✮ ༄ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 ༄✮
ACT II CHAPTER 12
( heaven is in your eyes )

EVELYN AND FINNICK DECIDED TO SPLIT UP IN THE TRAINING CENTRE. Cashmere and Gloss were already at the knife throwing area, so Eve found herself in the knot tying station. There were step by step directions on a screen in front, but she didn't need to use them.

The entrance doors hissed open, Evelyn's eyes flickering up for mere seconds, seeing the two Victor's from District Twelve before continuing her knot.

Last night, Haymitch gathered half the Tributes. He spoke about a rebellion forming, and for it to begin, they need to keep Katniss and Peeta alive. All Victors would be taken to District Thirteen if they survived long enough in the arena. Apparently, Plutarch Heavensbee (the new GameMaker) was in on it also.

Evelyn agreed, as along as Faye stays safe.

Finnick and Evelyn's chosen alliances were, of course, the star-crossed lovers, Johanna, Wiress, and Beetee.

"Remember Katniss, today's about making allies." She heard Peeta say.

A Tribute retching up mushy liquid caught their attention, making Katniss grimace, "So far I'm not overwhelmed by our choices."

Evelyn let out a short laugh, gaining the duo's attention, "Once you've seen what they can do, you'll be begging to partner up with them."

Peeta gave the District Four Victor a smile, which she returned, and headed off to the painting section, hoping to speak with the Morphlings.

Katniss walked towards Evelyn, studying the way she looped the rope and tightened the newly made knot.

"You're really good at that." Katniss said. The blonde woman faced her with a thanking smile. "I saw you volunteer for that girl. It was really brave."

Evelyn shook her head, letting out a breathy laugh, "Not as brave as you volunteering for your sister. Now that... that takes guts." She noticed Katniss' confused expression towards the knot tying, "I can teach you if you'd like?" Gesturing towards the rope.

The brunette girl felt a genuine grin break across her lips while nodding.

Evelyn suddenly felt a pair of hands snake around her waist, causing her to spin around and gasp lightly.

Finnick held his hands up in surrender, "Sorry! I'm sorry, sweetheart. Calm down." He chuckled.

"Don't do that! And don't tell me to calm down." She exclaimed, lightly shoving him away.

He stumbled back a step with a smirk, "Here." Finnick began, and moved Evelyn over by her waist so he could undo her knot and make his own, "Let me show you and Katniss the best knot to know in the arena."

The blonde crossed her arms, keeping her gaze on him. Finnick's head was down, same with Katniss', but the feeling of eyes staring at him made him laugh. "Don't look at me, Star. Look at the knot."

Smiling, Evelyn jokingly rolled her eyes.

As Finnick lifted the rope and slotted it around once more, she realised what he was doing, "Alright. This is the bit where it gets quite complicated." He hung the noose over his head and loosely tightened it, pretending to act dead with a gasp, "And, it's really..."

"Funny." Katniss responded.

Sarcasm laced her tone, "Yeah. Hilarious, Finn." she shook her head in laughter as Katniss walked off towards Wiress and Beetee.

"Wanna take me for a walk?" Finnick offered Evelyn the end of the rope.

The Mane woman only smiled before walking away, giving him once last glance to see him pouting at her.

An alone Peeta caught her eye. He was holding a paint brush and designing a replica of sand on his arm.

Evelyn approached him, blinking a few times at how realistic it looked, "If this was a decorating competition, you'd definitely win."

Peeta smiled, glancing at her before finishing off dotting some grits, "I decorate the cakes where I live. My parents own the local bakery so I got my practice from there."

The two shortly walked towards a small beach area next to the fake forest. He kneeled down and lined his arm up with the yellow beach. Evelyn nodded impressed, mumbling a few 'wow's' to him.

"I got kicked out the bakery back at home once." She began. Peeta raised his brows with a breathy laugh, wanting to know more, "I can't cook for the life of me, and before I became a Victor I worked there for about..." She thought for a moment, "Probably two hours. That was until I burnt nearly everything."

"So what did you not burn?" He laughed.

"One muffin. It's my best success and I brag about it to my sister all the time." Evelyn says, her voice partially having sarcasm in it. "I decided to stick with fishing instead."

Peeta stood, lips curved upwards on how he's seemed to gain not just an ally, but a friend as well. "Right, you're from the fishing District. Haymitch said you are good with things that have sharp points."

"Aw, he speaks about me? How nice of him." Evelyn sarcastically said, making Peeta jokingly scoff.

"Think you could teach me how to throw a knife? I'm good with a machete but not with knifes." Peeta asked, "When it was my Games, everyone depended on Clove with that."

Evelyn grinned. Racing towards the front of her mind was yet again, her brother: When she saw a machete in the small lake and kept it for Ace. How he was fairly decent at using it, minus the large blade looking massive on him.

"Yeah, of course. Just watch what I do and... take mental notes."

Standing in front of the knife section, a belt filled with shiny blades caught her eye. She strapped it around her waist, not liking how it fit her perfectly. As if it was designed just for her.

Under her breath, a sigh left Eve's mouth. She hasn't picked up a knife since her twin died with one in his chest. Evelyn selected the prototype which read 'level three: hard', and stepped into the glass walled room.

Evelyn slipped a knife into her grasp, ready for anything. An orange pop-up figure raced in front, causing her to launch the weapon its way. The blade made the blocks crumble as it landed in its forehead.

Another one coming up from behind entered her hearing. She spun around and flung the knife directly where the dummie's left eye would've been.

Straight after, one threw a spear in her direction. Evelyn quickly rolled across the floor, dodging it, and thrusted her arm forward. The pop-up disintegrated.

More and more projectors appeared, most with weapons, others with just their bare fists. The blonde woman killed every single one.

Evelyn Mane was in there for about ten minutes, channeling all her anger and aiming it towards the dummies.

Eventually, the fake people came to a halt. Her breaths grew heavy as small beads of sweat formed around her hairline and her limbs grew sore. After collecting multiple knifes, placing them back in her secure belt, Eve turned to face the way she entered.

The whole centre was watching her.

Peeta's and Katniss' mouth gaped open, shock being the only emotion they expressed. Johanna was cheering for her best friend with a wide smile. Beetee smirked at her while Wiress jumped up and down, clapping. Cashmere and Gloss shared a concerned look with one another, and Finnick had a proud look on his face as well as a grin.

Blushing slightly at the attention, she stepped out the room, overhearing Katniss whisper something to Peeta.

"Peeta we need her as an ally."

"Don't worry, I've already told Haymitch."

Evelyn went towards Finnick, "You've certainly won them over." He quietly said with a smirk, covertly nodding towards the younger Victors for only Eve to see, "Good job sweetheart."

She sent him a grin before her body was spun around and arms wrapped around her. Johanna tackled her into a hug, both women chuckling.

"Damn, Eve! You were so amazing. I got a bit jealous." Johanna pulled away and winked, making Evelyn laugh fondly.

"Don't be, your axe throwing is much more better." She complimented.

Both their faces went blank until a sly smile sneaked onto their lips, "That was rather kind of you to say." Johanna laughed.

"Back at ya." Evelyn smirked.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the Girl on Fire shooting arrows in the room Evelyn was in a few minutes ago. Katniss stuck with the same level, turning every orange person into tiny cubes.

Once she finished, her eyes widened at all the Tributes mesmerised at her. Evelyn met her gaze, sending her a warm-hearted smile and a short nod. Katniss nodded back.

Wiress repeated her actions from when Eve was doing her skills. The blonde woman couldn't help but feel extra happy by her enthusiasm.

✮ ༄ ✮༄✮

Each Victor was slowly being called in for solo evaluation. Like usual, District One went first and made its way upwards.

Evelyn and Finnick were seated next to one another with Beetee and Wiress behind them. Katniss and Peeta glanced at everyone, most likely trying to guess how they'll train or how they'll kill them, from what Eve gathers.

Finnick sat in a way that only Evelyn could be in his view as he played with the ends of her hair. She quietly spoke about a few things, but his hearing went muffled. He was planning on what to say in the final interview, and the more he thought about it, the more nervous he got.

"Finnick." She whispered softly, gaining his attention and letting his love-struck eyes look into hers. "Did you hear anything I just said?" Evelyn laughed slightly.

"No, I didn't, sorry." He quietly chuckled, "What were you saying?" both their hushed laughter made some Victor's face them. Johanna cocked a brow, smirking, and Peeta couldn't help but smile at the two.

"I was wondering what you're gonna do for your session."

He shrugged, "I think I'm just gonna show my trident skills, maybe some knot tying if I get bored."

"You should show them how to make bracelets." She grinned, "Bet they'll love that."

"You should show them how to cook." Finnick smirked. Evelyn jokingly rolled her eyes, making him chuckle. "What are you gonna do?"

"I mean, I can't exactly throw my knife at them since there's a force field now, but... I'll think of something."

A monotone voice called out, "Finnick Odair for individual assessment." Evelyn grasped his hand, giving it an assuring, light squeeze and smiled. He smiled back, then left.

Fifteen minutes later the same voice echoed through the amplified speakers, "Evelyn Mane for individual assessment."

The blonde woman made her way down to the sliding doors, grinning at Finnick who was leaving.

"Good luck, Star." He softly spoke and tapped her shoulder in comfort before she stepped inside.

Looking at the side, there was a glass room built into the training centre. The Head GameMaker - Plutarch Heavensbee - stood at the centre while other's with high ranks seated.

This wasn't like last time. When no one paid attention to her 'till she threatened the knife that flew out her palm and into food. Nearly slicing a man's face. This time, all eyes were on her.

Trying to smile politely, although mainly seeming condescending, Evelyn looked up at the GameMaker, "Miss Mane you have ten minutes to present your chosen skill."

She gave a nod and tilted her head slightly. She overheard Wiress and Beetee's conversation with Katniss about the force field the Capitol installed. The vibrant hexagon shapes came into view, telling her it's true.

Evelyn headed over to the dummy's, a new plan cooking inside her mind. If she's apart of a newly formed rebellion, might as well play a decent role in it.

Grabbing the mannequin, some rope, red paint, and a knife, she moved towards one of the metal tables. Evelyn tied one end of the rope securely around a table leg, then made a noose the other side. She wrapped it over the dummy's head, tightening it the most she could.

After, Eve dipped her fingers into the red paint and remembered how Peeta made his work clear. She used the same technique he did and spelled out a sentence.

The Capitolists couldn't see what she was doing, making a few murmurs and confused looks being sent around.

Once Evelyn finished writing, she splattered blood in the centre of the dummy's forehead, hung the fake body into the air, and took a step back.

Evelyn let out a breath, aiming precisely where the blood stains are. It looked like someone shot the dummy, until Evelyn plunged her knife exactly where the crimson red is. The blade sunk into the dummy's forehead.

It no longer looked like a gunshot wound, but now, a stabbing.

The blonde woman turned with a sarcastic smile. Satisfaction coursed through her veins by hearing gasps from people, and the sight of mouths lingering open in horror as they read the words:

STARS HAVE POINTS,
I WILL HAPPILY KILL YOU ALL
WITH MINE

"You may leave now, Miss Mane." Plutarch managed to say.

Evelyn gave one last sarcastic bow, and swayed herself out the training centre.

✮ ༄ ✮༄✮

twelve complete !!