"Far below, I can just make out Finnick, struggling to hang on as three mutts tear at him. As one yanks back his head to take the death bite, something bizarre happens. It's as if I'm Finnick, watching images of my life flash by. The mast of a boat, a silver parachute, Mags laughing, a pink sky, Beetee's trident, Annie in her wedding dress, waves breaking over rocks. Then it's over."

5 Years Later…

He padded softly through the tunnel, his footsteps echoing off the concrete walls. He paused as his ears detected a low humming sound, and sure enough, a tiny demon rounded the corner, it's golden armour glinting dangerously in the dim light.

It circled about the flickering light of his lamp like the predator it was. Then the creature flew on down the passage way. He let out the breath he'd been holding, as the thing disappeared from view.

He'd come across a number of nests while investigating the network of tunnels and went out of his way to avoid them whenever possible, because he knew exactly what the insects were capable of after being stung the first time. He shuddered as he recalled the nightmares caused by the venom; ghost white, reptilian creatures, biting, tearing at his flesh and most of all, the overpowering stench of roses which accompanied them.

It was definitely not an experience her wished to repeat. Ever. So he turned down the path he knew was clear of the demonic insects, though he was always wary of any lone creatures that might be hovering around, like the one he'd just avoided and was always on his guard when he neared any passages which were unknown territory to him, like his destination that day; he'd discovered this particular route while out looking for food, and had made a mental note to check it out at a later date. So here he was.

He trod carefully, knife in hand, prepared to either fight or flee if a moment presented itself, but each unknown step he took was as uneventful as the last. After a couple of miles of walking in silence, but for the sound of his feet coming in contact with the hard ground, and the steady beat of his heart, the passage ended.

He came to a standstill, as he met the vertical wall before him. Upon this barrier, a tall metal ladder was mounted. He reached out a hand to touch the steps before him, then stopped suddenly, puzzled as he did so because as his hand neared the ladder, it became illuminated. He repeated the action, with the same result. He looked up towards the roof of the passage, and there he saw the light source; a small chink of light through which a strained ray of light had sneaked.

In this dim light, he was able to distinguish a circular shape on the ceiling, some sort of entryway which had been sealed. He knew it must have been closed off for a reason and whatever lay on the other side, was most likely dangerous. But that was no incentive for him to not proceed in fact it was just the contrary. Life was lonely and dull, the only exception to this was the appearances of the stinging insects, so any chance to discover something new he jumped at it.

Plus, it wasn't as though he had anyone to live for.

After testing to make sure the ladder would hold his weight, he clamped his knife between his teeth and began climbing.

Once he reached a height of about four or five meters, the panel was in easy reaching distance. He hooked one arm around the side of the ladder to keep him steady and with the other, he pushed on the panel. It didn't budge.

Not dispirited by this, he took the knife in his free hand and began to attack the seal around the panel.

After working for over an hour, his arm ached from being elevated in work for such a long period of time without respite and the other, was nearly deadened by the exertion of hold his weight steady while being jammed between the wall and the cold metal of the ladder. But finally he felt the final bit of bonding agent come free and he replaced the blade between his teeth to free his hand and pushed up the weighty slab and slid it across, light flooded in as he did so momentarily blinding him, he climbed through the portal and found himself in the middle of a whole new world.