ODDS

ꜰᴀᴍɪʟɪᴀʀɪᴛʏ

𝓘 𝓽𝓾𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓽 the neckline of the skin tight suit provided for each victor. Or rather each tribute. I'd never liked tight clothes, so I knew that my time in the arena would be an uncomfortable one.

At least Cinder had an idea of what kind of arena we'd be forced into. She guessed some kind of tropical biome. I agreed, since the suit likened to my wetsuit back home. It brought me comfort knowing that I could potentially be in my element.

I'd last seen Finnick a few hours ago, when Freya came and pulled us from the bedroom and to our respective hovercrafts. He'd told me to find him once the games started. I didn't argue.

The same voice from my first games sounded from the pod, counting down the seconds. Her voice plagued my nightmares for a few months after I won and stopped by my birthday the next year, but hearing her once more brought back memories from my games.

I wondered what Sander would have thought of me going back. Would he have gotten reaped over Finnick?

Two minutes.

"How are you feeling?" Cinder's quiet voice calmed me. As much as it could calm, anyway, in a situation like this.

"Fine." I answered. She knew how I felt, even through my lie. She nodded and placed her hand delicately on my shoulder.

"It's time, darling." She whispered. I trudged to the pod and she followed. As I turned, I noticed the tears in her eyes, glittering against her dark skin.

"I consider myself very lucky to have met you, Alana."

My own tears formed in my eyes. I'd never been good at goodbyes, and this was no exception.

"I can't say goodbye, Cinder." I breathed in, trying to dry tears. "I can't."

"Then, see you later?" She giggled, sniffing slightly. I chuckled, nodding along.

"See you later, Cinder." I whispered as she wiped the tears from my cheeks. I gave her a small smile of thanks.

Thirty seconds.

I stepped into the pod, pushing my shoulders back and drying the last of my tears. I was stepping into the arena strong, as a fighter. I wouldn't let Snow have the satisfaction of seeing my tears. I sent a wave to Cinder, who gladly returned it. I smiled.

The pod began to rise, indicating my time was fleeting. I calmed my shaky breath, closing my eyes for comfort. When I opened them again, Cinder was gone, and I was alone.

Up the pod went, rising into a bright arena, much different than my first games. I was at least thankful for that. I hadn't liked the dark since. It was almost blinding, but the pod came to a halt and my eyes became adjusted to the light.

Water.

I let a breath out. A bit relieved at the realization. I could do water. I could do this. This was good.

Beaches laid beyond the oceanic waters, and beyond that was pure tropical forest. I didn't know much about tropical forests, but it couldn't be much different from home.

Then I looked around. Finnick was nowhere in sight. To my immediate left was Beetee and beside him was Enobaria. She'd be trouble, I knew. On the other side, the victor from Six, Wiress, and Johanna.

Even from afar, I could see that Johanna was staring. I made eye contact and nodded. She did the same.

We didn't have long, but I knew that I had to pull my weight. Johanna could handle Wiress, since they were so close. I'd get Beetee. Johanna matched Enobaria's fighting skills better than I could, but it wasn't in the cards.

I'd have to enter the bloodbath.

I peered over to Beetee as he turned his head to look at me. I nodded to him, then looked to the cornucopia. He recognized my intentions, and agreed with an intake of air.

Ten seconds until chaos.

I never liked chaos, and I especially didn't like it after the games. Nothing ever sat well with me. And this feeling didn't make it any better.

Anticipation.

Anticipation of death.

I missed my childhood, before I knew of the horrors of the games. I missed what used to be, before I was forced to grow up.

But it did no use now.

I could only fight to survive.

Surviving was all I was now.

Three seconds.

Then two.

One.

I jumped headfirst, gliding through the water. It felt strangely as if I was home. But I wasn't. And I knew it.

One stroke, two, three. I pumped my legs hard, like it was second nature, which it was. I wondered if this was the fastest I'd ever swam, but it was a fleeting thought, because soon enough, I reached the edge of the cornucopia. I pulled myself up to find someone standing directly in front of me.

I got into a fighting stance, ready to enter the chaos. But apparently, luck had been on my side.

"Darling." Finnick flashed me a smirk, to which I rolled my eyes, fighting a smile. He tossed a couple of kukris in my direction. I caught them with ease.

"I'm with Johanna. I'll handle Enobaria, get Three out." I informed, mentioning Wiress and Beetee.

He nodded, looking behind me. "Better get to it, then. Looks like you've got your hands full."

I whipped my head around, cursing under my breath at the sight. Enobaria was after Beetee.

I threw a knife, careful to aim for Enobaria and not Beetee. I missed, my kukris falling into the sand.

I began making my way to the fight, but not before Finnick called out my name. I swiveled my head to look over my shoulder. He looked over me in a protective manner.

"Be careful, okay?"

I smiled. "Promise."

And I was off.

I only had two more kukris. I had to get closer.

I was careful not to slip on the slick rocks, which slowed me down. I tripped up just before getting to the duo, and my ankle twisted painfully. On my way down, I flicked a kukris in Enobaria's direction.

She screamed in pain, letting go of Beetee in the process. Standing up, despite the pain in my own body, I yanked the weapon out of her shoulder blade. I looked to Beetee to check for any wounds. He seemed fine, albeit a little shaken up.

That's when I felt a hand on my ankle. As I turned, I lost balance, and fell, hitting my hip on a sharp wrong. I let out a yelp, wincing as a sharp pain raced up my side. I hadn't gone five minutes in the games without getting a few scrapes and bruises, which meant the rest of my time in the arena wouldn't be any better.

"Enobaria!" a voice called. The woman stood, beginning her escape to live another day. I stood to follow, but another voice held me back.

"Alana, we need to get somewhere safe." Beetee tried to reason. I saw Johanna at the edge of the beach with Blight and Wiress, watching me. I turned back to Enobaria, who hadn't gotten too far. I could've still taken her.

But then I saw his face.

Finnick stood across the land, separated from me by a large cornucopia. He looked me over, checking for any wounds. Then, his eyes moved towards the career pack, which had inevitably formed between us. There would be no meet-up for awhile. He shook his head, and I nodded, giving in to his pleas.

Canons went off in the distance.

"Alana, let's go!" Johanna called.

I flashed Finnick one last smile before following, letting him know that I'd see him later. I knew I'd have to see him again.

I just didn't know what the Game Makers would have in store before then.