Querencia | Finnick Odair

Chapter XXVI

I change into black pants and a grey shirt. I add grey boots and some mascara, then hurry down to the lounge, where many of the mentors sit, their eyes glued to the screen and I immediately know why. There is a huge fire in the arena and fireballs being thrown at Katniss, who is currently the main focus.

Finnick isn't there yet so I move over to Haymitch. "They took 'The girl who was on fire' a little too seriously didn't they?"

And for the first time I see real emotion, real worry pass over Haymitchs' features.

"You really believe in her don't you?", I question him.

"Maybe I do. She's got spirit and something to fight for."

I nod. "Well, I think my brunch plans are cancelled anyways, so do you want to order something?"

A few minutes later a big breakfast is ordered and Finnick joins us. Johanna is nowhere to be seen.

"I took the liberty to order breakfast here, since your tribute is currently shot at by fire."

It is true, not only Katniss has to run for her life, but the Career-Pack as well.

The breakfast consists of us discussing sponsors since the flames already have or most likely will injure their tributes. Katniss' hair is and the back of her jacket is burned away and just as we get served the warm chocolate cake a fireball grazes her thigh after she threw up. At first she reacts panicked but then has enough sense to roll on the ground to stop her trousers from burning.

"Well, better get working on those sponsors", I say as I put a spoon full of cake into my mouth. Once again I am hit with the cruelty of the games. While we sit here and eat, these kids are being killed.

"They won't give money if they don't see a chance of her surviving. She needs to get through the fire and recover a little. Avoid the small pack of assholes. Sorry Odiar."

Finnick shrugs.

After some time the fire is out and the tributes settle down to recover and I am using the calm time to see my trainer.

Her name is Melinda, but she is way tougher than her name sounds. She is very skilled in various forms of hand to hand combat, sword fighting, knife throwing and knife close combat and archery as well as in javelin throwing. She also teaches me how to use a gun. How to empty the magazine, how to clean it, how to load it.

But today we do our normal work out and some combat with swords, katanas and also some training with bow and arrow. After I have a special request.

"You don't happen to be skilled with a trident?"

"Honey, is that a serious question? Of course I am. Why do you want to learn it?"

"Well I am getting quite good with the other weapons, so I thought that I should try something more interesting. But a maze is just smashing, so a trident seems more interesting."

"Well then. With your current skill level it shouldn't be that hard for you to learn it. We'll start with the basics, simple thrusts and stabs, then some spins and throws."

And that we do. My arms are hurting by the end and the sun is already setting, she also calls in her wife, a medic that teaches me first aid and since it is our fifth meeting some more complicated procedures, like removing a bullet or stopping blood poisoning as well as treating burns. They use dummies with real pumping blood, so I once again have blood on my hands, but after deep breaths and telling myself that it is to save people I can pull through.

I take a quick shower and join the other mentors once again. I seem to have impeccable timing because Katniss is just fleeing from the Careers. Johanna is there as well and I settle down next to her. "Hey Jo." "You look tired." "Yeah, I had a training session with Melinda, I probably have bruised ribs or something."

We turn back to the screen. "A little warm for my taste", I hear Katniss call out and have to grin, she is smart.

"What on earth is she doing?", Johanna questions.

"She is way lighter than the careers, they can't follow her all the way up and she knows it", I say.

The bickering goes on and as suspected, the other tributes are way too heavy, but Peeta makes a good point by saying that she can't go anywhere. Which is very true.

I hope that Haymitch finds some sponsors because I am starting to root for her.