Sea of Tears

by TheQuackenbush

When Finnick Odair is chosen for the 65th Annual Hunger Games, he has to face leaving his best friend, watching an ally die, and fighting off brutal challenges. Will he prevail? Or will he face the fate of many others that have walked his path? Find out! Rated T for violence and somewhat coarse language

1. Prologue

I stirred in my sleep. I couldn't think clearly. My thoughts haunted me and it was all their fault.

My name is Finnick Odair. I am fourteen years old. My home is District 4. I am a victor of the 65th Annual Hunger Games. I barely got out with my life. Is this believable? Can this be real? Did I really win? My question is answered when the lights at the Capitol Studio flare on. I am in a completely white room, sitting in a pitch black chair next to Ceasar Flickerman. The cameras are carefully aimed at him, as he talks like what I just went through was not a big deal. I hate this place. I hate the people, I hate the city, I hate myself. I want to be back at my little house next to the beach, swimming and diving in the endless expanse of sea water. The next thing I know, Caesar is looking straight at me and I snap back into reality. Did he say something to me? Apparently so, because he gives a little laugh after noticing my surprised look and then speaks again.

"Tell me exactly what it feels like, Finnick. I wan- scratch that, we all want to know how you feel."

I sit in shock, hesitating. Ever since I was whisked out of the arena by the hovercraft, I have been out of it. I manage to choke out a few words, "Surreal. I can't believe it."

"I can. I'm sure we all expected this to happen," Caesar says. He always is there to save you when you fail to speak.

After a few more questions, the interview wraps up. I am lead to a train in the back of the building and I am soon on my way back to my true home. I collapse on the bed in my room and think about what just happened. Did I really just kill other people just so I could live? What have I become? I am a monster. No. I am worse than a monster, but everyone else thinks I'm a hero. Do you want to know what I should have said to Caesar? I should have told him that I felt like dying. Curling up and dying for what I had done. But nothing can be done now, as the rest of my life is pretty much planned out for me. Interviews, tours, parties. I won't have any freedom. I was brought into this. And now, I want out.