"A Phoenix must burn before it rises."
OR
In which two tributes not only find their way back to the Hunger Games, but back to each other.
Finnick Odair x Fem OC
Catching Fire
Book 1 in the 'Phoenix' series
Started...
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Phoenix ran through the jungle,each step feeling heavier as another cannon blast echoed behind her. The almost unbearable heat was beating down on Phoenix's back, making the run even more exhausting. "Okay, hold up. Hold up!" Finnick called out, feeling the weight of Mags, though light, beginning to wear on him.
The group slowed at Finnick's plea, each trying to catch their breath. Phoenix tightened her ponytail and watched Finnick gently set Mags down, before sitting on the dirt floor. "God, it's hot," Peeta muttered with both sweat and water running down his face.
"Yeah, and this isn't helping," Phoenix said, lowering herself to the ground and glancing at the tight wetsuit that clung to her damp skin. "We need to find fresh water," Peeta replied with a nod, eyes also fixated on his uncomfortable suit.
Katniss was the last to sit, her eyes still scanning the area, trying to memorize every detail. She had barely lowered herself to the ground when three cannons went off. Finnick smirked at the sound. "I guess we're not holding hands anymore," Finnick said with a laugh, causing Phoenix to shake her head. "Finnick, come on." She sighed, knowing his joke probably wouldn't sit well with Katniss.
"You think that's funny?" Katniss snapped back, confirming exactly what Phoenix had suspected. Unbothered, Finnick leaned slightly closer and pointed behind him. "Every time that cannon goes off, it's music to my ears." He pauses for a moment, long enough to make his point known.
"I don't care about any of them."
Phoenix rolled her eyes, knowing none of this was helping Katniss trust them. "Good to hear," Katniss said flatly, pulling out a machete, making sure not to break eye contact with Finnick.
Finnick tightened the grip on his trident, though he knew he wouldn't be using it. "You wanna face the career pack alone? What would Haymitch say?" He questioned, tilting his head slightly. Peeta and Phoenix exchanged glances, each silently questioning whether the other was going to intervene.
Phoenix could see that Katniss's patience was running thin with Finnick, and she couldn't exactly blame her. "Well, Haymitch isn't here," she shot back, irritation lingering in her voice. "Let's keep moving," Peeta said, cutting the tension before it could escalate any further.
No one argued as the group quickly got to their feet. Finnick crouched so Mags could climb onto his back, and together the group headed deeper into the jungle.
Peeta led the group through the thick jungle, using his machete to clear a path. A knot formed in Phoenix's stomach when she saw the look of horror spread across Katniss's face. Katniss shouted his name in warning, but it was too late as Peeta's machete struck a forcefield.
The impact came with a blinding flash and a sharp crack, sending sparks flying in all directions. Phoenix flinched as Peeta's limp body was thrown backward, crashing into the others before hitting the ground.
