Romance! Hunger Games are not mine.
"Finnick Odair! Only 5 years and you have your first victor how does it feel?"
"Amazing, I'm so happy." I smile. Actually I hate it. The love of my life is in so much pain because of it. It feels horrible. It's all my fault.
"So can you give us some details on Annie's recovery?" Details? I want to spit on Ceaser. No, you can't have details, just leave her alone.
"Well the Games affect us all Ceaser. Annie is still a little water-logged and seeing her brother isn't helping. That was a very despicable moment." I look up towards the Game Makers, as if my statement was geared towards them.
"Let's watch the recap! You can even tell us some of the exciting things that were going on backstage!"
"Of course!" I smile and laugh. Go kill yourself, all of you. Maybe then we could all escape this hell.
We watch the games. I watch my little Annie, they keep rewinding to show her face when Ken is decapitated. I want to yell at the editors. Then they cut to her yelling my name underwater and it tears me apart all over again. But this time I can't be the victim. This time, I have to be the one to stay strong.
I smell the blood and the roses before he even comes near me. I could probably do it. With my hands, kill Snow, right now. But what would that accomplish? Annie would be stuck, alone, and killed in a horrible way. That will never happen.
He hands me the crown and looks me evilly in the eye.
"Very lucky boy, don't let it happen again."
I laugh, so the audience thinks he told me a joke. He offers his hand for a handshake, and I refuse and turn to the audience and hold it over my head with pride.
"For Annie!" I call out as the crowd breaks into applause.
I can still feel Snow's death glare from the beaches back at District 4. But at least Annie, or at least Annie's body, is with me.
I brush through her hair with my fingers. I let her sit there soaking in the sun.
"Today was great Annie. There were so many fish in the ocean, they all swam around me. I couldn't bring myself to even shoot them they were so beautiful you would have loved it."
I take her emotionless hand, "I love you Annie."
I lay her head in my lap and begin braiding her hair. Little braids here and there, intricate ones. And when her entire head is tied up I untie them all. Letting little waves fall over her shoulders. I lean back. Where are you Annie? I know you're in there. Trapped in your head.
I move her over and run to jump in the water. Like I do everyday. But it's not the same without Annie. Even the fish and creatures seem different and sad. I take a deep breath and grab armfulls of clams. I bring them to shore with me. Prying each one of them open.
No pearls.
Annie loves pearls. They're her birth gem as well.
"When I find the pearl Annie, you'll come back." I stroke her hand.
And so goes everyday. They're not like the days before the games. They're not innocent. We're both in pain. I whisper to Annie, I call her name like she did to me.
I know she's wrestling the images, trying to make the screams stop so she can hear the voice. I tell her about my day, I talk about Mags and how I need to visit her soon. Mags had a stroke while I was watching over Annie. She's recuperating at the City Hall... but she mumbled for me to stay with Annie. Still, I can't leave the two people left in my family.
Annie gives off little motion. But I will never give up. I hold her hand firmly. Putting it on my beating heart.
"I love you Annie. Come back to me Annie."
I know none of it helps anyone but me, Annie will come back when she wants. I dive in to get the clams.
Everyday like the last. Not perfect, but not horrible. Just waiting. Annie always said I was patient, but I've never longed for her like this.
I stroke her hair as I crack open a clam. And the white little pearl falls out. It brings me to tears. Annie isn't back yet. I knew it was pointless. But I still talk to her.
"Annie, I love you so much. Look even our lady, the ocean wants you back. She gave you this pearl. Oh, Annie I -"
"-love you."