"Catharsis is about cleansing and healing at one and the same time - healing memories and attitudes, healing the spirit and the heart."
-Desmond Tutu
The ocean was at peace with itself. It had watched the sun rise another day, feeling the warmth it brought. While the moon was beautiful, full of grace, she could not provide the comfort of the sun.
As the sun rose, so did the world. The birds began to sing their pretty songs, and the waves began to crash against the shore. The fishermen of District Four loaded up their boats, and set sail.
The wind went wild this morning. Tossing sand and salt wherever it could. Almost as though it was sending a message, reminding the District that there wasn't any peace today.
Was there ever peace, though?
Panem was a country filled with fear and poverty. It was divided into Twelve Districts, and the Capitol. Each of the Districts was responsible for producing different goods, and those goods went to the Capitol.
Each year, the Districts choose two children, from ages twelve through eighteen, to represent them in the Annual Hunger Games. The twelve "tributes" compete in a fight to the death, where only one is victorious.
Today was the fourteenth day of the 65th Annual Hunger Games. There were only a few children left alive, and District Four's Finnick Odair was one of them. Everyone prayed for the return of the boy, they all adored him. Every morning he would run around town, helping everyone he could. He would help with even the more trivial tasks, like folding laundry, or weaving baskets. When his name was called at the Reaping, they all mourned for him, and with him.
Finnick was only fourteen, even though he looked much older. His body was built well, and it was evident he spent many years swimming and fishing. Lucky for him, he had a natural charm, so he was loved in the Capitol. It was a different love than he received back home. It was a love that said "I can't wait until you're of age". It was sick.
Regardless, it kept him alive.
While Finnick was beloved by all, there was one girl that couldn't take her eyes off the screen. Her name was Annie Cresta.
She was a small girl, with dark brown locks that flowed in waves down her back. Her face and body were filled with thousands of freckles, and her eyes were hazel, and full of hope.
Annie refused to stop watching the Games, clutching a blanket to her chest. Finnick had been her best friend for all her life, and she couldn't stand to see him in danger. What would she be without him?
Without their walks down the beach? Without reading a book together, every single night. What would she be without him telling her?
"Annie, you're going to be okay," Finnick spoke in a whisper, "Regardless of what happens, I know you're going to be okay."
Annie stared at him, tears flowing down her cheeks. She was only a year younger than him, but she looked so frail—like a young child. Her words came out fast, and soft, "I don't think I could survive without you, I can't do it, Finnick, I can't."
He knew the pain she was feeling, because he felt the same way. "Promise me something, Annie." He held her face in his hands. His voice was too deep, too serious to belong to a child. "Don't watch the games. Don't do it to yourself. Whatever happens, I don't want you to see. And when I come home—" He stooped speaking, clearing his throat. "If I come home, it'll be a sweet surprise."
"I promise."
That was a lie. She was glued to the screen, hardly breathing. Hardly even eating. Her mother had given up trying to persuade her daughter to do anything else.
In another world, their devotion towards each other would seem childish. It would seem silly to feel the way they do at their age. But here in Panem, you need hope. And that's what they give eachother.
Hope for a world that's filled by the one you love.
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Two days had passed, and Finnick had been announced the Victor of the 65th Hunger Games. Annie could finally breathe. He had won. He had lived.
She rejoiced, counting down the days until she would see him again. She began picking out the books they would read, and weaving him a crown out of grass. Annie felt so proud to call him her friend.
What she failed to realize, however, was that his winning was not a feat to be celebrated. He had killed seven tributes— seven children. Children who wanted the same thing as him.. The chance at life beyond the Games.
Her celebration was selfish, but Finnick did not dare tell her. He just smiled whenever she said she was proud, and hid his pain. He knew that Annie was too young to hear the stories. He wanted her to live in peace, like the ocean.
Finnick didn't want to tell her about the nightmares he has. About how he sees the children in his room at night. About how he feels their blood pouring onto his face every time he gets splashed by the water.
He didn't want her to know that he was miserable, and that his child-like spirit had been crushed. He wanted to keep Annie safe, and he had promised her he would. Now that he had enough money to last a lifetime, and a beautiful house to himself, how could he not keep her safe?
He promised to love her, and that one day he would marry her. Finnick promised that she would never get hurt, and that she would never feel fear the way he had to.
That was a lie.