"Snow." my mouth let out.

He chuckled, as if my revelation were amusing. It probably was, to him, at least. I stood frozen, and the fear in my voice sold me out. Why would he not be amused?

I blinked and my brother was replaced by an older man, white hair vibrant against the swirling sky. His skin was pale, almost in a sickly way, as if he had a small cold. He was well kept other than that. A nice suit adorned his body, pressed and cleaned, devoid of an wrinkles. The real problem was his stare. He sported a plain expression, not smiling or frowning in any way. Despite his resting face, his eyes held a fire in them, like a snake waiting to strike. I had heard of his eyes. They were a green yellowed with greed, swollen with pride and murder.

"You have been an interesting character in this year's games, so far, Miss Knight. The support that you have garnered in the Capitol is truly remarkable. We haven't had such a contender since Mr. Odair became a tribute."

At the mention of Finnick, my throat became thick with emotion. His name being said by such a vile person seemed so wrong, so unnatural.

He continued his speech as he looked at me, studying me. Noticing the fear he had caused, emotion finally made its way to his face. It was pure glee. "I need you to know that I am here, Miss Knight. This is not some nightmare that your little mind has conjured up. Amazing technological advances, we have. Our ingenuity allows me to keep things under my control, even in a mental capacity."

"If this is real, why are you visiting me? Of all people, why me?"

Snow's grin grew wider, deepening the crevices on the sides of his mouth. His calming stature was unnerving, and the churning storm behind him seemed to grow.

"Because, Miss Knight, I chose you."

I didn't know how, but I knew exactly what he meant. I knew what he had planned for me, and I knew there was no way out. Despite knowing all of this, I didn't know why. Why had I been chosen? Why not someone else, like Opal? She would have been on Snow's complete side, and easier to maintain. What was so special about me?