That day would have been perfect if not for the circumstances. The weather in District Four was beautiful—seventy-five degrees and sunny, accompanied by a light breeze and not a cloud in the sky. Mother Nature seemed to be mocking the citizens of Four by blessing them with such lovely conditions on a day when they couldn't possibly be enjoyed.
Finnick and Annie made their way to the town square, where the Reaping was to take place, squeezing the life out of each other's hands. Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that they'd ever have to do this again, but yet there they were, each fearing for the other's safety more than their own.
As they approached the Justice Building, Finnick noticed Mags already sitting in the section assigned to the female victors. His stomach did an unpleasant backflip as he remembered what she had told him last night—if Annie's name was called, she planned to volunteer to go in her place. He didn't know if Annie knew, and he wasn't going to ask her now. But the thought of Mags, his sweet old mentor, being sent into the Hunger Games to most likely never come back was enough to make him feel physically ill.
However, his fearing for Mags was interrupted when he felt a tug on his hand. He looked to his left for Annie, only to find that she was no longer beside him. She had stopped suddenly a few steps ago, all the color having drained from her face. For her expression of sheer dread, one would think she was already on her way to the Capitol.
Finnick closed the gap between them and took her face in his hands. "Annie? What's wrong?"
Annie only shook her head, her eyes full of panic.
Finnick stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Honey, talk to me."
"I don't want to go," Annie whispered. "I don't want you to go. I can't do this."
Finnick felt his heart breaking. "I know…I know. I don't like this, either. But we don't have a choice. All we can do is stay strong and face whatever comes our way. That's something I know you can do." He tried to smile, hoping it didn't look too forced. "They can only scare us if we let them."
Annie took a deep breath. "You're right. I know you're right. It's just…Finn, this is so wrong."
Finnick turned his head to look at the crowd that had gathered around the Justice Building, the seal of Panem displayed on the giant screen above them, and the Peacekeepers surrounding the area like guard dogs. "It really is."
"Take your places. The Reaping will begin momentarily."
Finnick turned back to Annie. She looked up at him, steeling herself for what was about to happen. "That's our cue."
Finnick pulled her in for one last kiss, savoring every moment of it, knowing that it could be their last. Once they finally broke apart, Annie threw her arms around his neck and whispered, "I'll see you in a little while."
As they let each other go and went their separate ways to take their places in their designated sections, Finnick could only hope that she was right.