Chapter 5
The minutes that pass feel like aching hours. Here I am, staring at a screen filled with so many images, so many moments that I could save in my mind of Finnick, the last of him I'll probably see. But my mind is just blank. The screen is just flashing by in a blur. Next to me I feel Annie's hand still gasping mine. Like me, neither of us had moved an inch since the television switched on. Trying to focus in of what's going on, I see Finnick, carrying Mags, with Katniss & Peeta ahead of them. They continue to walk through the tangled vines until the camera catches a look on Katniss's face. She freezes - her face distorted with alarm. Her lips part & she's about to call a warning but it's too late. A loud pop explodes & Peeta's muscular body is thrown onto the jungle floor. Annie jumps & I feel her cold hand tense. My heart flutters & begins to pound as I watch Peeta's unmoving figure sprawled on the ground. I have no idea why – maybe it's because I know after that kind of electrocution there's no way anyone's heart could handle that. Immediately I see Finnick crouch to his side & hold his nose shut.
"No!" Katniss screams & tries to tear Finnick away from Peeta's lifeless body. No! You stupid girl, he's saving him! I think to myself. She must not know what CPR is, because what Finnick was smartly trying to accomplish is restart Peeta's non beating heart. He calmly pushes her away & begins to pinch his nose once again, when Katniss starts hitting Finnick, trying to get him away. With one simple swipe Finnick sends a blow to her stomach which knocks the breath from her & lands her on the ground. My eyebrows raise in surprise, but it was a smart move if he was going to have any chance at saving his life.
Once again Finnick is on his knees kneeling next to him with his slim fingers blocking any airway through his nose. He pumps his chest three times & brings his mouth to his, pushing oxygen into his lungs. Suddenly Annie rips her hand from mine & stands on her feet sobbing fiercely.
"No! No!"She sobs, hands pressing hard on her temples & eyes shut tightly. I quickly stumble on my feet & grab her by the wrists. If she applies too much pressure to her head she could hurt herself even further. I tightly grasp her bony wrists while she whips them around wildly, trying to break my grip. But I don't let go which makes her more upset. I know which terrible memory is slashing through her mind, because it's the same that has haunted me for 14 years. When I was just a child, I saw my father die before my eyes.
I remember it well – but not as vivid as Annie's damaged mind replays it for her. We heard shouting from outside & a bang on the front door. Standing there was little Finnick, his blonde hair tousled as usual. But his face was hysterical & alerted. "Hurry! Come quick, it's your dad!" He shouted & ran towards the ocean; both of us close on his heels. When we reached the beach I remember seeing two people: Finnick's father, & my father. There he lay, lifeless &washed out as I reached them. I remember seeing Finnick's dad pounding his hands over his heart, over & over again. I screamed & fought- the same way Katniss was fighting. That desperation & panic when you think someone you love is dying & the other person is cutting off every way of survival. Seeing Finnick, who has grown to greatly resemble his father, performing CPR on Peeta must have pulled this memory into her mind.
"Annie! Annie! Look at me, look at my eyes. "I intertwine my finger through hers & search for any sign of recognition in her crazed eyes. "It's me, Narielle. Listen to me Annie, listen to my voice." I soothe. She stops & listens as I repeat what I always do for her. It's a poem that my father had always recited to us, & always calms her down. I pull her back into reality & send her up to bed to rest.
I turn back to the television, curious to see what I have been missing. For some reason, Katniss was ahead of the line, throwing some sort of nut in front of her. It pops a few feet ahead of her & shoots back, charred & sizzling. Oh, from the force field. I see Mags picking up one of the nuts & gleefully popping it into her mouth. I smile, thankful to see her still being her bubbly, happy self. Trailing limply behind her is a beaten down Peeta, (I'm guessing Finnick was successful), with Finnick guarding the back of the line.
I watched endlessly as all the tributes swam & walked & ran & slaughtered. Johanna was playing just as determined as expected, but surprisingly teamed up with Beetee & Wiress: The two strange & a bit lost duo that were kind of the outcasts of the game considering they weren't nearly as fast or strong as the rest. The only reason either had won the Games in the past was purely because they were both insanely smart. But this didn't seem like anything that would interest Johanna. That's why she decided to find Finnick & the others.
Meanwhile, the camera flashes back to Finnick, Mags, Katniss & Peeta hiking through the dense rainforest. They stop to make camp, trying to rest enough for Peeta to regain a portion of strength. Mags & Finnick sit around & weaving a roof & bowl while Katniss looks for some source of water to quench their dehydration - leaving Peeta to catch some sleep. She comes back with only some furry rat creature & explains how it has a wet muzzle. A few minutes later a small package floats down to reveal a little object. I have no idea what it is, but can only assume it will help them find water. Sure enough, it taps into a tree & produces a clean & steady stream of water. My focus goes in out watching, growing tired of the watching the frustration & pain of these people I'm familiar with. I think I've met at least all of them once – besides Katniss & Peeta.
It grows dark in the arena & the images of each dead victor pass on the night sky. It makes me so sad, thinking how terrible it all is. Mags' face says the exact same, her eyes drooping with mourn. She must have been so close to most of those people – met each one & spent so much time & effort getting to know them, only to watch as they each get killed, day by day. Now Mags' sad face leaves the screen & is replaced with Peeta & Katniss sitting side by side. They talk about how much they care deeply about one another & what not, which I personally find a little overkill. Some people think it's so romantic, but I think it's only cruel. But then I see them kiss. It's not any kiss either, it's passionate & real & soft. It's completely the opposite of everything struggling around them. I think of how much she must love him, & how she said yes to his proposal - not forced, not threatened, not full of regret like mine is. I close my eyes & picture me actually wanting to be with Audante, but it's not him I'm picturing, It's a man completely opposite. He's gentle, handsome & kind, but strong. He loves me & will do anything to protect me. And for once in my life I don't imagine Finnick or Audante standing there. He's a complete stranger, but somehow I know exactly who he is in every way. I look back at the screen at Katniss & Peeta still wrapped in each other's arms. Somehow they have found love in this hopeless place.
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