· 。ﾟ☆: *.☽
▎ RUINS   ▎
»»————-　act one. uneven odds
THREE ━━ a parade from hell

she wears strenght and
darkness equally well,
the girl has always been half
godess half hell

— nikita gill

ONCE ERIN ARRIVED AT THE CAPITOL SHE WAS BOMBARDED by a multitude of bight colors; people clambered around, waving and screaming out to them as the train slowed, pulling into the station. She and Finnick stood right next to each other, refusing to smile or wave back, refusing to even acknowledge any of the people around them.

The Capitol had betrayed them. They were promised a safe, better life after winning the Hunger Games, but now they were back, expected to fight to the death once again. The tributes, the victors—they were all just pawns in President Snow's game of chess. They were unimportant. They were replaceable.

Erin Benton wasn't going to show the Capitol anything but utter distaste. She was more than just a piece in someone else's game, and she was as sure as hell going to show it.

As soon as the two District 4 victors—or rather, tributes again—arrived in the new training center, they were split up in a frenzy to get prepared for the opening parade. They were one of the last districts to arrive, so they were rushed off in a hurry.

Erin was waiting quietly inside one of the preparation rooms for her stylist. She wasn't particularly looking forward to any of Capitol's excessive tradition, but she had to endure it all the same.

Soon, three other people joined her; it was the same prepping team that had worked on her in her original games.

They were all very friendly and bubbly, but Erin couldn't stand the fact that these people enjoyed the games. They looked forward to them. Her teams chattered on about the games, gushing about how every was going to adore her. In Erin's opinion, it didn't matter; twenty-three respected victors would be dead in a month's time.

After they worked their so-called 'magic' on Erin, she was ushered on to the chariots. Here, she was to be shown as a prize possession—something that her family and friends back home should be proud of.

Erin slowly walked inside the hall alongside Finnick, her head held high even as the other tributes turned to see their entrance. She wasn't going to show any sign of weakness or fear.

The two of them approached their horses, and Erin could still hear the Capitol's citizens screaming our the name of their favorite tribute.

"What are you supposed to be? A fishing net?" Erin teased, running her fingers through the horse's long mane.

Finnick jokingly scoffed, nudging her with his shoulder. "Admit it—I look great."

She hummed, smirking. "I bet the women are going to love it."

"Of course! I am Finnick Odair, after all." He puffed his chest out, causing Erin to laugh and roll her eyes.

"I'm going to go talk to some of the others here. I'll see you soon."

Finding Johanna didn't take Erin long; she was standing beside her district partner, looking as fierce as ever.

"I see you're going for the 'natural' look?" Erin called out to her.

Johanna looked over and scowled. "Very funny. I don't know what idiot though it would be a good idea to have us dress like trees. Again."

Erin shrugged, sliding over to her friend. "You should see Finnick. He's only wearing a fish net."

Johanna snorted, looking around for the man himself. "Speaking of Finnick, I think you should go save the Girl on Fire. She's looking pretty uncomfortable," she finished with a grin.

Erin quickly followed Johanna's gaze, widening her eyes. "That poor girl," she muttered. "I better drag him away from her or else he'll die before the games even start." Erin's voice took on a bitter tone.

Johanna nodded, understanding the double meaning within her words.

"—But I would love to borrow that outfit one day." Katniss finished, Erin joining the conversation at just the right time.

Erin smiled sweetly. "It really is a charmer."

Katniss looked away from the horse over to Erin. She was surprised to see the petite girl—she practically radiated innocence, but Katniss had to remember Haymitch's advice. Erin was possibly one of the most dangerous tributes.

"You look pretty terrifying in that get-up." Finnick noticed. "What happened to the pretty little girl dresses?"

"I out-grew them." Katniss said simply.

"You certainly did." Finnick smiled.

Erin pushed Finnick away slightly. "Sorry for my friend's behavior. I'm Erin Benton." She held her hand out to Katniss, smiling.

Katniss grabbed her hand in a firm handshake, nodding her head. "Katniss."

"Oh, I know. I've seen your games, Girl on Fire."

That got a smile out of Katniss. She didn't see what was so bad about the girl in front of her—she acted so friendly and cheerful. She was starting to think that Haymitch must have been more than a little tipsy if he thought Erin was such as dangerous tribute.

"Shame about this Quell thing." Finnick started. "Now you—you could have made out like a bandit in the Capitol: jewels, money, anything you wanted."

"I don't want jewels, and I have more money than I know what to do with. What have you done with all of your wealth anyway?"

"I haven't dealt with anything as common as money in years."

Katniss cocked an eyebrow. "Well how do people pay for the pleasure of being in your company?" Erin grinned at that, laughing slightly.

Finnick stepped closer to Katniss in an obvious attempt to make her feel uncomfortable. "With secrets." He whispered, and Erin raised her eyebrows.

"What about you, Girl on Fire? Any secrets worth my time?"

"I'm an open book. Everybody seems to know my secrets before I do."

"Unfortunately, I think that's true."

Finnick saw Peeta walk in with his stylist. "I'm sorry you had to cancel your wedding." He paused. "You must have been devastated."

"Good day." He said suddenly, popping a sugar cube in his mouth and walking away.

Erin lingered for a moment longer, her bright eyes locking with Katniss'. "Sorry about him—he can be a bit much." She apologized with a small laugh. "Good luck."

Katniss saw Erin's once bright and happy eyes turn harsh and cold in a matter of seconds. With her head held high, she walked back over towards Finnick.

"What did they want?" Peeta joined Katniss' side.

Katniss didn't respond to the question. "We need allies; you know that. I want her." She said, tilting her head towards Erin.

Peeta's eyes widened slightly at this. "Didn't Haymitch practically warn us against her? Do you really thinking allying with her is a smart idea?"

Katniss scoffed. "You two wanted me to make allies. I want her."

Peeta wasn't giving time to respond before they were told to step onto their chariot.

Erin's face remained blank of emotion as the chariots began moving forward; she kept her chin up and her gaze straight in front of her. With one last glance at Finnick, their chariot pulled out of the hall where they were greeted by hundreds of screaming and waving "fans".

The Capitol Anthem resounded in Erin's eyes, the drummers and musicians playing on either side of her. She had no need to fool the people in this crowd—her eyes remained stone cold. Everyone already knew what she was capable of.

The chariots circled around until they arrived in front of a large building; Erin saw President Snow focusing on Katniss as they made one final loop. She tried to hold back her urge to smirk, knowing that the tributes of District 12 were no longer on fire, but burning brightly as coals. They would never be stomped out.

The crowd was going wild, lavishing the tributes with applause, but most refused to react. Instead, their eyes remained trained ahead.

They would no longer play the part of the pawn.

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