Chapter 9-Welcome to the 65th Annual Hunger Games!

I didn't sleep at all. I couldn't sleep at all. My mind was racing from the upcoming events, to my friends and family back home. I knew that this could possibly be my last night in a bed, that the breakfast I was about to consume could very well be the last bit of food I have for days, that the shower I was taking would be my last one ever.

When I returned to my room, I discovered that Unique had laid out the required uniform for the games. It wasn't anything too formal, just a pair of cargo pants and black t-shirt. The fabric was nicer than what we would wear back in District 4. The black shirt's fabric was woven into an intricate pattern that was either sleeve, the number 4 had been embroidered with gold thread. Paired with the cargo pants were black combat boots and socks.

After a while, a soft knock was at the door. Mags entered the room very solemnly. She came up and gave me a tight hug. She held me for a few minuted before pulling away. She grabbed my shoulders and looked me straight in the eye, "Listen here. I know you've made ups your mind, and you are going to protect Marina. Here's the deal, take care of her, but take care of you. Marina doesn't have people back home, you do. You need to get back to them. Fight kid, and if it comes down between the two of you, make your choice, but know that no matter what your decision is, I will support it. Stay safe, fight, and don't enter the Cornucopia, give the other kids a chance, I have already lined up sponsors for you, so you will get things you need."

"i'm going to make District 4 proud Mags. Don't worry." I hugged my coach one last time.

Before she left the room, Mags turned back to look at me. Her wiry gray hair fell around her face. "You'll do great things Finnick." As she left, Unique and Cinna entered the room. Unique changed her hair to this beautiful blue color. She wore a skin tight blue suit to match with gold accents. Cinna was in his usual black ensemble with gold eyeliner. We stood in silence for a while. She messed with my hair, adjusted the shirt. She then placed the required jacket on the bed and headed towards the door.

I was angry. This person who has helped me through training, who prepared me for what was about to happen, wasn't going to say a word. "You're just going to say nothing?" I said so calmly it startled me. Unique stopped in her tracks. She didn't turn around. "This is the last time I will ever see you. No goodbye or good luck?"

We stood there silently for a few moments. Over the speakers I heard the chime, signaling the tributes to head for the roof to leave for the games. I grabbed the jacket that was paired with the uniform and headed right past Cinna and Unique and through the door. As I passed Unique she grabbed my arm, spun me towards her and looked me straight in the eye. Her eyes were red and glassed, her make up smeared just a bit. She could only get out a few words. "Kid, You fight, You win." She let go of my arm and headed towards the back of the apartment. Cinna walked me towards the elevator.

While we waited, Cinna motioned for me to put on my jacket. As I did, i felt something in the right pocket. I reached in and pulled out a small box. The box had a gold chain with a Trident charm on it. "Don't forget who you are. It gets real in there. You may stray from who you are and we wanted for you to always remember your true self." He placed his hand on my shoulder, I looked at the charm and smiled.
The next hour went by fast. We flew to the stadium. Once we landed, They sent us to our loading docks. We waited as Peacekeepers walked in and inserted our tracking chips into our right arms. It was painful.

After a while, a long beep came over the speaker and a man's voice said, "60 seconds until the Games begin. A wall slid open revealing a room with a round platform in the center. "Enter the holding area and stand on the platform. 59…58…57…56…

I walked towards the platform. As the seconds flew by, I thought about my family, my sister Frannie and her smiling face, I thought about my dad and the tears I saw fall from his eyes when I was reaped. I thought about Annie, her smile, her red hair, her freckles, and the bet we made.

34…33…32…31…30…

The platform began to rise. As it rose, I finally got to see the mountainous region of the arena. It's nothing that I was used to but I could make due.

20…19…18…17…

Annie, I know I promised to teach you to swim.

15…14…13…12…

And I know I should have told you how I really felt.

9…8…7….

But this is one bet, that I cannot win.

3…2…1… Let the 65th annual Hunger Games Commence!