So as I promised, Chapter 9. Enjoy!


My eyes widen. A mockingjay? Why?

"It's the token from my district," she tells Caesar.

Oh.

Next comes Peeta, and I watch, but I'm not listening. He jokes around with Caesar, and he really is charming. You just can't help liking him.

But then I see that his face hardens into a mask of angst, despair, and frustration. I start listening closer and catch a few words.

Married. Secret. Backyard.

That's... I have no idea what to think of all this. They got married in secret? What? I thought they were fake? Or is this fake?

My head is spinning and this is all too much, just too much to take in.

And then I hear it.

"If it weren't for the baby."

My head snaps up as the crowd stands on their feet and start yelling and raging. Caesar has difficulty calming the crowd. Peeta just looks away and goes back to his seat. And me... I just stare out at the screen as they sing the anthem. I see their holding hands, but my mind is racing. My head ends up hurting too much so I sit on the floor, head to my knees, hands to my ears, eyes closed tight. I don't know how long I stay that way.

I hear Finnick whispering in my ear.

"Annie. Are you okay?"

I look up and see him in front of me. I hug him tightly and he hugs back.

"Finnick, I-"

"Why did you get a flashback?"

"I didn't, I-"

He cuts me off again. "Then what happe-"

"Stop cutting me off!"

Finnick stares at me with huge innocent eyes.

"I'm sorry, I was just-"

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have cut you while you were talking."

I want to point out to him that he just cut me off again, but I just smile and say what I was on my mind.

"My mind was just spinning because... well... you know."

He looks at me in confusion. "Because of what? The poem?"

"No, the poem was beautiful. I cried afterwards. It was amazing. I love it and I love you."

He beams at me and he really does give off this kind of glow that makes me smile as well. But I have to ask him about what happened.

"But... I was just so confused about Peeta and Katniss." The words blurt out off my mouth before I can stop myself. "I mean, I thought it was all fake? But a secret marriage? A baby? And Cinna! He made her wear her wedding dress and set her on fire without her knowledge and why a mockingjay? I know it's her token and all but-"

"Whoa whoa whoa... Slow down there Annie. I know it's confusing and everything, but there's an explanation... I think. Okay, go slowly this time."

I take a deep breath.

"Cinna. Why was he so cruel? To make her wear her wedding dress?

A. Their relationship is fake. Why rub it in?

B. If it isn't, that's even worse! They can't get married and he wants her to wear the dress? That's also rubbing it in!"

Finnick's face becomes serious and sad. His voice is quiet.

"Annie, President Snow made them wear their wedding outfits."

I step back in shock. My mouth falls open. "But... Why?"

"Because of the exact things you just mentioned. If they were fake, it would humiliate them and make them remember how they have to get married. If they were real, it reminds them how they can't get married."

That's just cruel. But knowing President Snow, it doesn't surprise me that much.

"Okay then. Next question. What did Peeta mean by a secret marriage? And the baby?! I mean, WHAT?"

"I think they might be lying. To make it convincing and to make the crowd and Capitol people rebel."

"But why?" I ask.

"Because... Well, I don't know actually."

I think about this for a while. I see no reason either. I'll have to figure this out later.

"Next question. Why did Cinna set Katniss on fire without her knowing?"

"That... I don't know. I have no idea why."

"Fine. But why a mockingjay?"

Finnick looks around. He hesitates before answering. I know this because he shifts his weights and his fingers fumble around. He avoids my eyes and takes too long to answer.

"Because... It's her token. It... Uh... Reminds her of home, I guess."

He rubs the back of his neck and he's still avoiding my eyes. I don't know how he acts and lies to all those people in the Capitol. It's pretty obvious to me. Maybe those people are just too distracted to even notice him lying.

I sigh and say, "Finnick, I know you're lying. Can you just please tell me the truth?"

He looks at me sadly. "I'm sorry, I can't. You know why I c-"

"No, I don't, Finnick! I don't know why you always try to lie to me and trick me! Why are you always hiding something? I thought you said 'no more secrets'?"

"Annie, the only reason I'm not telling you is because I want to- no, I need to protect you."

I snort. "Protect me? And how exac-"

"Some things are just too dangerous for you to know!" he yells, his hands shaking. I step back. "Look, I can tell you everything, everything I know. But if I do, what happens then? They'll take you away! They'll torture you until you tell them what they need to know! Do you understand?"

I slowly nod. This isn't the first time I've seen him angry, but it's rare. I can count the number of times he's been angry in front of me.

His face softens and he takes my hands. I didn't realize they were shaking as well. Then he steps closer and buries his face in my hair, the way he always does. It feels familiar and his warm breath on the top of my head makes me feel at home. I close my eyes and try to forget about everything.

Someone taps me and I look back to see Harold. I straighten up and so does Finnick.

"We should get back to the fourth floor," he says, and then to Finnick specifically, "especially you. Big day tomorrow."

"Wait, I'll get Mags," Finnick says as he scans the room.

"No worries, I've brought her back upstairs. Yes, you two were here for that long."

We ride the elevator in silence, but the ride up is so short and I'm quite disappointed. Finnick waves a small goodbye as he goes down one corridor to his room. Harold and I go down the other one. I hear Finnick's door slam shut.

A hand to my mouth.

An arm slams me.

I hit the wall hard.

My screams are muffled.

My tears are all over his hand.

"Say a word of this to Finnick and he dies. Tomorrow, after escorting him, you come with me. Understand?"

I nod.

I'm pulled back from the wall.

I'm slammed against the wall.

My head hits the wall hard.

Everything turns fuzzy.

I see blackness.