𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒕𝒖𝒔; 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒓

𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏

The morning of the Quarter Quell. Lilith gets woken up early to prepare. Her prep team is doing their best to keep it together. She is bathed and then dressed into a thin, tight, bodysuit. Her hair is brushed and put into two Dutch braids. The braids are then wrapped tightly into two buns.

Once Lilith is ready, she is escorted to the plane. She wishes she could see Silas one last time, but she knows it won't happen. When her tracker is inserted into her arm, she is reminded of the plan. In the end, she's going to have to cut this out of her arm if she wants to escape the arena. She swallows harshly at the thought.

The entire plane ride, Lilith goes over the plan many times in her head. Protect Katniss. That's all she has to do, then she and Silas will get a free ride out of the arena. Although this whole thing is easier said than done, she has faith it'll work. It has to work.

When the plane lands, Lilith is escorted by peacekeepers to her tribute room. She thinks about her short time as a peacekeeper. She went through all of the training, just for the job to be taken away from her. All because President Snow wanted to exploit her more. She won't let Snow win, not this time.

Lilith waits anxiously in the dressing room she's in. She paces the small space until Julia arrives. Julia opens the door and walks in. Lilith looks at her gratefully.

"Let's get to it," Julia says walking closer to Lilith.

Lilith takes a moment to observe Julia's face, memorizing every detail. She knows there is a very good chance she'll never see her stylist again, regardless of if the plan works or not.

"Do you have it?" Lilith asks quickly.

"I have it," Julia says digging in her pocket. She pulls out her token. The lotus flower ring on a chain.

Lilith smiles and looks at the necklace. Julia puts the necklace around Lilith's neck, and tucks it into the jumpsuit.

"Your suit is very thin, so I'm thinking it's a tropical climate. There could possibly be water involved based on the material," Julia says. She slightly adjusts Lilith's suit.

"Thank you," Lilith says in a low voice.

"You'll do great. I'm rooting for you."

"No, really. You've done so much for me."

Julia smiles, Lilith can see the underlying sadness in it.

Their loving moment is interrupted by the mechanical voice announcing they have one minute. Lilith gives Julia one last hug, showing her fear by the tightness of the squeeze, and slowly steps into the glass tube.

The tube closes when Lilith steps inside. She looks all around her for a second, everything becoming too real in this moment. She could lose everything and everyone. Everything she did to survive her first games could be for nothing. Everything she did to survive in the Capitol could be for nothing. She reminds herself of the plan that could get her and Silas out alive. It has to work. It just has to.

Lilith looks back at Julia. The stylist smiles sadly and gives a nod of encouragement. Lilith swallows harshly and nods firmly back. From what Lilith can see, Julia is trying to hold herself together. Lilith is so grateful for everything Julia has done for her. She can't imagine the thought of losing her stylist's companionship.

Lilith takes a deep breath and goes through a list of things in her head. The second that cannon goes off she needs to get to her swords as soon as possible. That is the only way she'll make it out of the bloodbath. She also needs to find Silas. As long as she has Silas fighting beside her, she can make it.

The platform she stands on begins to rise, startling Lilith out of her thoughts. She gives Julia one last look before the stylist is out of sight. Lilith squints as she is blinded by the bright sun on the surface. Once her eyes are adjusted to the light, she gets a good look at the arena. Julia was right about tropical weather. The heat hits Lilith immediately. The small platform she's on is surrounded by water. She is going to have to swim to reach strips of land that lead to the cornucopia. Lilith is suddenly grateful that Finnick taught her how to swim before the Quell was announced.

Lilith quickly glances around at where the rest of the tributes are placed. To her right, Peeta stands trying to ready himself. A few sections over, she can see Silas with determination on his face. Then, across the water she can vaguely make out Finnick staring at the cornucopia.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 75th Annual Hunger Games," The voice of Plutarch Heavensbee rings throughout the arena.

A digital countdown is projected right above the cornucopia. Lilith takes a deep breath and mentally prepares herself.

Ten.

Get to the cornucopia as quickly as possible.

Nine.

Grab the swords.

Eight.

Find Silas and Finnick.

Seven.

Protect Katniss and Peeta.

Six.

Stay alive.

Five.

Don't let the Capitol win.

Four.

Be ruthless.

Three.

Breathe.

Two.

Lilith bends her knees, preparing to dive into the water.

One.

She sucks in one big breath as the cannon fires, signaling the beginning of the 75th Hunger Games.