Days passed, like years. I went through my memories, reliving my life. From the sweet memories of me and my family to the bitter, painstakingly vivid ones of my Games. Either way, it hurt. All the memories reminded me of who I had been, who I could never be again. I'd always be a monster.

The darkness that surrounds me

Is holding me so I'm not free

Like a deep and endless sea

That one will never flee

There is no light for me to see

Alone I am, alone I be

Noone was ever here but me

And all I ever did was lose the key

Freedome never cost this much of me

All of me is now the key.

Should I give myself and pay the fee;

Or stay like this and leave me be?

I'd started writing poetry when no one was around. People say it can relieve stress and help you. So I'll keep trying. What if this can make me me again? Every victor takes a hobby, even the insane ones. I hide my poems, I don't want anyone to hate me. People hate Finnick- he's arrogant, pompous, and licentious. He isn't respectable.

I still went to the beach, noone had come since the first day and I still didn't know who they were.

I sat on the beach, slipping into the memories.

-Vines grew around us, I was again reliving the Hunger Games. I was hiding in the rocky cavern Vetro and I had originally hid in. Maybe if we hadn't left, Vetro wouldn't have died that way. Not like that... I was rationing the food we'd taken from the Cornucopia. He sat beside me, shivering in the cold, damp air that filled the cave. The arena was nice- so far in weather. It had been a moderate temperature but night's were colder than normal.

Vetro and I had little supplies. Three or so apples, some bread, a canteen of water, rope, a sleeping bag, and water purifier packet were in the backpack I'd taken. I'd also got a dagger and a spear. I had both weapons, Vetro was scared of them- he told me his mother had been murdered by the Capitol.

He'd looked at me, "Annie?"

"Yeah?" I whispered softly, hoping noone was around to hear us.

He took a soft breath, "Do you think one of us will win?" He looked at me, eyes wide in fear.

I thought for a while, touching my finger to the end of the dagger and feeling protective of the small boy from the poor part of Four. "I hope we can, Vetro. Go to sleep honey." I tucked him into the warm sleeping bag and slipped away to the mouth of the cave.

I watched the uneventful nature. Small animals that I thought were harmless unlike most of the things in the arena scurried about at the bottom of trees and bushes. Everything was serene and quiet, until the plants rustled as a girl ran out, tripping. Her brown hair flew forward as she fell to the ground. As she got up, she looked behind her.

After, when she'd began running, the two tributes from One ran out, weapons out. The girl, Diamond, had an axe and the boy, Shine, had sword out. The other girl, I believe she was from Twelve, tripped again, twisting her ankle. She gasped in pain and I slipped farther into the darkness of the cave as the Careers advanced on her.

"Hey Twelve! Why'd you run? We won't hurt you!" sang Diamond happily, her eyes shining as she swung the axe around carelessly. Twelve whimpered softly, eyes on Shine's sword as he advanced.

Shine smiled, "Not much, anyway. Not before we kill you. We have to get going, we saw Six while we were chasing you." He smiled and bent down by her, his face getting close to hers.

I leaned forward, eyes wide in fear as he whispered to her, so low I could barely hear, "Twelve? Any last words?"

She looked up at him, "Please, don't kill me." She begged. "You'll regret it."

"Really? I will?" He looked at Diamond. "Will I regret it, partner?" He raised his sword slightly, putting it at her throat.

Diamond shook her head enthusiastically, "Nope!" She said cheerfully.

Shine smiled, "Told you. Nighty night, Twelve." He put the sword into her stomach and blood started bubbling from the wound.

I backed away and looked around to make sure Vetro didn't see anything. I heard Diamond's voice sing out from behind me, "Oh Si-ix! Come here!"

I looked out to see Diamond's blonde hair disappearing into the brush.-

I stared out at the ocean, my skin tingling when someone touched my shoulder. I breathed softly, lost in the memories. Then he started talking.

"Hey, Annie. How are you today?" He waited silently for my answer. After a few minutes of silence, he sighed. "Annie, come on... Talk to someone. You can't stay holed up inside yourself forever, now can you?"

I didn't speak, all I did was keep breathing and watch the beautiful ocean.

"Fine. Let's see if I can stay as silent as you." He smiled and sat there, staring at the ocean beside me, thinking.

It was Finnick Odair. Why was he here? I thought he was on a Capitol trip. With those women. Whatever the reason, I wouldn't give in to Finnick's charm. I couldn't afford to.

Over the next few days, Finnick started a routine. Every morning, around six, he'd come down and talk, just talk. It didn't matter if I listened, or if I answered, he just talked. Then he'd go to his house, fix a lunch, and return back, talking of Victor's I would never be able to remember.

"Hey Annie. How are you? Mags had a seizure. It's horrible, really... Hey, Annie. How was last night? Did you sleep well? Mags is doing better. Peg, Alistair, and Eggert are with her now. Eva will be there with the medications soon... Hey, Annie. Your sister said you didn't eat last night. Do you want me to bring you something?"

On and on, every day, all day. I would think it'd get annoying, but no. Finnick's words soothed me, made me think less of the Games and more on his voice. The actual voice, not the words. His accent, the accent everyone from District Four shares. The way his emotions can shine in every word. When he's excited, it spreads to everyone else. His voice was beautiful to listen to.

Then one day, his words caught my attention. "Hey, Annie." He said softly, said. "Your victory tour is next week." He looked at me sadly. "Their making you go. You should get ready."

I sighed sadly. Victory Tour? I thought, like the interviews, I'd be exempt from them. But no. I had to go. What would it be like? What would I say?

Tomorrow, I'd have to be prettied up. Every time we're at the districts. Will I be alone? Will Finnick and Mags come with me? No, Mags wouldn't. She just had a stroke. Would Finnick come?

Oh, I truly am only a piece of their Games, aren't I?

Review! 15 comments from different people and I'm going to update! Yayz!