15.

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"SHE'S ALIVE...SHE'S ALIVE..."

--¤☆¤--

Standing underneath the warm water, I let the layers of make-up roll down off my hands and arms. The faint bruises and pale skin peeking through. I could feel the thickness of it, roll down my arms and fall down the drain with the water. It felt amazing to get it off and let myself breathe. The fake image that the Capitol wanted, gone. I wasn't a healthy, happy Victor that they always saw me as. I was a starving and sleep deprived prisoner in the Capitol, while Panem was in the middle of a civil war. I was miles and miles away from my family⎯from Finnick, who was in who knows where.

Grabbing one of the mini shampoo bottles, I pour some shampoo into my hand. Rubbing it in my hair, I moved my head to the side, thinking about what life would be like if the Games never existed. Would Finnick and I have ever met? Would the district's still be a thing? Would Snow be president? Would my Dad still be around? Hell, would I know where or what happened to him? Rinsing my hair, I grab my conditioner bottle and pour some in my hand. Slowly rubbing it in my hair, my eyes closed as I drowned myself in my thoughts.

"I wanna go home." I whisper.

Rinsing the last of my conditioner and soap, I turn off the water grabbing my towels. I wanted nothing more than to bask in the warmth of the water. Who knows how long it'll be until I get another one? Rubbing off any spray droplets of water, I slip on my sports bra and underwear, still in my own little world. Stepping out of the shower, I grab my navy blue shirt and oversized shirts with the Capitol logo printed on the side.

Slipping on the shirt, I look at the bruise that was beginning to form on my knees from when the Peacekeeper's dragged me out of the interview⎯rather forcefully. I remember seeing pure red. I could remember my shouts and curses at them. I knew that they wanted me to feel guilty. But the thing was, I didn't regret a single bit, not a second.

"What⎯he's⎯Finnick's alive? You lied to me. You ALL lied to me!" I shout, standing up from my seat.

"Miss.Grey." Cesar said, but I cut him off with a glare.

Pointing at one of the Peacekeeper's, I glared at everyone in the room, who was staring at me still in shock at my outburst. Jaws dropped and eyes widened in fear as I scanned everyone. Until I rested my eyes on the very Peacekeeper who escorted me into the room. His helmet was off, but he was still wearing his name tag with his I.D number on it making it easier to identify him.

"You can tell, your precious little President Snow! TO FUCK OFF! I DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT HE'LL DO TO ME! HE LIED TO ME!" I shout, taking steps towards him.

"Miss.Grey." He tries.

"YOU FUCKERS LIED TO ME! I HAVE BEEN YOUR FUCKING TOY SINCE I WAS FIFTEEN YEARS OLD! I NEVER ONCE, FOUGHT BACK BECAUSE I KNEW BETTER! BUT YOU FUCKING TELL ME THAT FINNICK IS DEAD AND IT'S MY FAULT? WHEN YOU'VE KNOWN THIS WHOLE TIME IT WAS A LIE!" I shout, shoving him up against the wall; using the collar of his uniform to keep him in place.

Pulling his face close to mine, I tighten my grip onto his collar; choking him. Gasping for air, I make sure to use my elbow to hold his hands in place, leaving him defenseless. Digging my nails into the sides of his neck that was exposed, I continued to put pressure on it. He gasped out for help, making me scoff. That seemed to snap everyone out of their trance. I was swarmed with other Peacekeeper's, who struggled to pull me off of him. Spitting at him, I finally let go, making him fall to the floor, panting for air. Half-crested moons marks left on his neck.

"Did you forget who you're messing with? Do you? I'm Athena Grey, Victor of the 66th Hunger Games and Survivor of the 75th Hunger Games. I've killed people⎯and I have no problem adding your name to my list." I shout, as I'm dragged out of the room.

Sure, maybe I was asking to get rough handled in a way, but they asked for it. The guard was asking for it. The way he had a smirk on his face when I finally learned the truth, arrogant and prideful as I tried not to break down in tears. 

The way that the room tensed up once I said Finnick's name out loud. Everyone in that room deserved to hear every one of my curses and screams. They were the reason I was here after all. They wanted the 'Infamous' Athena Grey, and they got her. So why were they complaining?


--0--


Walking out of the room, I was greeted with two Peacekeeper's. Both had batons out, in case I decided to get out of hand again. Shutting the door behind me, I walked down the hall staring at the floor blankly, refusing to look up. I could feel their stares on the back of my head, but at this point it didn't even matter. Walking quietly, I could hear the faint sounds of radio's go off and quiet conversations between people. It was oddly peaceful.

"Are you? Are you? Coming to the tree..Where the dead man called out, for his love to flee..Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be..If we met at midnight, in the hanging tree.." A voice sings out, making everyone freeze in place at the singing.

"Get her to her cell, now.." A peacekeeper ordered, as the guards next to me grabbed my arm.

"Are you? Are you? Coming to the tree, where I told you to run..So we'd both be free..Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be..If we met at midnight, in the hanging tree..." The voice sings out, as they drag me to my room at a much faster pace than before.

Dragging me, I could still hear the echoing of the voice and the now much louder sounds of the radio's. Something was happening. Something big, but I didn't know what it was⎯and it appeared as though the Peacekeeper's didn't want me to know. Hearing the sound of a door opening, I looked up to find my room, but before I could walk myself in, I was pushed. Stumbling backwards, the Peacekeeper looks at me up and down before slamming the door shut.

"Lights out, Grey!" They shout, making me flinch.

Sighing, I resist the urge to flip him off and make a snarky comment of my own, fearing that they would open the door and do something. Walking further into the room, I lay myself down in the center, where I could get a good view of both Peeta and Johanna whenever I rolled over. Peeta appeared to be sleeping already, his eyes shut and body curled up into a ball. He looked peaceful. Hopefully, he would be able to get some sleep, the poor kid needed it after spending hours up with the trackerjacker's.

Rolling over to my side, I glanced over at Johanna who was tracing a name on the glass, the water droplets falling slightly. Blowing on the glass, it begins to fog up slightly, making it easier for her to write on it. Spelling out the name, 'Mary' then 'Piper' then 'Dean'. Once the names were written, she crossed them out. Thinking to myself, I bit my lip as I tried to remember those names as they felt familiar.

Mary. Piper. Dean. Where do I know those names? Shutting my eyes, I think to myself when it finally hits me, those were the names of her family. Feeling a lump form in my throat at the realization, I force myself to think of anything, but the day that she found out that they passed. God, that was a day burned into my mind forever. I could still remember her sobs of pain in my ears.

"Goodnight, Johanna." I whisper, shutting my eyes as I try to drift off to sleep.




+++++

And I am done with the chapter! Stay safe out there guys!

I hope you all are doing okay emotionally and physically in quarantine! I love you all!

I hope that you are enjoying the book so far! A quick reminder to comment below about the story of what you think so far!

P.S. Want to know more about Athena's origin? Check out, 'FRAGILE GIRL'. It covers her origin, the blooming romance with Finnick, and so much more!

P.S.S. My editor just sent me this, after I made a suggestion on how to end Act 3...I-...all I have to say is..

ANYWAYS...REMEMBER, WHEN SHOUTING #BLACKLIVESMATTER DON'T FORGET! BLACK TRANS, GAY, QUEER LIVES MATTER TOO! THEIR ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY! THEIR LIVES MATTER TOO! ALL LIVES WON'T MATTER UNTIL BLACK LIVES MATTER!

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