Chapter 3

Annie stumbled through the train, a little disorientated by the speed. Each step felt like it was her first.

Gracella had announced that she and Garb had free time, as long as they were at dinner on time.

Annie had decided to go straight to her room. It was unnecessarily big, and it would've seemed impossible to fit on the train if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes.

She walked into the bathroom, turning the shower on. Hot water ran out of it and trickled down her back. It felt odd considering District 4 only had hot water available on special occasions.

So instead she turned on the cold water and sat under it, thinking.

She didn't need a shower, she had had one that morning, though she needed reminding of home. Maybe if she remembered home, remembered the oceans and the shells and the fish. Maybe if she remembered Amy, she might be able to fight. But what was the point of fighting, killing, if you have to live with it for the rest of your life? There wasn't really a point.

There had been many rumors going around about the arena, how it does things to your head. In a way, forces you to kill. The only people who really knew were the victors, but none of them were willing to share their insight of the arena.

Too many thoughts ran through Annie's head at once. They went in and out before she could analyze them and eventually, she had had enough of her own thoughts. She stood and dried herself off, getting ready for dinner.

The table was full by the time she made it to the dining room. She wasn't quite late, she had two minutes to spare, though apparently they had been waiting for her.

She took a seat in the only spot left, next to Garb, who was already in the food. He wasn't stuffing his face, like most people would think you Would do if you came in the presence of Capitol food. It wasn't like food was scarce in District 4, only it still wasn't as good as the Capitol's.

There were platefuls of food to choose from. One after the other they lined up along the table all looking delightful and delicious.

"Don't hesitate to eat what you like. You need to put on as much weight as you can. Being heavier and stronger may be just the advantage you need against the other tributes." Finnick said, as if reading her mind.

"What's the use?" she answered flatly. There was no use sugar coating anything by that point. "I'm not strong or a good fighter. The only things I can do are make hooks and catch fish."

"Every skill is important," he grinned, as if it was all a joke. Annie didn't like it. "But everyone needs to know their weapon. Isn't that right Mags?"

He looked over at the elderly woman who nodded as she took a sip from her bowl of soup.

"For instance mine is a trident."

"I still have no chance even if I did have a weapon of choice,"

"You have a 1/24 chance of winning."

"The same as everybody else." Mags was the one who spoke up. She hardly talked, if ever, and it was odd listening to her small but hard voice.

The last comment left Annie with nothing to say. She had no comeback.

"Ah, Mags. She hardly ever talks, though when she does, you better be listening." Finnick smiled down at Mags who tugged at the lobe of his ear with a loving familiarity.

As Annie watched, she noticed the one thing that victors could ever find solace in. Eachother. No one else would understand what they had been through, what they had seen and heard. They knew all of the Capitols secrets, and death upon treason couldn't fall upon them. But it could fall upon the people they loved.

"Well there must be something we can work with. Mags has decided that she wants us to split up this year. She has already volunteered to mentor Garb, so I guess I'll be working with Annie." he sent her a flashy smile, though Annie was hardly impressed.

"You should just bother with Garb. He's good with everything from knives to tridents."

And it was true. She had seen him use those exact weapons as spear to capture fish for his father.

"Well, may-" Finnick was cut off as Garb started to talk.

"Don't I get a say, too? I'm not the only one worth paying attention to. Have you seen Annie swim? She can hold her breath for so long, you would've believed that she'd drown. And she 's fast, too. I remember playing chasy when we were younger in the school yard. She was almost impossible to catch."

"Well that's not going to do me a lot."

He couldn't see that she was trying to keep him alive. She was trying to divert the sponsors and the mentors. She was trying to keep at least one of them alive.

"You never know what kind of arena you may end up with. It may include some swimming."

"I'm highly doubtful."

"Well at least with those skills the career pack may not try to kill you so quickly." You could see Finnick was starting to get frustrated. His eyebrows furrowed in a way that could only mean frustration.

"I don't want any allies in the arena. Only Annie." Garb stated.

"Strategically speaking, allies may be a good idea." It was obvious to Annie that what she said needed more of an elaboration. "Just wait until you see what you're up against before making these decisions."

"Says the girl who's been complaining all day about not being able to survive." he retorted.

"We're talking about skills at this point," Finnick interrupted. "Maybe if we find some skills to help you before you head into the arena. Maybe try to find some sponsors."

Annie and Garb both sit silently, unsure of what to say. Unsure on whether or not they even wanted to continue the already frustrating conversation.

"Oh look at that, it's time to watch the reapings." Gracella put in sensing the frustration.

Annie pushed out her chair and walked to the television, where the President was announcing the reapings.

First came District 1, as per usual.

"Ladies first!" the purple Madam Lyre announced and chose a name from the bundles of slips.

"Amphine Silver!" she called and a girl with long honey blonde hair came to the stage. She looked around the same age as Annie but had more of a build to her.

She took a bow before sitting on a chair next to her mentors.

They then called out the boys name.

"Dale Seal!"

A small boy around 12 headed to stage though as he climbed the stairs somebody from the crowd volunteered.

A tall fierce figure walked towards the stage.

Danny Tail was his name. And so far he was looked most threatening.

"Our two tributes from District one!" Madam announced and the crowd went wild.

2, then 3 came before Annie's reaping. Watching herself on the screen, she realised how small and frightened she looked compared to the others. Anyone watching it would straight away notice how much of an easy target she would be.

Never mind what Finnick had said, she had a lot to worry about.

The rest went by in a blur and once it was all over, Mags turned the screen off.

"At least we know what we're up against." Garb said, leaning backwards against the head of the sofa.

"Not entirely." Annie said, not really paying attention.

"Mostly."

The room went silent before Finnick let out a long sigh.

"Alright, off to your rooms."

They both left as they were told and head down the corridor.

No verbal exchange was made, though looks were definitely a form of contact.

With one last sympathetic look from Garb, Annie rushed off towards her room, hoping that maybe the whole day was just a nightmare and that as soon as she laid her head on the pillow she would awake.

No such luck.