120 SIXTH HEARTBREAK

All at once, comprehension floods Finnick's consciousness like a tidal wave. They have called his name. Finnick Odair. His name is Finnick Odair.

A volatile mixture of dread and excitement set the knot of nerves ablaze in his chest, so potent he can feel it burning inside him, can taste it acrid and hot on his tongue. He waits, he waits for Mags to reject him, he waits for the voice of another Career to speak out, volunteering to take his place.

"How about it, Finnick?" Ortensia's honeyed tones slither into his ears, making them itch. "You're going to the Capitol!"

Everyone else is waiting, he realizes. Waiting for him to walk to the stage.

The first face he searches out as he marches forward to stand next to Ortensia is that of his mentor. And this time, she looks back.

This is the life you've been given, her expression says. Now you have to survive it.