Chapter Four
The snow has turned a dark crimson red around the poor person who is lying there, dead. The blood is dripping everywhere. It's running on the pavement and into the snow like water.
They tell me she is my neighbor from across the street. The female morphling. Apparently her real name was Luna Lockhart. She was in her late twenties.
"What happened to her?" I say barely audible.
"That is what we are trying to find out. How well were you acquainted with your neighbors?"
"Not very. I like keeping to myself. I don't even know my neighbors names." I say truthfully.
The cop nods.
"Did you hear anything unusual lately?"
"They would argue outside their house."
"What would they argue about?"
"I tried not to listen but I think they were arguing about drugs."
The cop nods.
"Do you know anything of her roommate?" He asks.
I shrug.
"I always thought it was her boyfriend." I say.
"Have you seen him recently?" He asks.
"Well… I spent the past couple of days mostly at my boyfriends place so... I haven't." I say and he nods. I can tell this guy knows I don't know anything. He is only asking me because he is required to.
"Thank you for your time. If you see him please alert us." The cop says and I nod.
They must think her boyfriend murdered her.
I don't want to get closer to the body but at the same time I do.
It doesn't matter though because twenty minutes later they take the body from the crime scene.
I look to my car and see the cops have blocked it in. I don't want to stay here. I want to go somewhere else. Somewhere I feel safe. I might be waiting here for a while. I can't exactly ask the cops to move their cars.
I go back inside and lock all my doors.
I go back to my room to call Finnick.
I slept for a few hours so it is now four in the afternoon.
I click on Finnick's name and my phone starts calling him.
This is Finnick Odair. You know what to do. I hear Finnick's voicemail message play.
I sigh and call him again. He might be sleeping still or showering or left his phone in his room. Then I remember Finnick is working right now.
I sigh.
I look out my window and see my car is still block in.
Ding. Ding. I hear in two hours. I grab my phone.
Finnick: What's up?
Me: Aren't you at work?
Finnick: Yes but since it is slightly slow I have time. Besides I'm in charge right now.
Finnick works at a local fast food type restaurant.
Me: Oh.
Finnick: Why did you call me?
Me: I wanted to hear your voice.
Finnick: What's wrong?
Me: Just come here after work. Please.
Finnick: Are you okay?
Me: No. Yes. I don't know. Just please come.
Finnick: I could ditch out early.
Me: No just please come. When does your shift end?
Finnick: An hour and a half.
Me: Okay.
Finnick: I'll call you when I'm finished.
Me: Thanks.
Finnick: No problem.
I don't think other people would come without a full explanation.
I hear a knock on the door and run to open it. I see it is Finnick.
"Finnick." I say and pull him into my apartment.
"What's wrong? Why are there cop cars outside?" He asks confused and intrigued.
I lean into Finnick's chest and don't bother answering.
"Are you okay?" He asks. I nod.
"What happened?" He asks softly.
I pull back and he looks at me concerned.
"You know the people who live across from me."
"The ones who yell at each other and get high all the time?" He asks and I nod.
"Well the girl. .. they found her dead in the middle of the apartment complex.
"Drug overdose?" Finnick asks and leads me to the couch.
I shake my head.
"She was murdered. Didn't you see the red snow?" I whisper.
"They have that area pretty concealed."
I nod.
"You okay?" He asks.
"I want to go home with you." I say and he nods.
"You could've just driven there. Peeta would've let you in."
"My car is blocked in." I say.
Finnick kisses my forehead.
"Come here." He says and pulls me in for a hug. "You're going to be safe at my place." Finnick kisses the top of my head.
"Okay." I whisper.
"Why don't you get some stuff. You can stay for a few days or as long as you want." Finnick says and combs my hair with his fingers.
"Okay." I say and kiss him.
I grab my backpack and throw all my school supplies in there. I manage to get a few clothes in there as well.
"Here." I say and hand Finnick my laptop bag.
He takes it and we leave my house. I can still see cops are here.
Finnick takes my hand and we walk down the sidewalk.
"You parked father than usual." I say.
"Well the cop cars were blocking the way and I'm terrible at parallel parking."
I nod.
Finnick unlocks the car door. I throw my stuff in his backseat and then sit down.
Finnick soon starts the car and blasts the heat.
"Do you want to get something to eat?" He asks me.
I shake my head.
We get to Finnick's quickly and start walking upstairs. When the door opens I feel a slight chill. I see Peeta sitting on their living room floor painting. They must've cracked a window because of the smell.
"How's work?" Peeta asks not taking his eyes from his work.
"Boring as per usual." Finnick replies
"That's nice." Peeta looks up. "Hi Annie. Can't get enough of us?" He teases.
"I… well... someone was found dead outside my apartment. I didn't really want to stay there." I say.
Peeta looks at me surprised.
"You okay?" He asks.
"I will be." I say and Peeta smiles.
"Dump that stuff in my room." Finnick says. I take off my shoes and do.
I go back out to the living room with my laptop to look at useless things to keep my mind distracted.
I hear the shower turn on and know Finnick is taking one to get rid of the greasy smell from work. Peeta works at a coffee shop and always smells like coffee after his shifts.
I look to see what Peeta is drawing. It is a forest.
He sighs.
"What?" I ask.
"It's always hard to get it just right." He says and I nod.
"Do you mind if I turn on the television?" I ask.
"Go for it." He says and I turn it on. I change it so I can watch Big Brother. It's the live eviction night. I hope they get rid of Audrey. She's so annoying everyone else in the house thinks so as well. There's also Jackie who is incredibly stupid. They are both on the block so I guess I won't be too disappointed.
"You really like reality TV don't ya?" Peeta smiles.
"Just the competition type. My sister loves those trashy ones though."
"Which are?" He asks with a smirk.
"The ones where people get drunk and yell at everyone. Think Jersey Shore or Keeping up with the Kardashian's." I say and Peeta smiles.
"I see." He says.
"Katniss like things like this?" I ask.
Peeta shrugs.
"Not really. She's more of the outdoorsy type." He says.
"You could take her camping over break. You'd probably have to go out west though." I say.
Peeta nods.
"I don't think Katniss and I are ready to take trips together." He says.
I nod.
"I mean it's not like you and Finnick." He says.
Finnick and I 'went away' if you can call it that. We just left for a weekend to go to an amusement park about two hours away from campus. It was a three day weekend so we thought why not. We were only dating about two months.
"I know you're not. Everyone's relationship is different." I say and he nods.
"I want what you and Finnick have though. Katniss and me… we… we don't really go out. She always talks about Gale too."
I nod.
"I think she loves him." Peeta says
"Peeta-"
"I'm okay with that. I just want her to be happy." He says and then Finnick comes back out. His hair is still wet and he smells like shampoo. I love the smell of his shampoo.
I close my laptop and lean against him. He wraps his arm around me and rubs his hand absentmindedly up and down my back.
My eyes start to get heavy but then I see all that blood and push myself off of him. Peeta and Finnick both turn towards me concerned.
"You okay?" Finnick asks.
"Yeah." I say. "Just tired." I say. Peeta nods but Finnick doesn't look convinced. "I'm fine Finnick." I say and pull out my laptop.
"What are you doing?" He asks.
"Ordering food." I say and order Jimmy John's. Finnick and Peeta get some as well.
Ding. Ding. My phone goes off.
Dad: Call me.
I lean off Finnick and he looks at me concerned.
"My Dad wants to talk." I say. Finnick nods as I head to his bedroom.
I dial and he answers it in a minute. I wouldn't say I am close to my Dad. Mom yes, Dad no.
"Hello kiddo." He says.
"Hi Dad." I say.
"How's school?" He asks.
"It's fine I guess. I'm getting everything done. " I mumble. I know this isn't a social call.
"How's Finnick?" He asks.
"Finnick's great." I say uncomfortable. My dad will never admit it but I know he doesn't like Finnick.
"That's good. Anything else you want to share?" He asks. He knows something that I should've told him. I just don't understand what.
"Nothing I can think of Dad." I say.
"Really? So your apartment complex owner just wanted to update me that someone was killed outside your house."
I sigh. I didn't think my parents would find out or at least not this quickly. The only reason they probably know is because they had to co sign the lease with me. I don't make enough money to be trusted apparently. I guess they are required to tell the main lease signer when something illegal happens on the premises.
"Oh right." I say and rub the back of my neck.
"Annie how could you not tell me this?"
"Well it only happened-"
"Annie these are things that make me concerned."
I sigh. He didn't have a problem with me living there, that was my Mother, but it was one of the most affordable places. My Dad doesn't want to help me, my sister, or brother pay for anything.
Not car insurance. Not rent. Not anything. It's been that way before college. He never wanted us to have something unless we paid for it by ourselves.
My brother doesn't really need help now. He's twenty seven. He lives across the country so I don't see him as much. He is an architect so he makes a decent amount of money. He also has a cool apartment but he won't be staying there much longer because he is designing his own house for him and his boyfriend to live in.
My Mother gives my sister and I money sometimes. She calls it an allowance. I usually use it to pay my car insurance and my phone bill.
My parents are going through a divorce so it isn't that big of a shock but she can't exactly give me money like before or as much. She is a high school teacher so she doesn't make much money. Her lawyer wants her to sue for alimony but I don't think she will. Even though my Dad works in a high corporate office.
"I know Dad." I say.
"Maybe you could get another job to move out of there." He suggests.
"It's not like I can just leave Dad, I have a lease. Besides if I got another job I couldn't study." I say truthfully.
"I just don't want you to get hurt." He says.
Then help me pay with my expenses. I think to myself.
At least I got a full ride to school. My sister got some money but she had to take out student loans. Which means as soon as she gets that diploma she will be in a decent amount of debt.
"I know Dad." I mumble.
"Well just think about it." He says.
"I gotta go Dad." I say annoyed.
"Bye Annie."
"Bye." I say and the line goes dead.
I fall back on Finnick's bed.
Come here. I text Finnick and few seconds later Finnick comes in.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
"My Dad's an asshole." I mutter. "He is asking me to leave that place knowing I don't have enough money to leave and knowing that I still have a lease."
Finnick nods.
"You could take my Dad." Finnick smiles.
I kiss his cheek. Finnick doesn't even know where his Dad is. When Finnick was a month old he left. Finnick is close with his Mother.
"No thanks. My Mom will probably call later." I mumble. Finnick nods.
I go back out to the living room to finish my sandwich and see who will get evicted on Big Brother.
Ella: Are you watching? My sister texts me. We both enjoy this show.
Me: Yes.
Ella: Can you believe it?
Me: Yes. I can and I'm glad she left. She was hella annoying.
Ella: True.
I think that is the end of the discussion but then I notice it saying :Ella is typing.
Ella: I got an interesting phone call from Dad.
Me: Really? I text actually surprised.
Ella: Yes. He was asking if my dorm room was a safe place to live. I mean I go to fricking Miami University does he not know how boring it is here? There are literally farms in the area.
I smirk.
Me: Well you wanted a rural campus.
Ella: I didn't realize it would be so boring.
Me: Well that's your own fault for not paying attention on the tour.
Ella: Whatever. Did Dad text you?
Me: I'm probably the reason he texted you. Someone got killed outside my apartment.
Ella: Oh my god! Are you okay?
Me: Yes. I'm going to be staying with Finnick for a bit though.
Ella: Yay! We love Finnick! He's your savior!
I smile and jab Finnick and show him the text.
Finnick kisses my cheek.
"Everyone loves me." He whispers in my ear.
Me: I guess.
Ella: Really though how are you?
Me: Fine I guess. I don't really want to talk about it yet. I just keep seeing her blood. I text and swallow hard.
Ella: Gross. Oh and text me later. I need to know if I should get a ride home or if you will pick me up for Xmas break.
Me: I'll pick you up.
Ella: Yay! Best sister ever! Also do you know if Carter is coming home for Xmas I miss him.
Me: I think so… just text him.
Ella: Also how is Xmas going to work?
Me: What do you mean?
Ella: Well we usually go home but, since Mom and Dad are no longer living together where do we go?
Me: How the hell should I know.
Ella: Well I don't want one of them to be alone.
I sigh.
Me: You can stay with Dad then. I'll stay with Mom.
Ella: If Carter comes home he will stay with Mom. Especially since Carter and Dad…
Me: Don't really talk to each other. I finish.
When Carter told Mom and Dad he was gay Dad didn't really take it well. He still doesn't. Mom didn't care she kind of assumed. Carter told Ella and myself at different times but it was before Mom and Dad.
I wouldn't call my Dad a bigot… persay… he is just… I dunno very judgmental. He still hasn't met Carter's boyfriend even though they've been dating for almost five years. I think my Dad's head would explode if they got married either that or he would completely disown Carter.
Me: I don't think there is enough space at Mom's place anyways.
My Mom moved into an apartment. It's close to the high school where she teaches. It's better than mine or Finnick's apartment. It has two floors and a bathroom upstairs. While the downstairs has a kitchen, family, room, and another bathroom. It may sound nice but compared to the four bedroom house she was accustomed to it really isn't.
Ella: I think we will have to stay with Dad. I mean most of our stuff is there.
Me: But I want to spend Xmas with Mom.
Ella: We can figure this out later. Probably talk about it with Carter as well, if he is even coming home…
Me: You're probably right.
Ella: I need to finish my laundry.
Me: Have fun with that.
Ella: Oh I will ;)
I groan and turn back to the television. Peeta changed the channel. My show was over so I don't care. It's some cop show.
"What do we got?" A cop says as they walk to the victim.
"Woman twenty four gunshot wound to the head." They show the person and she has a bullet right between her eyes. There is blood everywhere.
"Can we watch something else?" I say softly. This just reminds me of Luna lying dead on the concentrate.
"Oh…" "He says confused "Oh." He says with more understanding. "Sorry Annie." Peeta says and fumbles for the remote.
"It's okay." I say.
Peeta ends up settling for Family Guy.
"Are you okay?" Finnick whispers.
I just lace my fingers with his and lean on his shoulder.
"Just don't let me see that." I whisper.
He kisses the top of my head.
"I won't." He says.
An hour later I head to bed. I try and find sleep quickly but it doesn't come. I keep seeing that dead girl.
"Annie! Annie!" I hear franticly and a shake on my shoulder
"What?!" I say. I'm sweating all over.
"You were screaming." Finnick says alarmed.
"Oh." I say.
"Really loud. Peeta and I thought you were being attacked or something."
"Oh." I say embarrassed. "I'm fine… bad dream." I say.
Finnick looks at me concerned.
"Let me get you some water". He says worried.
I'm sweaty all over and my hands are shaking.
I move my hand to my throat and see there isn't a deep gash and I'm not bleeding to death like in my dream.
"Here." Finnick says and gives me a water bottle.
I take it and sip it slightly.
"Are you okay?" Finnick asks and pushes hair behind my ear.
"I'm fine." I say but I'm not really.
"What were you dreaming about?" He asks and moves hair from my face.
"I wouldn't call it dreaming." I mutter.
He kisses my forehead.
"I'm scared Finnick." I whisper and can feel tears leak from my eyes.
"You're okay." Finnick says and strokes my hair. "You're safe here."
I curl up in a ball on his bed.
"You're okay." Finnick says. "I'm right here." He says and keeps kissing the same spot on the top of my head.
"Okay." I whisper.
"Okay." Finnick says and gets ready for bed himself. I don't think he is tired. I think he just wants to lay next to me.
Finnick wraps his arms around me and kisses my cheek.
"You're safe here Annie. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I love you." He says.
I hold onto Finnick's forearms.
"I love you too." I whisper. Finnick kisses the top of my head.
I close my eyes and try to sleep but it doesn't come.
I don't know how long it has been when I feel Finnick remove his arms and shift in the bed. I feel his body heat leave immediately. I turn towards where he was lying and see he is sitting up in bed. I notice he is holding his phone up to his ear. He's going to call someone.
"Hey it's Finnick." I hear him say. He is trying to be quite. "Can you cover my shift? Someone was murdered outside Annie's apartment. I don't want to leave her alone she's really scared." There is silence. "Thank you Darius I owe you one." I hear and Finnick comes back to bed.
I wake up and am confused by my surroundings. I soon realized I'm in Finnick's room. I'm here because someone got murdered in front of my apartment.
I roll over and see Finnick sitting at his desk with his pencil between his teeth as he is typing away. He has that concentrated look when he is studying. His glasses are sliding down his nose slightly.
I don't think I really slept. I just remember seeing that blood splatter. I pull the covers over my head hoping that will help me forget.
I'm confused as to why Finnick is here because it is Monday. I know he got someone to cover his shift at work but he usually has class at this time.
"Annie?" He says and sits next to me. I feel his arms around me. "You okay?" He whispers and pulls down the covers.
I shake my head.
"Come here." He says and pulls me out of his bed and takes me to the kitchen. "I made you this." He says and hands me a mug. It's hot coco.
"Thank you." I whisper and sip it.
"Sit down." He says and leads me to the couch.
"What are you doing here?" I ask my voice is hoarse from sleep.
"I live here." He smiles.
"No, don't you have class?" I ask. "You weren't waiting for me to get up were you?" I ask.
He smiles.
"As important as you are, no, that is not why I'm not at class." He grabs my phone that I left out here last night.
I look at it and see campus alerts saying classes have been canceled due to the weather.
I can see through the blinds slightly that it is snowing hard.
"Oh." I say.
"Snow day." He smiles. "Which means hot coco and pajamas all day." He kisses my cheek.
I look back down at my phone and see I've gotten at least a dozen texts from people I was supposed to tutor today.
I text them all back saying tutoring is canceled as long as classes are. I get smily faces and thank you's in return.
I place my phone down and I lean against Finnick. I sip my coco. I feel his fingers combing my hair.
He kisses my forehead.
"You're okay." He whispers.
I nod.
"You can stay here as long as you want." He says.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"You're safe here Annie." He says and kisses me.
I set down the coco and hug him.
"I don't feel..." The words get stuck in my throat.
"It's okay. I'll make sure you're okay." He says and I nod. "I'm already doing my job because I called off from work today." He smiles.
"Thanks." I say and kiss him.
"No problem. I just love you so so much."
"I love you too." I whisper and kiss him.
I lean against him and go back to sipping my coco.
"I'll keep you safe." He whispers and pets my hair.
I nod.
I hope this is true. He makes me feel safe but I know I can't stay here forever
A/N: Just thought I should mention this story is set in Ohio. So when Ella says she goes to Miami University she means Miami Ohio not Miami Florida.