Chapter Two
ANNIE POV
It's been one week since Annie moved into the village. All of her stuff has finally been moved and settled, but even though she customized it to her liking the place still feels wrong. It's worse at night for Annie, the silence the night brings is too much for her. It gets to the point where the only thing she thinks about is the arena. The weather, the caves, the tributes, the feeling of Aden's blood on her, the recovery room. It's all terrible and it's all she can think about when it turns dark.
She swears she has started to hear the voices of the dead tributes even when she isn't sleeping. The house is haunted for her, it brings out the worst in her.
She closes her eyes and keeps hearing the last conversation with Aden
"You're just paranoid, we put a lot of distance between the canyon and ourselves. Besides, I don't think the girl from 7-"
Aden's head topples to the ground and his body falls on top of hers.
"What were you going to say?" Annie whispers and opens her eyes.
When she does she wants to scream because Aden's body is hovering right above her. She wants to scream, but she can't move.
Aden the muscular galoot of her District partener is hovering right above her. His head is still attached, but he is ghostly pale and blood is dripping from his eyes. The blood starts to fall on her cheeks.
"You know what I wanted to say Annie, You just feel guilty because I wanted to keep running while you thought there was enough distance between us and the others."
She wants to speak, but can't.
"You know there is a myth that people stay alive hours after their head is decapitated."
"That's chickens." Annie is able to say.
"Some think it applies to humans as well." Aden says and rips his head off and throws it on Annie's chest.
Annie screams loudly, so loudly that if she was back at her parents house she probably would have woken the house next to hers as well.
She flips the lightswitch on and sees nothing. No blood and no signs of Aden's body or head.
Of course it wouldn't be here. It wasn't real, but it looked so real. He was talking to me and I wasn't asleep. Annie thinks to herself.
"Annie?" She hears a voice say in the hall. "Annie?" The voice says and the door opens.
"Go away!" She shouts and throws the vase of flowers that was sitting on her nightstand at the door.
"Annie, it's me. It's your brother, Dawson." He says and is shaking her shoulder lightly.
"Get away from me." She sobs this time. He backs off but doesn't leave the room. He uses this time to pick up the broken pieces of glass and flowers that are on the floor.
"What are you doing here?" Annie asks and wipes tears away.
"You don't remember." He says and she shakes her head. "I said at dinner that I would spend the night so I could paint your kitchen in the morning."
"It doesn't need painting." Annie mumbles. She isn't stupid, he's come up with multiple house projects so he can stay close to her. There is a maintenance staff in the village, they probably wouldn't paint her kitchen but they could take care of a leaky sink or busted water heater. The water was so hot in the bathrooms that it would almost burn your skin in the shower.
"I think it does. You liked the pale yellow I picked out, you said it reminded you of a sunny day." Dawson says.
The yellow is closer to a white than yellow, but you can tell the difference in the right light. She probably would've said anything to just make sure her brother didn't go to the store one more time. It is her money he is spending, but she doesn't care. He could buy his own house and a boat with her money and wouldn't care. She doesn't want the money or the house no matter how much he decorates it. It's still a house from the Capitol, it's still a reward for killing.
"I know your favorite color is purple but I thought it would be too bold for the kitchen. I could paint your bedroom-"
"What are you going to do once you paint every room in the house? What will be the next excuse for you to stay here." Annie says slightly angry.
"Annie-"
"I'm not stupid. I know these projects are just so you can keep a close watch on me, but you're going to run out of ideas soon."
"Fine, I'm guilty but I'm worried about my sister and it is my job to make sure you're okay."
"It's not your job to do anything." Annie says.
"I'm your big brother it is always my job to make sure you're okay." Dawson says.
"You have another sister." Annie says.
"She doesn't need my help right now, not like you do." Dawson.
"I'm fine." Annie says.
"They're getting worse and at nighttime sometimes you talk to things... people that aren't there.." Dawson says.
"I'm fine." She says.
"No, you're not, you were screaming so loud I thought someone was trying to kill you. It's okay to admit that you're not okay Annie.
"Shut up Dawson you can't help anyway."
"No, I can't because you don't tell me what you dream about. I have a few guesses, but I don't know for sure."
"I could tell you, but you still wouldn't be able to help because you weren't in there. You've never killed someone or felt copious amounts of blood seep into your skin."
"No, I can't relate to that, but you should tell someone. There are three other victors here and Lena is your age-"
"Lena is a self centered bitch and I don't like Zayden he's too serious all the time. I've never really talked with Mags, Finnick has just given me messages from her."
"Finnick personally came to our house to check on you. He cares about you and I don't know if it's a mentor tribute thing or something else, but it's something. It's someone."
Annie sighs.
"Finnick isn't always around he goes to the Capitol." Annie says and still doesn't understand why. She know he has lots of admirers, but thought he only visited them while the Hunger Games were going on. She didn't think victors were allowed to go to the Capitol unless it was related to the Hunger Games.
"Well, he isn't in the Capitol now and if you don't want to talk to him I'm sure a sweet old lady wouldn't mind company." Dawson says.
Annie sighs.
"Promise me you'll talk to someone I don't care who, just talk to someone."
"Okay." Annie says but doesn't know if she will keep her word.
He kisses the top of her head.
"Thank you. Do you think you can fall back asleep?" He asks gently.
"I don't know."
"Well, try." He says.
"I'm leaving the light on." Annie says.
"Okay." He says.
He starts to leave the room.
"I think I got all the glass, but you should be careful until morning when it's for sure."
"Okay." She says softly.
"Good night little sister."
"Goodnight big brother." She says and looks at the ceiling. She has no intention of falling asleep. She doesn't care if it's three in the morning. She doesn't want to see Aden ripping off his own head again.
"Make sure to open some windows I don't want the whole house to get paint fumes in it." Annie says because she is certain it will give her a headache.
"The sliding glass door for the back door is open and the living room window." He says as he opens a paint can.
"Good." She says. She can tell he wants to ask if she fell back asleep or why she is leaving her house, but knows better not to. She would either lie or tell him to mind his own business. Both answers would not be ideal, but lying would probably be the better bet, but she doesn't like lying to her brother.
"So, when do you think you'll be back?" He asks.
"I don't know."
He nods.
"Since this is a small room I'll probably finish it by tonight and you don't need anything else done so I won't stay the night." Dawson says.
"Okay." Annie says. She has the feeling he is only doing this because she told him to basically stop doing house chores for her last night.
"I might visit you tomorrow, if that's okay." He says rolling paint on the wall.
"Maybe, I don't know."
He nods.
"Okay well see you later." Dawson says.
"Okay thanks Dawson."
"It's nothing." He says.
"Maybe you should start a handyman service now that you don't have to be a fisherman."
"Wouldn't I still be working then?" He asks with a smile.
"I never said you have to stop working. I just knew you didn't like being away for so long when you went on the far voyages." Annie says.
"I wish Dad would stop, he could retire and Mom would like it."
"He's just a proud person."
"Must run in the family." He mumbles and Annie pretends she didn't hear.
"Okay, well if you're not here when I come back thanks again." She says.
"It's nothing." He says.
"Bye." She says.
"Bye." He says as she heads for the door.
When she leaves Victors' Village she doesn't exactly know where she is going. She is only leaving because she doesn't like staying in this place. She doesn't feel like going to the beach and doesn't have a desire to shop like Lena does.
It's still early so Annie decides to sit in one of the picnic tables in the square. She can get a good look at the school and sees people on the beach practicing sailing knots or getting ready to sail. She liked the sailing classes the best. There are services that teach more advanced things, school just went over the basics. If she bought a boat it would have to be a small one because she only knows the basics. Still, some of the knots she learned helped her make the nets she used in the arena.
"Annie Cresta." A boy, John, says to her after school has been let out. Annie bought colorful yarn at a shop and started making a bracelet. Well, it was meant to be a bracelet but she just kept weaving so it is too big. You might be able to wear it as a necklace or a nice lanyard.
"Hi John." She says and he lights up at this.
She remembers this kid. She knows he's had a crush on her for, forever. She was surprised he didn't confess his love after she won like many others did.
"What are you doing out here?" He asks and sits next to her.
"Oh just reminiscing of school days." She says with a smile.
He nods.
"That's something I miss about school. You've been in my classes since we were like in fifth grade." He says.
"Yeah." Annie says.
"You're such a bookworm, I was surprised when they said you wouldn't be returning."
"Told you?" Annie says confused and angered. The school were the people who told her she wasn't allowed to come back. They said it wasn't what victors did and that it might distract or upset some of the students.
"Yeah, the principal said you would continue your studies privately because you had to focus on the duties of being a victor." John says.
"Oh." Annie says and pulls on the rope tightly messing up the pattern.
"Is that not what happened?" He asks.
"If that is what they told you then I'm sure it's true." Annie says.
"What have you been up to these days then?"
"Nothing really. I actually miss school."
"I'm sure they would let you attend if you asked."
"No, it's not a thing a victor needs to be concerned with."
"That why you don't work at Marco's ice cream shop too." John says.
"Something like that. Marco implied that job was beneath a victor."
He nods and looks down at her hands.
"You like weaving?" He asks.
"Yeah, making bracelets is my talent for the Victory Tour." Annie says.
"Making rope bracelets can be relaxing. I think it is because of the repetition." John says.
"I've never really thought of it like that." Annie says, maybe that is why she likes it so much, especially now. The terrible memories are still burned into her mind and never seem to go away, but they dull a little when she makes bracelets.
"I could show you some I made they probably aren't as good as yours, they're at my house."
They're at my house. Annie thinks to herself. She assumes this is a tactic he uses to get girls to come back to his house. Annie doesn't have anything better to do and it isn't the worst thing in the world to look at someone else's work.
A thought comes across her mind, but she shakes it away.
"Annie?" He asks.
"Sure, I'd like to see them."
"Good." He says a little too excited.
She smiles.
They walk back and John does most of the talking rattling about school and the swim club. Apparently, there was a big debate if swim caps were necessary.
"Were you in the swim club?" He asks.
"No, I was in the sailing club for a bit but after I started working at the ice cream shop I didn't have enough time."
He nods.
She hasn't talked to this boy this much before. She doesn't really know that much about him just that he has had a crush on her for the majority of his life.
His house isn't in the fishing district, she has no idea what his parents do and doesn't really care either.
"Here we go." He says and places his backpack on a chair when they are inside.
"It's not much compared to your new house but this is home." He says.
Annie looks around and sees the lived in feel. The old couch, chipping paint on the walls, the pictures and the smell of seaweed is everywhere.
"Your parents work at the bakery?" She asks. It smells like the seaweed bread that is a signature in District 4.
"They own one of the small ones it's not well known, but they bring in enough profit."
"Your house is perfect." Annie says.
"Not compared to yours." He says and goes to the kitchen and pours orange juice for each of them.
Annie takes it to be polite, citrus drinks sometimes ake her sick. She thinks she has an allergy, but can't be for sure. She's eaten grapefruit and has never gotten sick.
"So uh the bracelets." Annie says.
"Right." John says. It looks like he forgot the rouse he used to get her here. "Wait a second." He says and goes upstairs.
He brings down a plastic box filled with rope bracelets.
Some of them are impressive with the designs woven into them while others are sloppy. She assumes the sloppier ones are ones he made when he first started making them.
"I really like this one." Annie says picking up a navy blue one that has a design that looks like a wave is on it. She isn't lying it is very pretty, she has tired making that type of design but can never get it just right. It comes out looking sloppy and loose.
"You can keep it." He says a little too quickly.
"Really." Annie says surprised. She gets the feeling this boy would do anything she asked for.
"Yeah."
Annie smiles and before she knows what she is doing she is kissing him. She's only kissed one boy before and it was in eighth grade. She doesn't know if that counts, but at this moment she doesn't really care.
"I've always wanted to do that." He says and pushes a stray hair behind her ear.
"I know." Annie says and kisses him again.
She doesn't feel anything at all, the bloody thoughts of the arena are still there. She thought kissing him would keep her mind off things because nothing else has worked. Swimming, jogging, walking, bracelet making, yoga, cooking, and multiple other things.
"You're so beautiful." He says to her and kisses her again.
"Thanks." Annie says and he kisses her again. "Your parents aren't home right." Annie says slowly. Thinking if this is something she actually wants to do. It is something she has never done before so that should be a good distraction. Even if she doesn't really like or know much about him.
She'd do anything to get the memories to go away just for a minute.
The guy smiles like he just won the lottery.
"Not for a few hours at least."
"Good." She whispers and kisses him again.
Annie stands up and starts looking for her dress.
"Annie, I wish I would've done something nicer for you. I mean I didn't think you would ever-"
"Stop talking." Annie whispers and zips her dress back up woodenly.
She stands up carefully and smooths her dress.
"I gotta go." Annie says and puts her hair in a ponytail.
"I can walk you home Annie." He says concerned.
"That's okay, it will be dark soon and you might get lost." Annie says and picks up her shoes.
"Are you sure, I feel kind of bad. I mean I don't want to feel like I'm kicking you out. He says.
"Don't you worry, you didn't do anything wrong." She says trying to sound pleasant. She can tell she isn't doing that great of a job.
"Are you okay, was it not good for you?" He asks.
"It was.." She pauses to find the right word. "Nice." She settles with to be nice. She honestly didn't feel anything just a clumsy teenager sleeping with a girl.
When it was over the only thing she thought was : This is it. This is what some people go crazy for.
"Good." He smiles.
He kisses her briefly but Annie doesn't return the gesture.
"I'll see you around."
"Yeah." Annie says. She leaves his house and the bracelet behind.
She stumbles to one of the open picnic tables in the square. She puts her head on the table and uses her arms as a head rest.
She wants to cry but will save that for home. She manipulated a guy who has liked her his whole life just to try and distract herself.
What the hell is wrong with you. Annie thinks to herself.
She wasn't saving herself for marriage but she thought she would at least like the guy. She doesn't want to tell anyone either because she has no intention of seeing him again. She wonders briefly how many people he will tell.
She hides her head in shame this time and a few tears fall from her eyes.
The worst part was it didn't even work, the brutal and bloody memories were still there. They're always there.
She feels someone next to her and preys it isn't John.
"Annie?" She hears a soft male voice say.
She clears her throat and looks up.
"Hi Zapp." She says with a fake smile. His real name is Zachery. He got the nickname when he was young and it stuck. She doesn't remember who or how he got the nickname but doesn't really care.
Zapp is probably her oldest friend. Luna from the ice cream shop is her friend, but she's know Zapp since they were little kids. She would say he was like a brother, but some of the topics they discuss she would never want to discuss with Dawson.
His skin is burned slightly from not using sunscreen after a day of sailing.
"You okay?" He asks.
"Yeah." She says. Unlike John she knows he will be able to tell she is lying. Her voice is too high and her cheeks are pink.
He looks at her carefully. His blonde hair is messy from a day of sailing and his blue eyes hold concern.
"What are you doing out here?" He asks.
"I just didn't want to be in Victors' Village."
"Well I'm glad I ran into you, I haven't seen much of you in the past month."
"I enjoy visitors, it's too damn quiet in Victors' Village."
He nods.
"I feel like I should apologize to you for some reason." Zapp says.
"Why?" She asks confused.
"I always liked them, I know you never really did but I liked the suspense of knowing who would win."
"You're talking about the Hunger Games." Annie says and he nods. She knew he liked watching them. Not as much as some but he didn't really protest them either. He's somewhere in the middle. He isn't for the killing but he likes trying to figure out the winner.
"Yeah, I just... it wasn't right what they did to you."
Annie nods.
"I know, I was there." She says.
"I should've said goodbye to you before you left." Zapo says.
"I just figured you thought it would be too hard. God, I've known you forever I have no childhood memory without you in it. If that's not the reason I don't need to hear why. I'm dealing with too much right now as it is." Annie says.
"It was something like that." Zapp says honestly. He can tell something is still bothering her. "I think you should have some ice cream."
"What?" She asks confused.
"When you're always in a bad mood you have ice cream except not at Marco's because you worked there. Even though he makes the better ice cream, but it always makes you feel better."
"I have a pint of double chocolate at home, Marco gave it to me as an apology for firing me or something."
"Then go home and eat some. I can tell something is upsetting you and I know you aren't going to tell me. So go home and eat your ice cream. I can visit you tomorrow."
First Dawson, now Zapp. Annie thinks to herself. She knows these people are just looking out for her, but at the same she wants to keep them away from her. She doesn't want them to see her all broken.
"No." She says quickly. He looks at her strangely. "I mean don't come over tomorrow. I know where you go I'll come to you."
"Okay." He says confused. "I'll see you around then."
She nods.
"Yeah." Annie says but doesn't know when she will see him again. She wouldn't mind seeing Zapp again.
"Home then double chocolate.." Annie says softly.
Annie took the long way home to Victors' Village to think more about the night's events.
Thinking about John mostly. She doesn't want one of her oldest friends, Zapp, visiting her in the village so what would happened if John just showed up with some flowers or something else. Or expecting to sleep with her again.
I messed up this time. Annie thinks to herself.
She enters Victors' Village and sits on her porch outside.
FINNICK POV
Finnick comes back from boating all day. He hasn't spent a whole day on a boat in ages. He is going to the Capitol next week and has a feeling this is why he did it. He wants to spend as time with the spoils District 4 offers before he is forced to indulge in the spoils the Capitol offers.
When he walks into the village he sees Annie sitting on her front porch. He can tell she looks sad.
"Hey are you okay?" Finnick asks.
"I'm fine." Annie says and picks at the post.
"You look like you've been crying." Finnick says and reaches out to touch her.
"Don't touch me." She says and moves his hand away.
"Sorry." He says.
"How do you get it to stop?" She whispers so softly she doesn't think he heard.
"Get what to stop?" He asks and sits next to her.
"The thoughts of the arena. The bloody death of people. It's there twenty-four seven and no matter what I do..." Annie says and wipes a tear away.
Finnick recognizes the look on her face, it is one of regret. She did something that she feels she shouldn't have.
"What did you do? Drugs because I won't judge I actually-" Finnick starts.
He took multiple drugs to try and escape the horrors of the arena. Not when he was fourteen it was more around the time of Snow's deal. He did a lot of things he regrets when he was sixteen.
"No, I hadn't thought of that actually. Do you know where-"
He's concerned with the excitement he hears in her voice. Something is really bothering her which surprises him because she seemed better last week.
"I'm not going to give you drugs Annie." Finnick says concerned.
"Maybe it will get them to stop."
"What happened?" He asks worried
"I don't want to tell you." She says softly.
Regret and shame. Finnick notices this time.
"Why not?" He asks gently.
"Because you won't like it."
"You don't know that." Finnick says confused by her statement. She doesn't know that much about him. How would she know what would or wouldn't upset him.
"Yes I do."
"Try me." Finnick says
"There's this guy who has liked me since like third grade. He was nice, but I never looked at him like that but I wanted a distraction... I knew he would do what I wanted."
"'Do what you wanted,you mean sleep with him."
Annie was right this did upset him.
Annie nods.
"Annie you took advantage of his feelings for you, you led him on." Finnick says trying to hide the anger in his voice, but can tell some is getting through.
"So what." Annie says coldly.
"Annie you can't use people like that. His feelings aren't going to go away."
"I know and I feel terrible but I wanted it to go away for just a minute. I thought it would too especially since...
"Since what?" He asks. "Since what Annie." Finnick says more concerned this time.
She wouldn't' do that would she Finnick thinks to himself. The way he views Annie isn't a person like this. He views her as a nice girl who wouldn't purposely hurt someone, but she just has.
"I'm going inside leave me alone." Annie says.
She sounds sad.
"That's the first time you've had sex." Finnick says and it isn't a question.
"So what!" Annie shouts this time.
She's angry, but is it at me or herself. Finnick thinks to himself.
"Annie-" Finnick starts trying to sound gentle but the judgement is clear as day in his voice.
"What, are there supposed to be some flowers and someone telling me they love me?! Wake up," She says and shoves him. "this isn't a romance novel, this is real life!" Annie says and is shouting again.
"You don't even like him Annie." Finnick says.
He's starting to think she is more mad at Finnick than herself.
"Why the hell do you care, you barely know me." Annie says with anger in her voice.
"I know enough to know you're not like this." Finnick says.
"I know enough about you too. Finnick Odair and his string of admirers in the Capitol." She scoffs. "Give me a break, and you're lecturing me about leading some guy on." She shoves him again. "Some guy who is just going to use this as an excuse to brag to his friends about sleeping with the newest victor."
"I thought you didn't believe what people said about me." Finnick says slightly offended.
"All I said was you aren't the arrogant ass I thought you were because you cared about your tributes. I said nothing about your personal activities you did or didn't do in the Capitol."
"Annie." He says angry this time.
"I'm going home leave me alone." She says and slams her front door shut.
Finnick sighs. Then jumps at the sound of Lena's voice.
"You and little miss perfect have a fight." Lena says with a smile. He didn't realize she was sitting on her porch.
"Leave it alone Lena." Finnick says.
"Here I thought having her move into the village would be boring. She is right though, it's not your business what she does."
"She wasn't like this before Lena."
"How do you know, you only saw her at the ice cream place a few times. She could've been like this before."
"She wasn't, even in the Capitol-"
"Well then the arena turned her into a bitch. We all have coping mechanisms I guess this is hers." Lena says.
"I dont think so."
"C'mon Finnick we both know the only reason you're mad is because she used that boy just like the Capitol citizens use you. Use you, abuse you, lose you.
"Shut up Lena." He says angry.
"She flat out admitted it." Lena says and laughs.
"It shouldn't be like that." Finnick says.
"What, you're worried about her purity because she isn't a virgin any more. She's eighteen and a killer I think the purity ship has sailed a while ago."
"She didn't even care about him."
"So? I'm not saying what she did was right but there is no rule that says you have to love or even like someone to have sex with them. I mean look at what Snow makes us do."
"That is different." Finnick says harshly.
"Okay whatever, but did you love the first person you ever slept with and please god tell me it wasn't a client."
"It wasn't a client."
"That's good but did you love this person?"
"I did like her."
"I don't know what you were expecting when she came back but she's different now."
"She's not you."
"Obviously, I don't hear voices at night or cry-"
"She hears voices?"
"Only at night according to her brother. He needs to learn to talk softer."
"Maybe you should just mind your own business."
"I could say the same to you."
"Her brother wants me to check in with her."
"Unless she is showing signs of being a crazy person then just leave her alone."
"I can't her mother asked too."
"If my parents told you to look out for me would you."
"Yes, even though I find you distasteful."
"Why, is it because your whole family is dead and you feel like you owe them.".
"Shut up Lena." He says and walks closer to her.
"Jesus don't hit me" Lena says as he comes at her.
"I wouldn't hit you, even if you were a man."
"Well it's good to know Finnick Odair is anti-abuse."
Finnick sighs.
'"Seriously, you don't need to look out for her. Our job is to make sure they don't die in the arena we don't need to babysit them after." Lena says.
He sighs again.
"I don't think she'll stay like this."
"No, you hope she doesn't stay like this. Do you see yourself in her or something."
"No, I just want to make sure she is okay."
"Well we have five months before the victory tour, that gives us plenty of time to see what the new Annie is like."
"New Annie."
"Yes, you thought she was fragile and should be looked after but I think she has it under control. We'll have to see how it is after her Victory Tour."
"She didn't start acting like this until she started living here."
"There are more reminders here Finnick."
"I know but-"
"Yeah, yeah it's not right or makes sense but she is not your responsibility." Lean says and stretches. "I'm going inside I enjoyed this drama fest, please feel free to fight with her again." Lena says.
Finnick shakes his head in annoyance.
ANNIE POV
Annie opens the door only to find Finnick. She can tell he is still disappointed in her.
"If you're here to apologize don't bother." She says to Finnick.
"Did you sleep at all?" He asks noticing how disheveled she looks.
"Did you want something?" She asks harshly. She didn't really and it wasn't nightmares this time it was guilt. She almost wants to go to John and apologize, but knows nothing good will come from that.
"I wanted to see if you were okay. After last night-"
"Just forget about it Finnick. I'm just going to forget and so can you." Annie says. She hopes if she can forget then she won't feel as guilty.
Finnick sighs.
"If you're going to yell at me then go ahead but there is a fair chance I will start crying." Annie says.
"I just wanted to see if you were okay. I'm not mad or anything." Finnick says. He is still a little angry at her, but after some reflection last night he sort of understands.
"No apology then." She says annoyed.
"Why would I apologize?" He asks confused.
"Because you yelled at me for things that aren't your concern."
"If I recall you yelled at me too and had some choice words to say about me." Finnick says.
Annie sighs.
"Fine I'm sorry okay. I shouldn't presume all the rumors about you are true, but I still say we should just forget about it. I know I am trying to." Annie says.
"Annie-"
"Shut up Finnick I don't need your judgy comments or disappointed looks. I just want to forget and maybe this is something I can forget about because I can't forget about the arena and the dead tributes. The people I killed. I killed people Finnick, we are killers." Annie says.
"You're not supposed to forget that part. It's a part of you now, but you can't torture yourself with this for the rest of your life." Finnick says gently.
"So it's okay that I killed people but I'm just supposed to what... get over it? Move on from the immoral factor and also the ripple effect that could be happening.
"Ripple Effect." He says confused.
"Some of those kids could've been helping bring in money for their family, now that income is gone. People could starve to death now because of the people I killed."
"Annie you're overthinking this and the families will be fine."
"How are they fine they lost a child and maybe income to support themselves. We changed no destroyed more lives than just the tributes we killed."
"Annie-"
"I don't want to see the arena every night or hear their voices. Or stay up wondering what the hell Aden was going to say before his head got chopped off."
"Aden was probably just going to say the girl from 7 isn't following us."
"But you don't know that for sure and I will never know."
"With time the memories will become less intense." Finnick says.
"I think you're full of shit." Annie says angrily.
"You can think that." Finnick says and doesn't blame her.
"Good because until that happens I won't believe you." Annie says.
"You're the type of person who needs proof." Finnick says.
Annie shrugs.
"Maybe, I don't know. Don't psychoanalyze me." Annie says annoyed.
"So we're good then?"
"We're fine." Annie says. She isn't sure if she believe that, but she can't stay mad at Finnick for something she did. Besides, like her brother said he is one out of four victors who she can actually talk to.
A/N: I know there is much more Annie than Finnick POV in this chapter, but since it is her Victory Tour that should be expected. Now onto Annie if you think she is being a bitch that is okay. I'm not trying to write her in the most desirable light at this moment. She's being selfish and not kind but she has her reasons, even if they are bad ones. I'm going at Finnick and Annie's relationship at a different angle than I usually do and thought this little incident would put a strain on their relationship for the moment.
Okay until next time
-S