Disclaimer: Everything is Suzanne Collins. Thanks guys! Big thanks to one of my reviews, definitely helped me a whole lot. Oh, my 'j' keyboard isn't cooperating with me.

Chapter Two:

"Clary, Clary?" Finnick's voice was echoing through my head. "Claire, you need to listen to me. We're all waiting for you. Can you do this?" I took a deep breath before collecting myself off the floor. Both Finnick and I stopped in place right before we made way onto the stage. Our escort, Siren Embling, was issued to come onstage before Finn, the Mayor, and I.

On most days you could hear the sea, and the birds chirping. District Four was almost never quiet. Except for Reaping Day. The sea stopped moving and became a sick green color, unlike it's crystal clear blue. The birds stayed silent, as if they were also afraid of this day.

"Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games!" Siren cheered. That was our word to head out. Finnick grabbed my elbow, pushing open the Liberty Building's front door. Cheers erupted through the square as they saw us. I pressed a fake smile on my face, gently waving my hand. Finnick gave a wave as well, before taking a seat beside me. Siren continued a speech on our victories, making sure to mention Finnick, Mags, Annie, and myself.

Then, the video started. And I broke.

"No-No-No." I choked out, clawing at my flesh. The memories began vivid in my head, and soon enough I was pulled back into them.

My district partner was in front of me, the two of us staring at each other through the snow flakes. It was silent in the arena, no screams were heard. Just snow falling onto our faces.

"Please!" Our heads jerked south, watching as the Careers mauled a girl in half with a sword. The-once white- snow turned a dark crimson, making me cringe. The Careers this year were brutal. District One's male was the leader. His name was Lining, along with his district partner Taytom. District Two weren't as brute as One, the female just a stick figure. The male had to be fourteen or fifteen.

"Claire, I want you to run." Barren whispered to me. I took another small breath, before grabbing the pack of knives I smuggled in the cornucopia. Barren nodded and I looked at him one last time, before darting into the forest. There wasn't much of it, and you could tell the Careers have already been through it all by the amount of red snow.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds before opening them swiftly. I could still see Barren, and I could only wonder what his big plan was. He was always the thinker, I reacted on impulse. I see, I do, I get it done. Only this time, what I was seeing, I couldn't do anything.

Soon enough the Careers noticed him. They noticed Barren. I jerked my knife in my hand, feeling the lump in my throat. I quickly covered my mouth to stop the sob that was coming. District One had Barren's weapon in his hand.

"Have fun with the fishies, Four," One said. Soon enough the trident was placed inside Barren's organs, and I watched him bleed. Bleed. And die.

"Claire."

My eyes drifted away from the blank screen, and I blinked a few times. Feeling my lases wet, I realized that Finnick was holding my wrists in his hands. Peacekeepers were surrounding us while Siren pursed her lower lip. The District was silent, already aware of what happens to me every reaping.

"Finnick?" I whimpered, clutching onto his polo shirt for dear life. I felt him release my wrists, and I immediately crumbled in his arms, trembling from the images of Barren.

"Shh, it's okay. That's over now," He whispered, pressing his lips to my hair. I felt my body trembling from the memories, and I just couldn't take it anymore. Finnick continued to keep me quiet while Siren went on with the reaping. Her long plastic nails met the reaping bowl, and another memory slithered through my mind as she said a name.

"Florence Grouper!"

"Claire Clayton!" My head shot up, an intimidating smirk on my face. Everyone around me backed up, all of them aware that I always had a knife on me. Even though weapons were permitted in the reaping, I always bring one. I wasn't supposed to be a career this year, my father would kill me.

I made my way into the center, while I felt a sharp grip on my upper arm. I looked to my left to see the devil himself. My father glared at me through his mask, a warning in his brown eyes. I flinched lightly before realizing the cameras were on me. I returned to my sadistic smirk, ignoring my father.

"Ah, a very beautiful tribute!And so young," Siren cooed at me. I raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was going to jump me. I was not a Capitol fan. Never will be. She ignoring me from then on, walking over to the male reaping bowl. I watched as her fingers grazed tiny slips, before picking one. My eyes stared at it, fists clenched tightly.

"Barren Mic'Lennon!"

I stared blankly as a fifteen year old girl came up. The memories of my own reaping continuing to crawl in my veins. Finnick must have noticed because his grip on my waist got tighter. I closed my eyes, trying to keep away from the haunting memories, as well as the one that was starting now.

"I hate you all," I hissed, glaring at Finnick. He snorted and popped a sugar cube in his mouth. He was older than me, maybe eighteen. None the less, he was still Capitol's property.

"Isn't that sweet, Mags? Little Claire here hates us," Mags frowned, slapping the sugar cube out of Finnick's hand that he was getting ready to throw into his mouth again. "Well sweetheart, the only way you're getting out of there-" he pointed to the Capitol, " -is to listen to us."

I flinched once again, remembering the time when Finnick and I fought. He tried to help me. Help me from this- the person I am now. Helpless, mental. I ground my teeth together, feeling my jaws tighten and pop every time I did it. Had I realized how hard I was clenching my nails into my hands, I would have stopped.

The smell of blood stopped me in place. The warm iron scent made my eyes snap away from the reaping and down at the group. The puddle was as small as a penny, but I still felt my mind snap for a moment. That was all it took though, a moment.

SNAP.

I felt myself drift from my body, and I cried. Clawing at my temples, I felt the images become to much.

"She'll die anyways, Mags!" I heard Finnick shout through my door. Barren frowned, before collecting me in his arms.

A different set of arms wrapped around mine, and I screeched, remembering the time One got his arms around me.

"I'm going to kill you, Four. Just like I killed your little partner, Barton? Bacon?" He had me in his grasp, knife pressed tightly on my neck. I hissed as he spoke my partner's name, completely lashing out. He jumped back in surprise, the knife falling onto the ice of the frozen lake we were on. A small crack went through it, and we looked at each other. I smirked, a demonic look on my face.

"Can't swim, One?" I asked, looking at his terrified expression. I walked a little closer, feeling the ground move beneath us. "Aw, that's just too bad," The ground soon collapsed, and I stayed afloat while One slowly fell to the bottom of the lake.

"Get off me!" I cried, feeling hopeless. I suddenly felt stronger, heavier arms wrap around my shoulders and I immediately fell to the ground. I lost.

"Clarey, I need you to look at me." I felt hands wrap around my cheeks, and I was face to face with Finnick. With wide eyes, I gaped at him. His face had scratches on it, bleeding lightly. A frown was placed on his lips, concern written in his eyes.

"Finn?" He looked at me and nodded before pressing his lips to my head. I felt the pressure on my shoulders loosen, and I looked around to see peacekeepers. The two tributes were still on stage as well, Siren staring in annoyance at me. I slowly got up with the help of Finnick, and looked at the crowd. Before anymore memories could return, I whipped my head to the right to walk back to the Justice Building's hall.

Finnick made no protest.