➳❦

ARYA RESTED HER BACK AGAINST THE WALL, her knees brought up to her chest. Her eyes were closed as she muttered to herself. The guards had taken Xander away and had left her alone in the dark room. At first it was fine, but then they had come back. She thought they were just going to take her back to her cell, but instead, one of the guards pulled out a needle.

She was injected with something. Tracker jacker venom was her best guess because of the hallucinations that started soon after. But what she saw wasn't what she had thought. It was more flashes through parts of her life. Although it wasn't how she remembered the memories. They had been distorted. Arya tried to change them within her mind but it was difficult.

She was exhausted. Pushed beyond her limits. And the dehydration just pushed the hallucinations to a further point. Arya knew this was yet just another trick to break through her. But she couldn't even fight in this state. Because it was within her mind. It was something that she just had to convince herself wasn't real. That they were showing her false memories.

Most of them were at Matthew. It seemed they were trying to turn her against him, or at least make it seem like he was the villain the whole time. She tried to remain on the fact that Snow was the one controlling everything. But the line between reality and fiction seemed to be blurring.

"It's not true." She mutters to herself as she shakes her head. Her eyes were squeezed shut as she brought her hands up to her ears. Arya could hear the horrible words coming from Matthew's voice, at least it sounded like him. "It's not true." Arya had never been injected with tracker jacker venom before so she wasn't sure how to get through it. If there was some sort of trick or if she was just left powerless against it.

Snow was probably boasting in her possible defeat right about now. But Arya would try her best to push against it. To make sure her memories stayed the same. Her personality stayed the same. That he didn't break through and turn her into a person that she's not.
"Matthew is the one person you can trust." She tells herself, pushing her head back against the wall.

"Arya." She heard a whisper go through the air. Arya thought she was imagining it, just like everything else. Maybe she was. But her eyes search the darkness of the room. "Arya, stay strong." Arya knew she remembered that voice. Who it belonged to. But it was near impossible that it was who she thought of. Actually, it was impossible. Because she was dead. She knew that for a fact.

Because she was the one who had killed her.

But as Arya turns her head, she rests her eyes on the woman who had leant down beside her. Her gaze softens as she could feel her heart twist, staring at the woman who she thought she had lost long ago. "Nova?" She asks, confusion and shock within her eyes.

Nova smiles toward her. The same, enticing, beautiful smile that she had when they had met. It hadn't changed one bit. The woman hadn't changed one bit. It's like time had stopped for her.
"Hi, darling." Nova responds, tilting her head. Arya sits up a bit, moving closer to her.

Her hand moves up to Nova's cheek, brushing it ever so slightly. She even felt like she was right there. "Are you real?" Arya asks her, her eyes flickering over the woman. Nova takes her hand, bringing it between them as she lightly squeezes it.

"I'm as real as you want me to be." Nova tells her. Arya falters at that comment. What if she was just a figment of the hallucinations just like everything else? Arya knew that was something Snow could do. And besides, there was no way she could even be in front of her if it wasnt for the venom.

"I'm sorry." Her voice cracks, her eyes flickering to the floor as they fill with tears. Nova moved closer to her, placing her free hand over where theirs were connected. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Arya apologizes, feeling a tear run down her cheek. Nova shakes her head as she nudges Aryas chin up so that their gazes connected once more.

Arya hadn't even known Nova for that long. But her death still hurt her the most. Mainly because it was at her own hand. Nova had been a career tribute within the 69th games. Her games. Being from district two, Arya had immediately hated her the second they had met. Especially since Nova seemed cocky and entitled. And the goddamn smile she used to get whatever she wanted.

She had tried not to fall under Nova's charms, mainly because she had went into her games to win and get justice. But it was difficult. No matter how much she tried to hate the woman, after a conversation they had one of the nights, things had changed. Nova was the type of person who anyone could fall in love with. How could you not? She was like a rose with thorns. Sweet but cross her and she'll hurt you.

Arya didn't mean to make an ally, especially with a career tribute. But it happened. And apparently Snow had seen this. He didn't seem to like how they were getting along, especially being from rival districts. So as the games neared, Arya noticed Nova's behaviour start to change. Her skin become a sickly pale and how a sudden fever came over her.

The Capitol people also saw this but made her go into the games anyway. Arya had tried to protect her. But Nova, since she was in no position to fight was a liability. And eventually her sickness took over her mind and believing Arya was the enemy, she had attacked her. Arya did what she had to do. Something she regretted ever since.

"You tried your best." Nova's voice interrupted her thoughts. Arya had missed the sound of how she spoke, how the words would just fall off her tongue. How soothing her tone was and the way she would speak to you like you were the only person in the room.

"Why are you here?" Arya asks her, even though she knew asking an hallucination was feeding into it. It just made it seem more real which is exactly what Snow wanted.

"To help you." She responds but Arya just furrows her eyebrows. "There's always a way out, Arya." Nova tells her, glancing around the room. A sigh leaves arya as she just shakes her head. Even if she attacked the guards, she wasn't getting out of here.

"There isn't." Arya denies, looking away from Nova. Nova only places her hand on the womans knee.

"If there's a way in, there's a way out." Nova states, not wanting her to give up. But Arya still didnt see her point. She knew there was a way out, but getting there would be near impossible. "You just gotta get past the manipulation." She points out.

"They're trying to change my memories." Arya didn't want her memories to change. She didn't want to forget people or think differently of them. She didn't want to lose who she was. That's what terrified her the most in here. Losing herself to Snow's deception.

"Don't let them."

"I'm trying." Arya responds. She really was trying her best, but even now she was giving into the make belief hallucinations that were pushed onto her. "But I'm so tired." She wanted to keep fighting, she wanted to. But it was getting so hard.

"You can do it. I believe in you." Nova says as she runs her hand through Arya's hair. Nova smiles as she watches Arya's eyes close her head resting back against the wall. "Sweet Arya." She leans down, pressing a kiss against Arya's forehead before pulling away and disappearing into the darkness.

➳❦

PEETA PACED BACK AND FORTH IN HIS CELL, his mind reeling with all sorts of scenarios as to where Arya was. She hadnt been there when Johanna and him had returned and it had been quite some time. He was worried something bad had happened to her. That they did something to her. Peeta didnt want to think like that but he couldn't help it. Especially since Snow seemed to have a vendetta out against her.

"She should be back by now." He mutters as he shakes his head. Johanna and Wesley share a glance with each other. They knew he was going crazy worrying about her, but that wasn't helping anything. It was just causing him to not be able to sleep and with the way he was pacing around, the others couldn't either

"She'll be okay, Peeta." Wesley assures him with a small sigh leaving his lips. He was rested against the cage, his eyes on his hands. Peeta turns his body to look at him, a scoff leaving him as he narrows his eyes.

"How do you know?" He asks, crossing his arms against his chest. Wesley didn't know, but he wasn't going to allow Peeta to just keep on spiraling.

"Snow isn't stupid enough to kill her." Johanna pipes up. Snow knew having her as a hostage was more valuable than her being dead. And he would keep her alive as long as possible.

"He told the guards they could." Peeta states. He wasn't the only one who had heard them threaten her.

"They were probably just trying to scare us." Wesley says. He didn't believe that the guards had the permission to kill her. Snow probably wanted that luxury for himself.

"Well, I am scared!" Peeta shouts at him, his voice booming. Wesley stays silent for a second, a sigh leaving his lips.

"None of us want something to happen to her."

"We just can't freak out, it doesn't help anything." Johanna points out. That would truly make them go crazy and she'd rather keep her sanity, or what was left of it anyways.

"We need to get out." Peeta tells them, sliding down the wall. He couldn't be here for a second longer. He couldn't watch his friends be hurt over and over again. But they all wanted to get out, it just wasn't really a thing that could happen.

"They're keeping us weak so that we can't." Wesley points out. If they had more strength, if they were allowed more than an ounce of food, maybe. But none of them could even punch someone, let alone fight their way out of the Capitol.

"If we all try together--"

"How? We're in cells, Peeta. And they'll never take all of us at the same time." Johanna tells him. She knew what he was trying to do, he was trying to make a plan. But when did their plans ever go accordingly?

"I'm just trying to be optimistic." Peeta snaps at her, hating how she was just being negative on all of his ideas.

"Optimism is for fools." Johanna mumbles as she looks up toward the ceiling, avoiding the glare that Wesley had sent her way.

"Jo." He warns. Wesley really didn't want to hear them bickering, especially since Johanna was just making things worse. The door opens catching all of their attention. Peeta jumps up, his eyes going wide.

The guards walk in, one of them dragging Arya's body. "Arya!" He shouts as he moves over to the door but the guard just points his baton to make him go back a few steps. The guard drops Arya to the floor, her body hitting the concrete with a thud. Peeta bends down beside her, his hand resting on her arm. "Arya, are you okay?" Peeta asks her, shaking her body gently.

Johanna narrows her eyes, her jaw clenching as she looks toward the guards. "What did you do to her?" She accuses in a venomous tone. But it didnt seem like they liked the way she spoke to them. But what did they expect when they literally tortured them. The guard walks over to her cell slowly.

"Next time you open your mouth, I'll sew it shut, you hear me?" He threatens her harshly. Johanna glares toward him before her eyes go back over to Arya. Peeta was leant over her, trying to get her to wake up as the guards leave the room.

"Arya, hey." Peeta was worried when the girl didn't move an inch. He couldn't even tell if she was breathing or not. "Hey, please wake up." He pleads as he shakes her once more, his other hand going to her cheek. That's when he starts to see her eyes open slowly.

He felt a rush of relief go over him as he drops his head. Arya seemed to be adjusting to her surroundings but he felt her body tense underneath his touch. Peeta immediately moves his gaze to hers. "It's okay. It's just me. It's peeta." He assures her, wanting her to know that she wasn't in any danger.

Arya instantly softens, her hand resting on him as she gazes up at the man. "Peeta." Her voice was fragile and broken as she could barely move. Peeta nods his head, moving her up so that he could wrap his arms around her.

"Yeah, I'm here." He responds as he holds her against him. His hand runs through her hair as the woman all but clings to him. Peeta could hear the small cries leave her lips. Never once did he think she'd be crying in his arms, but he also didn't think he'd be held hostage with her either. Things were changing. Life was at a halt.

And all of them were just trying their best to survive here.

➳❦

KATNISS WAS SAT AT THE TABLE IN THE EATING AREA. She hadnt really touched her food though. She was more trying to figure out what to do because Coin didn't seem to be taking her seriously. Coin didn't want to rescue the victors and it angered Katniss. She was the one who abandoned them and if she didn't see that and make an attempt to rescue them, Katniss wouldn't work with her. She wouldn't allow Peeta to continue to be tortured. She wouldn't allow any of them.

Because she had seen a video of Peeta. And what he said seemed to anger the others. But she knew he was only saying what he needed to to survive. That it wasn't his choice. It seemed she was one of the only ones to think that way though. Everyone turned on him. Because he was in the Capitol and was supposedly on their side. But did district 13 forget that the Capitol kidnapped him?

A tray places itself beside her with a slight bang. She looks over, noticing Matthew sitting beside her. Finnick was now in front of her as well. Katniss just stares at them, her eyebrows furrowing.
"You've talked with president coin, right?" Matthew asks her curiously. Katniss nods her head slowly.

"A bit." She responds. Although talked was not the word she would use. Coin barely let her have her own opinion.

"What's her plan to get them out?" He questions, wanting to know so that he could go with them. Matthew would be the first one in if that's what it took. Hell,  he'd do it alone. Katniss doesn't say anything for a moment.

"She doesn't have one." She answers, immediately seeing how Matthew's gaze darkened. Even Finnick seemed fed up at this point. But he had kind of already given up on the district helping them.

"She's just gonna leave them in there?" Matthew could believe it honestly because Coin seemed self centered. But it didnt make him any less mad.

"I told her I won't be her mockingjay if she doesn't get them out." Katniss assures him. She wouldn't help them unless they agreed to help the other victors. But even then, Coin didn't even budge in the slightest. Matthew narrows his eyes a bit.

"And what did she say?"

"Nothing..." katniss responds hesitantly. She knew Matthew was angry, that he wanted to rescue Arya. But Coin didn't seem to be listening. She probably didn't even care about the victors stuck in the Capitol. And she wouldn't rescue them unless it benefited her.

"This is great." Matthew mutters as he rubs his face, shaking his head. Katniss glances at Finnick for a moment. "We can't just abandon her there." He denies. Katniss bites the inside of her cheek.

"No one's abandoning anyone." She denies. Haymitch wasn't around right now but Katniss knew he would be all for rescuing the others when they could. It was just Coin who stood in their way.

"That's exactly what they're doing!" Matthew shouts, his hand banging against the table. It caught the attention of a few people around them. But he didn't care, instead just standing up from the table.

"Matthew." Katniss tries to say but the man was already walking away from them. Finnick shakes his head as a sigh leaves him, his jaw clenching slightly.

"Let him go." Finnick says, knowing that it was near impossible to calm Matthew down right now. His eyes move back over to the woman. "He's angry, Katniss. We all are." He states. Katniss knew everyone was upset, she was too. But there was not much she could do to change it.

"I know, but Coin isn't budging." Katniss points out, crossing her arms against her chest.

"Well, make her budge." Finnick tells her. He wouldnt just sit back and do nothing. If he had to go to the capitol himself, he would. "Katniss, I'm not leaving her in there." He denies with a shake of his head. He at least wanted to know. He needed to know if she was okay. Because he died a little bit inside every single day that he wasn't sure.

Katniss glances away from him. "If there's even the slightest chance we can rescue her, I say we take it. Because if she dies because I left her in that arena, I can't live with that." Finnick admits, his voice cracking slightly. If she dies, he didn't know what he would do. Because he knew that he could've done something to help her.

"Hey, she won't die." She tries to assure him, moving her hand in his direction. Bur Finnick moves his away, shaking his head.

"I know you're just trying to comfort me but it isn't helping." Finnick denies, standing up from the table. Katniss watches as the man walks out of the room and disappears down the hall. A sigh leaves her lips. She knew he was worried, she knew he wanted to believe that Arya was alive.

But it was easier for Katniss since she had seen Peeta. No one had seen Arya yet so it left a bit of a gray area. They could hope she was alive but until they saw her, it was almost impossible to know. Katniss wished she could be certain about it and be sure of her words to finnick.

She wished she knew if Arya was alive or not.

➳❦

ARYA WAS LAYING IN PEETA'S LAP, her eyes closed as he ran his fingers through her hair. She could hear them talking but made no effort to join in on the conversation. It seemed they thought she was asleep anyways. At least that's what she figured since they were talking about her. It wasn't like they were saying anything bad, they were just worried about her. But Arya felt her mind was in scrambles, she could barely just lay there without thinking of the memories that were brought forward.

"What did they do to her?" Peeta asks, his voice gentle as he didn't want to disturb her. Johanna sighs as she shakes her head. She honestly didn't even know what they did to her, let alone Arya.

"I don't know." Johanna admits.

"You know I can hear you, right?" Arya asks them, deciding to speak up. She didn't need them worrying because she was fine. Well.... she wasn't. But she would act like she was.

Peeta seemed slightly surprised that she had been awake. "Arya, did they do something to you?" He asks her, his voice full of concern. Arya sits up slightly as she shakes her head. Obviously she wasn't going to say what had happened.

"I'm fine."

"You're not." Peeta seemed to see right through her lies, not that it was hard. "You can barely sit up." He points out. Arya meets his gaze.

"Peeta, you don't have to worry about me." Arya denies, rubbing her face a bit. Peeta frowns. Did she really think nobody would worry about her? He didn't stop worrying since they got here.

"I'll always worry." He admits as he looks at her. Johanna nods her head in agreement.

"I'll wring their necks." She states with a scoff. If they thought they could hurt Arya and get away with it, they were deeply mistaken.

"Jo, is your answer always violence?" Wesley asks her curiously, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Obviously." She says, smirking in his direction.

Arya hears a clinging noise followed by a big bang. "They're coming." She informs them just as the door opens. Johanna groans as she sees the guards enter the room.

"Again? Don't you guys have lives?" Johanna asks them, tilting her head. "Oh, sorry. Who would want to be your wife?" She taunts, narrowing her eyes. One of the guards, the one who seemed to be in charge just points his finger at her.

"Watch it." He warns her but Johanna didn't seem affected by his threat.

"Get up." The other tells Peeta. Arya moves her head to him.

"Peeta, no." She didn't want him to go, she didn't want him to get hurt. But peeta just gives her a reassuring smile as he squeezes her hand.

"It's okay." Peeta tells her going to move but Arya blocks him, staring up at the guard.

"Just leave us alone." If Snow wanted to torture them, then he should do it himself. Having these two guards do it constantly was just making her annoyed.

"Aw, sweetheart. You think you have a choice." The guard taunts her with a smirk on his lips. The other one looked pissed off though as he glared down at Arya. Arya allowed him to bend down toward her before she launched at him, punching him in the face. The one who was already glaring at her, used his foot to forcefully kick her back.

"You're really starting to get on my nerves, you know that?" He tells her with a scoff. "Take her." The man says to the guard who was still holding his face. He nods before grabbing Aryas arms and dragging her back out of the cell.

"No!" Peeta shouts as he stands up but the guard pushes him against the wall, holding the shocker threateningly toward him.

"You sit your ass down." He states, peeta just glaring at him. The guard turns, closing the cell and locking it back up before heading off to where the others went.

Arya sees the guard enter the room just as her hands were done being tied up. The man walks toward her, a sly smirk forming onto his face as he leans over her. "Maybe you need to be taught a lesson, huh?" The guard asks her, raising an eyebrow at her as his hand moves to her thigh. "When to shut the hell up." He sneers, bringing his hand up toward her. Arya glares back at him.

"Don't touch me." Arya snaps, trying to move her body away from him but it was really no use. He just stands back up, taking a step back for a second. His eyes were running over her very slowly, tilting his head.

"Inject her." He tells the other guard as he starts to unbuckle his belt. The man seemed hesitant but brought the needle out anyways. The last thing Arya saw was the guard coming closer to her before everything went black.

➳❦

AUTHORS NOTE;
The prequel will literally kill me to write because Nova and Aryas storyline is heartbreaking. Also this is probably gonna be the last chapter before Christmas so I hope everyone has a merry Christmas <3