READER IMAGINES [1]

It's the Quarter Quell. You can't believe it. They promised... the Capitol promised... promised that if you won the Hunger Games you could live the rest of your life in peace. What happened? What changed?

As soon as you saw the broadcast of President Snow announcing that all the victors had to be reaped again for the 3rd Quarter Quell, you ran outside until you ran far enough to feel tired and fell to the ground in tears.

You screamed a couple times, too. This was the most horrible thing to ever happen to you again. You still have nightmares of when you were first reaped into the Hunger Games. You can see it all happening all over again. Everything.

You remember running up a steep hill because there were other tributes trying to kill you. One of them had a bow and arrow and hit you twice; one in your leg and one in your left shoulder. You ran so fast after that because you feared you were close to death that you lost them.

You were about to die, until you saw a parachute falling near you. You used whatever energy you had left to get to it and the contents imside saved your life.

But you also remember having to kill other innocent people. You watched children die and you had to listen to their screams at night time. You never slept there, you were too scared, you had no idea what could happen to you and you now have a new problem.

You sat there on the ground crying out your eyes, fisting your hands and looking at them as if there was blood on them. You screamed again. This can't be happening. You don't want to go.

"(Y/N)," you hear a familiar voice.

You instantly turn around to see Finnick. He's wrapped up in a big fur coat because it's snowing, but you ran out in your long sleeved dress. You hadn't realized how cold it was until you saw him.

Finnick walks over to you and sits down beside you. He looks at you and gives you a sympathetic smile, but you just cry even more.

"This is horrible!" You say, "I don't want to go back, Finnick, I don't want to go back to that nightmare!"

Finnick extends his arms and wraps you into a hug, allowing you to cry on his chest. He rubs his hands up and down your back to comfort you.

"I know," he says, "I know. I don't want to go either."

~~~

The time came eventually, sooner than you wanted it to, and you were standing on the big stage where you once stood when you were reaped so many years ago.

There was only one boy from District 4 who won the Hunger Games so Finnick was already reaped and standing at the front of the stage with his back straight. How does he do that? How can he look so strong even though you know he's dying inside?

You and Mags were the only females who won the Hunger Games and it came time to reap out a female tribute. You were praying so hard that Mags won't get reaped. She's such a beautiful woman, she shouldn't have to go through such a horrible experience ever again.

You were scared and hoped that you wouldn't be reaped, but you knew that once they call out that name there's no turning back.

"Our female tribute from District 4 is..."

The silence became painful. It felt like it dragged on forever, and then it happened. Someone was reaped.

"Mags."

You stopped breathing. No, no she can't be reaped! You placed your hand over your mouth and cried. She can't go!

You turned to look at Finnick but he didn't move, he kept looking straight forward, but you could tell he was forcing himself not to cry. This can't be happening.

Suddenly everything went in slow motion. An idea clicked in your head; you have a way of saving Mags. But as all plans do, it came with a price.

"I volunteer!" You yell, raising your hand from your mouth.

Everyone turned to look at you. Everyone. Even Finnick turned. Mags looked at you and shook her head but you held her hand.

"It's done. I'm not going to let you go back in there again." You tell her.

She stares at you almost in tears and you walk away to the front of the stage.

"Very well," says the speaker, "our tributes from District 4 to compete in the 3rd Quater Quell are Finnick Odair and (Y/N) (Y/L/N)."

You don't even have time to spot your family out in the crowd until you're pulled back and into the back room.

"What's happening? I get to say goodbye!" You shout.

"New orders. Straight to the train." Says the Peacekeeper who is dragging you towards the train.

"No!"

You start to cry. What if you're killed? You would never have the opportunity to say goodbye. Maybe before you die in the Arena you'll look up, hoping a camera is on you, and you can say goodbye then.

It's atleast something.

~~~

On the train it was quiet. You sat near a corner. You didn't want to talk to anyone, but soon enough you had too.

"Why did you do that?" Finnick asks, walking into this section of the train.

You don't look at him but you reply.

"Do what?"

"Volunteer for Mags back at the reaping."

Now Finnick is sitting across from you and staring at you. He seems to be burning holes into your skull.

"She doesn't deserve to be put back in this stupid hell of a place." You say, looking up at him.

"Thank you," Finnick says, "but now you're here. Only a few days before you were crying on my chest because you were scared you were going to be reaped, and now look where you are. You did this to yourself."

"Oh, well thank you for the vote of confidence!" You bite back.

Finnick just looks down and grins.

"You know you don't have to be a prick just because we're back in this stupid Games. You don't have to be mean to me for the cameras."

"Are there any cameras here?" Finnick asks looking back up at you.

You look at him and grunt.

"So you're just going to be cruel to me no matter what?"

Finnick doesn't reply so you stand up and go to leave when suddenly he grabs your hand and pulls you back. As you turn he brings you into his arms and kisses you.

Time slows down again. Finnick is kissing you. You slowly start to close your eyes and try not to kiss back but you find yourself slowing doing so.

After some time he pulls back and you both stare into each others eyes.

"I'm not being anyone for the cameras. I am forever greatful for what you did for Mags. I just always project the opposite of my feelings for people I love."

"Love?" You ask hopefully.

Finnick smiles at you and nods. He then places his forehead on yours and looks into your eyes.

"We both know only one person is making it out alive, and I want it to be you." Finnick says.

"Finnick, no I-"

"Please."

You stare into his eyes. He looks sympathetic, like he's begging you to live. You sigh.

"Ok. But you stay alive for as long as you can, and don't you dare get me to kill you." You reply.

"Alright, deal." Finnick smiles.

Next Imagine: Henry (Once Upon a Time).