Annie woke up early that morning, feeling restless. She got up and dressed, walking down the hall to Finnick's room. She knocked softy, then opened the door. He wasn't there. Had he really not come back yet?

She walked down to the dining room, and was surprised to see Gerald sitting at the table. "You're up early," She said, looking at him.

She had expected to be the first one up, but didn't mind the company. Annie knew that she couldn't get too close to Gerald, but how could she not want to? Once they were in the arena, he would be all she had left of home. He might kill you, she thought. Or I might kill him.

Chills went down her spine. She commanded herself to stop thinking, but, of course, she didn't listen.

"You are too," Gerald laughed, taking a bite of his toast. "I couldn't really get much sleep."

"Neither could I," She replied, going to take a seat beside him. "Finnick's not back."

"What's that all about, anyway? I've heard rumors, but why did he leave last night?"

Annie knew the question wasn't meant to hurt her, and yet it did. She didn't like to talk about it, but she figured someone else might know. "Snow... sells Finnick." She whispered, watching for a sign of understanding from Gerald. She had been vague on purpose, it was a sensitive subject.

"Oh," Gerald said, looking down at his hands. "I'm sorry. I always assumed he was just the playboy type."

"It's okay," She said. "One day, he'll be too old for the Capitol to want him anymore."

They both exchanged a sad laugh, and then looked at each other again.

"When we go to training, do you want to just stick by me? I don't know how good you are at weapons, but I figured I could show you what I know." Gerald was already looking out for Annie, ready to provide and protect her. "That way, the careers see both of us together. I don't want them to think they can just take one of us. We're a package deal, right?"

"Right."

———————

Finnick woke up in a strange room, next to a strange woman. He looked at her in disgust, glad she wasn't awake. What was her name? Finnick asked himself. Fuck. Lindsay?

"Darling," He whispered, placing a hand on the woman's back. "I need to head back, Mentoring awaits."

Her response was a loud grunt, and he took that as an "Okay". He got up, got dressed, and went out the door as fast as he could. It was typical for people to get attached to him, and ask him to stay longer. That wouldn't cut it this time around. He needed to be with Annie.

On his walk back to the Tribute Center, he smiled towards people on the street, taking pictures whenever it was requested. He had to keep himself looking good. It was the easiest way to keep Annie safe.

As he walked into the building, he noticed Haymitch standing at the door, sipping a glass of warm whiskey.

"You know they have ice cubes, right?" Finnick teased, looking at his old friend. Haymitch was Finnick's favorite out of the other Victors. He admired how little he cared about his appearance. Haymitch was drunk and sloppy, and it never mattered.

He laughed, raising his glass towards Finnick. "I prefer it warm, makes me feel something a little quicker." Haymitch took another swig, and smiled. "How are your tributes looking this year? Mine are going to be dead in a minute flat, I swear."

Finnick felt a shiver go down his spine, it was hard to think of Annie as his tribute. Thats all she is right now, Finnick. She's a tribute. You're her mentor. "Well, they're both adored by the people here. I have good word that we'll have some decent sponsors. Gerald is very strong, and Annie is very smart and resourceful."

Haymitch chuckled, "Annie is your girl, isn't she?" He asked. It was an innocent question, much like what Gerald had asked earlier. It sent a spear through Finnick's heart, though. Who else knew? "Before you freak out, Mags told me last night."

"Oh," Finnick spoke, bleakly. "I can't talk about this here, Haymitch." His voice was now low, hardly above a whisper.

Haymitch laughed again, "Well, Finnick. The roof is a pretty nice place to talk."

——————

"So, like this?" Annie asked, throwing a knife at a target. She hit the bullseye, straight on.

"Yes!" Gerald exclaimed, a large smile plastered on his face. "Keep doing it. Get consistent."

Annie threw five more knives, hitting all the right spots in the target. All the fatal spots. Suddenly, that target was a person. Her mind went blank, and she froze.

It's not real, she though. It's not a person. Yet.

"Okay, we're almost done for the day. I'm going to run and talk to some of the Careers, okay?" He asked before running off towards the girl and boy from One.

Annie made her way to the fire station, and the attendant taught her how to make a fire. She smiled as she learned quickly, feeling very accomplished. She practiced with flint, with matches, and with just two twigs. Each time, she lit a blazing fire.

Gerald came up beside her, "We're in." He said, smiling widely. "They like us. They even told me that we're more valuable than the pair from Two."

"That's.. good." Annie said. She couldn't get the image of the two of them being targeted by the Career pack. Even though they were now a part of it, that didn't guarantee safety.

Nothing was ever safe in the games, though.