Saltwater
I can taste saltwater
And if I blink again
It'll come sinking in
And we'll learn to swim
in the oceans we made
Marina, her mother, runs out to the sea, the sky stormy and grey. What is happening? Where is father? Is a big storm about to come? Four year old Annie Cresta has so many questions. A loud boom of thunder cuts through the air, but little Annie doesn't jump. She's used to the storms, living by the sea. Are the gods angry? Her father always says that when the gods are angry, they stomp up in the clouds and make thunder. When they are sad, they cry tears of rain. Her mother sweeps her inside and places her by the fireplace. And when Annie's father doesn't come home that night, or ever, Annie Cresta is afraid of the sea for the first time in her life.
12 years later:
"No! Watch out!", Annie yells, but it is too late. Her fellow tribute, Percy, is beheaded by a Career from District 2, as he stands in the river, washing his hands. The Career snuck up on him, sliding through the murky water like a sea monster from the stories her father used to tell her. Annie runs, as fast as her feet can carry her, her long flowing hair getting snagged on branches, tripping over roots. She is tall and slender, and quickly scales a tree, narrowly escaping the Careers. The arena floods on the last day. And as Annie Cresta watches the other tributes drown, she is afraid of the sea for the second time in her life.
So I'll wipe my shirtsleeves
Under your eyes
5 years later:
Annie Cresta didn't fall in love with Finnick Odair because of his charm, but the way that she always felt safe around him. When he dies, it feels like a hole has been ripped in her heart. She screams and cries and throws things, until Haymitch calms her down. But it's no use, for her night in shining armor, her great protector, is gone. At first she wants something to numb the pain, to help her forget about it all. Then she realizes that she has a baby to care for, and pulls herself together.
57 years later:
As a white light slowly takes over her vision, Annie notices a silhouette in the distance. Suddenly everything becomes clearer and she sees the love of her life standing on the shore. There is no need for words, she and Finnick understand each other perfectly. As they walk off into the distance, holding hands, finally reunited at last, Annie Cresta knows that everything will be okay.
Author's note: I just had writers block with Always, so I decided to publish this. I'll probably get to update tomorrow if I can find time to write Chapter 5!
The song in the beginning is Shirtsleeves by Ed Sheeran.