Author's Note: Hey everyone! I was unfortunately too busy last night to update, so this next chapter had to wait until today. And guess what?! There should be only about 4 more chapters until Annie's games! If you have any ideas for them, please review and let me know. I am so excited to write them!
Speaking of reviews, thank you sooooo much to my latest reviewers: houseofme, Odestalovebaby, PurpleKittyFangirl, Guest, julieta (Guest), isamags2, emtyler01, and Jaspersluva123456. I recieved a lot more reviews on the latest chapter than I usually do, so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
This is in reply to julieta(Guest) review: I'm really REALLY glad you enjoy reading this story and that you like the characters! I know that Annie's games are coming up soon (like I said, 4 more chapters) and Finnick and Annie are going to become a lot closer in the next chapter. But, they aren't really going to become an official couple until after. Oh, and don't worry about your English! I can understand what your saying and that's all that's imporant! :)
Also I want to give a shout out to Violetelephants and stella brillare for following! I really appreciate it! :)
Here's the chapter! I hope you enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: These characters still belong to Suzanne Collins...
Annie Cresta:
The next two days pass by in a whirlwind of training and strategizing with Finnick. My time is completely devoted to preparing for the games and I spend quite a bit of time with my mentor, whether it's to go over my survival notes or just talk about life back in District 4.
Finnick's father was a fisherman just like my dad and he would go out to help him when he wasn't at school. His mother ran a jewelry shop, spending all her time fabricating necklace after necklace made out of beautiful shells and sea glass. He told me about his little sister, Marina, and shared numerous stories about the trouble they would cause together. She was 4 years younger than Finnick, but he said that by the time she was four he had already taught her multiple pranks. Apparently they were little trouble-makers, which is not very surprising knowing Finnick.
Finally after my second day of training, Finnick told me about the accident that ended his family's lives. He said they went out in their fishing boat one day and they just never returned. He was told later that their boat sank and they drowned. Finnick was only 15 at the time, so Mags took him in and ever since then the old lady has been his only family.
My heart broke at his story; it pains me to think of the life Finnick has had to live. I can hardly remember a time when I thought Finnick was the vain and corrupt Capitol sweetheart, for know I feel as though I have known him for all my life.
When Finnick told me the story of his family's death, I found myself telling mine before I could even think twice. Instead of telling him the real story that Macaulay wrote to me, I told him what I was always told: that my parents died in a car accident on the way to a fishing clinic. I don't know why I didn't tell him the truth; maybe it was because I was still having a hard time believing it myself, or maybe it is just because I don't want Finnick to know my mother as a weak lady who committed suicide. Despite her selfish act, she was strong and brave and she deserves a good reputation.
I told him how Macaulay dropped out of university to take care of me, and I even told him about the anxiety attacks that took over my life ever since Mom and Dad died.
"Marina had anxiety too. I thought you might the other day when you were getting your ankle surgery," Finnick had told me at the time.
"So that's why you were so good with calming me down at the hospital. I've been meaning to thank you for that," I had replied. It was strange how much Finnick and I had in common; how much we were alike. I know Mags sees it too and her prediction was correct, Finnick and I are friends.
Knowing all this about him, makes me only worry more when he is away with his clients. I can't stop thinking about how he doesn't deserve the life he is living; he doesn't deserve to be the Capitol's sex symbol. The guilty and pained look on his face troubles me whenever he arrives back to the hotel after one of his dates. He tries to pretend that he isn't bothered, but I know that this is breaking him by the way he showers for hours a day and how he won't touch me after he gets back. His skin stays a bright red and I questioned him about it yesterday.
"Why is your skin always so red?" I had asked, oblivious at the time. Finnick looked startled at my question and he took a while to reply.
"I guess I'm just sun burnt," he has said, but I immediately knew he was lying. It would be impossible for Finnick to burn, for his bronze skin would be used to all the sun back in District 4. Besides, the Capitol is hardly sunny at all!
I figured out later that day why his skin was really so red, after he had taken another hour long shower. He couldn't possible scrub himself so much and not cause his skin any damage. I felt horrified when I first discovered this and I still feel terrible at the thought.
When I wasn't with Finnick, I was usually training down in the training center. My fake alliance with 11 is still set; Finnick confirmed it with their mentors, Seeder and Chaf, today. He still isn't fond with the idea, but there's no going back now and I'm so close to finding out their plan.
I have an hour left before I meet with the game makers and I am determined to know it before then. It is my last chance, as today is the last day of training and the games start in 2 days. I even managed to join the Careers yesterday, something that I had thought was impossible. I still don't really understand why they let me in; it took a lot of Finnick convincing their mentors and a lot of practicing with a spear.
After Finnick had ran away the night that he taught me how to throw a spear, I stayed up for the remainder of the night practicing. I was exhausted the next morning, but it was worth it, for I could hit the target almost anytime I tried. I didn't realize how strong pulling in loaded nets of fish really made me and all I really had to practice was my aim.
"You should try to join the Careers now," Clarissa had whispered in my ear. "Remember our plan?" I nodded, still feeling guilty that I tricked her and her brother. They trusted my wholly and completely, but I am just using them. I had to remind myself that this is the games; this is what I must do to survive, as I walked over to the group of Careers.
"Hey, I'm Annie," I had greeted them.
"Oh, we know, sweetheart," Ryker had replied, earning a giggle form Kenzie and Ribbon. Jeremiah just glared at me, his arms crossed, as if he was asking why on Panem I dared to talk to them.
"So…are you guys excited for the games?" I had asked, lamely, trying to start the conversation. I didn't know how I was going to convince them to ask me to join their group. I knew that if I asked to join, they would just laugh in my face. I needed them to want me.
"We're overjoyed! But I'm sure you must be terrified, being all small and such," Ribbon said, stepping in front of Ryker with a smirk on her face.
"I'm not scared at all!" I lied. "Being small actually helps me. I can climb and swim much faster."
"Good for you. Know run along and play with your little district partner; we have work to do!" Kenzie had interrupted, shooing me away. I had nodded and ran over to the spear station, feeling the Career's eyes on my back. I immediately grabbed a spear, determine to start while I still had their attention. I stood in position, remembering what Finnick had taught me, and chucked the weapon towards the dummy. It stuck right where it's heart would be, causing a satisfied smile to play on my lips.
I continued grabbing spears, throwing them as quickly as possible at the surrounding dummies, until they were all flat on their back, oozing fake blood.
As soon as I finished, I walked over to the edible plant station without a glance at the Careers. I kept a bored expression on my face, but deep down I was screaming in excitement. I had no idea how I managed to perform so well and with an audience, too.
As I was reviewing what I knew about plants with the expert, Kenzie came over, pulling me away.
"Hey, Annie. Just to make it clear we don't like you, but I think that you should join us," Kenzie had said abruptly, startling me.
"Okay…thanks," I had replied. "But why?"
"We saw you with the spear, you're pretty good. We could use you," she answered. I was about to hug her or do something crazy, but I quickly calmed myself down. I had to make myself sure that they weren't just tricking me as a plan to kill me.
"Well, I was thinking of staying alone. With Kye of course," I lied, trying to look hesitant.
"Oh…I guess your little friend could join us too," She insisted, making me feel wonderful. District 4 was hardly ever a part of the Career pact and now Kye and I were both members!
"How do we know you won't just kill us?" I asked. Kenzie waved her hand like that was a silly thing to ask.
"Of course we'll kill you if it comes down to it. But to start we could work together. I'm sure you'll have lots of sponsors and we need food," She said, basically admitting that they were planning on using me. Somehow her comment still managed to comfort me. Kye and I would just have to leave after most of the tributes were killed, before they kill us themselves. Finnick is going to be so proud of me! I had thought at the time.
Later that day, I had confirmed the alliance with the Careers, being sure to avoid Clarissa and Chaplin. I even ate lunch with Ryker, Jeremiah, Kenzie, and Ribbon, and the next day I trained with them. Thankfully the tributes from District 11 still thought I was just following through with our plan. I had everyone exactly where I wanted them and for the first time ever, I felt in control.
Now I'm sitting in the dining room, waiting to be called to see the Gamemakers. Ribbon had just gone in a few minutes ago, so it will still be a while before it's my turn. Last night Finnick and I decided that I should stick to throwing spears. I have gotten quite good at using the weapon, so I should get an okay score. All I need is a score big enough to get me sponsors, but not so big that I have a target on my back. I'm hoping for an 8 or a 9.
Kye is sitting beside me, drumming his small fingers nervously on his knee. I was meaning to ask what he is planning on doing, but I didn't get the chance. I don't want to ask him now, for someone could hear and I'm sure Kye wants to keep it a secret.
Across from me are Chaplin and Clarissa, whispering in each other's ears and I know that now is my last chance to figure out their plan.
"I'll be right back," I mumble to Kye, heading over to where my fake allies are sitting.
"Hey, Annie. We were meaning on talking with you," Clarissa greets me. Chaplin nods in my direction. I've learned over the last 3 days that he is not a man of many words.
"Hey. I just thought we should talk about strategy before we meet with the gamemakers. We're still allies, right?" I ask them.
"Of course! Chaplin and I are both planning on showing all the traps and snares we can make. You're throwing spears, right?" Clarissa replies.
"Yup. By the way I have found some information about the Careers," I lie. Last night I came up with some fake information I can tell them, to make it look like I'm doing my job. "They are planning on sending 3 people out to hunt tributes down, leaving the rest to guard all the food and supplies they are hoping to collect at the blood bath." Chaplin and Clarissa both nod, believing me.
It's hard to believe how much I have lied over the past few days; I always used to be innocent little Annie Cresta, but the games are changing me just as they changed Finnick. The thought makes me feel sick to my stomach, so I shake my head to clear it. I still have to find out this plan.
"Do you have any plans on what we should do in the arena?" I ask the siblings. They share a glance and then Clarissa nods.
"We have a plan, but how do we know we can trust you?" Chaplin asks, crossing his arms.
"I just joined the Careers for you, risking creating a huge target on my back by getting you information. And you're wondering if you can trust me?" I ask, feigning disbelief.
"Clarissa, you can tell her," He says after a long moment of consideration. My heart beats excitedly as Clarissa opens her mouth to tell me their plan.
"Okay, but you can't tell anyone," she whispers. I nod and she continues. "We're not planning on killing anyone. Instead we are trying to put an end to the games. Our older brother died in them 2 years ago trying to pull this off, and we are planning on achieving his goal. We're going to capture everyone in that net you know how to make, and then we are going to remove the tracker from each of their arms. Soon no one will have a tracker and the game makers won't be able to track us down. We'll be safe and we can find a way to destroy the arena so we can all escape!"
I'm sure my jaw drops open when she explains her plan. It reminds me of Macaulay's letter, for cutting the trackers out of the tributes arms was exactly what his real father did to Mom.
"Wow," I mutter, lost for words. Clarissa sounds so excited, but she must know that the plan will never work. There are cameras all through the arena and we can't break out of it! This plan is impossible, but I don't want to insult them.
"That's a great idea!" I say instead, heading back to sit with Kye once again. Their plan was nothing like I thought it would be. I thought for sure it would be a plan to kill the other tributes, but instead they are trying to save us. Clarissa and Chaplin are wonderful people, which makes me feel even worse for tricking them.
Suddenly I feel horrified at how selfish I have been. I have fooled the two most selfless tributes I have ever heard of, so that I would live. I don't want to run off with the Careers, more than anything I want to team up with Clarissa and Chaplin and help them with their plan. I want to go down in history as Annie Cresta, the fragile girl who put an end to the Hunger Games.
Stop it Annie! I scold myself. President Snow is powerful; he is deceiving and he would never ever be allow for him to be deceived. If I try to help Clarissa and Chaplin, I will end up dead. However mad I might be at Macaulay right now for keeping secretes, I can't leave him alone. I can't leave Finnick, for I am the only friend he really has. I have to stop thinking of the 70th Hunger Games as reality and think of them as more, well, a game. I have to win!
"Annie Cresta," a voice calls out over the speakers.
Kye gives me an encouraging look and I step into the training centre. With this newfound determination on my mind, I am ready to show the gamemakers what Annie Cresta is really made of!
Please let me know what you think! I'm sorry if this chapter was boring; I'm trying to get to the games as quickly as I can so this story gets more interesting. I also apologize that there aren't any Odesta moments in this chapter, but don't worry! I think you'll like what you read in the next chapter (lets just say that Finnick and Annie spent ALOT of time together...)
Like always, PLEASE review! And please check out my other Odesta fanfic. It's called Under The Sea: Odesta Oneshots. If you have any prompts you would like to suggest for it you can leave them in a review or you can PM me.
I'm hoping to post the next chapter either tomorrow or the day after!
THANKS FOR READING! :)