001. district four

The familiar sound of crashing waves echo throughout her ears as she slowly walks along the shoreline, sand sinking into her tattered shoes with every step. It's simply a repeat of every other day of her life, a casual stroll along the beach in order to clear her head and take control of buzzing thoughts in her mind. However, today there is a solemn atmosphere amongst the people of District Four and Elena tries to push the thoughts of why out of her head — a day where the Victors of the previous year will roll up to their home and read their pre written speeches for them all to hear.

It's a time of year which so many dread because all it does is bring up wounds that had begun to partially heal, ripping apart the sewn together pieces of some incredibly broken people. Elena is one of them, her first year as a mentor resulting in the deaths of two children and having to face their heartbroken families when she returned home. The youthful smiles that the two of them had shared when they took in the extravagant interior of their room in the Capitol is ingrained in her memory, quite often quickly replaced by their lifeless eyes.

Elena doesn't know whether the idea of it will get any easier, sending children away to death and having their lives in your hands. Who knows how long it will be before another female Victor is crowned from her District? It could be decades before she gets to break free from this responsibility, the simple thought of it distressing.

The one thing she is thankful for is that her fellow mentor is one Finnick Odair, the man who had managed to help get her out of the arena alive in the first place. He's pretty much the exact opposite to her — loud, outgoing and confident and yet he is one of the most important and influential people in her life. The past few years would've been hell if it weren't for him and her older brother, Jace.

Elena stops for a moment, staring out at the rolling waves with a slither of a smile. She's been to other Districts, the ones that are worse off than her own, and she knows a lot of them would dream for a view like this one. There's a certain attractive nature to her home, surrounded by ocean with its shimmering beauty under the rays of sunshine. She remembers being in the Capitol and watching the waves from their fancy monitor, where a simple scroll on a remote could transport you back home (metaphorically of course).

The idea of the Capitol, even returning now after winning, gives her butterflies in her stomach — and not the good kind. Her heart races, her skin crawls and she's left an anxious mess. Unfortunately, the life of a Victor doesn't allow her to stay away anymore.

The blonde gently pushes some hair behind her ear and heads back up the beach, ready to return home so that she can get ready for the ceremony today. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the two victors from the previous year are on their way here now and they will be presenting their speech for the District. The families of last year's tributes will be made to stand on pedestals and listen as they're fed fake condolences from two people who don't even know them. It's a rather brutal part of the whole process, they can simply not grieve in peace.

Elena remembers her own — cheers from the crowd as she plastered on a fake smile and pretended that the mental scars didn't exist. Her eyes had strayed to the singular pedestal, the grieving faces of Walter and Gianna Strand still a presence in her nightmares. The worst part was the boy's face behind them, the handsome Everett whom she'd been drawn to like a moth to a flame. Everything about him was good, he was good.

And yet, his good intentions ended in bloodshed.

She still thinks about him, a lot. The way his smile could light up even the dimmest of rooms and even in the worst situations, he found a way to stay positive.

A day doesn't pass without her wishing it was he who got to live his life with his family, Elena has often thought that he deserved it more. The only reason she is even standing on this beach is because he had decided her life was more important than his, that for some reason she should get to live whilst he didn't.

Shaking her head softly, Elena pushes the thoughts from her mind and begins the trek home. It still odd the way people smile at her as she walks by, some of them even offering a wave of greeting like she's some kind of celebrity. Thankfully, most have seemed to pick up the fact she isn't really one for conversation, so these small gestures are much appreciated.

The small village where all the victors live is much more vibrant than the rest, lush plants lining the paths and beautiful trees providing shade for the gardens.

Elena lives down the end, being the newest Victor she is the furthest away, with her brother Jace. He's been her rock for many many years, the one person who she could lean on before Finnick had come into her life. Their parents had passed away not long after Jace had turned eighteen, Elena had only been eight at the time, and he had quickly taken responsibility for his sister with no questions asked. Working as a fishermen, like many of the people in District Four, Jace was able to provide the basic necessities for the both of them.

Being able to give him a large home, with everything he could possibly want, is the one good thing that came out of winning her Games. The smile on his face as he cooks dinner in a rather luxurious kitchen or the way he enjoying planting in the backyard — it's all worth it.

Opening up the front door, the blonde pushes inside to find the home empty. Jace is, more than likely, in the town square chatting about with some of the store owners. Despite having enough money to never work again, he's never been able to throw away the routine of doing his job.

The girl slips her shoes off and heads into the living room, her half-read book sitting on the glass coffee table. A smile lights up her face, knowing now will be the perfect time to get some reading in. She still has a few more hours until she has to attend the ceremony, plenty of time to get ready to go.

It's a silly romance novel that she'd found at one of the stores in town, the tale of a girl falling in love with the classic boy next door character. It's cheesy, she won't deny it, but she has always been deeply in love with the idea of love.

Reading is one of the few things that can bring her joy. The idea of living in a world without the Hunger Games, one where all people would worry about is their friends, hanging out and their relationships. It's an almost ideal world for the blonde girl who would give everything to only have to worry about relationship dramas.

She'd told her brother quite animatedly of the stories and would even get to the point where she would gush about the idea of having a group of friends. Yet, she was unable to translate it to real life. She's too closed off, those within the district having given up years ago in regards to trying to acquire her friendship. It's something her brother never truly understood, he didn't know how to help her either because he has never really been one for friendships either.

Perhaps it's simply a trait that Rogers family possess because Elena doesn't really remember her parents having many friends over either.

She has no idea how long she sits there before the front door opens up, Jace walking in with his hair a disheveled mess. Elena can smell the sea water that his clothes are practically drowning in, the man unable to stay out of the ocean even when he's working.

"Hey," Jace greets, walking by and tapping her on the back of the head in greeting. "We have to leave in twenty, so go get ready. Last thing we need is for the previous Victor to be a no show,"

"Did you see Finnick when you were out? Maybe we can swing by his and he can come with us," Elena replies, pushing up off the lounge.

"Yeah, he's already in town. He was there with Mags chatting with the Mayor, all dressed up and everything. He'll just meet us in there,"

Elena nods and walks to her bedroom, opening the large closet and surveying the dresses that she owns. Her hands skim over the slowly, the girl's eyes landing on the light orange dress that she'd once adored but can no longer look at without her mind switching it to the crimson red of blood. Instead, she shifts her gaze to the beautiful light blue dress that she'd been gifted by one of the sponsors from the Capitol for her win.

Pulling it out of the closet, she slips into it quickly and grabs a pair of sandals she has. Her hair looks nice enough, the blonde curls hanging down her back rather neatly. The girl doesn't even bother with makeup, leaving the room and meeting her brother outside.

Jace has cleaned up rather nicely, a pair of dressy slacks and a button up shirt alongside his best shoes. He'd clearly run a brush through his hair because it's already a huge improvement on what it had been earlier.

"Ready, kid?" Jace asks, receiving nothing but a nod in response. He doesn't speak again as they walk side by side, the blonde simply enjoying the cool breeze as it brushes against her face.

The square is already full of District Four residents, gathered rather closely. Elena knows they'll want her up on the stage with the other victors, standing off to the side and applauding the two of them as if she's happy to have them here. Elena has nothing against the two in the slightest, they'd played the game and won, but everytime her eyes land on the District Twelve duo, she is reminded of those two children who she couldn't bring home.

Elena doesn't know how some of the mentors have gone years without a winner and manage to conceal the guilt, before Katniss and Peeta she knows Haymitch had gone something like 24 years without a survivor — it must weigh on one's mind, it just has to.

The blonde girl gently squeezes her brother's arm before making her way up the steps, her eyes searching for the familiar man. Finnick is talking to Mags, the two of them seated beside one another and smiling. Elena notices rather quickly that Annie isn't here, sympathy pinging at her heart as she thinks of the redheaded woman whom Elena is rather fond of.

"Hey," Elena greets, sitting down beside the man who jumps slightly at the sound of her voice. She offers him her sweetest smile as he rolls his eyes. "Hi Mags,"

The older woman smiles that bright smile, the very one that Elena has always found incredibly welcoming. Whilst Mags wasn't her mentor, the blonde had been made acquainted to her rather quickly because of Finnick.

The trio converse quietly, not paying attention to the rest of the District who watch them as they await the arrival of Katniss and Peeta. It takes quite a long time, but eventually the Mayor is welcoming them on the stage and the duo step out.

Peeta is the first to speak, confidently stepping up to the microphone. "We are united, as Panem is united. Our love has opened our eyes to the greatness of our country. Love illuminates the truth, just as it can obscure it. We have acted blindly, influenced by delirium of our passion, but thanks to our everlasting love we now see the perfection of our ultimate reality,"

There is no way that any of this is coming from them, Effie Trinket is more than likely the culprit for the manufactured words. Just like so many others, Elena had seen what transpired out in District Eleven, the broadcast ending rather abruptly when an older man from the crowd held up three fingers.

"We exult in the incredibly and beautifully overwhelming size of our love. We are so happy and fortunate to be able to share our love with you," Peeta finishes reading what is on his card and steps out of the way, allowing Katniss to move forward.

"We also want to share with you the sorrow of your losses. The tributes of this District were great and noble warriors. They brought great honour to their families and pride to their people. We are all united, the victors and the vanquished in serving a common purpose. The power and glory of the Capitol,"

Puppets for the Capitol is what every Victor becomes, their strings contorted by President Snow so that they remain obedient to his cause. The slightest movement out of line has dramatic consequences, usually the deaths of all those you love.

"Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem forever,"

Elena watches the two of them closely as the turn to walk off, her eyes connecting with the blue eyed boy for a matter of mere seconds. She's not sure what it is, perhaps pity for his situation or maybe she is just feeling welcoming, but Elena sends him a tiny smile. He doesn't even have time to react before he's practically forced back inside.

And just like that, the Games are gone from their mind for a little while longer — Elena knows that suffering isn't far away though, with the Quarter Quell right around the corner.

NOTE!

Hi! If you've read the completed version of this, you will notice that I've started this version a little earlier. I do want to add some more aspects to it, develop some of the other relationships in this as well.

I hope you enjoyed! See you next time :)

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