School's almost over! Just two more weeks. Although I heard that in South Dakota (I think it was S.D. I just now it was a northern state) school ends in 3 days. Luckies. Anyway, this is a short one. A lot more action coming soon! Happy Reading!

Chapter 11

Annie examines every berry before picking the safe ones. She passed by nightlock, blueberries, and blackberries. She had Corbin's hand away from his mouth before eating a handful of nightlock. "You'll be dead in minutes". It was as if she was repeating Finnick's words but through her own voice. "Didn't Mags tell you about nightlock"

"She did. I just couldn't identify it. I thought it was a blueberry"

"If that ever happens again, squish the berry. If the juice is purple, it's a blueberry. If it's black, it's nightlock" Corbin nodded his head. Annie wasn't sure when she became the leader, but since she knew a lot more, she was sort of forced to lead. "We have a whole days walk to the dam. We can't stop. This should be enough berries and we've still got water. Ready"?

"You have the medications right"?

"Yeah. We'll only stop to apply more but, that's it"

"Agreed"

They walked in silence for a truly long time. Annie wasn't sure which way they were walking. Everything was all trees and green. No action, no cannon, no tributes, and no threats. Almost as if the arena was emptied out of human life and the tributes from District Four were left there to rot and die on their own. Annie couldn't take much more of the silence and decided to break it.

"What does your family do? Like how my father used to fish with Finnick's dad. What's their profession"?

"They make fish hooks and nets for fishers like your father"

"Did my father ever buy from you"?

"I'm not sure. I'm not really into their business. I was planning on leaving District Four"

He had stunned Annie and now she seemed intrigued "How do you plan on doing that"

"Working extra hard. Maybe I can make it to the Capitol. That's what I want to do"

"To the noisy and rude Capitol? Just days ago, you mentioned how the Capitol was full of shit because the Districts were starving and now you want to be one of them"?

"That's why I want to be like them. I'm done with having days where I go to sleep on an empty stomach. District Four is supposed to be a luxurious district. Where's the luxury? One of the wealthiest. Where's the money?"

"But, you and your family are so happy"

"I'm not. Truthfully, they are annoying"

Annie stopped in her tracks and turned to face Corbin. She could feel the smoke rising from the anger in her heart. How dare he? "Annoying? Do you have any idea what I would give to have a family like yours? Where your mom is alive, your dad loves you and isn't constantly on a hangover? Where at night you have a safe place to go to? A place you can be proud to call home? Be proud of what you have. Give thanks that you're lucky for your family and that you got to spend time with them. Not everyone is as fortunate as you" She kept walking, leaving him stunned in the same spot.

"I'm sorry Annie. I should've thought about it"

"Yes. You should have" Annie stopped. Looking around for evidence of her new, profound thought. "Corbin? If these are woods, then where are the animals? The insects"?

Corbin looked around too and light flashed in his eyes at the realization. "There aren't any"

"That's what I thought. Good thing I'm not crazy" It seemed like a silly thought. But why wouldn't the arena have any animals? Maybe Annie was just looking for an excuse to get her mind away from Corbin. And thinking about Finnick was too painful. They walked in silence again for an immense amount of time. Neither of them saying a single word.

Annie could have guessed at least four hours had passed by when they stopped to apply their ointments. Their wounds were a lot better since last night and they couldn't thank Finnick enough for that. The sun was beginning the set, but it couldn't be called sunset yet. As soon as they got up, they heard a shrilling scream followed by a cannon. Corbin got his knife ready at the same time Annie did. The scream was pretty close to them and they immediately heard the rustling of many people running through the woods. The rustling of leaves was to clear to be more than 50 feet away. Annie whispered loud enough for only Corbin to hear: "Run in the same direction we need to go. Okay"?

"Okay."

"Run"!

They never ran this fast. Not even when escaping the cornucopia. Their lives were truly in danger now. Just by the voices, anyone could tell it was the career pack. The deadliest of all. The tributes from 1 and 2. Also known as, the ones everyone feared the most. Annie didn't dare look back. Not even to check if Corbin was there. She could hear his footsteps right behind her.

Finnick paced the room rapidly now. Mags had forced him and practically dragged him to the suite to shower and nap. He napped for what it seemed 30 minutes and when he went downstairs he finds Annie running while the careers are trying to eat her up alive. He immediately took it on Mags.

"Mags! Why didn't you call me"!

"She's fine. They're doing the smart thing. Finnick you need to calm down. Both are alive"

"For now"

"Wow Odair, you really want to win this year" It was his good friend Johanna Mason from District 7 who won last year and was now mentoring. Both her tributes were dead already.

"Johanna, I'm not up for your jokes or your silly things today"

"Oh, I see that. You're my friend tell me the truth. Is it the money? Or that Annie girl"?

Finnick just stared at Johanna not saying a word. "Finnick Odair, I joined the revolution with you and you still can't trust me"

"Fine Jo. It's Annie. We've known each other since we were born practically and now it's when it's official and this happens"

"Just careful with Snow, Finnick. Talon was killed by him because I stood up against the Capitol. You're standing up against the Capitol and Snow by being with Annie. Especially considering your job. It's a horrible guilt and it destroys you inside"

"Thanks Johanna" She smiled at him and left. She started to talk with Haymitch now. Finnick looked at the screen and observed Annie climbing a tree. Taking her time to get up there. The worst was over and she would settle in for the night.