CHAPTER 4: HIM

Needless to say, the train journey was a quiet one, an uncomfortable silence overhanging. Calum sat by the window, absent-mindedly counting every electrified fence we passed, taking into account every district that appeared and just as rapidly disappeared from view. Our mentors, Finnick Odair and Mags Flanagan sat at a table, deep in conversation as they sipped lightly on drinks. Everyone seemed to have something or the other occupying them, whereas I just lay sprawled on my seat, a million thoughts in my head all at once, confusing me even more.

I wanted to talk to them, ask them how in the world I was supposed to do this, but the words caught in my throat. I couldn't even muster the courage to walk up to them and ask them how I could prevent, or at least delay my inevitable death. That's when Orion's words came back to me. I was Annie Cresta, unafraid to speak my mind. And that's exactly what I was about to do.

"Um," I cleared my throat, slowly getting up from my seat. Finnick Odair turned around and smiled warmly at me, his bronze skin glowing in the slanted sunlight that rushed through the window. He arched an eyebrow questioningly, those sea green eyes that were the talk of the town looking me up and down, as if sizing me up and making up his mind as to what kind of tribute I would be. With a jolt, I realised he was barely a year older than me.

Finnick was a hero of sorts, back home in District 4. They say it was because he was one of the youngest Victors in the history of the Games, having won at the age of fourteen, just five years ago. But the truth behind his popularity was his breathtaking good looks, which, I'm sure, drove every girl in Panem crazy with desire. Lust. Greed. Not love. But not me, I never believed in 'love at first sight', I always thought that was just a stupid saying made up by those too desperate for companionship.

"Annie, right?" He asked, pulling up a third chair between him and Mags. "Join us."

I nodded, sliding into the chair and pulling a plate full of fancy looking sweets towards me before looking at Finnick and Mags, silently offering them the first bite. He laughed, a low, deep sound laced with mirth, one that relieved my worries about the Games, albeit momentarily. A sound that I would probably be able to forget.

"Oh no, help yourself! I remember my first Games, I think I wolfed down seven plates of these during the journey to the Capitol itself! But over countless journeys to the Capitol, I'm afraid, I've lost my taste for these. Would you like a sugar cube, Annie?"

I stared at him, surprised. Sugar cubes? Where did those come from? I smiled and shook my head politely, as I put one of the sweets in my mouth. They were splendidly done, with the delicate exterior bursting open as I took a bite, sweet caramel seeping from it. It was bliss personified.

"So," I said, finally swallowing the sweet. "How do we do this? What advice can you give me?" I was determined to spend every minute I could spare with my mentors, but not for the reason every other girl from back home would imagine. I meant business, I wanted to live to tell the horrific tale of the Capitol and its twisted ways; how they pampered their tributes for a week before dispatching them into the arena, raising them like pigs for slaughter.

Finnick shook his pretty head, laughing once again. "Why the hurry, Annie? I want to get to know you first. Tell me something about you. What do you like doing back at home?"

I hesitated, not wanting to share my personal life with a stranger. But looking into his smiling eyes, I knew he wasn't the type of person who'd hurt me. Not yet, at least. And, he was my mentor. My life, starting now, was in his hands. If he chose to, he could snap the thread in two whenever he wanted.

"Mostly playing with my sister, Coral. I like to hear her laugh. She's just eleven, so she hasn't been burdened by the Reaping and the Games just yet, so it feels nice to see her prance about, cheerful and carefree." I took a deep breath and I saw Finnick nod, his smile widening as I described Coral to him. "I have an older brother too, Orion. He's my protector, in a manner of speaking. We've been attached at the hip since when I could walk, and he's taught me everything I know. Well, I think I've spent more time with him than with my parents, but I love them too, regardless."

"Orion Cresta…" he hummed, drifting into thought. "Was that the angry young man at the Reaping? The one being taken away by the Peacekeepers?" I saw his eyes cloud over with slight worry as his lips pursed in a frown, but soon, he smiled brightly again, and I let out a sigh of relief. Finnick knew the Capitol, maybe, if he wasn't saying anything, my brother was safe.

"Yes, that's him," I said, sitting up straight. "They won't do anything to him, will they?"

Finnick looked into my eyes for a long moment, opening and closing his mouth again, as if wondering what to say. "I-" he began, draining his glass in one gulp, "I'm not sure, Annie. It's… hard to tell. I don't think your brother poses as much of a threat to the Capitol, because I think they've faced tons of angry citizens before him. It shouldn't be a problem, mostly."

"Mostly?" I echoed, uncertainty building up in me. "What do you mean, 'mostly'?"

He sighed, giving me a tired smile. "I can only hope he's safe, Annie. I have no way of knowing what's happening back home, and frankly, that's not my job," he said, in a lazy drawl. I gasped, fixing him with a pointed glare, just about to retort when he held out a hand, indicating that he wasn't finished yet.

"My job, actually, my only job, might I add, is to make sure that you return from the arena alive. So, don't get on my bad side, Annie Cresta. From what I heard back in 4, you have a family who's eagerly awaiting you. I think it's best if we don't disappoint them, don't you?"

He tutted lightly, beginning to get up as he chuckled under his breath. I gripped his forearm and forced him back down, my blood boiling at his insult of my brother.

"You take that back," I said, my hair falling over my face, wild and unruly, but I could care less. Mom wasn't around to tell me, 'that isn't feminine of you' anymore, so nobody could stop me.

"Excuse me?" He quipped, amused.

"I said, you take that back." I growled. "Don't get too cocky, Odair, we all know what you do for a living."

Finnick's face fell at the mention of his occupation. It was no secret, that Snow had sold him into the terrible business of prostitution. His looks, that were once considered a gift, were now a curse bestowed upon him. My heart went out to Finnick Odair when I heard the verdict shortly after he won his Games, but no more. If he wanted to play dirty, so be it. I was going to be a worthy opponent. Immune to his charms, immune to his smile, most certainly to that laugh, no matter how bewitching the sound itself was, like a pleasant tickling in one's ear.

No, Annie, focus. This is about how Finnick DOESN'T affect you, remember?

I shook the sound of his merry laughter out of my head as he struggled to come up with a befitting answer.

"What's wrong?" I teased. "The charming Finnick Odair, thief of hearts, left speechless? My, my, this is new! Use your words, Finnick, come on!"

"What's going on?" There was some shuffling and squeaking as chairs were dragged and rearranged, and Calum Waters finally joined us at the table.

Mags said nothing, just continued to stare into space as I glared daggers at Finnick.

"What's going on, Waters, is that our mentor is just a proud peacock!" I spat, trying my best not to raise my voice any higher. "He doesn't care a dime about any of us, any of our families, he just wants to do his damn job and get it over with! He won't care if you die trying to win, Calum! He won't care if I get trampled to death by the other Careers at the bloodbath; all he will do is wipe a few imaginary tears at the Mentors' Conference, nod his head and say, "They were very brave. But maybe, it was not meant to be. My heartfelt condolences to both of the families, we are so sorry for the loss of your children."

"Do you know why? Do you want to know why, Calum? It's because he won by a pure stroke of luck! He knows nothing of survival, nothing of kindness, empathy or compassion! What he does know is how to ensnare people with that beautiful face of his, and I think President Snow is aware of his talents, too."

A pin-drop silence ensued, with Calum staring at me with eyes wide as saucers.

"He's our mentor, Annie!" He protested. "If he doesn't like us, we're as good as dead before we even step into the arena! Apologize right away. My life is resting on him too, you know."

I shook my head, stubborn as was my nature. "Apologize for what, Calum? Speaking my mind? Telling the truth? Not withholding facts from a star-struck, shallow, meretricious world that can't see past beauty? I'll tell you what: beauty isn't what this is. Beauty is the pureness of heart, and my brother Orion, he is the embodiment of beauty. Not you, Finnick!" I shouted, flouncing out of the dining hall, slamming the door behind me. I rushed into the room allotted to me, locked the door and collapsed into the soft, silken sheets, sobbing until I'd cried my eyes dry.

I had no idea of how much time had passed, but after what I assumed was a few hours later, I heard a faint knock.

"Go away!" I groaned, burying my head into the fluffed-up pillows.

The knock came again, more urgently. "Annie?" said Finnick's muffled voice. "Annie, please open the door!"

"I don't want to talk to anyone, least of all you!" I yelled, slamming the pillows against my ears to drown him out.

"Annie, please, I'm sorry! I need to talk to you. Just give me another chance!"

"Finnick, no means no!"

"I'm begging you! Please open the door, I owe you an apology. Annie, we got off on the wrong foot, can we please start again?"

I could hear the desperation in his voice, and something else I hadn't heard all day. Sincerity. Maybe he really meant it when he said he wanted to apologize.