Poppy’s POV

The guards escorted me to the pits that morning.

My father assumed it was for a public appearance, not because I was actually working. He only agreed because I convinced him it would rally the citizens. Help the morale of our fighters and attendees.

The same excuse I told him every time.

He didn’t know that I used these “public appearances” to learn about the public. Citizens are surprisingly honest to those stitching wounds and ...