Alright, here's the fourth chapter! I'd like to thank those who have reviewed and favorite-d the fic for their kind support :) I hope you continue enjoying the story!
Finnick's eyes darted to where he'd spotted Annie before the reaping had started. People were moving away as she slowly walked to the stage. Her face was composed even if she was quite pale.
No one stepped in for her.
She didn't look at him as she climbed up the stage, and stood motionless as Lutrian called the boy tribute: "Merkil Jorat!"
This time, the crowd of boys parted to show a young boy, tall and skinny, around the age of thirteen – fourteen at the most – make his way to the stage. But before he could reach it a taller, more muscular boy pulled away from the crowd.
"I volunteer" he said, loud enough to be clear, but certainly showing no interest in protecting the boy.
This was how it worked with the Careers. If one of them was reaped, another one would hardly never volunteer (except those years with the insanely blood-thirsty ones), but when it was someone else, one of them always stepped up. This is what they were brought up to do. And there were enough brainwashed kids to do so.
The Career's name was Nepto Ruens. He was tall, and so muscular that his body seemed rectangular. His skin was tan like most people in the district, and he head dark hair and eyes. That boy could snap Annie's neck with one hand if he wanted. Finnick had to convince them to stay together.
He was always bored when the mayor read the Treaty of Treason, but that particular day it seemed longer than ever. Annie didn't try to meet his eyes once during the whole ceremony. In fact, she just stood there, eyes lost somewhere else. As soon as it was over, Finnick went home to take his bag and decided to wait in the train as the tributes said goodbye to their loved ones. He had placed his stuff in his room and was sitting on one of the couches of the living area when Mags came in. She slowly came to sit by his side and stared at him with that sharp look she had, that told him she knew everything that was going on in his mind.
"You're fond of that girl, aren't you?" she asked. Finnick was sure she knew the answer, so he simply nodded. "She's the one you want us to keep alive"
This was one of the hardest moments he'd experienced as a mentor. There was to be only one victor. So they had to decide pretty early who'd be the one they'd be seeking sponsors for. Usually they'd wait until they got to the Capitol, had the training scores, the interviews, knew what the public was thinking… but this time it was different, and Mags knew it. This time, there was no hesitation. He barely felt sorry for the one they would sacrifice. He looked straight into her eyes. "Yes"
Mags nodded, and the man felt immensely grateful. Mags always understood. They didn't need long dialogues to know what the other one wanted, needed or felt. He was glad he didn't have to explain how he'd let his guard down, how he'd fallen for that girl…
"We'll need to watch her carefully" the old woman told him. "Know everything she can do"
"Yeah" he agreed, feeling his stomach was in a tight knot. Wanting something to do, he got up and took Mags bag for her, bringing it to her compartment. After that he went to his, and lay on his bed until the train was in motion. This way he was sure she was there. He got up and went to the room that was usually assigned to the girl tribute. The door was half open and he could see her sitting in her bed. She looked up hearing his footsteps, and he allowed himself in, closing the door behind him.
"I told you…" was the only think she murmured before getting up and sliding herself in his arms.
He held her tight against him, his hand stroking her long hair and her back gently. He didn't know what to say; part of him felt that she had said it so much she had cursed herself. But he mostly was struck with how unfair the situation was. Of all the girls who could have been picked, it had to be the one he cared about.
"It'll be alright-"
"You keep saying that" she cut him off, looking up. "That's what you said yesterday about the reaping. And here I am"
"My promise stands. I won't let you die" he stroked her cheek gently, staring into her scared and angry green eyes, before repeating it in a whisper. "I won't let you die…"
"You better not" she murmured, putting her head back against his chest.
Finnick wanted to stay like this forever. Keep her in his arms, away from danger. Smell the perfume in her hair, feel her soft skin against his. But he had gotten used to the fact that he never got what he wanted. He pulled away gently, putting her hair behind her ear.
"We'll discuss the Games during dinner. You should relax now. Take a bath, put on comfortable clothes… We'll call you when it's dinner time"
She simply nodded, pressing her cheek against his hand that had stayed there after brushing her hair away.
"Annie…" he gently pulled away. "We won't be able to have more moments like this. We'll be constantly watched. Who knows what disadvantage you could have, if people found out I had a preference for you…"
The girl seemed upset, but she didn't complain. She must know he was right. She was well aware things weren't easy at the Capitol. Sighing, Finnick gave her one last kiss on the forehead and left the room.
The beginning of the meal was silent, as the kids, marveled by the abundance and variety of food, gulp everything down. Finally, when their stomachs seemed full – the time between each bite was bigger – Mags started to speak.
"We'll need to start thinking your strategy" she told them, looking at one than the other carefully. "Are you familiar with each other?"
"Yes" Nepto replied. His voice was hoarse, as if he had had an injury to the throat. "We are in the same class"
He meant training, but with Lutrian at the table and the servants coming in and out to bring in food, it was unwise to say it out loud. Not that the Capitol wasn't aware of their "illegal" training, but it would be pushing it too far to talk about it openly in front of these people.
"If you don't get along, you better start now" Mags told them.
"Oh no, we do" Annie told her, in that gentle, honest tone of hers.
Of course they did… Finnick doubted there was someone on earth who could not get along with Annie.
"Good, because you two are going to have to stick together" he told them, sipping a bit of his wine. "When you get there, you will have training sessions with the other tributes. I want you to observe them carefully. We usually team up with districts one and two. But I want you to try and get a glimpse of their character, because if you all survive until the final eight, they will eventually turn against you. Maybe even before"
"And if it's only us in the end?" asked Nepto rather stupidly.
"Well, you'll have to deal with that between yourselves" Mags replied.
"But that is highly improbable. I don't remember ever witnessing two people from the same district making it together at the end. Even if it's the two of you against one final tribute, still act as a team. It'll be easier to take him down being two, and one of you risks dying at it anyway" he knew he was talking about this rather coldly, but it was the only way he found of hiding his preference towards Annie. "You two are only to try and kill each other if you are the only ones left. Am I clear?"
The two nodded in silence, probably surprised about how serious and straight to the point he was. Mentor Finnick was completely different than the joking, charming Finnick back home.
"If one of you was to disobey this order, we will stop getting sponsors for you" he added.
Mags eyed Finnick in silence. He had never talked like that to the tributes before. But she understood. She knew that Nepto represented a threat to Annie. Finnick had already started protecting her.
"Any questions?" the old woman asked more gently.
"What will we do tomorrow?" Annie asked in a soft voice, as if Finnick's tone had intimidated her as well.
"You'll meet your stylists." She explained. "They'll work with you most of the day. And at night there are the opening ceremonies"
"Well discuss your training strategies once we get there. Tomorrow will be about your looks and making an impression on the public" Finnick told them. He felt bad about his harshness before, so he added in his joking tone. "Of course, ever since I arrived, expectations of district four have been pretty high"
Annie gave a small smile, but no one was in the mood to laugh. They all went to bed after dinner, and as much as Finnick wanted to check on Annie, he stayed in his room, trying to get some sleep.
Lutrian woke them all up early the following morning, so they could have breakfast before arriving. The mood was lighter during the meal; maybe the kids managed to sleep after all. Finnick remembered that it was easier for him to sleep after than before his reaping. Doubts eat you up slowly and endlessly. Knowing the truth – as bad as it was – was always more reassuring.
Finnick was waiting by the window for Annie and Nepto to change. When they finally came back to the main car, he beckoned them with a wave of his hand.
"Welcome to the Capitol" he said bitterly, as the view of the majestic city took the tribute's breath away.