♆ ❀ ♆

『ʜᴏᴡ ᴛʜʏ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ᴛᴜʀɴs ᴍᴀᴅ』

♆ ❀ ♆

My lungs burn with fire and the taste of acid coats my mouth as shove my way through branches and leaves, unable to feel the cutting of my feet as the roots feel more comforting than the ground of my own home.

Because my home is with him.

I catch a glimpse of his blonde hair ducking under the electric wire, carefully making his way behind the trees. He knew. He always knows.

"Fin-" I choke, collapsing into his arms.

"I knew I'd find you here." He whispers, burying his face in my hair. "Hey, hey, hey, shhh." He coaxes. "It's okay, baby, it's okay. I'm here. I'm here, see?" He pulls us apart for a millisecond, raking his hands down his chest. "I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere."

I shake my head. "No, no! They're taking you away. They're going to take you away from me." I sob threatens to break through my lips.

"Have a little faith, darling." Finnick chuckles.

❀

"I do, Finnick." Hunter mutters. That's the problem. She knew he could win it all. Question is will it be allowed.

"No. No Hunter, don't." Finnick immediately puts a pause on all thoughts.

"Hmm?" Hunter looks at up at him, meeting his furious gaze before dropping hers to the ground.

"Fucking don't, Hunter. I mean it." His gorgeous blue eyes on the brink of tears. He closes the space in between them, pulling her in with one finger at her chin. "Look at me- look at me." Her eyes begrudgingly bore into his. " Don't do anything stupid, ok?" Finnick pleads with every fiber of his body. He cannot lose her. "I will come back."

"But what if you don't." She whispers. Her life is meaningless without him. Everyone in this godforsaken world thinks love is a facade, including both of them at one point in time, and most believe that no one should lose themselves in it....

But love brought Finnick and Hunter to life. And they'd rather die than be without it.

Hunter promises herself she will do whatever it takes to ensure Finnick leaves the Games, even if it costs her her own.

♆ ❀ ♆ ❀

Hunter knew the Quarter Quell could only go so many ways, none of which would be in her favor, the odds never are.

Either Finnick would be the Victor, he was already adorned by the Capitol, one of their favorites, and the Capitol already had their claws sunk so deep into his chest. He'd be the perfect outcome for the Quarter Quell.

But Hunter knew if Finnick were to come out of the Games, their little charade would not continue. Either the rest of the Victor's would be wiped out quietly, or she would. Although their love was a secret oath they shared just between them, she knew it would not last, and was honestly surprised it had this long.

On the other hand, the Capitol- Snow, could make sure Finnick didn't survive the Games. He would make sure Hunter's name wasn't drawn. Although she was vocal about her thoughts, making her the perfect target for this specific game for Victor's to cease to exist, she was also useful to Snow outside of the Games. Her punishment could be to not allow her into the Games at all, though Damien is already salivating at the mouth for the chance to have Hunter be a two-time Victor of the Games.

Either way, one or both of the favored Victor's were not going to survive this time around. And Hunter has made her peace with that. She would rather die in the Games and Finnick live than he die in there without her, she live out here without him, or she win the Games instead.

It's sad, and cruel, but Hunter saw no outcome or foreseeable future for herself. She would rather die in the Games than continue a life in the districts, a life that she was not even living. Her only spark of hope and happiness was Finnick.

She knew Finnick had to go into the Games either way. For her district, it was between her and her only friend. Friend, mentee, sister even, Johanna Mason. Johanna Mason was the only tribute Hunter actually helped guide and gave a chance of survival to win.

Hunter saw herself in the seventeen year old girl when she was reaped. A fierce, strong young woman swallowed by fear that twisted her into a scared little girl once again.

Hunter couldn't help herself after that. She saw the potential in Johanna, and used it. She used a similar strategy to her own games and told Johanna to make herself look weak to the other tributes until there were only a few that remained. During their training Hunter saw immediately how skilled Johanna was with an ax, and made sure that was kept hidden from the other desperate and blood thirsty tributes.

And so, when the opportunity arose, Johanna killed the remaining tributes vigorously with her ax and won the 71st Hunger Games. The two girls have been close ever since.

Hunter warned Johanna of what was to come for her if she were to win. The 'life of a Victor.' But, fortunately, and unfortunately, Johanna refused. She made herself undesirable. And that decision resulted in her entire family being killed by Snow. Hunter was the only family Johanna had left.

Hunter would volunteer for Johanna a million times over, but she knew Johanna would never allow it. She knows other's would never allow it either.

Hunter only had one choice, at least in her mind. She never claimed to be a rationale person. She never claimed to think with articulated reasoning. The woman being driven mad ran on desperation and rash decisions.

She's made history before, being the youngest female tribute to win the Games.

And she would make history again.

Whatever it takes.

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hellooo lovely readers <3333

First, let me start off by saying THANK YOU ALL SM FOR 500+ READS ON THIS STORY!!

ANDDD happy 1 year anniversary to this book!! Omg, it feels like I published this story forever ago...

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the Finnick and Hunter content!! Let me know what y'all think!
And pleaseee comment y'all's reactions, thoughts, and questions, it is so much more fun and motivating!

Until next time, mwauh!!