A/N: I need more reviews, guys! How will I know what to improve if you don't tell me? ;-; I love the number of views, and I really hope you are enjoying the story!

Disclaimer: Of course, I do not own The Hunger Games, aside from my OCs.

Magrie whisked Narina and me through the crowd of never ending people. I got so many looks of sympathy and respect that I just decided to keep my head down. I couldn't stand to see these people looking at me as if I were laying down in a coffin. But where I'm heading, maybe that's not too far away.

I was put in this room where people were going to come visit me. A Peacekeeper with a scar across his eye escorted me into the room and told me I had an hour for visitors before I was shipped off into the Games. Shortly after he left, Ren and my parents burst through the door. Ren was breathing heavily and my mother was crying. My father looked disappointed- no, he looked scared. I couldn't help but wonder if he looked this way when Ariel had gone in and never came back.

"Finnick, I can't believe you did that for me!" Ren wailed as the tears finally poured out of his eyes. Poor kid, he tried his best to hold it in. "I love you," he let out as he belted me with a hug. I hugged him back and stroked his hair, realizing just now what I got myself into.

"Anything for you, buddy," I replied in a fake-happy tone. I looked up at my parents, as I was sitting on a stool, and my mother was crying on my father's shoulder. Ren let up, and I stood up facing my parents. I looked into my dad's brown eyes.

"Son," was all he could choke out. My dad was always Mr. Calm, Cool and Collected. I understand now that it's because of Ariel. He misses Ariel. Everyone thought she was going to come out a winner.

My mother's tears calmed and she sniffled. She grabbed me in for a hug, and my father and Ren joined in. I needed to know now. I may not have a chance after this. It would bring back painful memories, yes, but I needed to know.

"How did...um, how did Ariel go down?" I asked lightly, though it is as if I just asked for all the money in the world. It was silent for a minute. Though, it felt as if it were hours. Until my mother finally spoke.

"It was the final three. Ariel, a girl from Twelve, and Pith Bobbitt," she began. Right then and there, I knew my mother was stronger than every victor ever. It caused her so much pain to tell me this story, and I loved her so much for being so strong. "Pith was a District Two Career, and he was absolutely ruthless. Everyone knew he would make it to the finals. It was the last day, day fifteen, and the girl from Twelve was struggling under Pith. He was ready to kill her. He raised a machete, when Ariel came through the bushes with her bow and arrow ready. Apparently, she heard the cries from the girl from Twelve, and came to her aid, though, I wish she hadn't. Ariel, as quick as lightning, shot her arrow, aimed right for the heart. And if it weren't for that damn machete, she would've killed him. He deflected it with the knife, and it went to the side. Ariel reloaded, but he stabbed the girl from Twelve in the chest two times, and went off to fight Ariel. This tribute could dodge anything! He dodged all of her arrows, and pinned her to the ground. Ariel fought and fought but he was bigger and stronger. Pith choked my baby to death, and was declared the victor of the 51st Annual Hunger Games. Ariel was in second. But when it comes to these Games, nobody remembers second, except for first."

I sat there, jaw dropped, thinking about Ariel. Pith was probably still alive and well, ready to be a mentor for his Games. I would see him. How could I not kill him? I was speechless and everyone else was too. "Thanks for telling me, mom," I managed to say before we had another group hug. I ruffled Ren's hair and my mother kissed me on the head before they left.

"May the odds be ever in your favor, my son," my mother said, not a hint of amusement in her tone. My father nodded.

"Our son, the tribute," he chirped, sounding like he was going to cry. Was he when I couldn't see?

"I love you guys," I told them truthfully, "Never forget it."

They nodded, and my mother cried again. "We love you too, Finnick," they said simultaneously, all three of them. The door shut and I lay down on the bed, hands on my forehead, brushing my bronze hair back. Sweat was rolling down my face, and I was panting. I couldn't get the picture of Ariel's death out of my head.

The door swung open, and I jumped. I smiled as I recognized the brown hair and smiling green eyes of Annie Cresta. Though, her eyes were not as cheery and jumpy as usual. They read a sad, regretful look. She stared up at me, as I glanced down at her. Neither of us had anything to say, so I stepped forward and embraced her. She clung onto me so tight, her knuckles dug into my spine. I didn't care, this could be the last time I've ever hugged Annie. I hate saying that it's the first time too.

When we met eyes again, hers were glistening, waiting to drop the first tear. I could feel my own tearing up as well, and I sighed lightly. The Hunger Games SUCK!

"Try to win, Finn, okay?" she pleaded, her voice high and squeaky. "We all need you here. You've been trained some, right? I've taught you all I know. You can do this, I believe in you."

I nodded and looked into her eyes. "Okay," I said. I was masked by all the thinking in my head. My friends, my family, the asshole named Zale. All the girls who love me when I don't love them back, including Annie. And I remember that I've never had a steady girlfriend.

Annie reached into her pocket. "Here," she peeped, pulling a shiny golden ring with an emerald encrusted on it. "It's my ring, it's very prestigious in my family. I want you to use it during the Games." I held out my palm as she placed the ring in my hand. The gem matched her eyes.

"Thank you, Ann," I answered in a hushed manner. "I'll use it as my token. I'll never forget it, or you." I can't believe the words I am saying. It's like Annie is my wife, and even worse, it is like I'm never coming back. Through the wall, I can hear Narina squealing and I can barely make out Zale's raspy voice. It seemed as if they were dating. Pfft. They shouldn't be fooling around now, their time is running out. Though, Narina is a real Career, so I guess she could be coming back. Annie says something, but I am too lost in my thoughts that I missed it. "Huh?" I say, confused.

She slaps me lightly on the shoulder. "Don't say that," she repeats. "You can do this, you'll get sponsors and you can win. I know you can, Finnick. Just like I know you can score every female you want!"

I nod slightly and say nothing, but I know that's true. Annie checks her watch and scowls. "I have to go now," she admits, annoyed. "I know you can do this." She goes on her tiptoes and kisses me on the cheek. "You can do this, Finnick. You can."

I give her a thumbs up. "Thanks, Annie," I tell her, meaning it.

She gives a half smile. "You're welcome." And just like that, she's gone. I swear I could hear a faint "I love you," before she leaves. I have ten minutes before the hour is up, and it's filled with the girls who love me paying their respects. But all I can focus on is Annie and Ariel.

The Peacekeepers come in, kick the girls out, and Magrie meets me as I drive in a car to the train station with Narina. Magrie talks to us about the Games, and what we are going to do, but I only have two things on my mind: Ariel and Annie.

A/N: Sorry for the wait, school starts in 6 days and I've been preparing x.x -TRB