My eyes bore holes into the television screen, into the foliage shown on it, into the makeshift cave in the rocks, into the hearts of the two souls in it. And for some reason it breaks my heart. I had thought I was beyond being broken. These two, trapped, unwilling to let each other go. Or so it seems. I suppose it reminds me to much of that night, years ago, when I spent a night in a cave. Alone, with the only person on earth I truly love. That is what makes my situation different. I truly loved the one I held in my arms that night. I know that she too, truly loved me. I am unsure of the true feelings of at least one of these two.

My mind wanders, as thoughts of that night fill my head. Immediately guilt at my thoughts fills my mind. Really, I was no better than the girl in the cave on television. Not then. Hopefully I am now. But I am not one to judge. It took me a while to truly love her.

I had met her only two weeks before, by the bank of the river. In my district, we are told that we have more freedom than the others. Freedom to wander the river banks and the ocean shore, freedom to explore wherever we want really. There are no fences, nothing to keep us in. We must be back for the morning role call, nothing more. If we don't make it, they shoot us. I didn't believe what they said about freedom, until I visited the other districts and realized how true it really was. True freedom though, is something I have never tasted. I don't believe I ever will.

I shake my head, realizing my mind has wandered, and turn my head back to the television screen. The boy wraps his arms around the girl, and she gives him a gentle kiss on the cheek, spooning soup into his mouth. I feel bad for them, knowing that this can last only so long. They have a day, at most, for their so called "happy" romance. Their is only one end for such love in these games.

Death.

Images flood my mind again at that word, and I take a moment to sort through them before focusing on any one thought. Her scent, her smile, her laugh on that last night. The night before I realized I was going to lose her. The night before I realized that I cared. I hadn't before, not really. But then, it hadn't occurred to me that she might be special. She was just another name, really, another face with a name. No more than that. As a highly prized victor, I had no lack of female attention. I hated going to the Capitol every year, I hated who people thought I was. I wasn't. But because of this, I could not attach myself to anyone, for fear that they would be hurt, that they would be broken. Like I am. After all, it takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart. I fell apart all at once, and I have never gotten my pieces back in place.

Clearing my mind again, I realize I the screen has switched from the cave to the announcer. Yes, a feast. Not surprising, they do this almost every year. Except her year. They didn't need to. I can't help it now. I decide that I must let myself return to that night, to those memories. They are painful, and I have never fully healed. But one cannot live in the past and be worthy to face the present. As the memories begin to play out, my hands automatically begin knotting the rope that is ever present in them. Knot, unknot, knot unknot, knot...

She was younger than me by a few years, and very beautiful. This didn't matter to me at the time. She had intruded upon my one place of solitude. The place that I could go to be alone. Away from the people who fell upon me at every step, who tormented my every waking hour.

I had found a small cave by the riverside, a mile away from the outskirts of the district. She had come rustling through the bushes, and stood in front of it, with me hidden near the back, hoping she wouldn't come in. But of course she did.

"Oh," she jumped a little at the sight of me,"I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone was here...Finnick, right?"

It bothered me that she asked about my name. Everybody knew me. So I just didn't respond, and turned my body away from hers.

I heard her laugh. She laughed!

"Really, now, you have everything in the world and you can't talk to a peasant girl because she intrudes on your cave? Is that who you are, Finnick? Somehow, I thought you were much more than that."

Her words stung my pride, but also intrigued me. So I decided to respond. I turned to face her. She was gone. I sat there in silence for a moment, before running out of the cave. Her figure was withdrawing quickly, almost out of sight.

"Hey!" I yelled," Please come back..." I wanted to apologize, but didn't have the right words.

She studied me from afar, but began to make her way back.

"What?" she requested, when she stood only feet from me.

"What did you mean, saying you thought I was much more than that."

The girl shook her head slightly and laughed, "Really? I thought you would know what I meant. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you are who they all say you are."

I stare at her quizzically, "Who do they say I am?" I request.

She places her hands on her hips and swings her hair behind her shoulder," Well, I would prefer not to repeat their terminology. I am sure you can guess well enough."

I nod slowly, because I can. I have heard what they say. I know. At first it broke my heart, because I could not tell them the truth. Because they judged without knowledge. Then, it just stung. Then, it didn't hurt anymore. I got used to it. I was the outcast, the victor who would do anything to get more. None of them understand. Except, it occurs to me, perhaps the girl in front of me. So I say,"Yes, I know what they say."

Her expression is hard to read," And is that who you are, Finnick Odair?"

My lips are dry. I don't know what to say. I can not tell the truth. They will hurt me. They will hurt her. Really, they have already damaged me beyond repair. I do not want them to do the same to her. "Yes," I respond, slowly, voice cracking,"Yes."

She shakes her head at me," You can tell me the truth, I won't tell."

Unexpected tears fall into my eyes at her words, because someone else said the same thing to me, years before. "That is not what I am worried about."

The girl takes my hand gently, and I instantly pull away.

"I don't even know your name, what are you doing?"

She shrugs, "Just checking. A Finnick who really did all they say he did, would not have pulled away at the touch of a woman."

I close my eyes, realizing she has figured out my closest secret. Instead of relief, I feel dread. Dread like I have never felt before.

When I finally open my eyes, minutes later, after making sure I was not going to cry, I realize she is gone. In her place, lies a single solitary piece of paper, and a small white cube. I pick up the paper and examine the cube. It is a sugar cube. I don't understand, but I slip it into my mouth anyway, and examine her note. It has four small words written on it, in neat handwriting.

"My name is Annie."

A/N Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)