Chapter 3
The pale boats floated into shore like homing pigeons on their flight inland. As usual the fair beaches were scattered with people waving them in, most of them wives waiting to spend their three remaining hours of precious daylight with their loves. Finnick didn't bother to look, there was never anyone stood patiently upon the golden sands for him. He'd stopped feeling bitter about his lack of greeting a while back. He understood that his parents had to work overtime to put food on their battered table. It didn't bother him too much anymore. Then through the crashing of the sapphire waves he heard a delicate voice shouting. He pricked up his ears. "Finn" the girl said. There was only one person who called him that. Annie. And sure enough when he glanced back at the beach more conscientiously, there she stood; the sun lighting up her hair like a halo. She wore one of her usual worn dresses, this one a faded yellow and he could clearly see the exhaustion behind her magnificent green eyes. Her hand waved gracefully and a big smile covered her face. Seeing this, his face began to mirror hers, beaming with delight. He started to wave his hand enthusiastically. Maybe she did care after all.
As soon as the petite boat came anywhere near to the shore, Finnick eagerly hopped over board, placing his hand on the ragged side then springing over. His eyes fixed upon Annie's, she smiled warmly and he walked straight towards her. He noticed she had her fingers wrapped tenderly around a woven wicker basket. Although this was odd he did not question it until later. He began with his usual greeting and soon the pair set into routine like old friends, which of course they were. They started to walk towards their usual spot, not pausing to ask each other where they were going, for they both already knew. The twosome were already talking enthusiastically and rapidly, catching up on each other's days and telling stories. The sound of young, innocent laughter filled the humid air. Finnick could be quite a charismatic and charming person but with Annie he let his guard down. He was just himself, laughing loudly and telling jokes. It felt good to be free.
Eventually, they reached the cave. The white rock of the cliff face glowed in the setting sun making the walls appear shades of orange and yellow. The dwelling was small formed by years of erosion from the waves. Each little feature so perfectly created over hundreds of years. The cave was tucked away on the far side of an impressive sand dune. So remote and hidden Finnick doubted anyone else had ever seen it, a fact that only added to the allure of the place. Over the years Finnick and Annie had pulled wedges of fallen rock up to the cave, forming two little chairs and a table. It was his home away from home, better than any grand palace. This place held thousands of happy memories for Finnick, the kind of memories he liked to return to when he was hard at work. Only then when he was safely inside the fissure did he question the basket. "Umm Annie why are you carrying that old basket?" he asked to which Annie replied "Ooh you'll never believe whats in here". Then she began to recount the story. But, in order to understand this story you must first know this simple fact. Annie and Finnick were thieves. Not the kind of thieves who stole for no reason but the kind of deprived children who on an occasion needed to steal from the rich. They considered themselves partners in crime, a factor that only added to their already strong camaraderie. And so Annie began to tell the tale, her voice filling Finnick's head.
"I was on my way down to the beachfront, to come and meet you. I was just passing the market when my feet began to hurt. At first I ignored it but then the pain became too much. It's not a short walk y'know, especially when you've been working all day. Anyway, I sat down on a fallen tree. I was just admiring the surroundings when I saw it. Right outside the Richardson household. Well naturally I was going to steal it. It was just too magnificent off a prize. Plus those folk already have enough food to set them for months. Anyway what my eye had caught was an entire picnic basket filled with the most delicious foods you could ever imagine. My eyes caught glimpses of fresh, plump strawberries and thick slices of bread. Some foods I didn't even know the names of. It had been so long since I'd eaten anything other than fish soup or sandfire that my mouth started salivating. So, slowly I crept forward, trying to make it look like I was supposed to be there. I looked tentatively over both of my shoulders, picked the basket up and quickly walked away." "A-a-a feast" Finnick uttered, shocked into absolute silence. Just like Annie it'd been some time since he'd eaten a decent meal. "You betcha" retorted Annie, smiling from ear to ear.
And then Annie began laying the spectacular array of food out on their makeshift table. Exotic fruits all colours of the rainbow, vegetables that glowed with the essence of health, rashes of pink bacon, small juicy sausages, shiny boiled eggs, fruit juice, crunchy golden biscuits, chunky rich chocolate and, as Annie had promised, fresh plump strawberries and thick slices of bread. Finnick's mouth watered with just the sight of it. It was amazing how something as simple and ordinary as food could make him so joyous. Sitting down, they dug in, the sensational tastes of sweet, sour and savoury flooding Finnick's mouth. He hadn't been this happy in a while. He decided to savour every moment. Silence filled the cave, but it was not awkward. Anything but. The fact was both Annie and Finnick were so overwhelmed by the sight, smell and taste of food that neither of them could bear to stop chewing long enough to talk, instead just slipping each other secret smiles.
The truth was Finnick had never experienced such luxury as a full stomach. His small family had never been anything but poor. And now with Noah gone, his family were struggling to keep up with basic needs. But Finnick didn't like to think about that. It filled his head with pessimism and distress. In fact his family had grown to such a state of destitution that on the days where his crew could not catch enough fish Finnick was forced to go out deep into the night with a trident stolen from the tool cupboard and spear fish just so that his family would have something to eat the next day. Sometimes, Annie would join him, picking sandfire and shellfish from the dusty seafloor.
Finnick and Annie finished their feast relatively quickly, their pure animalistic instinct to feed had overpowered their intelligence and they hadn't even thought to hoard any. Not that they could take it to their families without admitting thievery. Still, giant smiles filled their faces and their bellies were full for the first time in years. That was a good day .