The Capitol's Darling - The Hunger Games

thirty-four: preparing for the finale

THIRD PERSON POV

"Who's Annie?" Katniss asked Johanna who was sitting beside her. They were sat on the sand at the beach, Finnick in front of them sitting in the water, and Beetee and Peeta behind them.

"Annie Cresta. The girl Katia volunteered for. She won like four years- five years ago." Johanna explained.

"Is she the one that went a little.." Katniss was hesitant about finishing her sentence, but luckily for her, Johanna understood what she meant.

It was silent for a few moments before Katniss spoke up again. "What about Katia?"

Johanna looked at her confused. "What about her? You know who she is, winner of the 68th hunger games at fourteen blah blah blah, Capitol's darling etc." She replied.

"Yeah I know... I watched her games but, but what happened to her after?" Katniss was curious about Katia, she watched her games and how she was so emotionless and ruthless when killing but when her district partner died in her arms, Katniss saw the scared fourteen year old little girl grieving her friend. Then she went back to showing no emotion and being ruthless, with only revenge in her mind not even an hour later.

When Katniss was ten years old, she had watched Katia come to District 12 during her victory tour. It was mandatory.

Her mother hadn't let her watch the games but she watched Katia stand on that stage, read some cards her escort probably gave her and Katniss couldn't help but think how young and innocent she looked. Her mother said she wasn't allowed to watch due to the district 4 tribute's gruesomeness but Katniss couldn't imagine that from the fourteen year old victor standing in front of her. How those hands holding the cards shaking and nervously, could be responsible for brutally murdering so many lives. It made no sense to her back then.

And it still didn't now. Katniss was curious on what was life like for her after the games. How she moved on from everything she did.

"Well uh, i'm not the person you should be asking, that's a sensitive topic to Kat. She told me about her parents being killed, Mags taking both her and Finnick in, and how she left to live in district 2, but never the details." Johanna explained further.

And everything she said was true. During the years she was with Katia back home, she never once spoke about what her life was like after winning. Or how her parents died. Johanna wanted to know, but she wouldn't force it out of her.

"I have a plan," Beetee spoke up. For a moment, Katniss and Johanna had forgotten he was there. "I have a plan." He repeated.

Johanna got up and called over Finnick.

The four of them listened to Beetee as he explained his plan to everyone. They all agreed to it and that they would leave at dusk.

This gave them time to prepare for what could possibly, be the end.

Peeta and Katniss were sitting together far from everyone else, wanting time together alone.

Finnick was by the water again, standing while spinning his trident around while Johanna and Beetee sat behind him.

Finnick couldn't help but think about his sister. This plan they had, it would most likely end with her dead. Finnick would never live with himself after that.

So he felt conflicted. They needed to eliminate the careers, but there was no way he could eliminate Katia. His sister. The person who has been there for him his entire life.

"Hey."

Finnick quickly turned around while holding his trident still. It was Johanna approaching him.