FRANCESCA LET out a scoff of disbelief, "You're asking me to die for a girl I don't even know?"

"I'm telling you to protect her and Peeta," The man retorted, aware of the short elevator journey, "While Katniss lives, so does the revolution."

Finnick was nodding in agreement, "Okay, we'll help."

"Here," Haymitch was taking off his golden bracelet to give to Finnick, "Katniss doesn't trust easy. This will help her to not kill you."

"Great," Frankie deadpanned, "So, what exactly are we doing in the arena?"

"Keeping them alive." Haymitch explained again, "Nobody, especially Snow, can get suspicious of this rebellion. You're jobs are to throw the Capitol off. Follow Beetee and Wiress— they'll have a plan. When the time's right, cut your trackers out of your arms."

Francesca queried, "Who else is in with it?"

"So far, 6,7,8,11." Haymitch replied, "Their knowledge of the plan varies in details, but they know their job is to keep Katniss and Peeta alive."

Francesca nodded skeptically, staring at the man, "Haymitch Abernathy?"

"The one and only." The man said sarcastically, taking a sip of alcohol from his small flask from his pocket. It had taken her a moment to realise that Haymitch was the Mentor of District 12, and Frankie's mind was suddenly flashing with memories of Her.

Frankie asked, "You Mentored 12 in the 72nd Games?"

"Yep," Haymitch said lazily, "And the year after that, and after that, and so on."

It didn't take Finnick long to realise what Francesca was hinting at— Haymitch mentoring Cherry to her death. Her brother sighed, "Lou."

Haymitch's facial expression faulted at the familiarity of this name, almost like he had heard Lou before. Francesca didn't take any notice of it, as she rolled her eyes at her brother, "I was asking, Nick."

The group silenced when the elevator doors slid open and Frankie didn't hesitate to walk out; she couldn't take her mind off Cherry. She knew it wasn't Haymitch's fault entirely that Cherry was dead, though Frankie still resented him for not getting sponsors to her when he could. Haymitch tried for Katniss, so why couldn't he have tried for Cherry?

Francesca arrived in the suit, being followed by a Capitol Avox to her bedroom. Avoxes were voiceless servants to the Capitol, having their tongues cut out as punishment for rebelling against President Snow. In her first Games, Francesca hadn't interacted with the Avoxes a few years ago, though she did notice them constantly serving to her needs; she felt terrible. They were human, like she was; Francesca didn't need special treatment and she certainly didn't want the Avoxes to treat her like royalty.

Maybe it was because she was a Victor now, but the Avoxes seemed to be at her service every since she had arrived, but Francesca hated to see the voiceless humans work for her.

She was sat on her bed when an Avox crouched down in front of her. The woman had red hair and was rather young, giving a silent gesture before gently removing Francesca's prosthetic leg. And, just by seeing her removed leg and what remained, Frankie's eyes filled with tears.

She wiped them quickly, apologising to the Avox as the redhead placed the prosthetic leg in the corner of the room. Frankie sniffed, "I'm sorry." The Avox was sitting beside her now, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Quietly, she gave a nod of comfort, and somehow it seemed to make Frankie feel less alone. Frankie added, "Thanks, I feel bad for crying when you're... you know, in a worse place than I am."

The lady shook her head softly in disagreement.

"You're a slave to the Capitol," Francesca replied sympathetically, "I mean, nobody deserves to have their voice taken away. A voice is what makes up a person." Exactly, Snow was just dehumanising them as much as possible. She shook her head, "You don't have to keep serving me. I can do everything myself..."

The Avox gestured to her leg.

"It just takes longer to do things now." She explained, "I don't need servants. You can rest while I stay here."

Frankie knew that the redhead would still serve her, but the woman stood up with a thankful nod and exited the room. As she opened the door, Finnick was waiting outside; the boy gave a small smile to the Avox, before walking inside and sinking onto the space beside Francesca.

"You can't tell anyone about what Haymitch said." He fiddled with the gold bangle in his hands.

"Too late." Frankie replied sarcastically with a shrug, "You know, me and Glimmer have great gossip sessions about rebel plans."

Finnick chuckled with a shake of his head, before looking at his sister genuinely, "Lou, why are you so against this? I thought freedom was what you wanted?"

Frankie sighed, "I did want freedom. But, in a place like this, nobody will ever be free."

"You have to have hope, Lou." Finnick reassured his sister, "This plan is hope for our freedom."

The girl reasoned, "Well, I say that we survive this life and wait until we reach a better place in death."

Finnick paused for a cautious moment because he had heard those words before. He had heard those words being streamed Live from the arena 3 years ago, when Cherry was telling Francesca about a better place. Finnick took a cautious breath, "She'd want you to be happy in this life, too. Not just survive, but live."

Francesca's eyes were swelling with tears and she stared into her lap; she refused to let a tear drop. Her voice was quiet and slightly shaking, "I can't live without her."

"You're never without m-me." Cherry reassured weakly. Francesca blinked her eyes shut tightly, as the memory of the girl haunted her mind. Cherry's death was a never-ending horror movie, playing repeatedly in her mind with no pause button. She couldn't stop the horror, no matter how overwhelming it made her; she was forced to live with it.

"Hey," Finnick placed a comforting hand on her back, rubbing her gently to sooth her sudden reaction. He had recognised moments like this before, when Frankie would shut her eyes tightly as if she was afraid. After the arena, Francesca's mind was much worse; the panic attacks and episodes of meltdowns were much more frequent. He was afraid that Frankie would get worse again because of this Quarter Quell. He added, "Hey, you're alright."

Frankie opened her eyes when Cherry's voice faded into the back of her mind. The girl wiped the tears from her cheeks, her lip trembling, "She should be alive, Nick. It's not— it's not fair."

Finnick wrapped his arms around her, bringing her head into his chest. He rested his chin on her dark hair, comforting, "I know. It's okay. Hey, you're okay." He pulled away from the hug, before reaching out and using his thumb to softly wipe the makeup that was smudged down her face from crying, "I know you're against the plan, but this is real, Lou. We have a chance to be free and, no matter how much you miss her, you should still care about your future." He paused, giving a small smile of reassurance, "She wouldn't want you to be sad, Lou. Huh?"

Francesca sniffed, shaking her head, "She'd want me to be kind."

Finnick nodded, "To yourself." He paused for a while, "Lou, when we're in the arena... you find me, okay? You know to do that, right?"

"Yeah," Frankie nodded, "I know."

a/n:
hey guys im sorry for this late publish!!
okay so i felt like i had to include the conversation about the rebel plan but i apologise if i got some information wrong<3
also trust the process for haymitch and frankie's father-daughter bond!!!!!!! they get off to a rocky start but soon they'll be iconic