After a few more days of treatment to disperse all of the remaining tracker jacker venom from my system, the doctors determined that it was alright for me to get up and start moving for only a certain amount of time each day. My body was still physically weak for the most part, but my mind was still adjusting to everything. Thankfully, Katniss was more than willing to accompany me on my little walks around the hospital wing of District 13. We were underground, which slightly disturbed me, but we had no choice. District 13 was thought to have been bombed and destroyed when they'd rebelled years ago, but that certainly wasn't the case anymore.
I was just beginning to regain some semblance of strength back in my shaky legs one day. Katniss had decided that I could try walking a little farther than the day before, so I was up to the challenge. Feeling a little adventurous and brave, I managed to get Katniss to let me walk ahead of her around a corner. As long as I stuck to the wall for any needed balance, I was going to be fine, I assured her.
Halfway down the hall and feeling proud of myself, I looked up from my feet for one second and stopped dead in my tracks. Finnick had stopped walking at the same time I had, only a few feet down the hall. An urge, though not as strong as the first time I'd seen him, to scream built up inside my throat. However, trying to fight it and go with what I'd been told, I swallowed up my screams. I didn't want to cause another big commotion again. That was the last thing I wanted. Still, I couldn't help it when my knees buckled and I started to fall to the floor.
In only a few split seconds that surprised even me, Finnick was there, catching me. My whole body immediately stiffened as Finnick gently lowered me into a sitting position, allowing me to avoid hurting myself by falling. Unable to control my body, I instead tried to focus on some positive things. Finnick's touch wasn't unfriendly or harmful. In fact, it was rather gentle as he held my arms, looking at me with worry. That was another positive thing. Just his eyes looking at me like that was enough to let me calm down a bit more. And, I wasn't screaming at the mere sight of Finnick anymore.
Past trying to look for the positives in this situation, it only took me a few seconds to realize that Finnick was talking to me. I blinked, focusing on his face for the first time in days. "Emily? Are you alright? Emily, please, talk to me," Finnick begged. I suddenly found myself pretty much at a loss for words. What was I supposed to say to Finnick? I'm sorry for screaming my head off at you when all you did was care? Thank you for keeping me from falling flat on my face? The possibilities were endless, but I soon found myself mumbling about how I needed to get back to Katniss and my room before she started to worry.
Starting to get to my feet, I found another obstacle in my way. My legs were too unstable and shaky right now to even get up. And, unfortunately, Finnick's close presence wasn't really helping. With a murmured apology, Finnick shocked me by lifting me up into his strong arms. A small gasp escaped my lips as I almost instinctively gripped Finnick's shoulder. I couldn't help noticing the flash of surprise in Finnick's eyes at my sudden latching on to him, but I was just as surprised. Finnick then took care to carry me down the hall back to my room.
The second Katniss saw Finnick carrying me in his arms, her eyes practically bugged out of her head. She clearly hadn't been expecting this new development at all. Finnick briefly explained to her what the deal was with all of this and then carried me into my room. He took care to gently set me down on my bed before awkwardly starting to step toward the door. "I'll just go then," Finnick mumbled. I hugged my bare legs to me, feeling just as uncomfortable. I still couldn't shake the bad feeling I got around Finnick at the moment. Like the nurses had said, I just wasn't ready yet. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be ready to get back to whatever kind of relationship I had with Finnick before I'd been captured by the Capital.
Watching Finnick leave was even more uncomfortable. He looked so sad and awkward all at once. However, no matter how bad I felt, I still was getting used to just seeing him. The whole touching and letting him carry me was a little more than I could handle for one day. All I really needed right now was to rest for the night.