°•°

STANDING IN HER GOWN THAT GER STYLIST HAD MADE FOR HER. Arya watches the other tributes talk to Caesar. She had to roll her eyes at some of the things they were saying, it was clear they just wanted to get sympathy. Arya saw why they were doing it, but it wasn't going to work. Snow wanted to show the districts that no one can defy them, he wasn't going to stop the games for any reason.

A sigh leaves her lips as she tilts her head back a little bit. Arya just wanted this whole nightmare to be over with. "People really will say anything to stop the games, huh?" Wesley says beside her as he shakes his head with a small laugh. Her eyes flicker to him for a slight moment, her jaw clenching. A scoff leaves her lips.

"It won't work." She denies, shaking her head. They could say they were already dying or that they thought it was unfair and the games would still go on. Because the Capitol, Snow, didn't care at all. All they cared for was a good game.

"Or maybe you're just being negative." Wesley suggests, teasing her a bit. As Aryas eyes move back to the screen, watching Brutus and Enobaria speak, she just bites the inside of her cheek.

"You can go up and say the most awful thing and the games will still go on." She mutters, crossing her arms. Wesley nods his head slowly, placing his hands inside of his pockets.

"Are you?" He asks her, gaining her attention once more. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed as she looked at him. "Gonna say something to try and stop them?" Wesley adds, analyzing her face to see if he could notice even an ounce of fear or regret.

"Why would I?" Arya retorts.

"You don't really wanna go back in that arena, do you?" Wesley asks, furrowing his eyebrows. None if the victors wanted to fight again. Now, would they kill each other in the arena, certainly. But before that happened, they wanted to do anything they could to get out of it.

"It's life, Wesley. Well, it's not even our life but I was chosen so I'm gonna fight." Arya explains to him with a sigh. Even if she wasn't picked, which she was kind of glad she did, she wouldve had to volunteer. Volunteering would've made her look suspicious but it didn't turn out that way.

"And just do what Snow wants?"

"It's not what Snow wants." She snaps at him. Arya was lying, she knew it and she also knew Wesley didn't buy into what she was saying. But she couldn't exactly say that Snow is forcing her into the games because then, they would try and gain sympathy from her and she didn't need that.

"Oh, come on. We all know that you want Katniss dead, purely because he told you to kill her." Wesley says, crossing his arms. It was clear to him and it was clear to Katniss as well. Snow had talked to her and was quite easily using her.

"You don't know anything." Arya denies as she looks away from him. Wesley raises an eyebrow, stepping back into her line of view.

"Really?" He asks her, narrowing his eyes. "Then why didn't you say yes to an alliance with the victors from last games?" Wesley questions her.

Wesley was already in the alliance with Katniss and Peeta, not that they knew of it yet. Would he help Arya in the beginning? Yes. But he wouldn't allow Arya to actually harm Katniss. If the others didn't protect her, he would find a way to get Arya away without making it look too suspicious. That's if he couldnt turn her onto the alliance.

"Because I do better on my own." Arya suggests with a shrug of her shoulders. It wasn't a lie, she was better off on her own. But if there was gonna be a hefty alliance, it would be harder to get to Katniss. When she won her games, most of the tributes didn't really have time to form alliances, except for the careers. Even then, they were paired off when she had attacked.

"Maybe that won't be enough this time." Wesley points out staring down at her. Arya clenches her jaw, meeting his gaze. She didn't know whether he was trying to psych her out or help her by saying she needed more allies. But either way, it wasn't going to change her mind.

"Saying no to Katniss was for my own survival." Arya responds, crossing her arms. Wesley doesn't say anything else, probably thinking it was best to keep quiet. "I'm not a bad person. I just do what I need to survive. If you're smart, you'll do the same." She tells him, her eyes drifting for a moment. If Wesley wanted to win the games, he had to think of himself more than others. Because near the end, you didn't want allies. Because it was kill or be killed.

She didn't really have much less to say so she just walked past him, heading to an empty space in the hallway. Arya leans against the wall, closing her eyes for a second. She just wanted to take what last moment of peace that she had for herself. Arya didn't want to go into the games with any regrets.

Regretting killing katniss might creep up on her, but she wouldn't really be alive long enough to care. Arya knew Snow didn't actually want her coming out of the games alive. He wanted to use her as a pawn to take out his enemy and then find a way to kill her as well. If she had nobody left that she cared for, she would say screw it and just leave katniss alone.

But Matthew was at risk. Snow knew about him now and if she didn't do what he asked of her, she knew he would kill him. Or even worse, he may harm Matthew's family. Arya would never forgive herself if something happened to them because of her. So, if she was to be a pawn then so be it.  She would do Snow's dirty work for him.

Alast, her peace and quiet didn't last very long as she could hear footsteps moving toward her. As she turns her head, she locks eyes with Finnick who was running his eyes over her outfit. "Well, well. Don't you look stunning." He tells her, stopping beside the woman who didn't seem to appreciate his comment.

Arya was dressed in a royal red gown that fluttered to the floor. Their was a slit in the gown on the right side and the arm was crossed over the front of her, leaving the other arm bare. Her hair was wavy and flowing down her back as two small braids were connecting near the top. Her makeup was simple yet elegant, something that she told her designer to do.

Of course she knew she looked beautiful. But trusting a word that came out of Finnicks mouth wasn't something she did. "Finnick Odair giving me a compliment? I don't buy it." She denies, barely even glancing down at what he was wearing.

"I may have a growing dislike for you but I'm not blind." Finnick points out with a roll of his eyes. Arya clenches her jaw, placing her hands on her hips. She truly didn't know if he was being genuine or just making an excuse.

But finnick truly did think she looked beautiful. He had always thought that since they had met, but he never had the opportunity to talk to her other than at parties where a million people were already speaking to you at once.

"Well, if you're expecting a compliment back, you won't get one." Arya denies, glancing away from him. Finnick nods his head, chuckling as he clasps his hands behind his back.

"I wasn't hopeful." He states, gazing at the woman. If finnick ever received a compliment from her, he would immediately think one of two things; she was severely sick and out of her mind, or she was simply trying to distract him in order to get something from him.

"Mhm." She hums as her jaw clenches slightly. Arya didn't mind Wesley talking to her, at least they were from the same district. She had no interest in talking to Finnick though. "Aren't you busy and need to be anywhere but here?" Arya asks him, hoping his interview would come soon so that he would have to leave her alone.

"Maybe I want to keep an eye on you." Finnick admits as he adjusts his shirt a bit. Arya watches him, a scoff leaving her lips. She knew he was clearly indicating how she had thrown a knife at him earlier that day but he had totally deserved it. He was trying to act like a victim?

"You attacked me first, I was just retaliating." Arya points out, biting the inside of her cheek. Finnicks eyes move to her neck. You couldn't really see the marks of where his hand had been but he could see faint redness that the make up artist seemingly tried to hide.

"Sorry about your neck, I didn't mean to make you look... unflattering for the interview." Finnick says, tilting his head as he brings his hand up to touch her neck. Arya grips his wrist, bringing it down. Finnick only chuckles underneath his breath.

"A little makeup goes a long way." She retorts, quite harshly as she narrows her eyes. Finnick removes his hand from hers, bringing them to his chest. "Though I do wish I would have at least sent a little cut your way. Maybe right about here." Arya suggests, pointing toward his face. Finnick can't help but laugh more, raising his eyebrows.

He knew she didn't like him, he wasn't stupid. It was just fun to mess with her, especially when she wanted to act so tough all the time. Meanwhile, Arya just wanted to be able to shut him up at least once. Or hurt his annoyingly stupid face, whichever came first.

"And take away my pretty face?" Finnick teases with a gasp, bringing his hand to his jaw. Arya scrunched up her face, just staring at the man who was clearly way too confident.

"You're not that pretty."

"I beg to differ." Finnick responds, his eyes scanning down her for another moment. Arya felt scrutinized underneath his gaze. He takes a step toward her, his head dipping down. "Especially with the way you were eyeing me up around the carriages." He adds, his voice hushed and she could see the smirk forming once again. She just had to fight the urge to roll her eyes as he pulls back from her a little bit.

Finnick nudges her chin up, giving her a slight wink before taking a step back. Arya hated the fact that she contributed to his ego, especially since it seemed to only broaden his sense of entitlement.

"I'll see you out there." He tells her, sending her one last smirk as he turns and walks away from the woman.

Arya glares at the back of his head. More because she had been caught looking at him. She wouldn't mind if she didn't think he was an egotistical piece of shit. But she would only have to deal with him for this one final night.

And then it was all up to what happened in the arena.

°•°

ARYA TAKES A DEEP BREATH, she was next to go on for the interview now that Finnick's was over. Matthew was stood in front of her, giving her some final tips before he went and found his seat. "Just remember, do what Snow wants, don't say anything that will piss him off." He mutters lowly, glancing around to make sure thar no one else was listening to them.

She just raises an eyebrow, a small smirk forming on her lips. "So, I should keep my mouth shut then?" She asks him and she could see Matthew playfully roll his eyes. He just smooths out her dress, trying to make everything look perfect.

"You'll do great." Matthew states, his eyes meeting hers. Arya nods her head, giving him a small smile.

"And next, we have a very special contestant, one that's dear to our hearts." She hears Caesar say which makes her palms become sweaty. Arya just takes another deep breath, closing her eyes briefly. "She is the Capitol princess for a reason. Please welcome, Miss Arya Ryker!" Arya heads toward the stage, passing by Katniss and Peeta but not one glancing in their direction.

She could hear the screams as she walked on stage and she forced a smile onto her face. Arya walked in Caesars direction until she was next to him, standing where all the other tributes had been. "Don't you look beautiful? Doesn't she look stunning everyone?" He announces and more cheers erupts. Arya brushes her hair behind her ear.

"You're no dog yourself, Caesar." She responds causing a few laughs to be heard. Caesar chuckles, tilting his head.

"Well, I do try my best." Caesar tells her with a smile. Arya returns her, her eyes scanning the area. She knew Snow was watching from his mansion, it was just whether or not she said something to push his buttons or if she kept it safe. "Now, it is very clear that this is a hard one for us. It is no denying that you're very loved within the Capitol." He explains, now becoming more serious. Arya nods her head slowly.

The citizens of the Capitol loved her. Now did she sometimes wish they would have a reality check and see that not everyone's life was as luxurious as there's? Yes, but she knew that was never happening. Most of the time she had to refrain from punching them with the way they spoke about the districts.

"And the love is reciprocated." Arya states as she looks toward the crowd.

"I'm sure, like everyone, you have someone you love watching you back home?" Caesar suggests, moving the mic toward her. Arya felt her smile falter a bit but she kept it up. Her eyes drifted for a second.

"Unfortunately, I don't think my district even cares that I'm here." Arya points out. They didn't care that she was reaped again and they certainly wouldn't care if she died.

"Well, that certainly doesn't attain to the citizens of the Capitol." Caesar denies as he gestures to the crowd. He mightve thought that was comforting for her but it was quite the opposite. "Why do you think they iced you out?" He asks her curiously.

"Because I did what we're supposed to do." Arya responds with a shrug if her shoulders. "There's no making friends when you're in the arena. Even petty alliances will have to break at one point, since there's only one winner." She explains to him as her eyes travel to the tributes for a moment. She could see that even the careers were wary if her.

"Except when there's not."

Instead of rolling her eyes, arya placed a fake smile on her face. "Peeta and Katniss got lucky. But clearly I'm the only one that sees the flaws in their little duo." Arya points out, placing her hand on her hip. From backstage, peeta and katniss couldn't help but share a glance between each other.

"Well, I for one think you have one solidified rooter." Caesar points out and it wasnt a mystery who he was referring to. "President Snow surely speaks very highly of you and he doesn't do that lightly." He states and Arya nods her head slowly.

"And I appreciate his support." She lies. No one wanted Snows support because they knew it was all tricks. It was all for selfish reasons. He was only 'nice' when something was in it for him. "I mean, he has shown me generosity over these past few years and I hope I get a chance to repay him." Arya states as she forces another smile. The only thing he really stopped was being bought by some of the citizens. She knew that happened to some of the victors.

But it didn't really stop people from using her, threatening her, doing everything they can to even just lay an eye on her bare skin. She hadn't gone through these past few years peacefully. Especially at the Capitol parties, something would always happen.

"I mean, that was all good and well since you were picked."

"I would've been here either way, Caesar." She mumbles, not knowing if anyone would catch onto what she meant. If anything, only the other victors would.

"Let's hope that you come back unscathed and join us back in the Capitol. I'm sure you'd have a wonderful life raising a family." Caesar says, trying to make light of the conversation again.

"I do want a family and I hope that I'll get to have one." She admits and that was one of the first things she said that wasn't a lie.

Arya wanted a family. She did. She just didn't want one where she knew Snow would use it to his advantage. Arya wanted to live somewhere peaceful, somewhere where she didnt have to worry. But she knew that was never possible for her. So really, the thought of having a family was a nonexistent dream.

"I even have a girls name picked out." Arya didn't know where she was going with this. She knew she could say one name that would royally piss Snow off. It was taking a huge gamble that he didn't immediately execute Matthew. He could come up with a random reason or lie and Matthew would be dead.

Or maybe it would somehow help her live a little longer. It could help give Matthew a slight gap to escape.  Either way, no matter what she said, her fate within the games was already set. It was whether or not she wanted to go out with the final word.

"Oh, do tell. Do tell." Caesar says as he wanted her to tell everybody. Arya moves her eyes to the camera, still weighing her options. But ultimately,  what really did she have to lose?

"Lucy Gray."

It was a name that not most people knew. A lot of people, if not all, wouldn't get the double meaning behind the name. They would just think it was beautiful.  One of the only people who would know why she said that was Snow himself. But she knew it. How she knew about Lucy Gray? Well, that was a story for another time.

The crowd was reeling over the name, showing they didnt know. Caesar was a bit caught off guard, mainly because he heard someone in his ear telling him to immediately end the interview. "What a... what a beautiful name." Caesar says with a smile on his face.

And for the first time, Arya responds with a genuine smile as well, tilting her head. "Thank you." She replies, her eyes going back to the camera. Arya would pay everything she had to see Snows face right now.

"I think that's all we have time for folks." Caesar announces, clearing his throat a bit. "Let's hear it once again for our princess within the Capitol, Arya Ryker!" He says, cheers erupting once again. Arya knew that once she said that name, her interview was done. But she didn't care, she's said all that she's needed to say.

Making her way up to stand with the other victors, of course she was stood next to Finnick of all people. It seemed like the universe just loved to torture her. Finnick had waited a few moments before saying something. "Do you truly want to play these games again?" He asks her, she seemed to be the only one who wasn't saying something to get out of it.

"I want to survive." Arya responds, keeping her reply short and blunt so that maybe finnick would get the hint. But of course he didn't as he just let out a small scoff.

"We will always be puppets, no matter if we come out of this alive." Finnick points out, he knew more than anyone the cost of being a victor.

"I don't intend on staying as a puppet." Arya denies, fiddling with her fingers. Once she entered that arena, she would be free of Snow's constant orders. And she would never have to take another one again.

"You think Snow would give a damn what you like?" Finnick asks, clear anger in his tone.

"Maybe I don't care what Snow would have to say."

"That's how you get executed." Finnick points out. Anyone who went against Snow ended up dead, or someone close to them did. It was always a lose-lose situation.

"I don't have much left to lose anyway." She mutters with a shrug. The only person she had was Matthew. The only person Snow could hurt was him.

"So you have a death wish?" Finnick asks her, a scoff leaving his lips.

"There's always a flaw in the system, Finnick. You just have to find it." Arya says, although she wasn't really intent on trying to find it herself. She knew what she was doing the moment she entered the arena.

Finnick moves ever so closer to her.
"

I know Haymitch talked to you." He says under his breath. Arya lifts her head slightly. Of course finnick was approached for the alliance. "That is our way out." Finnick states, there was no other way. They just had to have hope that once they got out of the arena, Haymitch would come for them.

Arya just laughs though, raising her eyebrows. "Now, that is a true suicide mission." She points out, she couldn't believe that Finnick believed that there would be a revolution.

"So, what? You're gonna kill everyone and then make a plan to escape on your own?" Finnick asks her, genuinely not understanding what she was thinking. He didn't know what her plan was for the games other than killing katniss.

"I won't be on my own." No matter what, if she won or not, Arya hoped that Matthew would get out alive. She wouldn't be coming back to him, but she wanted him to survive and be out of Snows reach.

"Oh, so you and your little boyfriend are allowed to live but not the rest of us?" Finnick asks her with a scoff, rolling his eyes. He clenches his jaw as his eyes flickered to the man who was sitting in the audience.

Arya didn't know why Finnick thought Matthew was her boyfriend. If anything, it was far from that. But she didn't really care to correct him, just wanting him to leave her alone. "I couldn't care less what happens to you, Finnick." She snaps, shaking her head.

"Well, I guess it goes both ways, sweetheart." Finnick sneers, his eyes dark. But she could see a hint of something in his eyes, something that was different but she couldn't pin point what it was. And she couldn't look again because he had turned away from her. Arya just sighs, impatiently waiting for the interviews to come to an end.

The tributes had been coming left and right before it finally got to district twelve. Arya dreaded who was coming on stage next because she knew it was just going to be this huge spectacle. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, you know her as the girl on fire! The Victor of the last years hunger games. Katniss Everdeen!" Caesar announces and Arya rolls her eyes.

She could feel a nudge on her side and when she looked, she noticed Wesley giving her a stern look. No matter how much she may hate Katniss, she couldn't be so blatant about it. At least right now.
"

Katniss Everdeen, you look fabulous, doesn't she?" Caesar asks the crowd who all immediately agree with him. "Now, katniss. This is a very big and very emotional night. For all of us. Wouldn't you say?" He questions her, looking back at the woman.

"Oh, don't go crying on me now, Caesar."

"I can't make any promises, you know me." Caesar says with a laugh.

"Well, you know I wouldn't believe you even if you did." Katniss retorts, obviously trying to lift the air in the room.

"I love her! The girl on fire is sp cheeky!" He says with a smile on his face. "Katniss, on a more serious note. I think we're all a little disappointed, more than a little disappointed that a certain wedding did not take place. Aren't we folks?" Arya tilts her head back. She brought her hands up to rub her face for a moment. "Alas. But, am I correct in assuming  that this is the gown that you would've worn on that day, yes or no?" He asks, pointing the mic in Katniss's direction.

"Yes, president snow thought that everyone would want to see it." Katniss states. Arya clenches her jaw, biting the inside of her cheek. Well, she wasn't one of those people. She'd rather pour bleach in her eyes than witness this for another moment.

"You know, everyone can still see your facial expressions." Finnick whispers in her ear. Arya turns her head, meeting his gaze but she was somewhat startled by how close he was to her. Clearing her throat, she just glares at the man.

"I don't need you looking out for me." She denies, her voice a bit louder than she intended for it to be. Finnick scoffs as he narrows his eyes.

"Do you even want to be saved? By the sounds of it, I honestly believe you want to die in that arena." He mutters, shaking his head, moving back to his original spot.

Arya stayed silent, not responding to him.  Finnick clearly wasn't thinking that what he said was actually true but if he looked at her for another second, he could see that he was actually dead on. She didn't plan on coming out of thar arena alive, no matter if she killed every tribute or not. Arya had no choice.

"Well, president snow, as usual, was right. Was he not, folks? I love it! I love it!" Caesar announces with a laugh. Arya sighs, looking down at her finger nails. They were more interesting than thus conversation. "Don't you just love it, folks? It's incredible. It's so gorgeous." He states and Katniss just smiles.

"Will you do us the honour? Please, please, please." Caesar says as he gestures for Katniss to do what she normally did. Katniss steps forward, holding her arms out before she begins to spin. They all watch as the wedding dress catches on fire. "Oh, my god!" He states as the dress turns black and Katniss lifts her arms. "It's got feathers. It's like a bird. It's like a..." He trails off, trying to think of the right word.

"Like a mockingjay." Katniss answers him proudly. Arya parts her lips slightly as she looks at it. It was certainly a move, a very dangerous one at that. Mockingjays were a symbol, and Snow did not exactly like them.

"Your stylist has certainly outdone himself this time, hasn't he? Quite theatrically." Caesar points out. "Cinna! Take a bow." He announces as the man stands from his seat.

Arya shakes her head, looking down at the ground. Anyone with a brain would realize that he just signed his own death with that look. Cinna seemed to know that as well but he did it anyways. Arya respected his decision to so blatantly undermine Snow, but unless Snow had a change of heart, the man wouldn't last the day.

Peeta was now on stage as Katniss stood with the other victors. Arya just wanted these interviews to be over but they were just dragging on. "But Peeta, the wedding, the marriage, never to be?" Caesar asks him curiously. Arya had to resist rolling her eyes at the question. Why did everything have to he about their stupid, nonexistent wedding?

"Well, actually we got married." Peeta admits causing everyone to be slightly surprised. "In secret." He adds, clearing his throat a bit.

"A secret wedding? All right, do tell." Caesar says with a chuckle, smiling at Peeta.

"We.. we want our love to be eternal." Peeta answers him. Arya just wanted someone to gag her with a spoon at this point.  She thought hearing finnick talk about someone he's had an eye on for a long time was disgusting.

"Of course."

"You know, Katniss and I, we've been luckier than most." Peeta admits and Arya could have sworn she saw him glance back at her as he said it. "And I wouldn't have any regrets at all.." He trails off, seemingly having trouble saying something. "If it weren't... If.. " He stops himself, his eyes dropping.

"If it weren't for what? What?" Caesar asks, clearly wanting to know what he was holding back. Peeta takes a deep breath.

"If it weren't for the baby." Peeta announced, earning multiple gasps from the people in the audience. Arya raises an eyebrow. That was certainly one way to try and get out of the games. But they would find out that Katniss wasn't pregnant, it was pretty easy to figure out that he was lying.

"All right. This is news. Let's find out more." Caesar states but everyone suddenly starts screaming at them. Some telling them to stop the games which honestly makes Arya more furious.

Why did they suddenly care now that Katniss was supposedly pregnant? They didnt seem to care when it was a twelve year old little kids who didnt even stand a chance in the arena. But now an unborn baby changed their minds? Fucking hypocrites, the lot of them.

"Calm down, this is news to all of us." Caesar admits but as he turns to look at the tributes,  he notices them start to hold hands, raising their hands in the air. Arya felt someone's hand on hers and she immediately rips it from their grasp. It was finnick standing next to her so she moved her gaze to him.

"Come on, everyone's doing it." Finnick tells her, gesturing to how everyone else was raising their hands. But she just keeps her hands together. "We need to look unified." He tries again as he looks at her. But as he really gazes at her, he notices the bit of fear that had formed in her eyes. Arya had already pissed Snow off, she didn't need to do it anymore.

Clearing his throat, Finnick moves ever so closer to her, his lips moving to her ear. "He won't punish you for doing what everyone else is." Finnick assures her and she could feel his fingers brushing against hers. Arya's stomach twisted as her eyes dropped to the floor. But Finnick didn't see her fighting him anymore. So he intertwined their fingers and lifted their arms up.

Wesley did the same thing on the other side, his eyes set in front of him. Finnick however kept glancing toward Arya. He could see that she was trying to keep a neutral face but the way she kept blinking, her jaw clenched as she bit the inside of her cheek, it was clear she was trying to push back any emotion that was sneaking up.

In that moment, he didn't really believe she wanted to be in these games. She was just doing what she had to because of Snow. He did have his way of making people do what he wanted. Finnick squeezes her hand, not that he thought she really cared that he was there. She most likely wouldn't even acknowledge him trying to comfort her.

But as the lights go out, Arya rips her hands from theirs and instantly moves to leave. Wesley tries to stop her but she was already gone. Finnick was just left to stare at where she had been standing. The scent of vanilla and almond oil still in the air. He could see that Peeta and Katniss were also glancing over at where Arya's now empty spot was.

Finnick didn't believe this changed anything. Arya would still be gunning for Katniss and he would have to try and stop her. He didn't want to kill her but it might come down to it. There really wasn't any other way of stopping her unless they ran away from the cornucopia before she found them.

But there was no true way of knowing what would happen in the arena.

°•°

NOT HAVING GOTTEN A WINK OF SLEEP, Arya had just started preparing herself to enter the arena. She was alone in the room with the tube that transported them up. She was simply tying her hair back, her eyes glancing around the room. Never once did she think she would be back here, waiting to enter the arena again.

She didn't know whether or not it would be the same as her last games. If everyone would start to fight immediately or if most would run off. Arya knew what her plan would be. Get a weapon and then go for Katniss. But she did have to be strategic. If their alliance truly did have finnick, she had to get around him.

Arya wasn't dumb to underestimate the man. She knew finnick was very skilled in combat at the fact that he was the youngest to win did make it a but trickier. Sponsers were a thing they would both have this game but they wouldn't have them right at the start. So, she had to make the decision to either go for katniss and risk finnick attacking her, or to wait for the right moment.

If she could somehow get Katniss away from the group, or wait for them to be distracted,  it would be the perfect way to just sneak up and kill her. But with katniss came peeta and with Finnick came Mags. Sure, Mags wouldn't be a physical threat but she was still an extra set of eyes. And if they had any other alliances, it would just add to the difficulty.

The door opened behind her which caught her attention and brought her out of her thoughts. She was really taken aback when she saw that it was Matthew. Arya furrows her eyebrows as he makes his way over to her. "What are you doing in here?" She asks him wondering how he even got past the guards. Usually no mentor was allowed this close to the games.

"You need to listen to very carefully." Matthew says, his voice low as he glances around the room. But Arya shakes her head, not wanting him to be here because it gave him less opportunity to escape.

"Matthew, you should get out of here, out of the Capitol." Arya tells him but he jusr grabs her face, his eyes serious and clearly something had happened. He usually wasn't so persistent and he definitely never had this sense of urgency in his voice.

"Arya, it's important that you hear me." Matthew states and she stays quiet, staring back at him. "No matter what Snow said to you, no matter what you think is the right thing to do, I need you to get out." He tells her and he could see that she was confused. "And to do that you may have to trust people who you wouldn't usually, especially in the arena." He explains to her and this immediately made her doubt him

He knew she wasn't one to make alliances and now he was suddenly telling her to trust someone she usually wouldn't? "Why would I trust anyone?" Arya asks him, crossing her arms against her chest. Matthew didn't expect her to go with what he said instantly but he hoped she at least listened to him when she was actually in the arena.

"Because it will be the difference between life and death." Matthew answers her. Arya shakes her head, pressing her lips together tightly.

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"Trust the people you see and no one else." He says as he brings out a gold bracelet. Arya just stares at it for a moment."I know you think you should just kill everyone but that won't help us." Matthew denies as he shakes his head. Arya really couldn't comprehend what he was trying to tell her because he was being so cryptic.

"So, you don't want me to win?" Arya asks him, confused. Matthew sighs as he looks down at her.

"I want you to come back alive." Matthew tells her. She knew that, it was the only obvious thing he was saying.

"If I don't do what Snow asks, he'll kill me, he'll kill you." Arya points out, she didn't want to put his life at risk anymore than she already had. If he left now, he would be fine but he shakes his head.

"Don't worry about me." He says, putting the bracelet in her hand. "Just do what I say and everything will be fine." Matthew tells her but it was clear she wasn't really wanting to say yes.

"Trusting people is how I get killed."

"Wear it, and you'll be safe." Matthew pleads, his voice cracking. Arya narrows her eyes a bit. "You need to be safe." He admits and this was suddenly making Arya very cautious.

"Who talked to you?" Arya asks him, ignoring the overheard speaker that was saying something.  It was clear that something changed for Matthew and that was probably because someone said something to him.

"I should go now." Matthew admits as he knew she was about to go up any second since the announcement was just made. Arya furrows her eyebrows, there was clearly something that he was keeping from her.

"Matthew, I won't be in an alliance." She denies, no matter what he said, she couldn't trust any of the other tributes.

Arya could see that he was disappointed that he hadn't gotten through to her. She heard the countdown happening and knew she had to leave. Matthew squeezes her hand for a second before she backed up into the tube. She glances up to where she would be going. This was it. The moment she had been dreading.

As she looks back at Matthew, she realizes that this truly the last moment she would see him. Because she didn't plan on coming out of the arena alive. But as she prepares for the tube to shut, Matthew said something that changed everything. That made her heart drop into her stomach.

"Then it'll be your blood on my hands."

°•°