numb // [Zaya - One Shot]

Her fingers hover over the console, her mouth hanging open just enough to expose the edge of her bottom teeth.

There's a quick tap and the canon explodes in the Arena, the sound echoing through the Gamemaker's Headquarters.

He's never coming back.

She sat there for a moment watching the footage of his body lying on the ground until the hovercraft recovered it. His limp arm falls out of the craft's claw and she watches the fingers hanging loosely as they rise and disappear. The screen changes to Rolf Parks.

Quietly, concentrating on her movements, Zaya rises from her chair. She can't let the others see how much the death of a tribute has shaken her to her core. What kind of Gamemaker gets emotional over tributes?

"Excuse me," she says quickly before leaving the room. Her heels clack against the white tile. Usually the sound gives her confidence, right now it's the most annoying thing in the world.

She walks down a hallway, through the security clearance, and then steps into the empty elevator. She presses a random button on the display, not caring where it takes her. Once the door closes, she kicks off her heels and leans against the mirror plated side of the elevator.

"What have I done?" the words are barely a whisper. She shuts her eyes to keep from looking at her reflection in the doors. The display beeps as it passes a door and Zaya smashes her hand into the stop button.

The elevator stop abruptly, the momentum it was gaining didn't have a chance to go anywhere. She's jostled a little, but it's nothing compared to what her heart is going through. She slides down the wall, sitting on the carpeted floor and finally lets out the sob that had been gathering in her chest.

She was never going to get that kiss.