As I lift my hand, conflicting emotions assault me. This reminds me too much of a moment not to long ago, when the raising of my hand sent another to their death. It couldn't have been helped, really. But it haunt me each night.

We had been in the Capitol a few days. Annie and Nolan were finishing up their training and had their personal sessions with the Gamemakers today. Nolan, it turned out, was pretty good with a trident, as I had been in my own games. His father is one of the fisherman of District Four, and apparently he spent a lot of time spearing fish with his son. I had given Annie a few trident lessons during the short time of our friendship. Just for fun. I never thought she would actually use it.

She did recall what I taught her, though, so I told her to how the gamemakers her skill. Hopefully, between herself and Nolan, the gamemakers would decide to place a trident in the arena. They had allied together, anyway, so it wouldn't matter who got it.

At first I was wary to allow Annie to ally with the Career pack. She is one of them, of course, being from District Four. But she just isn't like them, and I had a feeling that that might get her a knife in the back.

After all, she had made a shining entrance during the Tribute Parade. Clad in a mermaid costume of shimmering green, she had stood apart from the rest. I thought I saw jealously reflected back at her. And jealousy in the arena is not good.

Besides, Annie told me that she didn't know if she could kill anyone anyway. I wasn't sure if I had convinced her otherwise, but I had decided that allying her with the Careers would at least keep her alive until I figured out what to do next. Rarely does a Career die within the first few days.

The two of them came back from their interview without any emotion. They said they had done well, but neither thought they had been exceptional. I hadn't really expected much more. Nonetheless, I hoped their tribute entrance would gain them some points with the Gamemakers.

That night, we sat around the television with their stylists to find out their scores. The boy from District One, Thorn, received an eleven, a prestigious honor as far as scores go. His partner, Thistle, was given a nine. The boy from two got a ten, his partner the same. The tributes from three scored low as usual. Then came Nolan, with a nine. He must be better than even he stated. Annie's face appeared on the screen, and I held my breath. Then they were flashing a seven under her picture. I closed my eyes. It wasn't awful, but it might be difficult to pick up sponsors with a score like that. I gave her hand a squeeze. Her entrance at the parade, however little the gamemakers may have cared, would definitely help when it comes to sponsors. And her interview tomorrow could seal the deal, if she plays it right.

She gives me a small smile, but she knows as well as I do what a seven means.

Nolan is excited, though, and goes to bed with a smile on his face. I take Annie into my arms, and she stays there until she falls asleep. I wish I could spend the night here, but I leave her in the hands of an attendant and once again climb on the bus, and give the bus driver a new set of directions.

-/\-

The next day is a rush of activity. I mentor the tributes on their interview, and Mags tries to helps them with their presentation. Reaf, our version of District Twelve's Effie Trinket, is supposed to do that, but she came down with a cold the day before, and is sick in bed. Deathly ill, she told me.

Ya, right.

Nonetheless, we decide on strategies for the two of them. Nolan got a nine, so we decide on fierce. Ready to kill. Ready for anything.

Annie was easy. She got a seven, so there was no option of ferocity or arrogance. Besides, she couldn't play that up if she wanted to. We went with innocent. A genuinely nice person. That way, she doesn't have to play up someone that she is not. And the Capitol often falls for the gentle, innocent ones, as much as they do for the strong, fierce competitors.

It's a game after all. If everyone was strong and capable, there would be fun to it.

The evening comes quicker than I want it too. I wish that I could spend more time with Annie. Wrap her in my arms. Take her away somewhere.

Keep her safe.

But it is not in my power to do that.

The tributes line up behind the stage where their interview with Caesar will take place. Annie is shaking. She looks beautiful. They are still playing up the beautiful mermaid from the sea angle, but this time, she is draped in blue, and gems are embroidered on her dress, giving the appearance that she has just surfaced from the water.

She looks magical.

I place my hand on her shoulder and give her a small squeeze.

"You are going to go amazing. They are going to love you."

She gives me a smile, but I know it's fake.

Which, of course, is understandable.

"Just be yourself," I tell her.

The interview go so fast, and suddenly they are calling her name.

"Annie Cresta."

As she begins to walk towards the stairs to enter the stage, I slip something in her hand. She doesn't need to look, she knows what it is.

I see a genuine smile break out across her face as she walks across the stage.

It was a sugar cube.

She sits down beside Caesar, while the group cheers. Finally, he settles them down, and asks her what she has though of the Capitol so far.

"It's different. It's so big," she responds.

The crowd laughs.

"What is so different about it?" Caesar requests.

Annie smiles nervously,"Well, there are so many people. And, I'm used to having the ocean right outside my door."

Caesar smiles," Missing home, are you."

Annie nods, and I watch a tear fall down the side of her face. She is doing well, but I know that she is not acting.

The crowd sighs softly, and you can see them wiping away tears of their own.

"What do you miss most about home?" Caesar asks her.

Annie thinks for a moment," I miss the beach, watching the sunset. Swimming."

"Did you have someone to watch the sunset with?" Caesar questions. His way of asking if she has a boyfriend back home.

Annie shakes her head, like we discussed,"No, no one back home."

It's the truth. I'm here, not back in District Twelve. Caesar doesn't believe her though, and shakes his head.

"Come on. A mermaid like you must have some fisherman to love. Tell me."

Annie shakes her head,"No, really. There isn't anyone for me back home."

Caesar laughs and shakes his head at the audience, who laugh at his gesture. No one believes her, but Caesar doesn't press the issue.

"So, Annie, what did you think, when your name was drawn from the reaping bowl?"

She goes quiet, and I watch her lips purse lightly together,"I thought, that I had better get a good glimpse of the sea, because it is probably the last time I will ever see it."

I know she is telling the truth. The audience knows this, as well. Caesar knows it.

"Well, I am sure there are many people out here who want to make sure that you get back there."

The audience screams their approval, as the buzzer rings.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Annie Cresta, from District Four," Caesar cries, and kisses her hand.

She head off the stage. I reach out to embrace her as she passes, but she pushes my hand away and heads for the elevator. I follow her, and she turns on me.

"Leave me alone, Finnick. Go find someone else to love. I'm dead, anyway."

Her words break my heart. Possibly because I know that there is a degree of truth in them.

"Annie, I am going to do everything I can to bring you home. The audience loved you. I promise you will have sponsors. As many as everyone else. Maybe more." I don't know if this is the truth, but I have to believe that it is.

She ignores me, and steps onto the elevator. I follow her on, and we ride up to the Fourth Floor in silence.

When we step off, she makes a break for her room, but I grab her hand.

"Annie, don't shut me out. Please."

Her eyes are brimming with tears. I wipe one away that has escaped.

"You promise. You will try to bring me home?" She questions.

"Of course,"I respond," What did you think I would do?"

"Swear it." She responds.

I hesitate. To swear it is to condemn Nolan to death. I am doing that anyway, but to swear seems so final.

"I told you, I promise." I answer.

"Swear it, Finnick." she demands.

I place my left hand on her own, and raise my right. It is a symbol in our district. A promise made is a promise kept. And in that moment, as I raise my hand, I condemn Nolan to death. I condemn everyone to death. Except her. And it breaks my heart to do it. But somehow, I speak the words.

"I swear it."


A/N Hope you are enjoying! Thanks for reading, please review! :)