Hunger Games are not mine.


I am awoken by an early clock and taken downstairs. We are driven a bit, and have the trackers placed in our arms. When we land I expect to find Noqall but just see Bex there. Smiling. What? I can not deal with this confusion the entire games.

"Okay, time for you to do some talking! Why are you here, how do you know so much about the districts? You're a Capitol girl!"

"Well that's no way to talk to someone who has helped you so much..."

"Helped me?" I laugh a bit. "All you've done is confuse me!"

She sighs, "Finnick, do you know who my father is? The head gamemaker. I can do and go wherever I want. I find what you are doing to be intriguing."

"And what am I doing exactly?"

"Playing a little game... with Jabberjays and Mockingjays... all of it. You're taking part."

The countdown begins. She runs and gives me a hug.

"I'm sorry if I confused you, but it will all make sense eventually. I am really trying to help, and it doesn't end here. Finnick, I love you. I do. But I know who you really love. And I promise to protect her."

"That's great Bex, but I don't know what my odds are in this game."

She looks up at me, through those glasses. "They're in your favor," she smiles.

"10 seconds." A robotic voice calls out.

I head into the pod and watch the girl as we wave goodbye. Something in the back of my mind tells me this is the last time we'll see each other again.

And then I smell it. The salty water, the warm breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the sand. I open my eyes and smile widely at the sea water surrounding me, and the palm trees on the beach.

Oh, is this a place for a boy from the water.

...

I eagerly await the countdown, practically mouthing the numbers myself. I can't wait to dip my head in the water and let the ocean consume me. The island a bit north from me is small, and filled with palm trees and then a thick forest I'm not really used to. I look at the golden Cornucopia and get ready. 30 seconds. I look around me, I can't spot Katniss, just Peeta, so Katniss must be on the other side.

Being from District 12 I don't expect them to be able to swim. I look at Gloss's glare, everyone knows I have a distict advantage being on the water right now.

I get itchy with excitement. Five, Four, Three, Two... I dive in. Letting the water rush into my mouth as I smile. I look at the beautiful creatures below me. I notice the belt they have on us is keeping me from drowning, I make it to the Cornucopia in seconds. Using my typical strokes.

I rush into the mouth and giddily grab some tridents and nets. My eyes stop when I spy Katniss ready to launch an arrow through me.

"District 12 huh? Didn't know there were any lakes around you guys." I say slowly taking my trident and getting it ready in kill position. "Good thing we're allies huh?" I smile, flashing the bracelet. Her eyes stare at it, unsure. I see Woof running up behind her. "Duck!" I yell. She does what I say without hesitation.

I pierce the trident right through him. Poor guy, let alcohol consume him. Guess the little Victor-hand holding didn't really go too far for some people. The canon sounds, first kill goes to Finnick Odair. I look at Katniss who seems grateful.

"I'm going to get Peeta." I step in closer to her, watching the other tributes figure out the floatation device, I see Mags start to paddle. Good, can't leave her, she's one of the few people who still likes me. I bet the cameras are catching the big beam on my face right now, the games couldn't be more perfect for me. I look at Katniss ready to go for Peeta. When she goes in, I know she plans on breaking away from me.

"No, I will... you have the baby!" I say outrageously playing up her secret. She blushes a bit and I dive in. Swimming to Peeta in no time. I look up at him as I bob in the water.

"Need a hand bread-boy?" I smile. He laughs and graciously takes my hand as I help him down into the water. He looks nervously as he almost sinks, but I throw him on my shoulder and he clasps his hands over my chest as I paddle us back to shore, Mags and Katniss meet us there.

"I've only ever been in the bathtub at my victor's house. I've never swam before."

"Never too late to learn, first we should get safe though." We head onto the sandy beach as Gloss, Cashmere, Brutus, and Ebonaria come up. "Don't trust 1 and 2," I lay out flatly. The bloodshed begins and we're on our way running through the forest. I smash the small leafy greens at my feet, leaving a large path for Mags to follow through.

I watch her panting, "Hey guys, let's take a break for a moment." I help Mags sit down. It is really hot in this arena and humid. I am sweating like crazy. I am also getting thirsty, but so far we've only seen saltwater.

Katniss goes up a tree to look back at the Cornucopia. I know what she is seeing, but I refuse to look. I refuse to see my friends all slaughtered by each other. She comes back down, with a depressed look on her face.

"Didn't stop fighting did they?"

"Nope."

"That's right, because these are still Games Katniss, no amount of hand holding will change that."

I watch her inch for her bow and I carefully pull out my trident and nonchalantly hold it on my shoulder. I taught her in the training center what I can do from this position. We are caught in a staring contest. She wants to end the alliance now, but I can't let her. I promised Haymitch. If I have to carry this girl around on my back with broken bones to keep her quiet, I'll do it.

"We're all capable of being killers, Katniss." I look over at Peeta showing a rock to Mags, "except Peeta maybe." She continues to inch on me. I make a note not to mention him again.

Peeta walks up in front of me.

"Guys, let's keep looking for water. We're all getting thirsty. I bet there's some up there!" He points north and I shrug. I'm glad he stepped between me and Katniss. I get back in line and we keep moving. The arena is interesting. Very thick, with all sorts of new plants that I am sure most of are poisonous.

We walk for a while and I carelessly look around getting bored. I hear Katniss yell and I stop, but only for a minute while Peeta's entire body gets thrusted into me. We both tumble back and Katniss runs up screaming. She holds Peeta. I look at them. I watch her hold him in her arms and cry. She loves him. Whether she knows it or not. She holds her head to his lifeless chest. Nothing.