Chapter 2
I'm running, the water is catching up to me and I know in my heart I'm not fast enough to out run it. My feet ache and I can't think. What did I just see? The damn broke and the arena is flooding quickly. When I close my eyes the only thing I see is his head falling to the ground until his body slumps forward to join it. So I keep my eyes open, even if they burn with dryness I can't will myself to let them shut. It's around my feet now, the cool water wraps itself around my ankles like two tentacles striving to pull me under. I'm just about to take my last breath when I awaken. A cool sheen of sweat lays across my forehead and my breathing is labored. It's only when I open my eyes that I see Lucian splayed across the foot of my bed, he looks younger in sleep than in wake, I turn away. From the corner of my eye it's clear that Lucian is stirring. I dread when he'll wake up, I can't tell him. But I have to tell him, he's never asked once before now, he deserves to know. Will he understand when I start crying, or will he finally believe them. I really am the poor mad girl from district 4 that he hears about. "Lucian" I say. It's barely audible, even lower than a whisper but his eyes fly open instantly. I suddenly find myself looking into his eyes, so many questions clearly there. His curious, searching eyes. "Momma, why have you never told me your name?" Lucian asks, his voice crackly from sleep. "Have you heard them speak of me? You must think I'm mad" I say, my eyes dropping to look at my hands. There's the ring Finnick gave me, the green crystals that flake across the white diamond glisten at all different angles. "Annie" He says. I can only look at him, I don't blink just stare. "You must know your father's name too." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them but Lucian just nods. "Finnick Odair. I know about everything. The rebellion, the capitol, the hunger games. How long did you think I was going to fall for Katniss and Peeta being my aunt and uncle?" He says, I sense a hint of awe in his voice. "I…I just" he cuts me off mid-sentence "Mom, I've heard the stories. It wasn't too hard to figure out who 'auntie' and 'uncle' really were." He laughs, beckoning me to spill it all. "Lucian…. Your father died so you would be able to live a peaceful life. Without any hunger games, conflict, or even having to live in fear that one day your name would be drawn." My hands shake violently, I clutch the blanket in an attempt to steady them. After we talk, I'm exhausted from reliving all the details of my past. I can't close my eyes without seeing my district partner beheaded, it's even more vivid than it was in my dream. The cold plastic of the house phone against my ear sends a quick chill through my body. "Hello?" the voice on the other end of the phone is deep and gruff, I can hear him clear his throat. "Annie?" He says, his voice a little clearer this time. He's probably been sleeping. "Yes…" I say closing my eyes, his voice instantly calms my nerves. "Annie… I thought I'd never hear your voice again. What's wrong?" This is the first time I let myself cry today, I need to tell him about Lucian. He'll know what to say, he always does. "Gale, Lucian knows... About everything. The games, Finnick, even Katniss and Peeta." I hope he can understand me through the sobs. "Shh Annie, shh. Calm down, it won't last forever love." He's right, it won't and I know that. Something he said resonates deep in my mind, he called me love. When I don't respond he knows just how to make me talk "Where is he?" he asks. I glance towards Lucian's bed room "He's sleeping, we spent most of the day fishing. He really wore himself out today." I say. Lucian flailed in the water until he finally speared his second fish, it took hours. "Do you need me Annie?" I nod until I finally realize he can't see me "More than you know Gale" I whisper, pulling the phone closer, willing him to come to me. "I'll be there soon" he says. The phone goes silent, and so do I.