Chapter 28
"Alright now today will be the recaps so pay attention." Aries tells the tributes.
I still have no idea what to do. Finnick told me just to be myself but, when they ask me things someone has to jump in and save me from the answer. I must be the worst mentor in history.
"Yes, pay attention because this is very important. You also get to see how the rest of the world saw you. If you yourself thought you looked weak then you probably did and that is not desirable." Finnick says. I hate this version of Finnick and the worst part is I can tell he hates it too. I think all of us can tell he hates it. Only the tributes and Aries can't tell the difference.
I watch the tributes, the ones from one and two are the same as usual both volunteers and both have blood lust in their eyes. District three's female is around fifteen and the male is around seventeen, they both look a little on the skinnier side. Next is our District, Chase did volunteer and he looks like he will fit in well with the people from one and two. Maddy didn't volunteer and she is shaking like a leaf. I know Finnick is going to yell at her for being weak so before he gets the chance I want to say something.
"Maddy it will be alright." I say.
She rolls her eyes.
"No, it won't. At least Finnick tells me the truth, even though he is acting like an ignorant jerk." She says.
Finnick shakes his head because he knows I want to say sorry.
I didn't really pay attention until it gets to District Seven.
"At least you didn't do that." Finnick says when they show the female tribute getcalled.
"What's the name again?" Luna asks.
"Johanna Mason." Chase says in a tone that makes me uncomfortable. He wants to kill her and it won't be hard either.
I understand what Finnick meant as soon as that girl's name got call, she barely made it up to the stage and she was in hysterics the whole time. I know I cried when I got called but it was only a few tears this girl is full out sobbing. The thing I don't understand is that she has a decent amount of upper body strength. District Seven is the lumber District she probably knows how to use an axe. That is a useful skill an easy way to kill someone it's probably the same thing as giving Finnick a trident. I think she is just scared, I'm sure he knows how to wield an axe.
"We should forget her yes?" Maddy says.
"No." I say before I can stop the words coming out of my mouth.
"Here we go." I can hear Chase mutter.
"She looks like she could be strong she could just be in shock."
"Speaking from your reaping Annie." He sneers.
"I'm just saying." I mutter.
"No, she's right that's why I asked for her name. You can truly forget about her when they show her score. If it's low she will die in the bloodbath." Luna says.
The rest is business as usual and I feel bad because as the number gets higher the tributes get skinnier.
"Good we will be in the Capitol in an hour. Your mentors will tell you what to expect for the opening ceremonies." Aries says and then leaves the room probably to get all prim and proper for the Capitol.
"So what can we expect?" Maddy whispers.
"It is different but, you only need to worry about getting made up by your stylists. Then when it's time to be presented just smile and wave. It will only last a few seconds. The important part comes from when the scores are posted and the interviews." Mags tells them gently.
Chase looks annoyed and Maddy nods.
"Just project confidence." Finnick adds.
I smile at him. I can tell he is miserable. I think we are all though.
The train slows and I see all of the people I hate and their strange color skin.
We get ushered into the makeup center and wait for Aries to take them to the stylists.
I sigh.
"Does this feeling go away?" I ask.
"What feeling?" Finnick asks.
"Like some fat person is sitting on my chest and making it hard to breathe. I can't do this Finnick." I whisper.
Finnick smiles and brush my hair behind my ear. "Count to ten Cresta. Everything will be okay." He says. I want to say more but I hear a shrill voice call for him.
"There you are Finnick." She smiles.
She has long red hair and pale skin that looks to be surgically enhanced. She has eyes that match the hair and she has long nails that remind me of claws. She is wearing an outfit that reminds me of a school uniform.
I know this girl isn't a friend it's a client and I can hear alarm bells going off. I want to cry but, I keep my composure.
"Hello Rin." He says in the faking charming voice he uses with these women.
"Are you ready?" She giggles.
"Give me a minute please." He says.
"It will be alright after the parade it is just dinner time then bed. It will be alright, I will come to see you once I get back." He says.
I nod. I don't think I will be able to say anything to him.
"Don't cry Annie." He says. "It's not your fault." He strokes my hair and walks off to Rin.
"I'm all yours." He says. She laces her arm with his and they leave. I wonder where they are going. I have a feeling I know what they will be doing.
There's a loud bang noise and something spills all over. It looks like water and it goes up to my knees.
"No." I say to myself and try to run away but, I slip and fall down. That is the last thing I remember.
I wake up and am in my bedroom. The last thing I remember is slipping and falling on the water that was in the makeup center. I don't like a great deal of water, I don't think I will ever be able to go swimming again. I used to love going to the beach and swimming in the ocean but, now it just reminds me of the arena. Something else those games have taken from me.
I roll over. I don't know what time it is and I don't care either. After a few minutes I hear the door open and bolt up.
"It's okay Annie." Finnick says and sits next to me.
"What happened?" I ask.
"You fell down and hit your head."
I touch my head and feel a bump
"Don't worry you're fine it's just...
He trails off.
"Am I going to be okay." I ask worried.
"You're not hurt Annie." He smiles. "You just aren't allowed to leave the suite until the games start." He says.
"Why?"
"Snow doesn't want...
"I don't care what he wants." I mutter.
Finnick pushes my hair behind my ear and kisses my forehead.
"He doesn't want the citizens to see how affected you are from your games."
"Didn't you just tell you that he wanted to sell me for... stuff."
"He does, this deal isn't what it seems. You get sold and they can do whatever they want to, whether you want it or not." He says.
I gulp I know what he means and I feel worse.
"But... what did I do?" I ask again.
"I wasn't there but, from what I've been told you started screaming about water or something and tripped and fell on something. You were in some kind of strange trance. They couldn't get you out of it for a long time."
"I don't remember." I whisper.
"It doesn't matter you don't need to remember. All that you need to know is that you're alright and you're safe and that I love you." He tells me.
I hug him.
"That's all that matters." He whispers and kisses my forehead.
"That is all that matters." I whisper and kiss him.
I hug him tightly and he strokes my hair. I don't want him to leave but, I know he will have to soon. I'm not going to tell him this because I know he doesn't want to leave me and he will feel worse than he already does. I feel bad watching him leave because I won't know if the client he is going to see was one he had to see already or an extra one he has to see because he is protecting me.
