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KILL FOR YOUR LOVE.

act three.

(chapter fifty-five, meet me in the hallway)

a hotel / train platform, 74 ADD.

(tw: prostitution)

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JUNIPER COULD STILL FEEL his hands crawl amongst her skin. How he tugged her hair. How he dug his nails into her flesh. The man's fingerprints were etched into her being and she couldn't wait to get out of the hotel, couldn't wait to jump into the shower and scrub her body raw. She wanted to get rid of any trace that the man left behind. 

And normally, Juniper would feel useless, hopeless whenever President Snow forced her to stay with a customer, but it didn't this time. Instead, pure anger filled her up. 

Two Victors'. 

There were two Victors'. There were two Victors' for the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games. And it made Juniper's blood boil with rage because how? How could there possibly be two? It was printed within the district's brains that only one wins, that twenty-three die and one stays standing. The Victor. But no. No, Seneca Crane wanted to add some flourish to his third year of Head Gamemaker, who was no doubt dead already. He allowed Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark to win because of their pathetic love story, which was so fake and tacky Juniper nearly puked thinking of it. 

And they were both from District Twelve. The lowest district there was, the poorest. How could they both possibly have won? How could Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark escape the arena due to a love story that wasn't even true. How could two Victors' have won whilst Justice Hale rotted dead in the cemetery of District Ten? Whilst Juniper Hale was forced to attend to customers because she didn't want her father to die. Whilst Juniper Hale slept with blades under a pillow and a knife near her chest. Whilst one Hale twin lived, but one didn't. 

How? 

(The boy began to blush and barely stammered, "Because... because... she came here with me.")

The two Victors' were set to have a post-Games interview with Caesar Flickerman and Juniper wanted to make sure she was far out of the Capitol before that happened. She didn't think she could look the two in the face, watch how they fawned over each other just for the crowd. But she was set to sit in the audience. Most of the mentors were going to except for the ones whose tributes died during the bloodbath. They always left on the first day of the Games. 

But Juniper wasn't sure she could stand it as she watched the man shrug his clothes back on, mumble an apology, and flick some money onto the pillow as the Hale girl laid underneath the sheets. There was always a guilty look on their faces as they began to leave. They would ask what they could do for her, but she always just narrowed her eyes at them and they would soon cower away. But this one took a long time trying to gather his belongings, mumbling something about his wife and kids. Juniper never listened. She just wanted the man to get out. 

Once the door slammed shut with one more guilty look, Juniper let out a terrible groan as she ran her hands down her face. She stared up at the ceiling and tried to gather her thoughts. She wasn't going to attend the post-Games interview or any of the banquets. She just wanted to go home. But then she didn't want to at the same time. Juniper knew District Ten would be in ruins. 

Two Victors'.

 Juniper's own tributes died at the bloodbath and on the eighth day. What were their names? The Hale girl barely could remember the names of the two tributes, but details flooded her brain. Feathers. Dirt. Stars. It was odd things, but they seemed to hold some importance because Juniper could feel her heart twinge. 

When the cramp got too tight for the Hale girl, she looked around the hotel room. Everything was still the same as it was when she arrived, but the sheets of the bed were ruffled and the curtains had been drawn shut. Juniper clenched her jaw as she rolled her eyes. She wanted to go home. She needed to go home. 

Lifting the blankets off of her, Juniper padded her way over to where her dress laid on the floor. It didn't suit her figure, but Yara had forced the girl to wear it to the only party the Victor would ever attend that celebrated Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. It was shimmery and pooled at the bottom of her feet with a plunging neckline and a slit that showed off her leg. It would have suited someone who had curves and a full stomach, but not a skinny, short girl whose eyes looked dead. But Juniper sighed as she slipped the dress back on and picked up her heels. 

She wanted to get out of the hotel. She needed to. She could feel herself suffocating and desperately needed fresh air. And so, Juniper began to make her way out of the room, but before she did, she managed to snatch a look at herself in the mirror that hung on the wall.

The makeup that Yara had spent an hour doing was smudged with her mascara running down her cheeks, lipstick gone. Her hair, which was done in curls, was a mess and frizzy. There were marks that caressed her neck. And her eyes were dead. They were emotionless. There was nothing in them with deep purple patches etched underneath. She was exhausted. She was so tired of everything. 

Shaking her head, Juniper opened the door and began to exit the hotel room, feeling the comfort of the carpet between her toes. She wasn't bothered putting her heels back on, for she was going to take them off again once she was on the train back to Ten. But any thought about heels, carpets, or trains were gone as the door across the hall opened at the exact same time Juniper's did. 

Cashmere. 

The woman was wearing a silk, pink dress that had a plunging neckline as well. It had thin straps that were barely seeable with her collarbones and shoulders on extreme display. But her blonde curls that usually cascaded down her back were a tangled mess with her makeup completely ruined. Her eyes were puffy and red. 

This wasn't the first time the two had bumped into each other in the halls of a hotel. They didn't know each other on a personal level, for Juniper couldn't even remember her last name, but they had a bond. A sick, twisted, disgusting bond that was formed because of Snow. There were multiple times before this one where they had collided in the hallways of whatever hotel they were in, hair and makeup a mess, and had held each other. They just held each other until they couldn't no longer. And then they would go their separate ways. No friendship, no relationship, just a bond of comfort. 

"Juniper..." Cashmere muttered slightly. Her hands were shaking. 

"Cashmere..." Juniper greeted back. 

A few seconds, the two girls wrapped their arms around each other. And normally, Juniper never enjoyed hugs. She didn't like receiving them or dishing them out, but this was different. It was comforting to know that there were other people doing what Snow forced them to do, that she wasn't the only one. Juniper could never speak to Finnick about it. She didn't want to. That was something that never crossed into their conversations and Juniper wouldn't allow it to. It was an unspoken rule between them. And whilst the Hale girl and Cashmere had never spoken truly outside of the Games, it was still comforting that Juniper could confide in someone who understood because, quite frankly, no-one else would.

They stood in that hallway, in each other's arms for a while. Cashmere was much taller than Juniper and so the girl had to go onto the tip of her toes to embrace her, but there was a sense of warmth as she did. She could feel Cashmere trembling underneath her fingertips and she knew that the woman from One could feel the same with Juniper. Both girls were shaking.

But soon, when a loud noise came out from down the hall, they rapidly let go of each other. A large party of Capitol people, drunk, were stumbling their way down the hallway, drinks and party poppers in their hands still. And so, Juniper took that opportunity to look back into Cashmere's face, who was clenching her jaw. She gave her a sympathetic smile and was about to walk down the hall when suddenly, Cashmere's hand wrapped around Juniper's bicep. 

"Let me come with you," she whispered. 

Nodding, though slightly confused, Juniper began to walk down the hall with Cashmere slightly behind her, relaxing her grip on her bicep. Usually, they would go their separate ways and would see each other the next year, but now, Cashmere was determined to follow Juniper out of the hotel. 

But Juniper didn't reject her and as they passed the group of drunk Capitol people, they both ducked their heads down in order to not be recognised. The Hale girl wanted to make a swift exit out of the hotel and Capitol. She just wanted to go home.

The two girls, after passing the herd of partygoers, entered the elevator. Juniper groaned and ran a hand down her face as she leaned against the bar that wrapped around the lift. Cashmere stood in the centre with her perfectly drawn brows furrowed. They were alone, but Juniper knew security footage and microphones could easily see and hear them. Snow was always watching his Victors'.

"I'm sorry, Juniper." 

"What for?" 

"We never usually leave the hotels together..." Cashmere muttered. Juniper was yearning for morphling in that moment. Or a cigarette. Or a drink. Whatever could get her by. "It's just being alone makes it worse."

"Oh." Juniper nodded. Being alone made it better so at least she could drown in her guilt by herself without anyone watching. She didn't like being with people after customers. "Well... whatever makes you feel better." 

Cashmere hummed as she slipped her heels off, pinching the bridge of her nose. Due to her dress being sleeveless, Juniper began to notice the red marks that bruised her arms and neck. They looked painful and Cashmere was wincing with every movement she did. But Juniper wouldn't say anything. She didn't mind Cashmere, but she definitely didn't want to be in the elevator with her. They never went this far with their conversations unless they were mentoring, this being Juniper's second year. 

"I'm sure Rankine and the other chick from Two are chuffed about what happened." Juniper nearly hit herself for bringing up the Games, but she didn't know what to do. She didn't want to talk about what just happened and the Hunger Games seemed to be the only thing on her mind. 

Cashmere chuckled as she said, "Well, Wade did fine for his first year of mentoring." 

"But he ain't anything special, though, is he?" Juniper scoffed as her fingertips twitched. She wanted a cigarette, but she knew the woman from One didn't carry any. She figured Cashmere to be some sort of purist. 

"Not really," Cashmere said. "He didn't do much. The only reason those two kids got sponsors was because he won last year." 

"Huh." Juniper hummed as she began to stare at the different buttons on a panel. The elevator was taking a long time getting to the reception. "You going back to One after this?" 

"No, I have to stay for the post-Games interview," Cashmere told her. "Which I really don't want to do. She did kill both my tributes. Are you going?" 

"Lord no." Juniper, surprisingly, let out a chuckle as she shook her head. "I'd probably puke five minutes in from all their kissing and cuddling... it's so fake and cheesy." 

"Isn't it?" Cashmere laughed. "They were all right at the beginning before they begun that act. Remember at the Parade with all the flames?" 

"I didn't mind them then," Juniper said with a slight smirk. "I thought they were both all right up until Mellark's interview."

"You think Haymitch thought of it?" 

"Probably." Juniper snorted. "But he didn't seem too happy that they won."

When the elevator doors opened to reveal the luxurious reception, all conversations about the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games ceased as Juniper and Cashmere stepped out. There was barely anyone in the entrance hall due to it being near midnight and so, no-one would be able to recognise the two Victors' or criticise how they looked.  

"Are you going straight to the station?" Cashmere asked in a low voice as they crossed the reception, heading towards the massive, glass double-doors.

"Yeah." Juniper nodded slightly. "The train is set to leave soon. I want to be in Ten by the morning." 

The Hale girl opened the door and they both walked into the fresh air. Juniper could feel the little stones etched into the pavement digging into her bare feet, the wind ruffling her already tangled hair. The cold caused chills to go up and down her spine. It felt like daggers were being whipped across her cheek. Cashmere was shivering in her sleeveless dress.

"Did Brent already leave?" 

"Oh, no, he's staying." Juniper rolled her eyes. Lights from structures and buildings were reflecting onto their faces, the moon high in the sky. The Hale girl spotted a water show happening within a fountain a little way away. "He wants to watch the post-Games interview and make fun of Everdeen and Mellark." 

A silence fell over the girls as they continued to walk through the Capitol streets bare footed. The station was just down the road and Juniper's train was set to leave in a few minutes. She would be alone when she got on the train and would be until she got to Victors' Village.  But Juniper liked it alone. She wanted to be alone. If she was alone, no-one would see the vulnerability that threatened to spill. When she got back to Ten, she wouldn't have that. 

Once the two reached the station, few people lingered about and Juniper recognised some mentors entering to go on their own trains. But when Cashmere stopped, she did too. Turning to face her, the Hale girl kept looking at the red marks that littered her arms and neck. 

"Have a safe trip home, yeah?" Cashmere told her as they stood face-to-face. Juniper could barely see her in the dark. 

"Yeah." Juniper nodded slightly. The mentors from District Five walked past them. Their tributes died during the bloodbath. "You have a good time at the interviews, aye?" 

"I'll try." Cashmere smiled meekly and as Juniper began to walk away towards the station, she called out, "Juniper?" 

"Yeah?" 

"Thank you..." Cashmere said with the most honest voice the Hale girl had ever heard her use. "Thank you. Truly."

Juniper's lips parted slightly as she responded, "Uh — yeah, no problem. Anytime." 

The Hale girl gave a smile to Cashmere and began to walk into the train station. Many more mentors were present on the main platforms, some drinking whilst some stared at the tracks with sorrow written in their expressions. Juniper shook her head as she tried to steer clear of them. She wanted to be alone and never felt more grateful when her own train pulled up, swiftly opening its door and quickly leaving once she was on it. 

But as she walked through the halls of the train, feet digging into the softness of the carpet as she entered the living area, flopping onto one of the velvet couches, all she could think about was Cashmere. They were two sides of a coin. Together, but never facing each other. They couldn't face each other. 

The girls weren't friends by any means. The only thing they had in common was what Snow made them do. If they weren't put in such positions, they wouldn't have even spoken. It was much like Juniper and Lucy Stevens. The two would have never met each other if it weren't for the Reaping. If it weren't for their situation. There was a terrible, twisted bond between them, but that was it. Brought together because of the Hunger Games. That was all that laid between Juniper and Cashmere.

But the Hale girl thought back to all the embraces in hotel halls, all the kind comments, and all the reassurances that everything would be all right one day. But no. Both girls were just in undesirable conditions, in an unlucky situation that neither could get out of despite how much they wished to. 

Juniper felt tears roll down her cheeks as she laid on the couch, the television turned onto some Capitol rubbish. She was alone and that was all right with her. But she kept thinking back to Cashmere. To her kindness, warmth, and softness. Cashmere was a one-in-a-kind woman and Juniper knew there couldn't possibly be another one of her again. She didn't want there to be another. Cashmere from One was Cashmere from One. And if Juniper didn't have strong, brick walls protecting her heart, she would have meant the world to her. 

Maybe, in the future or in another life, Cashmere from One could have meant everything to her. And maybe even Lucy Stevens could have meant everything to Juniper. But as of that moment, they were all brought together because of an undesirable condition, an unlucky situation. Nothing more, nothing less. 

The Hale girl let out a sigh as she stared out of a window. The Capitol was rolling by and she was glad to have gotten out of it. She needed to get out or she was sure she was going to suffocate to death. But as she saw the extravagant buildings pass with lights decorated on them, it was like a sudden presence entered the room. It was like a stench began to stink out the cart. It was like eyes were watching her. 

Snow. 

Juniper sat up quickly, brushing away her tears as she stared around the living area. There was no-one in the cart except for one of the Avoxes in the corner, hands folded as they stared out of the window. He wasn't here. He wasn't on the train. But Juniper could still smell his white roses, she could still feel his venomous eyes on her, she could still hear his threat caressing her ears.

In. Out. 

In. Out. 

In. Out. 

It was like he was sitting in the armchair across from her. It was like he was stood watching the rubbish on the television. It was like he was sitting beside her on the couch as Juniper was sure a breath fanned onto her neck. Nearly jumping, the Hale girl could feel her heart leap. 

But President Snow wasn't on the train. He would be in his mansion fast asleep. He wouldn't be on the train. He wouldn't dream of coming to District Ten if it wasn't necessary. The old man had complained about coming to the district as mud stained his shoes and the end of his coat. He complained about the stench of manure and cows. Snow wouldn't come to Ten if it wasn't necessary. 

And so, Juniper tried to get her breath back as she laid back down on the couch. She didn't close her eyes, but she could feel her mind being plagued by President Snow and Cashmere. But as she thought of the woman from One, she realised something. 

Juniper didn't even know her last name.