The next few weeks were the worst of Annie's life. She did nothing but worry about Finnick. Annie watched him on the television almost all the time. She watched his interviews, and watched as the Capitol dressed him up in some nice little suit and sent him on the stage so he could try to win over the Capitol. And he did. He did very well at that, his charm winning over most of the people and making them awe at him.
When the games started though, Annie watched almost in disbelief as Finnick turned on the career pack, but she was glad that he did it. He was smart. He would be able to win this. Her stomach felt queasy watching the games, watching all that blood and murder. Her mother would tell her to stop watching and sometimes would make her go outside, but Annie couldn't bare to take her eyes off the television in fear that her best friend would be killed. She didn't like watching the games, but this time, she needed to.
It wasn't until Finnick got the best sponsor anyone had ever received did Annie know just how skilled he was with a trident. She watched as he trapped the people in his net and pierced the weapon right through them, as if he had no mercy at all. She watched as the games turned an only fourteen year old boy into a killer. Annie knew that he wasn't like this; he was doing what he needed to do to survive.
When it came down to the last person and Finnick, Annie could barley even watch she was so scared and nervous. He was going to win this. She knew it. The relief swept over her when Finnick made his final kill with the trident and then was congratulated for winning the 65th Hunger Games; the games youngest winner ever at that.
Annie knew Finnick would be damaged. Who wouldn't be after going through all that? He didn't deserve to go through all that at so young. But she would help him. She would help him heal.
She stood in the audience, being one of the first people there as Finnick stepped off the train and back into District four. She smiled as he stood there smiling and waving to everyone. Finally, his eyes caught hers and she could see already the pain and hurt deep in his green eyes. He still smiled at her though, and she smiled back. Words couldn't describe how happy she was to have him home and safe.
Three days had passed and in each of those three days, Annie went out onto the beach and saw no sign of Finnick. When she went over to his house, she saw it was empty. She knew he was moving into the Victor's Village and he was busy, but she wanted to see him; she desperately wanted to speak to him.
On the fourth day, Annie finally saw him there. He wasn't swimming, only sitting there, hugging his knees and staring out into the hue of the orange sunset.
Trying not to startle him, Annie slowly made her way over to him, and Finnick looked at her as she sat down next to him. She looked back at him and he smiled, this smile seeming genuine.
Finnick wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. She wrapped her arms back around him, burying her face into his shoulder and holding him as if he were going to somehow slip away.
"I missed you so much," he mumbled quietly to her, sighing slightly as if in relief.
"I missed you too, Finnick.." Annie said, trying not to be too emotional although her eyes were welling up with tears which was something she really couldn't help.
After a moment, they pulled away from the embrace and she looked up at him.
"Thank you for coming home to me," Annie said.
"I told you I would try my absolute best," Finnick said with a nod. He took her hand and gave it a small squeeze, Annie always liking when he did this.
Annie nodded, and suddenly, Finnick looked down with a sigh.
"Did you watch? Did you.. Watch the games?" he asked quietly.
Annie nodded again slowly.
"I had to see how you were. Finnick.. I'm not going to judge you. I don't think you were wrong in any way, okay?" she said, trying to reasure him. "You were just doing what you needed to do. And I'm glad you did. Because you survived and you're here with me now."
Finnick looked up at her, and again, she could see the hurt and the pain in his eyes. Surprisingly, she saw his eyes start to well up with tears. Finnick never really cried; not in front of her at least.
"I killed so many.. I'm.." Finnick looked away and shut his eyes, a tear rolling down his cheek. "I'm a horrible person.. Sick even." He quickly wiped the tear away.
Annie looked at him sadly and he opened his eyes again, but he just stared down at the sand. She didn't know really how to approach this. She had never been through this situation before, and it was hard, but she was trying her best to understand.
"I can't change the way you think about yourself, Finnick. But you're not horrible. I don't think that at all," she said quietly. "This is going to take some time to get over and I'm so sorry this had to happen to you. You're the last person that deserves this."
He looked up at her, nodding.
"Thank you, Annie," he said, giving her a sad smile.
Annie nodded.
"I'm going to be here.. Whenever you need me," she said. "We can get through this.. Together."
He squeezed her hand lightly again.
"Together," Finnick agreed.
