Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
——————————————————
"I can't let them go back in," Naia said as she sat at the kitchen table. Days had passed, filled with nightmares and sleep deprivation. Tai and Lilith were sitting at the table with her.
In that time Haymitch Abernathy had contacted Naia. To support the rebellion she had to protect Katniss Everdeen in the Quell. She was the fire of the revolution and if Naia had to die to keep that fire alive she would.
"Can't let who go back in?" Tai asked tentatively. Ever since the announcement everyone had been walking on eggshells around Naia.
"Dory and Seeder."
Lilith's eyes span to her, her eyes widening. "You don't mean you're going to volunteer?"
Naia sighed, she knew this was coming yet she wished it wouldn't. Naia wanted to stay with her brothers more than anything but she couldn't. Naia was going back into the Games, that she knew. She couldn't let Seeder go back, Seeder with a husband and family who needed her. And she couldn't let Dorothea go back, Dory who had done so much for her family the past years. Nahai had a debt to repay, and besides, the two women would be of more help to her brothers than she ever could be. There was also no way Naia could keep the 'girl on fire' alive from outside the arena.
"I can't let them go back, Lilith," she explained in a calm voice.
Lilith scoffed. It was abrupt and volatile, not at all like her. "God, you're selfish," she spat at her. "Lilith!" Tai said, shocked by the girl's outburst.
Naia sighed turning around to face her, "Lils–"
"Don't Lils me. We need you here. Issac needs you here yet you have decided to go off and play the hero. You could die, Naia. Do you get that? Your brothers have lost everything and now you want to take another sister away from them too? From us?"
Naia felt her heart clench at the mention of her parents and sister. "I'm sorry. I really am sorry Lilith but I have a responsibility to do this," Naia tried to explain. She wished she could tell her everything but that wasn't an option. If things went sideways, Naia didn't want Lilith or Tai having any tie to the rebellion.
"A responsibility? Can you even hear yourself Naia? You have a responsibility to your family," she shouted at her.
"I've made up my mind, Lilith. You have to accept that. If I do die I'll have made sure people look after Ace and Issac, you two as well," Naia said firmly. "I won't let you starve."
Lilith just shook her head in disappointment. She placed her cup in the sink before marching out of the front door.
I'm doing this for them, Naia repeated over and over in her head. She sighed as she let her head drop into her arms. There was too much pressure on her shoulders. Tai ran a soothing hand up and down her shoulder.
"Are you sure volunteering is what you want to do?" Tai asked from beside her. His eyes were filled with worry as he stared at his best friend. "This isn't like your last Games, Naia. There's an even slimmer chance of you coming back."
Naia smiled at him, a solemn smile. She'd already accepted defeat. "There's no chance I'm coming back, Tai," she said softly. "The odds were never in my favour, even less so for these Games."
Tai's eyes filled with tears, a rare sight. "Then don't do it," he whispered, pleading.
"I have to. I made a promise," Naia said, looking around her house.
◦◦◦
As the Reaping neared a solemn energy settled over District Eleven. They were a large District with few Victors meaning they took great pride in their survivors. They all knew they would be losing two to the Games, more souls stolen from their home. Still, they carried on with the harvest, producing even less than last year. The Capitol wasn't happy and they made sure the District knew.
Naia still trained in her basement only now Seeder joined her. Lilith did as well sometimes while Tai watched from the side. After telling her friends about the possible revolution Lilith had become increasingly dedicated to training with Naia.
Naia swiped Lilith's leg out from under her, jumping forwards and pushing the wooden knife against her throat.
"Dead," Tai stated.
Lilith grunted form beneath her, pushing the girl off of her and standing up. She pushed her sweaty blonde hair out of her face as she huffed, "How do you keep doing that?"
Naia shrugged, "I've had a lot more practice than you. You'll get better, Lils, but maybe we should take a break."
Lilith shook her head resolutely, "No we need to keep practising."
"Lils if you keep pushing yourself you'll have nothing left," Tai said from his place against the wall. "Even Seeder wants a break." They looked over to the woman who was leaning against the wall, panting as she wiped sweat from her face.
"Focus on yourselves, you best believe they won't be waiting for you to take a break in the Games," Seeder told them, mainly Naia, sternly.
With that in mind the break was forgotten, Lilith focusing on trying to pin Naia or at least knock the weapon out of her hand.
◦◦◦
As the phone rang in Naia's ear she twirled the cord around her fingers, anxiously waiting for someone to pick up. It was late, she wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. Then again, it was the night before the reaping, it was unlikely anyone would be sleeping.
Finally the line clicked as they answered. "Hello?" A voice on the other side asked quietly.
"It's Naia, Liv," she said quietly, recognising who picked up the phone.
"Hey, Ny," Livia sighed. "Are you okay?"
Naia pulled the phone down to the floor with her, leaning against the wall. "I'm fine I just... I wanted to hear your voice," she muttered. She ran a hand down her forehead in embarrassment. "God, that's stupid, nevermind I'll let you go back to sleep–"
"No," Livia jumped in quickly. "It's not stupid, I wanted to hear your voice too."
Naia sighed. She never knew exactly what was happening between her and Livia, now she never would. She was volunteering for the Games tomorrow and she wouldn't be coming out alive. If she did, she had failed.
"I'm volunteering," Naia rushed the words out quickly. She realised she hadn't told the Odair's her plan and she felt a spark of guilt. They deserved better than to be blindsided by her tomorrow when they watched over the reaping.
"Me too," Livia said quietly. Naia had expected her to yell at her, admonish her for the stupid selfish plan as Lilith had but she didn't. They both had people to protect. Naia wasn't even sure if Liv knew about Haymitch's plan. There was a good chance that Finnick had intentionally kept her out of it, to protect her.
"Does Finnick know?" Naia asked her.
"Does Ace?" Livia rebutted. She made a valid point. Naia hadn't told her brothers her plan to volunteer. She didn't want them stressing more than they already were, especially Ace. She knew he'd blow up on her, like Lilith had, who had only just started talking to her again.
Naia's silence was her answer, and Livia's was hers. "We're going to be okay, Naia," Livia told her.
Naia smiled into the darkness. It was a false promise, they both knew it. "Yeah, we'll be fine," Naia responded.
