Chapter 1: Annie POV
The Ocean that lays ahead of me is calm, peaceful. The tide rolls in, out, then repeats. A regular scedual. The waves, though, form then crash upon the shore, destroying everything in its wake. Drowning, too, seams peaceful. You fall deeper into a liquid on which your life is baced on. But then, you can't hold your breath in, and pain begins forming, and you let go. You breath the water, and soon, pass. Nobody knows how, or why you died, because they can't find you. You try to anger them, so that they don't miss you as much, they don't cry. But some people, they do miss you. Anarv, my brother, would miss me, no matter how mad he was. My father, though, would be too drunk to care.
Although its illegal to be out past dark, Anarv and I tend to. The Head Peacekeeper, Marcus Tumbel, lets us, though. He knows what goes on with our father, but he can't do anything. So that's what I'm doing, Anarv is lucky enough to have friends that allow him to stay the night. I am just unlucky, or unliked. Probably the latter.
From the corner of my eye, I see someone approaching me from the side. I pretend I don't see them, just like Mother told me.
"Are you okay?" A male voice asks. I turn my head instantly to the speaker, then look up. Finnick Odair. The youngest tribute to ever win The Hunger Games.
"Why is it your concern?" I ask, crossing my arms, and clenching my jaw tightly.
He chuckles, "Well, it shouldn't be..But you are out later than you should be with the curfew and all."
Its my turn to laugh, "Well, then, why are you out so late?" I ask, leaning foreword on the tips of my feet.
"I'm a Victor. They can't harm me."
"Say that to the Victor that was shot last month."
"Oh, well, I'd love to, sweetheart, but shes still in the hospital."
It took me a moment, but I realize how close we are. A few centimeters apart, actualy, and his eyes are narrowed at me, his breathing quick and warm on my skin.
"Why are you out so late?" He repeats, keeping the distance between us.
I smirk and laugh a bit, "I shouldn't be telling a stranger my personal information."
"Well, I shouldn't be a stranger to you. You've seen me around, on TV, maybe even swiming out here."
"I hardly know anything about you, though." I respond, taking a step back. For a moment he seams displeased.
"Tell me your name." He demands.
"Annie."
"Well, Annie, tell me why you're out past curfew, or I might have to tip off a Peacekeeper."
"I got kicked out of my house by a drunken father. Happy?" I ask with a sickingly sweet smile on my face. He seams to be somewhat concerned for a moment, but then plasters on a cocky smile again.
"You should come home with me."
"Never."
"Why not?"
"Well, you have killed many people, Odair. I don't know if you might pull out a trident and stab me with it. And I still hardly know you. It would be bad for your reputation, too, if you were seen with me."
His eyes become glossy as I mention the murderous thing. "Annie, the arena changes you, makes you want out. Don't blame me for my hasty decisions in the mist of death until you have been in the arena yourself." Tears fall down his tan face, creating stains as they fall. I swear, this is the real him. Hes not some charsmatic murderer right now, out in the moonlight. He is a fearful fourteen year old again, not a nineteen year old who has many admires all over Panem.
"I'll come with you."
He smiles.
_
"So..Why did you suddenly decide to come with me?" Finnick asks. We are currently at his house, sitting by the fire. He is in a rocking chair, and I am sitting in front of it. Hes messing with my brown hair.
"You seamed lonely." I say, looking up at him, "Please stop messing with my hair, Finn."
"Finn? Who is this Finn?" He asks, raising an eyebrow teasingly.
"You. Duh." I say, smiling at him. He smiles back.
"I like it." He says.
"You wern't supposed to." I speak, frowning slightly.
"Well, I do. How do you like.." He pauses, thinking for a moment. "Ienna?" He asks.
"What is 'Ienna'?" I ask, doing my best to pronounce the strange name.
"Annie backwords, duh. You don't even know your own name backwords."
I roll my eyes, "Like you do?"
He scoffs, "Of corse I do! Its.." He begins, but pauses, frowning slightly.
"Tick tock, tick tock." I say, smiling, and turning to where I face him on my knees.
"K-c-i-n-n-i-f." He spells it out. "Its hard to pronounce."
"Okay..Kcinnif..I should head back home. The suns coming up, so I must help with my Fathers hang over." I say, standing.
"Nope." He says, grabing me by the waist and onto his lap. "Your not going anywhere."
I try to fight against his strong arms, but soon give up. "Why?"
"You havent slept a wink. If you sleep for at least an hour, I'll let you go."
"Fine." I say, and lean back to get comfortable.
_
Three loud knocks awaken me. I open my eyes, and find I'm in someone's arms, and their head is on my shoulder. Thats when the memory of last night hits me like a ton of bricks. Finnick.I attempt to get out of his grasp, but fail. Who is at the door?
I try to flick his head, and he doesn't awaken. He's a deep sleeper.
"Finnick. Finnick, wake up. Wake up, Finn." I whisper into his ear. His eyes flutter open quickly. Three more knocks.
"Annie? Oh, hi." He says, releasing his grip on me. I stand up awkwardly, and smile slightly. "I'll get the door." He says, and walks towards the large, blue door. Finnick looks at me, with fear in his eyes as he opens the door a bit wider. The person who comes in has a large beer belly, and an unshaved beard.
Anger in his eyes, his deep, scratchy voice booms. "Annie, what buisness have you being at this man's house all day?"
_
A/N: First Chapter Cliffy!
Review please? Suggestions?