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Disorder filled the stage as the lights went out and the Victors were left to stumble back into the training centre. Opal lost her grip on the other tribute but Finnick kept holding on, they soon passed Johanna who gripped tightly onto the woman's hand not wanting to be lost in the chaos. The lift in front of them was barely open but Opal sprung forward stopping it with a wave of her hand, the trio entered coming face to face with Katniss and Peeta.

"You really stirred the crowd with that one lover boy," Johanna joked beginning to untwist her hair from its updo. Opal stood by Finnick with a death grip on her arm as her breathing increased rapidly causing the woman to feel light-headed.

Katniss leaned closer "Is she okay?"

"She doesn't like the dark," Finnick answered running his fingers softly through Opal's hair, her breathing was slowly beginning to calm down "She sees things, I'm sure you can understand that." Katniss nodded regretting what she had asked. The rest of the lift ride was silent, Opal and Finnick were the first ones to step out of the lift "Your safe O."

She gripped his shoulders "I can't believe this is happening."

"Neither can I, it feels like a fever dream." Finnick agreed using his right hand to move the brunette strands of hair that were stuck to her face. The pair stood there for a few moments until Mags and Annie appeared.

"It is chaos out there," Annie commented, her arm linked with Mags "Everyone's been sent home, and they have cancelled the recap of the interviews on television." Finnick and Opal scramble to the window trying to make sense of the commotion on the streets below.

"What are they saying?" Opal asked intrigued "Are they asking Snow to stop the games?" she knew her question was ridiculous Snow would never back down, but a small part of her had a glimmer of hope that he would.

"I don't think they know themselves what to ask. The whole situation is unprecedented. Even the idea of opposing the Capitol's agenda is a source of confusion out here, as you know." said Annie "But there is no way Snow would cancel the games, you both know that right?"

"The others went home?" Finnick questioned, not seeing Elizabeth or the prep team in sight. Mags shrugged her shoulder sighing that they were told to go home.

Opal found a wave of sadness wash over her "We will never see Elizabeth again. Please give her our thanks and gratitude." For a moment they all stand there in silence, delaying the inevitable.

"I guess this is where we say our goodbyes," Finnick commented in a light tone. Opal could have said a million things to either of them but found her throat was so tight she couldn't, the woman wrapped her arms around Mags and Annie whispering sweet words into their ears. She waited for Finnick to do the same before they headed down the hallway, Finnick offered to go and get them some food but she refused fearing if she let go of his hand a wall would come up and prevent them from seeing each other. They spent the night holding each other, in some halfway land between dreams and walking. Neither of the dared to speak, both afraid to disturb the other one in a hope that they would be able to score a few precious moments of rest.

Fergus arrived at dawn along with Finnick's stylist, Opal knew he would have to go but can't help the urge to cling onto him. He gave her a small kiss "See you soon,"

"See you soon," she replied feeling teary "I love you."

Finnick paused at the doorway turning to face her "You already know how much I love you." Fergus accompanied her to the roof, she gripped the ladder of the hovercraft her entire body tingling, and the electric current froze her in place as she was lifted to her incoming doom, the ladder kept her prisoner until the doctor injected the tracker into her. The hovercraft took off as she looked out of the windows as they blacked out. Fergus kept pestering her to eat but the woman couldn't help but continuously pace the hovercraft fidgeting with the skin on her nails until they bled. Finally, she agreed to sip some water knowing it would help her keep Finnick along with the other allies alive in the arena.

When they reached the launch room below the arena, Opal showered. Fergus tied her hair back into several braids similar to the ones she had worn during her Hunger games, he then helped her into some simple undergarments. The tribute outfit was simple, a fitted black and grey jumpsuit, made of sheer waterproof material, that zipped up at the back. And a pair of nylon shoes with rubber soles.

"What do you think?" Opal questioned holding the fabric out for him to examine.

He frowned as he rubbed it between his fingers "I don't know it will offer little in the way of protection against the cold or water."

"Sun?" she questioned imagining herself being stranded in a desert.

"Possibly if it had been treated." Fergus answered "Oh! I almost forgot this," he took her opal necklace from his pocket and placed it softly over the woman's head. A voice boomed through the room telling Opal it was time for the launch. He walked her over to the circular metal plate and zipped up the back of her jumpsuit securely "Good luck Opal, I'm betting on you." Fergus soon left.

Opal stood stunned feeling sickened and terrified as the fact she was going back to the games finally settled in, she lent against the glass when a breeze caught her hair and she forced herself to stand up. The glass retracted leaving her standing free in the arena. She squinted her eyes down at her feet the blinding light being too much for her, the metal plate was surrounded by crashing blue waves. Slowly she raised her eyes and took in the fact that water was spread out in every direction.

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