Chapter 54

I wake up and my body feels sore I pull up my shirt and see the cuts. I also see the bruises on my arms from her pinning me down. I was hoping all of that was just a bad dream, but it wasn't it was real. It was very real.

I roll over and notice something. Then I bolt up.

"Finnick?" I say aloud.

Where would he go. He wouldn't want to leave me alone after what happened.

"Maybe he had to leave." I mutter

I look around and don't see a note or anything. I'm starting to get worried. Did something happen to him.

My hand goes to my neck to grasp the locket but it isn't there. I look at the night table. I only take it off when I shower but I was so upset yesterday I don't think I would've bothered.

It isn't on the bedside table or the one on the other side if the bed. I head to the bathroom and don't see it in there either.

"Did she take my locket." I whisper upset. I like that locket, it reminds me of Finnick when he isn't with me and makes me feel better.

I sink on the bathroom floor.

"Who does that to people?" I ask.

Not about the locked but abusing people and getting pleasure from it even when you hear them begging for mercy. I can feel my eyes filling with tears at memory.

I swallow hard.

"Do not cry she doesn't deserve any more of your tears." I say and drag myself back to bed.

I lie down and try not to cry. I hold a pillow to my chest and it is one Finnick was lying on because it smells like him, what I imagine sunlight would smell like.

I close my eyes and breathe in and out and feel relaxed

I hear the door creak open but don't open my eyes. I don't care about the tributes they volunteered so they know what to do and they clearly didn't want my help.

I feel someone sit next to me and my eyes flicker open. I see Finnick and sigh in relief.

"Annie you're awake." He says.

I sit up and hug him before I say anything.

"Where did you go?" I ask him because there is a strange scent on his clothes. It smells like roses.

He sighs.

"I had to do something that had to do with Cynthia."

"Oh?" I say and hold onto him tighter at the sound of her name.

"Yes I was hoping I didn't have to ask you this but Snow insisted."

I let go and look at him terrified.

"What does he want?" I ask and my heartbeat has accelerated.

"Annie shhhh it's okay he's not going to do anything to you. He just wants your input."

"On what?"

"What happens to Cynthia, this is her second offense on you and since it was more than last time he wants you to get a say."

"Is there a list of options or something?"

Finnick shakes his head.

"No, you tell him what you want and he will either grant it or deny it."

"What should I do?" I ask

"Whatever you want."

"I want to make sure she never does this to anyone again."

"Don't say that to Snow." Finnick says

"Why?"

"Because he will kill her you have to be very specific Annie, and I don't think you want anyone to die."

I nod.

"Do I have to do it right now?" I whisper.

"No just before the games start." He says

I nod and he kisses my cheek.

"Do you want anything Annie?"

"For you not to leave."

He smiles.

"Well today you're lucky because I don't have any clients."

"Why?"

"I just don't." He says even though I think he did something, maybe rearranged his schedule so he could be with me.

I nod and lay back down.

"Okay."

He hugs me but too tightly because I wince.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"Nothing." I say.

"How bad did she get you Annie?" He asks me worried.

"Not much." I say.

"Annie I know what she does to the people she brings back. I saw your legs in the shower and since you are wearing shorts I can see what she did to your thighs. Did she get you anywhere else? You can tell me."

"She does this to everyone?" I ask.

"Different variations of the same thing." He places hair behind my ear and smiles.

"Why?"

"Because she likes it."

"That's strange." I say.

"Trust me Annie there are stranger things than that." He says

I don't want to ask because I'm sure he knows.

"Is it really bad Annie?" He asks

"I think I should just show you." I mutter.

"Okay." He says.

I sigh and take my shirt off and show him. He is trying to hide his expression but I know him too well.

He comes over and runs his hands over the cuts and bruises.

"Watch those hands Mr. Odair." I tease as he touches the one on my chest.

He smiles

"My apologizes Miss. Cresta." He smiles but it doesn't reach his eyes. They are filled with guilt.

I hug him. I hadn't considered that Finnick would feel guilty for this.

"It's okay Finnick." I whisper.

He doesn't say anything just rubs my shoulders.

"This isn't your fault." I say again.

"Then why do I feel like it is?" He whispers so softly I barely hear him.

"Because you're a good person."

He puts his hands in my hair and places his head on my shoulder.

"I love you Annie."

"I know." I smile. He looks up and kisses me and holds me for awhile.

"This wouldn't have happened if-

"Finnick she was crazy, she said she wanted me since the start. If it wasn't for you I would be a part of that deal and she would've bought me. I would've had to do it. There would be no one to save me because then someone I love might die." I say and he strokes my hair.

"Are you happy Annie?" He asks me catching me off guard.

"Generally yes. Why?" I ask.

"Sometimes I think-

"Stop Finnick you make me happy and without you I'm a mess." I say and kiss his cheek.

"Do you wish your name never got called?" He asks.

"Of course why, do you not?"

"No I wish my name didn't get called but with you this is going to sound bad but-

"What?"

"If your name never got called I never would've met you. Is it wrong that sometimes I am glad your name got called." He says and I swallow hard.

He is right if my name never got called I never would have met him. I would still think he is an ego inflated ass and not the sweet gentle person I know now.

"Annie?" He asks his voice sounds afraid.

"It's not wrong to think that Finnick . If my name never got called though people wouldn't whisper and say I'm crazy."

"Annie Cresta you are not crazy." He says and kisses me.

"I love you Finnick Odair I'm glad I met you and found out the real you but,

"If you had to chose to get your name called out you would say no."

"Maybe, I don't know and it doesn't really matter because it happened. All I do know is I can't live without you. I'm in love with you now and that is all that matters." I say and smile.

"I love you too Annie." He whispers.

I hold him for a long time and never want to let go.

"I should say something to Gloss shouldn't I?" He asks.

I shrug

"I don't think it matters either way Finnick he's… odd."

"Well I wouldn't know." He says.

"Finnick you've known him for like-

"He never talks Annie and if I talk with him it is always a one word response. I don't even know his eye color."

"They're brown." I say remembering them looking at my head wounds.

Finnick nods.

"It's true what everyone says."

"About what?"

"He didn't volunteer."

"Interesting. I'm not very surprised because Cashmere-

"He hates her Finnick." I say.

"He hates his sister?"

"Or at least the way she acts. He said they aren't close. He isn't like her or the rest of the victors from One and Two. He still has humanity." I say.

He nods

"I still think I should say something."

"Finnick he knows, he's fine."

"I feel like I should thank him this could've been so much worse Annie."

"I know." I whisper.

"Well I feel like I should do something."

"You don't have to do anything he knows." I say again.

"I guess." He says and runs his fingers across my collar bone.

"Finnick?" I ask and he stops touching me and looks at me.

"Yes?"

"Do you remember if I was wearing the locket when I came back."

"I wasn't paying attention to that. Can you not find it?"

I nod.

"Do you think she took it?" He asks

"Maybe." I whisper.

"Don't worry Annie." He kisses my forehead. "I'm just glad you're alright."

"But it made me feel safe."

He shrugs.

"Well I'm here with you right now and it will be okay Annie."

I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

We hear the elevator ding.

"I thought you said you didn't have clients." I whisper.

"I don't, it's probably Aries." He says.

I put on my shirt and we go out to investigate. It isn't Aries it's Gloss and he is talking to an Avox.

"Oh you're here." He says in the deadpan voice and walks over here.

"You forgot this probably when cleaning the blood off of it." He says.

"That's where it was."

"It seemed important to you so I thought I would deliver it-

He gets cut off from me hugging him.

His body stiffens as if to reject me but I don't let go.

"Thanks." I whisper.

He touches my shoulders probably so I will let go and I do.

"I didn't realize it was that special or else I would've given it to you last night." He says.

"Doesn't matter. Thank you." I say again.

He nods and turns around to head to the elevator. Finnick walks over and says something to him probably thank you or something. Not like it matters I don't think Gloss cares about that. When I said thank you he just nodded he didn't even get a you're welcome.

I put on the locket and feel better.

Finnick walks back over here.

"She didn't take it." Finnick says and kisses my cheek.

"I know." I whisper and hug him.

"Finnick." I whisper after a while.

"Yes?"

"Can we do this thing with Snow now." I whisper.

"Are you sure?" He asks me surprised.

"Might as well get it over with now. Then all of this will be behind me."

Finnick smiles and kisses my forehead.

"Okay, Snow said I could come with you at any time."

I nod.

He takes my hand and we go to the lobby and out to a car. Finnick seems to have done this many times. I figure out why quickly it is probably because he does this to be taken to clients.

He talks with the driver and then the car starts to take off.

"Have you thought of what to say to him?" Finnick asks.

"Can he just lock her up forever?"

"Possibly" He says but his tone of voice says no.

"What's wrong with that?"

"They are more fond of the death penalty and not life sentences."

"I don't want to kill her." I whisper.

"Maybe they will turn her into an Avox then."

"I don't want them to cut out her tongue either." I say.

"Annie they don't really have jails here, there is usually some form of punishment and then you have a record."

"I don't want to hurt her." I whisper.

"I know Annie but, no matter how you slice this she is going to get hurt."

"Can you just do the talking?" I whisper.

"Yes and no."

"What does that mean?" I ask confused and annoyed.

"Snow wants to hear from you. You're going to have to say something." He whispers.

"I would rather them let her go then have to see Snow again." I mumble.

He smiles and kisses me.

"It's okay Annie." He says. I grip his hand and lean into his shoulder until we are at the Presidential mansion. Last time I was here was for my Victory Tour. That seems like it was a lifetime ago, even though it was more than a year ago. I shiver at the memories.

Finnck leads the way. I get the feeling he comes here often by the way he is so familiar with everything.

We reach the front door and there is a guard at the door.

The man checks his clipboard.

"I don't have a reason why you are here Finnick. What is your reason for coming?" He asks

"Is Annie Cresta on that list?" He asks.

"Yes for legal obligations." He says.

"Well I'm her plus one." Finnick says.

"Very well. He's in his office I know you don't need an escort." He says and Finnick leads me down a hallway.

"How often do you come here?" I ask.

"I get my client list here so every time I go to the Capitol."

"Oh." I say.

He nods and we reach his office. Finnick knocks and we are greeted with the response of come.

We get into the room and it is just like I remembered from the Victory Tour.

"Of good Mr. Odair you brought Miss. Cresta please have a seat." He says. If I didn't know any better I would say he was being nice. But it isn't a request it is a demand.

We sit and Snow smiles that crooked smile he seems to love.

"It's lovely to see you again Miss. Cresta I do wish it was under better circumstances though." He smiles.

Again if I didn't know better I would think he was being genuine but I know better.

"I-I guess." I stutter.

"Good well I'm sure Finnick filled you in. Do you have a request or did you just want me to take care of it myself.

"I don't want you to hurt her or kill her." I say.

"So you want her to go free with no punishment."

"No, I just- what would you do if I left this up to you?" I ask him and he seems surprised by this.

"Well this is her second offense and she has been illegal obtaining drugs because she can't buy them anymore. I would say I would probably order the death penalty."

"But-

"People have been killed for a lot less Miss Cresta."

He didn't have to tell me that the Hunger Games are a prime example.

"I understand but I don't want to be the reason she is dead."

"She won't be. She broke the law and there are consequences to that."

"Just don't kill her." I say.

"That's your request not to he killed."

I nod. I don't think I can talk my way out of her not getting hurt.

"Yes."

"Very well. Is there anything else you desire Miss. Cresta?"

"What do you mean?"

"A sort of compensation to this unfortunate event."

"No thank you." I say I have a feeling it would come with lots of strings anyways.

"This was very civil." He smiles. "You are now free to leave." He says and I get up but Finnick doesn't.

"Don't kill her." Finnick says again.

"That is what I told Miss. Cresta." He smiles.

Finnick studies him and then gets up to leave. Finnick takes my hand and I lace my fingers with his.

We get back in the car and Finnick looks mad.

"What's wrong?" I ask him.

"I just get this feeling he is going to kill her anyways."

"He said he wasn't going to-

"But you asked him what he was going to do. I think he did this as more of a formality for you. I'm pretty sure he had arraignments to kill her already."

"I don't think so Finnick."

He looks at me and sighs with disapproval because I know he is right. Prescient Snow isn't the kind of man to take requests. In my head though she just got some kind of torture and wasn't killed. Even though she abused me no one deserves to die for something so small.