"I'm so sorry Annie..." The soldier said. He took off his hat, held it close to his chest and bowed his head. He closed his eyes and was silent for a moment, for Finnick.
Annie was confused. Why hadn't Finnick come back in the hovercraft? He promised her he would.
"He wanted me to give you this, just in case he... you know." The soldier wasn't the most sensitive or caring person, but he didn't want to say "if he didn't make it back". He knew Annie could barely handle every day life. For her, this would be so much harder than for someone else. This would be a long road. He took the letter out of his pocket, handing it to her. She held it, studying it closely. She still didn't completely get it. She looked at his hand writing on the outside of the letter. "Annie" it said in graceful letters.
Annie knew it was Finnick's handwriting. She slowly opened it. Maybe it would explain why he wasn't here. Maybe he was on a trip. Maybe Coin sent him somewhere else where he was needed.
Dear Annie,
If you get this letter, it means I haven't come home. I know it might be confusing for you, but I can't come back. This world is just like a Rubik's cube. It's so confusing, but colorful. And everyone is amazed when you figure it out. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I had to go. But I'll be safe. And one day you see me again, I promise, I'll wait forever if I have to. And then we'll always be together. I heard of this place called Heaven when I was younger, before the games. A family friend told me about it. It's a perfect world. There is no pain, no suffering, just peace and love. And I'm sure I'll be going there. And one day, when you are ready, you will come join me. But until then, just know I'll always be with you in your heart. I'll always be there for you. I just can't physically be here with you. I love you so much Annie. You are my world, my stars, the air I breathe. Don't forget it. Stay strong for me. Be brave and live on for me. Thank you for always standing by me.
Love, Finnick
The letter was full of dried tear drops. They were soon joined by fresh one. Annie understood. Finnick was dead, gone for good. He would no longer be sitting at the table at the crack of dawn tying knots. He would no longer embrace Annie and shield her from the nightmares. He would no long smile and wink at her before diving into the deep green colored ocean. Annie would no longer see those caring green eyes.
It was that moment when all the live drained from her eyes and her heart shattered into a million pieces. She was sucked into a deep dark place called depression, or as the doctors called it "madness", that she knew all too well. She was lost. Her love was gone, and there was nothing she, or anyone could do.
A nurse took Annie's wrist lightly, carful not to frighten her. But Annie wasn't like that. She didn't scream when touched like the other patients. She went completely silent. She wouldn't make a sound no matter what. Annie would just stare with a blank look on her face.
"Come on Annie, let's get you to your room." the nurse said in a sweet, soft voice. She began leading Annie down the hall, back to the hospital. The nurse walked slowly next to Annie as if she were a baby learning how to walk. But Annie knew she was stronger than that. The only one who saw it and knew it was Finnick.
"See Annie! I knew you could do it!" Finnick would say when Annie did something that was hard for her. Like in the beginning of her depression, after the games, when she finally left her house and went for a walk around the block. It was hard for her, but Finnick was there. So she knew she could do it. But now that he was gone, it seemed like life could no longer carry on.
The nurse brought Annie into her room. It has plush, white wall, meant to "protect" Annie if she has a mental break down. The doctors would have put her in a regular room, but now that Finnick wasn't here to calm her, they felt like it would be safer for her in the room. The nurse brought Annie to the small bed in the corner. She had Annie sit on it. Annie sat at the edge of the bed, her hands in her lap. She stared straight ahead at the door as if Finnick will walk through at any moment.
"Here Annie. You can put this on." The nurse said, putting a pale green hospital gown next to Annie, "I'll let you get changed. I'm just out the door if you need me." The nurse said. She smiled at Annie, but Annie only blinked. The nurse's smile vanished. She felt bad for Annie. She understood her pain. She slowly left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. She locked the door and went down the hall to check on another patient.
Annie just sat there for a minute. A tear slowly rolled down her check, landing on her hand. Beside her tear, there was no emotion on her face. She forced herself to put on the gown. She know Finnick would have wanted her to try, but even that simple act was hard. The gown was on of the fabric ones that the hospital of 13 rarely used. Usually they used a paper like material.
She crawled under the covers of the bed, which like the rest of the room was white. She hid her head under the pillow. No one could have seen her under there, almost as if she wasn't there. That's what Annie wanted. She didn't want to exist.
"I'll always be in your heart." Finnick seems to whisper in her ear.