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SHALL WE RISE?

act three.

(chapter fifty-one, it was just her and her friend, insanity)

capitol hospital / the presidential mansion, 2313.

(tw: some mentions of suicide)

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THE WOODS WAS REPLACED with the infamous white tiled walls of a Capitol hospital. Instead of the scent of nature and trees, sharp medicine replaced it. Burn medicine. A smell that lingered on Commie back in Thirteen. And instead of the numb feeling that filled her up with the flames, Valencia now had a tight and tender sensation that was left behind. She was now the grain fields back in Nine: burnt and full of memories.

And the feeling of death had left her and now she was forced to deal with the side effects. Side effects that included despair and despondency. The doctors kept telling her it was normal to feel that way after a war. But what they didn't know was that Valencia had been fighting a near ten year war inside her head. And now, all that pain came bellowing down.

They had used the technique of draping new sheets of skin on her badly burnt flesh, persuading the cells that they were her own. They coaxed her limbs, stretching and bending her body parts to make sure they were all right. Her skin was too sensitive even for sheets and so she was forced to lay naked as she tried to wrap her head around what happened. And during this time, her voice was not put in use. Her throat felt like a hundred bees had stung it and so she did not speak, wallowing in her despair silently. The doctors had said it was due to her emotional trauma and therefore excluded her from participating from any voice training. The doctors were who came most of the time, the times that Valencia remembered.

The staff told her how lucky she was that she was alive and still functioning, saying the downside was about the scarring she would have for the rest of her life. Her eyes were spared, but the flames had lapped at every single piece of flesh from her throat down to her feet. Half of her face was covered in new skin that didn't belong to her, her face half pale and half pink from the rawness. And her hair had been burnt off at odd lengths and so the doctors cut her locks to just above her shoulders. Valencia did not want to look at herself in the mirror.

The doctors also informed her about the war and everything that was happening. Coin was now in charge of Panem, the Capitol falling the day the parachutes went off. Troops were sent out to put down small cells of Capitol resistance whilst Snow was being held prisoner as he awaited his trial. Everyone was certain he would be executed. Cressida and Pollux were out into the other districts to capture footage of the war whilst Gale, who had apparently been captured by Peacekeepers' before escaping, was sent to Two. Both Peeta and Katniss were in the burn unit along with Finnick and Nova.

"Don't worry," a nurse had said. "They don't look as bad as you."

The staff member was instantly shushed by all the others and whilst Valencia was not necessarily one to be effected by other's comments, that stayed with her and so she wondered how bad she looked. She hadn't seen her own reflection yet and it made her uneasy. But at the moment, Valencia did not have time to feel insecure. At the moment, she had to face Commie. 

She was released from the hospital and was given a room in the president's mansion to herself. The doctors didn't know of her thoughts about the feeling of death and therefore didn't expect anything of it. Valencia did not talk still and was called a 'mental Avox' with the band 'mentally disoriented' around her wrist like she had back in Thirteen. And she was given her grey jumpsuit back and she still hadn't seen her reflection. She avoided any mirrors in the mansion, for she was not ready to see the monstrosity that was herself. And whilst avoiding mirrors, she avoided the others. Or the others avoided her. Either way, no-one Valencia knew had come to see her. Not Finnick, Nova, Commie (who had been discharged from the hospital in Thirteen) or anyone else. Her only visitor was the doctors and Coin. But it was as she was wandering through the halls of the mansion, someone's voice rang out.

"Lennie?"

Valencia turned around slowly and was met with the poor sight of Flint Commie. His eyes were dancing over the supposed scars that was on her skin and she realised that they now had the same marks, both tortured with flames and fire. But Valencia did not fail to see the tears that flooded his eyes as he looked at her, the hand that was holding a walking cane trembling. His face was morphed into an expression of pain and sorrow, looking as if he had lost a child. And then it hit Valencia. Antares. Antares was dead. 

The two did not mutter another word, both walking forward slowly. Valencia saw tears beginning to fall from Commie's eyes as they met in the middle, arms quickly wrapping around each other. They did not speak and instead, their sobs and cries echoed around the halls. Antares was dead. Valencia had lost a brother. Commie lost a son. In fact, Commie had lost three children of his. Antares. Daniel. And Anita. Four if you counted Valencia, for Valencia was not the same anymore. Valencia Barlowe was no longer Valencia Barlowe. Valencia Barlowe was now just a walking corpse of the girl she used to be. 

Due to this, Valencia did not speak and still remained labelled as a mental Avox. And so, Commie did most of the talking though his voice shook and trembled when he tried to. Billie and Athena were still in Thirteen, the mother still trying to get over the fact that Valencia was dead and then suddenly alive again with Antares being exploded to bits. All the Victors' were shipped out to the Capitol, even Johanna who had gotten discharged. And Commie explained his permanent need for a walking cane, for apparently due to his fight with Brutus back in the arena, his limp had gotten worse and if he did not have a cane for support, there was a high risk of collapsing and his leg giving way. The doctors realised this and added Commie as a roommate for Valencia in her room in the mansion. And then there was talks about District Nine, who still seemed to be on fire, but not much was given away. And so Valencia tried to distract herself.

She continued to wander around the halls of the mansion, sometimes being accompanied by Commie, but it was very rare. And sometimes, she found herself back in her room. Valencia was required to eat her food, take her medicine, and bathe. But the last part was something she always scratched out on her to-do-list. It was because the bathroom was filled with mirrors, but after days of not showering, Commie finally forced her into the bath. And it was the first time she saw herself in the mirror and she did not like what she saw.

As Valencia stood naked in-front of the mirror, she began to cry. Her skin looked like melted wax, all hot, red, and fiery. It was damaged to the bone, but somehow the doctors managed to 'repair' it. And her face. Half her face was covered in melted skin, one of her eyebrows being singed off as the scars ended in the middle of her face. On the other side, her skin was a pale, sickly colour, the stains of the flames lapping at her flesh still there as the whiteness bordered the newborn-baby pinkness. And her hair was very short, shorter than she had expected. It did not lay on her shoulders like she was told and rather, it hung. There was still some damaged parts to her hair, but it was rather straight than what she thought it was. But still, she was used to her hair being down in the middle of her back. Now, she had to go out looking like a hideous mutt with a hideous haircut. And even as Valencia slipped into the cold bath, the scars still stung. All the scars, both mentally and physically, stung. 

The only good news that made Valencia somewhat joyful was that Snow had been tried and found guilty, sentenced to execution. Commie was the one to tell her, but everyone was talking about it that it was hard to not hear. And still, no-one had come to visit Valencia. That was until one afternoon she had gotten out of the bath and there was a knock at the door. Valencia nearly fainted when she saw the pastel trio and Ezra.

Valencia raised an eyebrow at this when she realised, today was the day of the execution. They came to prep her for the cameras' like every other Victor. But they couldn't remake her. They couldn't fix her up, not with her looking like this. It was an impossible task and they were either crying at the pressure or crying because of how relieved they were.

"Oh, Valencia," Bette whispered as she gently pulled her in for a hug. "We're so sorry."

"Valencia," Ezra muttered as Bette pulled away and he placed a single hand on her shoulder. Valencia still did not speak and rather she pulled Ezra in for a hug.

"You're special," Aria said softly. "You and Katniss are the only ones getting a makeover."

"It's because us and Katniss's team are the only preps left," Mateo explained. "And Ezra is the only stylist from the Games that's alive."

"Well, let's not dwell on the sad facts." Ezra sighed. "Let's get you ready."

And so, carefully, the pastel trio began to work on Valencia. It was hard, keep in mind, as nearly all three of them were too scared to touch Valencia's skin as they feared it would hurt her. After numerous times of shaking her head, they realised she could not speak and rather, they had Ezra translate. That made Valencia more mad, but she was forced to swallow it down as Aria began to work on her hair, Bette on nails, and Mateo on minimal makeup. He find that rather hard since he had to work around the scars, due to Ezra's demand, and because he had to draw an eyebrow on. But when they finished and dressed her, Valencia did not look any different, she just looked freshened up. 

And as Valencia looked at herself in the mirror, the feelings of despair and tiresomeness left faintly. Instead, she was filled with rage and anger. After everything that she had gone through, she was left looking like a burnt human being. This was her repayment for everything she had done, for everything she had gone through. This was how it ends. Where was she supposed to go from here?

A meeting, apparently, according to Ezra. With a shake of the head, Valencia expected it to be a production meeting with Plutarch about cameras' and where to stand with the other Victors', but what she didn't expect was to see the nine remaining Victors' stare up at Valencia's face when she entered the room. Nova, Peeta, Johanna, Beetee, Haymitch, Annie, Katniss, Commie, and Finnick all wore the grey uniforms from Thirteen and none looked rather happy as Coin sat in her chair.

Nova had burns all across her hands and arms, going up her neck and jawline, stopping just at her where her mouth was. Her hair was cut shorter than what it was prior, but it did not look as bad as Valencia's. Peeta had burns all the way up across his forehead, singing away his brows, but just missing his eyes. Katniss had some of her face filled with scars, but you could barely see the marks instead of the ones on her hands, arms, and neck. And then Finnick. Oh, her Finnick. He had no burns on his face, the scars just residing on his neck and below, his hands trembling from where he folded them.

Nova gave her a warm smile, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw her. Johanna's eyes were dancing over Valencia as she raised an eyebrow. Beetee smiling at her slightly as Haymitch bit his lip. Katniss's eyes went wide as Peeta nodded at her. Commie was too busy looking down at the floor. Annie sighed when she saw her. (They lost their balance as Annie wrapped herself around Valencia's brother) And Finnick. His eyes were soft and filled with love as he looked at Valencia. But whatever it was, she looked away.

 "What is this?"

"Appears to be a reunion of the remaining Victors'," Haymitch told her.

"This is what's left?" Valencia raised an eyebrow and everyone nodded glumly.

"Sit down, please, Valencia," Coin told her and so, Valencia took a seat between Haymitch and Katniss. "I've asked you here to settle a debate. Today we will execute Snow. In the previous weeks, hundreds of his accomplices in the oppression of Panem have been tried and now await their own deaths. However, the suffering in the districts has been so extreme that these measures appeared insufficient to the victims. In fact, many are calling for a complete annihilation of those who hold Capitol citizenship. However, in the interest of maintaining a sustainable population, we cannot afford this."

Valencia caught eyes with Finnick diagonal from her. His eyes were glistening with delight at seeing her again, but her eyes were filled with rage as she tried to pay attention to Coin. She wasn't sure what it was that told her to stop looking at Finnick, but whatever it was, she loathed it. 

"So, an alternative has been placed on the table. Since my colleagues and I can come to no consensus, it has been agreed that we let the Victors' decide. A majority of five will approve the plan. No-one may abstain from the vote," Coin told them. "What has been proposed is that in lieu of eliminating the entire Capitol population, we have a final, symbolic Hunger Games, using the children directly related to those who held the most power."

"What?" Johanna was the first to speak as all ten heads turned to face the president.

"We hold another Hunger Games using Capitol children."

"Are you joking?" Peeta asked.

"No." Coin shook her head. "I should also tell you that if we do hold the Games, it will be known it was done with your approval although the individual breakdown of your votes will be kept secret for your own security."

"Was this Plutarch's idea?" Haymitch asked her.

"It was mine. It seemed to balance the need for vengeance with least loss of life," said Coin. "You may cast your votes."

"No!" Peeta bursted out. "I vote no, of course! We can't have another Hunger Games!"

"Why not?" Johanna smirked at him. "It seems very fair to me. Snow even has a granddaughter. I vote yes."

"Why not?" Commie repeated as he scoffed at Johanna. "That shouldn't even be a question. Of course not. They're just children—"

"And so were we." Johanna chuckled at Commie. "We were all children when we won, kids when we were Reaped."

"Just because we were children then doesn't mean we're children now. We're older and maturer." Finnick shook his head. "We can't make the same mistakes again and so I vote no... Annie?"

"I vote no with Finnick, Peeta, and Flint," Annie muttered. "And so would Terry if he were here."

"But guess what? He isn't," Johanna reminded her, causing Finnick and Commie to send her murderous looks. "Because Snow's mutts killed him."

"No," Beetee said. "It would set a bad precedent. We have to stop viewing one another as enemies. At this point, unity is essential for our survival. No."

"Katniss, Nova, Valencia, Haymitch." Coin nodded at them. "It's down to you four."

Valencia bent her head down as she furrowed her one brow. Another Hunger Games with Capitol children. A crazy idea, but not an impossible one. People were bloodthirsty and that was something that was hard to quench. But this is what happened seventy-five years ago. A call for revenge. And Coin would call for just one Games, but people would be too bloodthirsty and so there would be another, and another, and another until they had a whole history book about the Capitol's Hunger Games. But then the fire that was in Valencia's heart, the rage that was in her eyes. Revenge was something that she had wanted for a long time, it was something Dominica introduced her to. Dominica wanted revenge on Silas for killing Azul. And now, Valencia wanted revenge on Snow for killing Antares.

"I vote yes... for Prim," Katniss murmured before Valencia had the chance to open her mouth. She had heard rumours that Katniss's sister had died in the explosions, but she didn't think of them being true until now.

"I'm with the Mockingjay." Haymitch sighed.

"Nova?" Coin asked.

Valencia looked to Nova, who was looking at Katniss. The two seemed to speak through their minds for Katniss's eyes were pleading as she stared at the older woman. 

"Fine." Nova nodded her head. "I'm with Katniss."

"Valencia, it's down to you."

Despite Peeta and Commie's yelling at Valencia about the atrocities that could happen if she agreed to this, despite Finnick's glares, Valencia only focused on Katniss, Nova, and Haymitch. The three stared at her with deep intent. Katniss wouldn't agree just for nothing. Haymitch wouldn't agree to the Games unless Katniss was planning something. And Nova was someone Valencia trusted with her entire being. And Nova would not agree just because she was bloodthirsty. There was a reason. What it was, Valencia had no clue. But she knew that Katniss was planning something with the way she looked at her, a slight nod of the head. It was like they were talking to each other in their minds because something clicked in Valencia's head. Katniss never liked Coin. Coin never liked Katniss. Coin was power-hungry and Katniss was the only thing that was in her way to become the president of Panem. The only reason Katniss agreed to another Games was to keep her trust. Katniss was going to kill Coin. For Prim. For her sister. Which made sense since a thirteen-year-old shouldn't even have been in the field unless someone of very high ranking said otherwise. And so with a sly smirk, Valencia slowly looked to Coin.

"I... uh... I'm with Katniss, Nova, and Haymitch for this one." Valencia smirked. "I vote yes."

"Lennie! Nova!" Commie yelled at them, the veins in his neck nearly popping from the immense rage. "What are you doing?"

"Excellent. That carries the vote." Coin smiled. "Now we really must take our places for the execution."

As people flooded into the room and surrounded the Victors', Valencia realised that Commie was shaking his head at her, Peeta biting his lip whilst Johanna laughed maniacally. And Finnick. Finnick's eyes were completely avoiding Valencia. 

Plutarch guided them to the front doors of the mansion, the City Circle being completely filled with people as everyone took their places outside. A few guards and officials. Some rebel leaders. And then all the Victors' were announced by name individually, a tremendous roar following them. And then Coin appeared on the balcony and soon, Katniss stepped out in the sunlight. The crowd was in hysterics when they marched Snow out of the door, securing him to a post in-front of Katniss with her single arrow.

Immense rage filled Valencia as she watched blood dribble down Snow's chin as he coughed. She nearly walked down to Katniss, snatched her arrow, and plunged it into Snow's heart, but she refrained herself when she saw the amusement in his eyes. This was the man that caused her great pain, the man that killed her brother and mother, the man that killed everyone Valencia ever loved. And now Katniss was going to spare his life to kill Coin. 

And she did just that when Valencia nodded at her, Katniss pointing her arrow upwards, releasing the string as Coin collapsed over the side of the balcony, falling to the ground with an arrow lodged in her heart. 

The inhumane laugh that escaped Valencia's lips as she watched the crowd run to Snow as he followed her suit in laughing maniacally. People around them were looking at everyone with confused expressions, some staring at Valencia as she cackled. Coin was dead. Snow was dead. Everyone was dead and Valencia was alone. Commie was completely and utterly angry with her. Finnick wouldn't look her in the eye, even as she chortled. Antares was dead. Her mother and father were dead. The only person left was Nova. Everyone else was dead and now, Valencia was dipping into insanity. 

Everything she had gone through and it was to end like this. With Valencia turning insane as she watched Katniss get dragged by guards, as she watched Coin's blood pour, as she watched Snow get beat to death. Nothing mattered anymore. Everyone was dead and Valencia was alone. And now, it was just her and her new insanity. She remembered the promise she made to herself in the arena how she would never turn out like Jacob. But now, Jacob and Valencia were both one with their insaneness. 

And then when Valencia's craziness got too much, she was grabbed by guards. And that's when the screaming started. Valencia turned into a wild animal as she scratched and swiped at the guards who escorted her from the balcony. She cried for a nightlock pill. Something easy and simple to swallow and a painless death. She wanted to die. Valencia wanted to die and she had wanted to ever since she won her Games. Ever since Antares died. Ever since she was lit on fire. But her wails were ignored by everyone. Commie had his head hung low as Finnick placed a hand on his shoulder. Nova was nodding with a smirk on her face as she stared at Coin's corpse. As the front doors closed, Valencia swore she saw Finnick look at her longingly, even as she screamed like a lunatic. 

Even in the mansion, Valencia's screams and cries for death echoed around, but they were rejected. When she nearly clawed one of the guard's eyes out, she was handcuffed and carried through halls and passages, up and down in elevators. And she screamed even harder when she saw that they had entered the Training Centre. Wailed as they brought her to the ninth floor, throwing her onto the carpet floor as they got rid of the cuffs before locking the door behind them as they left. She was in her old room, the one where she stayed during her Games and the Quarter Quell. It was just her and her friend, insanity.