"  𝑇𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~||~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dreadful day I thought I'd never see again. The day I knew would close in quicker than expected.

Reaping day.

I thought since my Hunger games I'd never have to worry. About seeing another day. About always living in the moment before the reaping comes. I knew thousands of people around still had to but I thought once you were crowned Victor.. once you've been scarred to the point sometimes you wonder if life is even worth living that they'd leave you alone.

But no, he's sending us back in that arena. To break the already broken.

It's ironic though. It's truly like reliving my hunger games again. Going in the arena with the only person keeping me sane, the person I love. But this time. Truly is the only person I have. The only person I love. Thoughts of my family, brother, Gage pop up but they're gone. Just like Finnick once told me it's better to try to move on and not dwell on the past.

It's been a week since the announcement. Finnick and I have been quite silent in that realm. Trying to live out the rest we can. The one time we did get into it almost turned into an argument about who was going to come out alive.

I know it can't be me for sure. What would I do? Rot away with the memories that are no longer, who will be there to help me, heal me, love me for the monster snow created.

But I just didn't want anyone else, I was simply too exhausted and knew if I was to win that not a part of me would die in that arena without him. But all of me. My life would be meaningless. Hopeless.

I stare straight at the grown woman before me. Since my games my body has transformed itself into a woman. My curves pop out, my breasts grew, the features on my face that seemed so innocent once are gone. Their piercing and fierce, my blue eyes that used to sparkle I swear are dull now although Finnick reassures me that they still sparkle.

Maybe they do, just for him though.

A knock on the door brings me back to reality when a peacekeeper informs me that the reaping is starting soon.

I didn't put on anything special for this, just a jumpsuit that curved on my body that had my districts number and the wave token on my other side that was Gages mothers.

My hair was down and wavy and I made sure to highlight my most beautiful points on my face.

I never knew what to think of myself before, I still don't. My mind echos with thought of how I'm a murderer but I mean anyone would do it to survive. Right.

~

I open the door to the stage and walk out, I'm seated next to mags and another girl Annie her name was, she was pretty, red hair, green ish eyes. I think everyone from district four was very attractive.

We all stay standing up as I look to the right to see Finnick, dashingly handsome with his blonde hair a mess like always and his eyes pierce through me as he glances my direction. Giving me a warm smile I try to smile back. Just as the microphone rings through the square.

I watch as Greenie. The woman I swore I disliked but grew to know and love even. She wore green all the time which I thought was ridiculous I also thought how could I love a capital nut. But, she was different once you got to know her. She was always there, for the reaping, during, after, check ups. She truly cared for her tributes and victors and I could tell as she choked back the tears as her voice cracked here and there.

"Welcome... to the 75th Hunger Games."

We didn't replay the video that was shown every year this year guessing because there is no use.

"As always... ladies first."

She says glancing my way as she walks to the bowl.

I was going to volunteer either way. Mags who grew to become my mother was too old for this and she deserved peace and rest. Annie, she was fragile, she would be gone in a second. She was too scarred from her games and made it out from pure luck.

I knew it had to be me, it had to be Finnick.

I stare straight ahead as the room went silent,

"Anni-"

"I volunteer as tribute." My voice rang through the dead silent square as Annie was sobbing at my side, I didn't know Annie but she thanked me and hugged me as she sobbed more. I hugged her back slightly as I pulled away and stepped beside greenie with my game face on. I then remembered cameras and I smiled my flirtatiously as I waved to the cameras knowing this was all live, I knew a crowd would be cheering on my death.

I only took one glance at her as a few tears ran down her face and she cleared her throat.

"Now for the boys"

My body tensed up as she picked up the paper in the bowl and walked back to the microphone, she hesitated, "Finnick Odair."

I could see Finnick sigh as he put on his own charming smile and waved to the cameras.

Mag took this opportunity to hug us both, we knew she'd be our mentor but she still did it anyway on camera, in a motherly way.

I turned to Finnick who turned to me as we shook hands and squeezed tightly. His sea green eyes reflected in mine, I could sense fear. We both knew this was just the beginning,
of the games.