A/N: In Annie's POV

Should You?

I can't breathe it feels like my lungs are on fire. I've never felt like this before. I start coughing hoping, praying that I can find some air.

"Annie." I hear. "You okay? Annie just breathe in and out. It will be okay."

The voice breaks a barrier. I close my eyes and start to breathe in and out. In and out.

I open my eyes and see Finnick Odair. My mentor and my sort of friend. It's the Seventy First Hunger Games and this year I am mentoring. I am mentoring for the first time ever. I don't want to. I don't think anyone does.

"It's okay Annie." He says again.

"It's about to start." I whisper. Before Finnick can say anything else the bell sounds and the blood bath starts.

I look at the screens. I try to look away but can't, maybe they have some strange Capitol thing that won't allow us to or, maybe it's because I'm too shocked to.

Blood and guts fly everywhere and I can feel goosebumps form on my skin.

I hear a bone chilling scream and reach for Finnick's hand which he happily takes. I don't know my relationship with Finnick. I wouldn't classify him as a friend but he isn't a stranger either and acquaintance doesn't feel right. I guess mentor is still the best thing to call him. After all that is what he is doing this year too. Except, this time he is mentoring me on how to survive this. How to get through this. How to get through actually meeting the tributes who will die. I kind of like the male tribute this year too. That's probably going to make this harder.

My grasp around his hand tightens at the thought. I liked my district partner too but then he got… he got…

I start screaming at the memory. Crimson red was everywhere. Clothes, face, hands. Everywhere. It took me awhile to figure out what happened. I finally got it when the girl from Seven threw his head at me. I caught it on instinct. You get something hurtled at you, you are going to try and catch it. Blood and guts and god knows what else was coming from the remainder of his neck. His head was no longer attached to his body.

The screaming and crying and starts. Eventually though it goes away. I start humming loudly and start tapping my fingers against my thumb.

"Annie. Annie. Don't worry it's alright." I hear "You're safe here." Finnick says. I'm angry at this statement because we aren't safe here.

"You think this is safe Finnick! I'm watching people getting murdered! I don't feel safe here!"

"It's okay Annie. It will be okay. Just trust me." He brushes a stray hair behind my ear. Okay?"

"Fine." I say through gritted teeth.

He nods knowing this will be the best answer he will receive.

The games go on and on. I don't let go of his hand and he doesn't seem to care. I also notice he hasn't taken his eyes from the screen.

"How can you watch this?" I say with disgust.

"Annie-

"Do you like this stuff Finnick? Do you think it's fun? Are you like the other people with no souls."

"I don't like it Annie." He says gently. "After awhile you… you get used to it." He says.

"Should you?" I turn my head to look at him.

He doesn't say anything. He just looks away. He is probably ashamed. He knows you shouldn't get used to seeing people get murdered. But because of this messed up world he has. He doesn't like it, or at least I don't think he does.

He lets go of my hand.

"I need to look for sponsors." He says awkwardly and leaves.

He knows I'm right. You should never get used to this.