The Mermaid of Panem

by LilyBug95

Anwyn Cresta became the mermaid of Panem when she won the 70th Hunger Games but before that she was a simple happy girl from district 4 that was chosen to play in their games and fight for her life. Her beauty captivated Panem, her love belonged to her mentor, her triumph would mean losing everything. Before the girl on fire there was the Mermaid of Panem.

10. Chapter 10

I own nothing!

'' Argh!'' I cry as I fling the knife at the final moving dummy.

'' Are you okay beautiful?'' Onyx asks.

I roll my eyes at the sound of his voice why can't anyone leave me alone just for a few minutes. Spinning on my heel I turn to face him wiping the sweat from my brow as I look up at his concerned face.

'' I'm fine…just…'' I shrug turning to grab another knife but his hand stops me.

'' you can tell me anything Anwyn don't shut me out,'' he says turning me to face him again, ''you barely spoke at lunch and everyone was surprised that you barely even glanced at your reflection.''

I let out a small laugh and he smiles at the sound looking less brutal than he actually was.

'' you know there's something wrong when you don't even glance at yourself once it's not like you.''

Who would have thought that this strong vicious career would come to care so much about me well maybe I'll just use this to my advantage.

I let out a whimper as I wrap myself in his arms almost instantly I feel his arms tightening around me, perfect.

'' What's wrong Anwyn. Tell me.''

I pretend to shudder as if I were holding back sobs pushing my face into his strong chest this was too easy.

'' I had a fight with my mentor,'' I whisper.

He tenses beneath me and I fight to hold back a smile as he pulls me away to look at me.

'' Odair's your mentor isn't he? What did he do?'' he growls

'' He's an idiot. Here I am trying to fight for my life and all he wants to do is get me in bed. He was so rude to me today actually he's been nothing but horrible to me since after the parade just because I didn't let him kiss me. He won't understand I only have feeling for y…'' I blush turning from him letting out another whimper.

'' Say it Anwyn. You have feelings for whom?'' he says pulling me back as he lifts my chin gently raising my face to meet his.

'' I have feelings for you.'' I say softly and when he looks down at my lips biting his own I know what's going to happen next but I pull away the last minute.

'' But he doesn't listen to me! He says you're playing with me but I know what we have is real I just know it.''

'' Of course he's lying babe I've been nothing but honest with you…he just wants to put doubts in your head don't let him,'' he says taking my hands in his

'' I know Onyx you don't have to explain yourself to me I believe you.'' I continue making sure to look at his eyes as I push a black lock back from his forehead, '' I'm sorry if I've been so distant today it's not you but today Finnick said so many horrible things he…he told me if I didn't show him the respect he deserved then he wouldn't help me in the arena.''

And that's the final straw in Onyx's book because his blue eyes are quickly engulfed in darkness and anger he seems ready to blow. He takes his anger out on the dummy decapitating it with his sword before he turns back to me I'm actually scared by the look that passes over his eyes it's deadly…crazy almost.

'' You don't have to show him any respect! You don't need him or his help all you need is me. I'll protect you I swear to you.'' He says taking me by my shoulders in an all but gentle hold.

I let out a bitter laugh,'' please Onyx you said it yourself you want to win the games you've trained all your life for this and for you to win I need to die.''

'' I don't care all I know is that this feeling inside of me is bigger than anything…it's bigger than some crown or bringing honor to my district I want you Anwyn…I need you and I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe in the games,'' his intensity surprises me he seems to be a man on a mission and who am I to intervene in that mission?

'' but…''

'' Trust me Anwyn if the crowns not mine then it'll be yours. Trust me.''

How sweet you'll do anything and everything to help me survive but the difference is I'll do everything to help you lose of that I'll make sure of.

'' Oh Onyx,'' I cry pulling him into a hug.

As we pull away I feel the inevitable coming as he begins to lower his face but just as our lips are about to touch the whistle sounds signaling the end of training. I quickly peck his cheek before turning to Atala who is about to speak.

'' Tomorrow as you know is the session with the Gamemakers where each and every one of you will be demonstrating your chosen skill to them I wish you nothing but the best as you are evaluated and then scored after that the rest is up to you. May the odds be ever in your favor.'' She finishes dismissing us knowing that the next time she sees us one will be victorious and the others will be returning in coffins.

Onyx leads me to the elevator where the other careers wait talking softly amongst themselves Lake and Amethyst roll their eyes as they see our hands intertwined but I pay them no attention knowing that as long as I had Onyx I was safe. As we step into the elevator I hug Onyx's arm leaning my head on his shoulder giving him a small smile as he jokes with Nerva and Lake about some poor tribute they had scared off. Amethyst is too busy gazing at Lake so no one pays me attention when my hand touches Valentinus who stands behind Onyx and I. Turning my face away from the others I glance back at him catching his surprised eye.

'' Hi,'' I mouth giving him seductive smile and right away his eyes glaze over oh god this was just too easy.

'' Hey,'' he mouths back running his hand over mine glancing at Onyx who stands oblivious to our little interaction.

I roll my eyes at the back of Onyx's head and make a face much to Valentinus's amusement who smiles back at me a spark in his eyes.

'' I wish it were you,'' I continue to mouth.

'' Wish I was what?''

'' With me.''

Smiling he then nods to Onyx asking me the silent question.

'' Useful.'' I simply mouth before running my lips over Onyx's muscled arm making sure to keep my eyes on Valentinus before looking up at Onyx who now gazes at me dotingly.

With a final wink at Valentinus I remain wrapped in Onyx's arms until we reach the first floor I pretend to be sad as he steps away from me making his way out the elevator before turning to me.

'' See you around 4,'' he smiles winking at me while I blow him a kiss.

When the elevator reaches the second floor Nerva and Valentinus say simple goodbyes and quietly walk out but before he did I run my hand down his back feeling his muscles shiver at the touch. He stops midstride but continues walking as nothing had happened sending me a small smile as he turns the corner.

The rest of the way to the fourth floor is ridden in silence Lake doesn't even try to reprehend me for flirting with both Valentinus and Onyx again but he looks at me as if disappointed with me. Let him think what he wants I'm ensuring my survival which he should be doing for himself instead of looking at me like a love sick puppy.

In a matter of moments we reach our floor and before I can make my escape to my bedroom I'm stopped by the one and only Finnick Odair who is leaning on the wall next to the entrance of the suite. He looks at me as if he had known my plan to go hide in my room until tomorrow not wanting to face him or anyone else and so instead of having to knock down my door he simply waited for me to get out of the elevator.

I huff showing him my displeasure at seeing him or maybe it's to hide the sad sigh that wants to make itself known but either way I don't feel strong enough to face him I have no fight left for him. Lake quickly makes his way around me and passed Finnick not even glancing his way as he walks inside the suite no doubt to talk with Mags like any good little tribute would do just not me. I walk out of the elevator with my head held high as I pass him but he follows I'd be surprised if he hadn't.

'' I thought we discussed you being polite Annie or should I refresh your memory,'' I hear him drawl behind me.

I stop dead in my tracks and I form the fake smile I had become so accustomed to in only a matter of days turning to face him.

'' Evening Finnick,'' I say overly sweet it's completely sickening.

He smirks back at me before shaking his head at me.

'' Shall we discuss training?'' he asks just as overly sweet and polite.

'' do I have any other choice?'' I ask just as politely as he did.

'' No.''

'' then let's get this over with,'' I say emotionlessly done with the fakeness we were conveying.

'' Good. Shall we?'' he says before walking off towards the bedroom area.

I stay put not following him too in shock that he would think I would want to be alone in a bedroom with him. He turns to look at me when he doesn't hear me following after him just like all his other groupies would.

'' Aren't you coming?''

'' We can talk here,'' I say emphasizing every word.

'' Don't be a child I don't want to be overheard so let's go.''

'' Lake is probably with Mags so we'll be fine here.'' I say with as much force as I can.

'' And I say we go into a more private setting.''

'' Well I say we stay here it's much more comfortable and…''

'' Sweetie if I wanted to get you in bed I would have done it by now don't you think?'' he says rolling his eyes but instead of walking off he plunks himself down on a lounge chair waving at me to do the same.

I numbly do as I'm told blushing at his comment how can he be so open to talk like that?

'' Well?''

I shrug not meeting his gaze.

'' Fine,'' I mumble.

'' Is that all?'' he raises an eyebrow at me.

''I did what you told me to do on the train. I showed off my looks and acted stupid everyone bought it.''

'' The careers?''

'' I'm in,'' I say simply meeting his questioning gaze, '' the boy from 1he leads the pack…he got me in.''

Finnick nods his head not saying anything for a few seconds.

'' Did you use some weapons?''

I nod, '' the dagger I acted as if I didn't know how to use it Ony…the boy from 1 he ''helped'' me learn.''

'' He seems to be close to you,'' Finnick says his eyes blazing with an unfamiliar emotion.

'' He likes me so does the guy from 2,'' I murmur.

'' What else? You're being too blunt.''

I shrug again,'' there's nothing else to say.''

I didn't feel like telling him of my plan with the boys and breaking the careers up it's not like he cared.

I hear him sigh before he speaks again,'' what about the other tributes did anyone catch your eye?''

'' Not really well maybe the boy from 7 he's…um…I don't know but he seems to be one to watch.''

Finnick nods again, '' I'll look into him.''

I hate how he's acting all cool and collected when only this morning he was pushing me up against the closet growling at me but then again wasn't I about to ask for forgiveness yesterday after I had insulted him?

'' What are the careers like?'' he asks breaking the silence.

'' The girls ignore me most of the time and the boys do the opposite especially Onyx he's always with me.''

'' Be careful with him don't start to like him or you will make mistakes put some distance with him.''

If only he knew I was playing my cards with Onyx and not falling for him but I'm hurt he would actually think that I would be crushing on someone when I should be fighting for my life.

'' I don't like him but he's useful I'm not stupid to make mistakes like having a silly little crush,'' I say angrily.

'' I wasn't calling you stupid I just want you to understand that certain bonds shouldn't be formed. If you want to win he has to die…''

'' And you think I don't know that! Do you think I don't know that in a matter of days I'll be put into an arena to fight for my life! That if I don't play my cards right I'll be in a box being shipped back to 4! That we haven't had a victor since you! That you haven't done or even care to help me!'' I shout at him not caring of his warning to respect him, '' Believe me I know I have to mentor myself because if I let you help me I'll be dead.''

I leave him stunned as I storm off finally reaching my boiling point finally seeing the possibility of dying far from home. I run into my room locking the door behind me leaning against it for support my legs feeling weak and shaky. I slide down the door and onto the floor wrapping my arms around my legs wanting to feel some comfort but soon enough I hear his voice.

'' Anwyn open the door,'' Finnick says from behind the closed door.

I ignore him placing my head in my arms wanting to drown him out.

'' Anwyn don't be a child I need you to listen to me! Open this door now!''

'' Leave me alone!'' I cry, '' for once just leave me alone…go entertain Vivia and just…go.''

'' Fine you know what stay there but don't you dare say that I don't care for you! Don't you dare say that after all I've had to do for you!''

I turn to the door not understanding what he meant by that but I don't open the door or call after him as I hear his footsteps and then a door slamming shut all I do is sit on the floor letting my emotions and thoughts consume me.

And I sit there ignoring Vivia as she calls me for dinner ignoring the knocks asking if I'm okay because I didn't want to keep pretending and acting that I was okay because I wasn't. I ignore my stomach that grumbles begging for food and I ignore the pain in my legs as I walk to the shower wanting to feel the water as I reminder of my home.

I pretend that I'm under the waves searching for hidden treasures only the sea brings as I stand under the flow of warm water. I twist my hair wringing the water out just like I always did after a swim and I smile as I dry myself remembering the feel of the sand on my back as I let the sun dry me. These memories were pushing me to stop being negative to force myself to win because I had left behind so many things and I would be damned if I didn't get to see them again.

I call it a day choosing sleep over food as I dress in a soft lilac nightgown that falls above my thigh and gives an ample amount of cleavage. It's soft and silky against my skin and it's comforting it's what I need to feel relaxed as I lay in bed shutting my eyes and mind from the outside world.

I wake up just as I had last night but instead of thirst its hunger that wakes me my stomach twists in small amount of pain indicating its need for food. Pushing away the covers I leave my room just like I had most nights, it's been forever since I've had a decent night's rest. I maneuver the barely lit hallway easily and step into the dining room, the table still has some remaining food from dinner but I only take a roll of bread. Sitting down on a chair I rip pieces off it and eat them not giving the bread any attention as I look into the bright lights outside the window. The city is alive and beautiful but how can it look like this when behind the window I sit like a slave waiting for my execution.

I continue to look into the night only stopping when I turn to my empty hand I had finished the bread and hadn't even realized it. I let out a weak laugh are there really that many thoughts running through my head that I don't even notice what I eat? Has eating become robotic to me just like my smiles? I shake my head of the thoughts and decide to return to my room I had a big day with the gamemakers and this was make it or break it time if I wanted sponsors.

As I stand poised to open my door I hear what sounds like a moan but it's not like the one Vivia had given Finnick no this was a moan out of fear. I walk towards the sound hearing it get louder and soon I hear pleading but it's the voice that shocks me. It's Finnick.

'' Please…no…leave me alone…I didn't want to,'' the words become frantic and soon I'm racing into Finnick's bedroom swinging the door open. I search for the switch on the wall and when my hand comes in contact with it I press it illuminating the room on a low setting. What I see makes my mouth fall open in horror…in shock…in worry.

Finnick is tossing and turning in bed the sheets twisting around his body drenched with sweat. His voice lets out an animal like cry and I'm surprised no one else is awake coming to see what was happening. I close the door behind me for some reason not wanting anyone else in here but me. I quickly move to his side and touch his naked shoulder it feels overly hot as if though he had a fever and just like the sheets he too is wet with his sweat.

'' Finnick,'' I call out to him shaking him gently.

'' leave me alone…please…NO!''

'' Finnick! Please wake up it's me Anwyn. Please wake up.'' I beg as I run my hand through his soaked hair.

He stills at my touch and he seems to be relaxing as his screams come to seize before I'm met by scared and utterly beautiful green eyes.

'' Anwyn?'' he asks unbelievably not expecting to see me.

I pull away from him as he begins to sit up looking away when the sheet falls to his waist leaving his naked chest open to my gaze.

'' I'm sorry I just came in here I heard you and I…um…I'm sorry,'' I say feeling my face go red and hot.

'' I should be saying sorry to you that I woke you up,'' he says running a hand over his face.

'' I was already up,'' I say almost too quickly, '' I was just getting back from the dining room when I heard a moan…when I heard you.''

'' Well thank you…for waking me…I…thank you.'' He says looking at me as if I had saved him but in a way I had I saved him from his nightmare hadn't I?

Silence fills the room it's unsettling for us not to be at each other's throats or him trying to flirt with me but somehow this silence makes me see him better because this silence is filled with nothing but sadness. His sadness is the only emotion in this room and in the edges fear fights to have control. Looking up from the duvet I glance at his heartbreaking face it's just as handsome as always but it's sad, lonely, and lost in the nightmares that had plagued him. I wish I could say something to ease his fears as I had always done with my sisters but with him I was just as lost as he was.

'' I should go,'' I say moving to stand from the bed but a hand on my elbow stops me.

'' Don't go. Don't leave me alone.'' His anguished voice echoes through my ears as he begs me to stay but I only look at him my mind and heart fighting each other debating what I should do. But I'm tired of thinking and I know I couldn't leave him not now, I try convincing myself that if it were anyone else I would stay but I know that that's not entirely true.

'' I'll stay,'' I whisper and I almost smile at the childlike look he gives me as he makes room for me but then I want to kick myself for what I say next, '' until you're more calm.''

He nods but his face falls at my words and I wish I could take back the last four words but before I can he startles me with an odd question.

'' Can you sing for me? I've heard you before…your voice is very calming…it reminds me of my mother she used to sing to me before she died.'' He whispers and I don't know what surprises me more the fact that he's heard me sing or that he just revealed something about himself to me…about his mother.

The look on his face makes me forget any of my doubts to be here or the questions I want to ask him, it's the child in his eyes that makes me do something I had never expected to do especially not for Finnick Odair.

'' Yes. I'll sing for you.'' I say and the innocent smile he gives me is worth all my uncertainties.

He lies down nestling into the pillows as I l lay beside him tucking my legs underneath me remembering I'm barely clothed but at this moment I couldn't care less…not now…not with him waiting innocently and patiently for me to sing. I run my fingers through his soggy hair trying to soothe him as I begin to sing as I sing for him.

No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you

He runs his fingers over my necklace playing with the pearl as I sing to him softly.

Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you

I look down at him as moves his hand from my necklace and onto my wavy hair but I don't pull him away I simply sing.

Say you'll love me every waking moment
Turn your head with talk of summer time
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
I notice his eyes begin to close and his hand becomes still in my hair.

Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you

His eyes finally close and his face is serene he looks so young as he sleeps I think to myself as I gently take his hand from my hair and place it on his abdomen. I run my hand down his face and I continue to sing not caring that he's asleep not caring that the next words I utter are from my heart and not just part of a song.

All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you

Love me, that's all I ask of you.

I end the song softly pulling away from him looking down at the young victor. It's then I remember he's only nineteen that he won when he was a child that he lost his parents in an inexplicable accident. Here in bed he seems so alone this isn't the charming and arrogant Finnick Odair this is a lost boy that was raised by his mentor and had no friends back home except perhaps the other victors.

'' you're a broken soul aren't you?'' I ask as I push a lock of hair from his face.

I gently move off the bed careful not to disturb him but a pleading voice stops me.

'' Don't go. Stay with me the night.''

Turning I see Finnick awake the fear back in his eyes as he looks up at me.

'' I can't,'' I whisper.

'' please Anwyn I promise I won't try anything I just don't want to be left alone,''

Closing my eyes and then reopening them I make my decision as I walk to the door ignoring his heartbreaking stare.

'' An…''

He stops talking when he sees me turn from the door as I turn off the lights and walk back to his bed using the light of the moon to guide me. He pulls the duvet back as I lay down beside him again his eyes surprised but he quickly recovers as he wraps the blanket around us both. We face each other as I rest my head on a feather soft pillow just gazing at one another before I run my hand down his arm and begin to sing to him again lulling us both to sleep.

It's a surprise to wake up so refreshed and at ease no nightmares or thoughts plaguing my mind just peace and quiet. I nuzzle my face into my pillow but I quickly stop when instead of being met by a pillow I'm met by hard muscle and the blanket that folds around me are arms strong and tan arms. Pulling away gently I see I'm wrapped in Finnick's arms while he sleeps peacefully and innocently as a baby. Gently moving Finnick's arms off me I sit up looking down at him how can someone that has killed and slept with half of the women of the capitol look so pure?

I run my hand down his strong jaw over his nose and cheek before stopping at his lips wondering if they were as soft as they looked. Looking back at his eyes making sure he was still sound asleep I do something that I would never have done but suddenly now I felt the urge to do. I lower my lips to meet his and kiss him softly but as I pull away I feel a hand on the back of my head and I'm met with bright sea green eyes.

'' Don't stop,'' he says and before I can react he pulls me down for a kiss and I'm nothing but obligated to respond.

Because a mermaid always responds to a kiss.

You may now all jump in joy! Happy early Christmas hope you guys enjoyed! Lots of love please review and thanks again for the love!

P.S. I used parts of the song All I Ask of You from the Phantom of the Opera I think it was a fitting song for them.