𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞
𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔,
𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆.

°•°

ARYA RYKER WASN'T ONE TO NECESSARILY FOLLOW THE RULES. Growing up, she rebelled quite a bit which was easy for her since almost all of her family was gone anyways. Her mother was young when she had her, just being sixteen. When her mother was eighteen, she was reaped and ended up dying in the arena. So, she never really grew up with a mother. Not that Arya really had anything to miss since she barely knew her before she died.

Her father was a prominent member in her district. Since they were a part of District 5 that supplied the main source of power to the capital, he had one of the main jobs making sure that the dam never had any issues. But ultimately, he would end up dying from an electrocution shock after routine maintenance work went awry.

Arya did have two little brothers, Ash and Jacob. But due to her family's luck, Ash was picked from the reaping and because she wasn't the same gender, she couldn't volunteer for him. So, she had to watch her twelve year old little brother barely survive two seconds within the arena. It was mainly the reason why she trained so hard in order to protect herself. So, when she was reaped which did end up happening, she could win for him and maybe that would give him a little bit of peace in the afterlife.

Her brother Jacob on the other hand, couldn't handle the loss of their family. Arya had tried to help him the best she could, but the guilt and grief eventually over took him and he ended up taking his own life when he was just sixteen years old. That was the last of her family ripped from her. Her grandparents had already passed on, and her mother's sister never really talked to them. She mainly pretended like they didn't exist. And within that same year was when she was reaped and sent to the arena.

Arya believed that her trauma and grief from losing her family was what sent her over the edge. And what allowed her to be so ruthless within the games. She didn't have anything else to lose, and that seemed to help her bring her to her victory. Arya had won the games within the same day that they had started. She didn't run and go hide, she didn't hesitate for even a second. Arya had ran right into the middle and killed ten tributes right off the bat.

Killing nineteen out of twenty three competitors wasn't really seen much within the games. And Arya believed that maybe people would think she was too evil, and not be seen as a person herself. But to her surprise, the Capitol ended up loving her because she was so brutal. And when she won the games, even President Snow himself said he was quite impressed by her.

The only tributes she hadn't killed was the little twelve year old boy, Alex, who had reminded her so much of Ash. As well as the thirteen year old girl, Sara who had unfortunately poisoned herself with nightlock berries. The district nine girl who had stepped off the pedestal too early and the man who was killed by one of the careers.

Some people admired the fact that she left the two young kids. But most of her district didn't really see that sincerity within it. They only saw the cold blooded killer who took out her own and didn't even seem the slightest bit remorseful. Her district had turned on her and her victory tour was not exactly smooth sailing through district five.

But Arya wouldn't apologize for what she had to do during the games. She did it to survive and if any of them were in her place, she knew they would do the exact same thing. Because they couldn't judge her, not when the whole point of the hunger games was to kill or be killed. Arya was just doing what she needed to do. And she would do it all again if she had to.

She didn't really have many friends, even growing up, it just wasn't easy for her to do it. So she often just kept to herself. Even when the other victors tried to mingle with her, she would often just walk away. Mainly because they were just trying to suck up to her. Well, all of them except for the one and only Capitol darling; Finnick Odair. Arya couldn't even begin to explain how she loathed that man. Just the way he smirked pissed her off.

She also got the impression that he didn't like her much either. But she didn't know his reasoning behind it. Arya just thought he was an entitled prick who thinks that the world revolved around him. It was probably just the way he spoke to her or acted, or maybe it was unjustified to dislike him but she didn't care. She would rather be stuck in a room with a thousand annoying Capitol residents who would ask her a million questions, than to ever voluntarily be in a room with Finnick.

Was it mentioned that she didn't make friends very well? Maybe it was just the fact that she closed herself off after the deaths of her brothers or maybe it was just that it was hard to trust anybody, especially someone who had something to do with the games. Maybe Arya was being to harsh with her opinion on Finnick, or maybe she was dead on. Either way, she didn't care enough to actually find out.

The only person who ever really got a smile out of her was Matthew Thistle. He was an older boy in her district who was a close friend of the family. Well, the broken shreds of her family. No matter how much she tried to push him out or act like she didn't care about him, he always managed to squeeze his way in. But she was grateful to him, he was the only reason she didn't go completely insane with all the loss that she had suffered.

He also warned her about President Snow. Arya told him that after she had won her games, Snow had asked to meet with her. He told her that he was fond of the way she won her games and that they could be of use to one another. Of course, Matthew didn't trust a word that came out of Snow's mouth and that planted seeds of doubt in Arya's mind.

Not that she trusted Snow in the slightest. She knew he was evil and cruel, especially with the way he was in charge of the games. But having the president tell you that you could ask him for a favour, it definitely was both a shock and a bargaining tool. Arya had to tip toe around her fragile relationship with Snow. She knew never to upset him and to always agree with what he said. Arya wasn't dumb to make an enemy out of him.

But one thing that Snow gave her that she was actually grateful for, was the opportunity to live within the Capitol. Most people lived in the Victor houses within their district, but Snow allowed her to take a place within the city. He knew her district was at an odds with her and to gain her trust, he thought he would give her the courtesy of not having to sleep with one eye open.

Of course, Arya knew this wouldn't come without a price. And that price was yet to be said. She was aware the time would come where he would call upon her for something, she just didn't know when that time would be. But as the third quarter quell came ever so closer, she couldn't ignore the feeling in her gut that something was different this year. That something was going to change.

And she had no idea if it was good or bad.

°•°

LOOKING AROUND HER APARTMENT, Arya couldnt help but scowl a little bit. She had a lot of space that she didnt necessarily need and she hated it. Snow had given her an apartment but it wasnt cozy or small, it was a gigantic hole of rubbish art that she couldnt care less for. But of course, there was no switching it since it was a 'gift' from the president.

At least she had empty rooms for whenever her friends stayed over. What a complete and utter joke. Arya could go out every single day and she would still never have anyone new in her life. The only company she ever had was Matthew, and the occasional visit from Caesar Flickerman, wanting to know how she's doing.

She didn't mind Caesar, she honestly admired how no matter what, he would always try his best to make the people who are reaped, look good in front of the Capitol people. His words often helped the competitors and even if he didn't acknowledge it, Arya was grateful that he at least tried his best to be welcoming to them. Even if he only knew them for a short period of time.

Arya heard her front door open and as she looks toward it, she notices Matthew walking inside with a bag in his hand.
"There she is, the destroyer." He teases her, a smirk on his lips. Arya rolls her eyes as the man closes the door and makes his way over to her. He had been calling her that for the past six years, ever since she had won her games.

"Would you stop calling me that?" Arya asks him as she stares up at him.

"If I stopped calling you that, then what would I do to annoy you?" Matthew retorts with a chuckle, kicking at her foot. Arya glares at him before placing a fake smile on her lips.

"Being here. Existing." She responds and he just gasps, placing his hand on his heart.

"Ouch." Matthew says, only making Arya flip him off. "You really know how to hurt a man's heart." He adds as she relaxes more against the couch that she was sitting on.

"Shut up." Arya mumbles, shaking her head.

"So, the games are coming up." Matthew points out, sitting down next to her. Arya nods her head slowly.

"Another year of meaningless deaths." She points out, resting her head back. Arya never understood the true reason on why they had the hunger games. She got it was to punish the districts for the rebellion, but why were they still going on after 75 years? Surely the Capitol could be a bit lenient. Especially having the age start at twelve.

"They're not meaningless if you win." Matthew states, it wasn't like winning wasn't a good thing. At least you didn't end up dead like the others.

"Getting bathed in riches just makes it feel more... disgusting, honestly." Arya admits. They basically killed each other to ensure a life of endless money and somewhat happiness.

"I don't really see you complaining about this life of luxury." Matthew teases her with a wink. Arya just stares back at him, narrowing her eyes for a slight second.

"Oh, I never said I hated it. I just wish there was another way to get where I am." She admits with a sigh. Arya didn't mind having the freedom to do what she wanted. She just wished she didn't have the blood of nineteen people on her hands. Although, if she could go back, she would do it all over again because that's what the games were.

"Maybe when hell freezes over." Matthew points out, resting his hands behind his head. There was never going to be an end, not that he could see in the near future. Although he did see the way the districts were getting more riled up, especially with the victory tour going on.  "I visited home today." He says, looking over at Arya who meets his gaze.

Matthew stayed with her most of the time in the Capitol but he often visited home to see his family and to help out around the district. "Did you see your sister?" Arya asks, knowing that it was getting ever so closer to the ceremony.

"Yeah." Matthew says with a light sigh, clenching his jaw. "She's terrified her name will be picked." He admits. And truthfully,  he was scared for her as well.

"How many times is her name in?" Arya asks curiously. The one thing she did truly wish is that she was able to just bring Matthew's sister out of it.  She still had two years to go and her chances of being reaped were growing each year.

"Thirty five." Matthew says, his eyes drifting. He had been lucky to never get reaped but he feared for his sisters safety, especially this year being a quarter quell.

Arya sighs, biting her tongue. His sister hadnt exactly made the best choices either which us why her name was in so much. "That's tough." She admits, fiddling with her fingers. "But, hey, I was picked when my name was only in a few times so you never know." Arya truly believed that having your name in a bunch of times, didn't necessarily mean you were picked. Someone could have their name in once and be chosen, it was just about luck.

"Well, at least she would have you as her mentor, right?" Matthew points out and Arya nodded her head slowly. It wasn't like she didn't like mentoring, she just hated when the people she mentored didn't win. Having to watch them die was hard. But it was mainly annoying when they didn't even listen and follow what she was trying to help them with. "I also saw Fiona." He adds which makes her eyes snap to him.

Fiona was her mother's sister. Or what Arya liked to call her was; the villainous bitch. Fiona never cared for anyone in the family and was one of the reasons why Jacob never got the help he needed. She had practically talked him into taking his own life and that's what pissed Arya off the most.

"Did she ask you, yet again, when I'm bringing her to the Capitol?" Arya asks, wanting to just put a knife in that woman's throat. Of course when Fiona heard that Arya had won the games, she suddenly started to act like an aunt and wanted to get close to her. Arya knew it was all an act though, just to not have to support herself in district 5.

"Yep."

"That bitch seriously wants to leach off of me after not even acknowledging me for the seventeen years before I won the games?" She asks, shaking her head. Arya was pissed to say the least. Her mothers sister really believed that she could just jump right in and ask for things when she practically hated them for the past two decades. The woman hadn't even shown the slightest bit of sadness when Arya had been reaped.

"Don't you just love family?" Matthew teases as he tilts his head. Arya scoffs, leaning back against the couch.

"She is not my family." Arya mumbles, looking down at the ground. That woman was far from it and she would never even get close to being an acquaintance.

Matthew shakes his head, crossing his arms against his chest. He goes to say something else when there was a knock at the door, causing both of them to look over at it. "Are you expecting someone?" Matthew asks her, furrowing his eyebrows. Arya snorts as she gets up from the couch.

"Who else would willingly come hang out with me?" She retorts with a roll of her eyes. Matthew chuckles lightly, shaking his head as Arya walks over to her front door. Opening it, she notices that it was one of Snow's guards. "Can I help you?" Arya asks him, a bit of a rude tone in her voice as she just stares at him with a blunt expression.

"President Snow has requested your presence." The man informs her. Arya expected more but he just shut his mouth afterwards.

"Can I ask what for?" She questions, crossing her arms. The guard stays silent, just staring at her. Arya glances back at Matthew, sharing a look. "Okay, then." She mumbles, rubbing her hands together. "I'll be back later." Arya tells Matthew, not knowing how long she'd actually be. It depended on what Snow actually needed from her.

"Hey, be cautious, okay?" Matthew states, biting the inside of his cheek. He always hated when Snow wanted to speak to her alone, mainly because he didnt trust the man to be alone in a room with her.

"I doubt he will kill the one Victor who he has praised drastically in front of his people." Arya points out bluntly. Snow was meticulous but he wasn't plain stupid. He knew the Capitol adored her and most of that was because of him.

But Matthew just shrugs his shoulders. Snow often had tricks up his sleeves and it was better to be wary around him then to let your guard down. "You never know." He retorts, sitting down on the couch. Arya just shakes her head before leaving the apartment.

She knew Matthew was looking out for her and she had her own wariness around Snow. But it was better to not show fear, or any type of emotion around him really. Because that was how he controlled you.

Sow fear, more fear. If she just kept that to herself, she was better off in the long run. Especially because no one would be able to figure out her next move.

°•°

WALKING INTO THE OFFICE, Arya instantly noticed the older man stood near the window. He was looking out over the capitol, seemingly in deep thought. Her eyes look back at the guard who was closing the door behind her. Snow was aware that she was in the room, but didnt make an effort to turn and face her. Clearing her throat, she took a step further into the room. "You wanted to see me?" Arya asks, her voice carrying a bit. Snow lifts his head slightly before he turns to look at the woman.

"Arya, come and have a seat." Snow suggests, gesturing toward the chair in front of his desk. Arya was hesitant but walked over nonetheless, sitting down in the empty chair.

"You rarely ask to see me in private." She points out. Most of their conversations happened in public except for a select few. And those private talks mainly included something that had to do with the games or something that he needed her to do.

"There is something of the upmost importance that I must speak to you about." Snow admits and Arya couldn't help but let out a small groan.

"If this is about the bullshit wedding, I've seen the news already." She retorts, looking up for a moment. Every single person in the Capitol was talking about how Peeta and Katniss got engaged. Well, at least that's what it seemed like for Arya. She hated hearing about it, mainly because she knew it was a hoax. They only pretended to be in love to win the games.

It was a genius move, Arya could admit that. It just annoyed her how they were everywhere now and their life was practically broadcasted in her face. She really didn't care about their faulty love or the fact they were going to get married in order to, what, please the Capitol?

"No, no. This is about the quarter quell." Snow informs her and she was taken aback a bit. Why would she need to know information about the next Hunger Games?

"What is it?"

"I like you, Arya." Snow starts which makes her slightly suspicious. He was rarely ever 'nice' unless something was in it for him. "But what I like more is how ruthless you were in your games. You didn't hold back." He states. Arya just narrows her eyes.

"Well, it was kill or be killed." Arya points out with the shrug of her shoulders. She did what everyone else had in their minds. There was no time for hesitation within the games and there was no time for remorse.

"That is very true." Snow retorts with a nod. "But you don't see many tributes taking out most of their competitors." He points out. That was what really surprised him the most. The fact that she single handedly killed almost every last one in the arena.

Arya hated the way he was dallying and not getting straight to the point. "Where is this going?" She asks him with a sigh, tilting her head. Arya didn't know what she was seeing on Snow's face, but it was an expression she had never seen before.

"This hunger games will be a bit different." Snow admits as he leans forward a bit. Arya furrows her eyebrows. She knew the quarter quell always had some sort of twist. The 50th hunger games had 48 tributes instead of 24. But what Snow said next, truly surprised her. "We will be reaping from the existing pool of victors." He tells her.

Arya was silent for a moment. She didn't really know how to react. Never once had it crossed her mind that the victors would ever have to even think of the hunger games again. And now, to be told that she may have to endure it once more? It was certainly something she couldn't quite wrap her mind around. But she was angry, which was to be expected.

"You're kidding, right?" She asks him, a glare set in her eyes. Snow simply looks back at her, not affected by her sharp tone. "You pulled me in here to tell me that I may have to play those stupid games again?" Arya questions, biting her tongue to stop her from saying some pretty vile things toward the man.

"It is not a possibility." Snow denies which makes Arya a bit confused for a second. She didnt know if that meant she would be forced into the games or if she was lucky enough to sit it out. But once again, luck was never a thing in her life. "I need you to volunteer." He tells her and her eyes immediately widen at his 'suggestion'.

"What?" Arya was clearly shocked but she had to have seen this coming. Snow clearly has always loved how ruthless she was, and he wanted to use that in the quarter quell.

"If your name is not picked. You will volunteer for your district." Snow states, it wasn't weird for someone to volunteer usually. But if the reaping is from fellow victors, it would look quite odd if Arya just came out and took the place of someone she barely knew.

"I'm not insane. Why would I do that?" Arya asks him with a shake of her head. Never once has volunteering ever crossed her mind. She never grew connections with any girl in her district, so why now would she open her heart?

"Because I am asking you to." Snow responds, his tone seemingly calm but she noticed the slight aggravation in his eyes.

"Asking or telling?" She knew he was more demanding that she volunteered.  Snow wasn't really one to take no as an answer.

"I need you to volunteer and I need you to kill Katniss Everdeen at the earliest convenience." Snow tells her which just makes her raise an eyebrow. Of course, this was about the previous Victor of the games. It was clear that he felt very threatened by Katniss.

"I'm sure the career tributes will go after her." Arya points out, she wouldn't really even have to target Katniss,  most people would be doing that anyways.

"They didn't succeed last year. I need you to guarantee it this year." He says. Snow didn't want to chance it and he knew that if he sent Arya in, she would get the task done.

The careers were power houses but they could be beaten. Arya was sure that the victors however, were much stronger than their fellow district members. "And if I don't?" She tests, wanting to see what he would say. Arya wasn't completely out of her element though, Snow would make her say yes no matter what.

"I am lenient toward you, Arya. No other tribute has gotten the luxury that you have." Snow says, his voice more firm now as if trying to get the point across that he basically 'saved' her. Arya could only let out a scoff as she rolls her eyes. Not many people could do that without either being killed or taught a lesson.

"Just because you didn't sell me into prostitution, I'm supposed to be grateful to you?" She questions him, crossing her arms. Arya knew what happened to many of the victors when they won the games. There really wasn't much happiness in your life afterwards. You truly never actually won.

"I control your life here in the capital." Snow points out and Arya could tell that it was coming off as a threat. But he wasn't wrong, he could push her back to district five in the blink of an eye. "Do as I say, or I can very well change it." He demands which makes Arya clench her jaw.

She hated how much Snow's influence affected her life. Nothing would stop him if she denied him. "So, essentially I have no choice." Arya states. She knew that even if she said yes, it wouldn't truly be her decision. She would just be picking it in order to save her life. Even though either way, there was a possibility of everything going to shit.

"You have a choice, but I know that you'll make the right one." Snow says. It wasn't like she couldn't pick to say no. It just wouldn't benefit her in the slightest.

Arya kept her eyes directly on Snow. She debated it in her mind. It wasnt like she directly knew Katniss or it would have any affect on her, having to kill her. Arya hated how she really had no choice, it was either volunteer or have Snow make her life a literal hell. But really, the choice was quite easy.

She lets out a small sigh as her eyes narrow slightly. "All you want is Katniss dead?" Arya asks him curiously, not wanting him to twist it in any way or somehow add something later on. If this was what he wanted, he couldn't change it after she agreed.

"That is all I want." Snow states with a nod of his head. Arya bites the inside of her cheek, her finger running along the wood of the chair. She truly didn't want to go into the arena again, but if this was what she had to do, so be it.

"If I do it, will you leave me alone?" Arya questions. She didn't want him coming back to her, asking her for more and more. She knew he was the President and could do as he pleased, but she knew she had the tiniest bit of leverage right now.

"I will never ask you anything else." Snow denies, staring back at her. Arya wanted to trust him, more because her life was on the line if she went back in the arena.

"And how can I believe you?"

"Have we ever lied to one another?" He asks her, raising an eyebrow. Arya knew Snow was a lot of things, but a liar wasn't one of them. He admitted to killing children, he wasn't really caring enough to hide anything.

Arya drifted her eyes down to her hands for a moment. She could just picture the look on Matthew's face when she tells him about the quarter quell. He would surely think she was insane for even thinking about taking Snow's deal. But again, she really didn't have much of a choice. And she was not about to put Matthew's life at risk by saying no.

"Fine. You have a deal." She admits, taking in a deep breath. Arya could see the subtle smirk that formed on Snow's face. She didn't know if she fell into whatever trap he may have set up, or maybe he was genuinely just asking her to take out the previous Victor who would end up being in that arena no matter what. But either way, Arya knew what she had to do.

"I'll kill Katniss Everdeen for you."

°•°

Just a little introductory chapter into this book ! Just a little fact about my book, Annie and finnick are not together within this story. I just don't believe finnick would ever do anything to hurt Annie or ever fall out of love with her. I also didn't want to just kill her off because finnick would never get over her death. I just feel like it would be very uncharacteristic of him and I don't want to change the essence of his character. I hope you all understand.

Guest starring Theo James as Matthew Thistle.