A/N: another chapter with both Annie & Finnick
Chapter Thirteen
FINNICK POV
Two days have gone by and no one has died. Finnick can tell the gamemakers are getting restless, but the tributes have figured out that multiple earthquakes are likely so hiding places have changed. Despite no deaths in the recent days only nine tributes are left. Finnick thinks the accelerated timeline happened because the gamemakers released the mutts too early. The boy from 2 would still be alive and the dramatic riff that happened between the careers wouldn't have happened.
"Finally you're back." Lena says.
"Yeah so what happened when I was gone?" He asks pulling out a chair.
"Someone died from exhaustion/dehydration. One of Haymitch's tributes if I am remembering correctly." Lena says standing up collecting her things. "That makes final eight." Lena says.
Finnick glances towards 12's fishbowl and notices it is empty.
"Don't worry about Haymitch he's a big boy I'm honestly surprised they lasted that long."
"What about Aden, is he still looking for Annie?" Finnick asks.
"Yes." Zayden says.
"You think he would've given up by now." Finnick says.
"Probably." Zayden says.
"Do you think he is looking for her just to kill her?" Finnick asks. .
"I don't know, but Caesar is insisting it is some sort of District 4 bond. He has implied romantic feelings could be at hand."
"Yeah right." Finnick says with a smile.
"We don't believe it because it is the furthest thing from the truth. However, since Capitol citizens love this stuff it is keeping them relevant." Zayden says.
"Never thought of using a romantic angle for the Hunger Games." Finnick says looking at the screen.
Annie is hiding in a crevasse and sipping on some water while Aden is wandering around aimlessly looking for Annie.
"I'm surprised he is even this close to her." Zayden says pointing to the map.
They are just under a mile away from each other. However, Annie doesn't stay put for long so she could run further or closer to him soon.
"Has he wondered all over the arena?" Finnick asks.
"He hasn't been to the west side at all. I can't understand why, it's not like he saw Annie running to the dam." Zayden says.
"The other careers ran off in that direction maybe he isn't ready for a reunion."
"Oh that's right you don't know. 1 and the girl from 2 have seperated."
"Can't say I'm surprised, the boy from 1 was involved in her district partner's death and they had some type of bond."
Zayden nods.
"Wonder what would happen if she came across Aden." Finnick says.
"She'd kill him." Zayden says.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"The tributes from 1 are currently using the canyon as their home base. I think they are hiding there because tributes will come looking for water eventually." Zayden says.
"Probably."
ANNIE POV
After three hours of hiding Annie has decided it is time to move on. She collects her things and jumps out of the ground.
She walks a few feet while hiding behind boulders before someone grabs the back on her pack pulling her back hard.
Annie takes her knife and tries to stab the hand dragging her backwards but can't from this angle.
"Relax Annie." Aden says and lets go of her bag. He turns her so she can see his face.
She tries to slash his face but he grabs her wrist hard making her drop the knife.
"You're tougher than I gave you credit for Annie." Aden says.
"That's because you don't know me."
"And I don't care too." He says
Annie clutches the knife she keeps secure in her belt loop. It is hidden from his sight so he has no idea.
"Before you try to kill me again." Aden smiles as if it's the funniest thing he's ever heard. "I wanna make you a deal, one our mentors would be proud of."
"That would be?" She asks still weary of his alliance. She doesn't trust Aden at all and has no reason to.
"You and me working together."
"I don't want to work with anyone I've gotten this far by myself and from what it looks like you need my help more."
"What makes you say that?" He asks annoyed.
"You're not with the others and have barely any supplies. You want my help to survive the elements and gather food. I could just let you starve to death instead of enlisting in your help." Annie says.
"Careful Annie, I could just kill you right now." He says pulling on his sword. "I can offer you protection in exchange for food and supplies."
"Protection from you." Annie says skeptical.
"The girl and boy from 1 and the girl from 2 are still out there, and you won't be able to kill them. How about I stay with you until they are taken care of in exchange for food."
"Fine, but I'm not waiting that long, once its final five we separate. I don't want to be so close to you if we are the only two left. Even if the other careers are still out there." Annie says.
"There are only eight of us left, it could take a few days before that happens." Aden says.
"It doesn't matter how long it takes. I'll stay with you until then." Annie grumbles
It's enough time for me to come up with a trap. Annie thinks to herself.
"Good, now we should look for some shelter." Aden says.
FINNICK POV
"I don't think this is the right decision." Finnick says.
"Why not Annie isn't a killer or a strong runner, having Aden around might help her. Besides it's only until final 5." Lena says.
"He could just kill her and take her stuff." Zayden says.
"I'd like to think she is smarter than that." Finnick says.
"He could just kill her once there are only five left. Besides, Aden would've probably killed her on the spot if she disagreed." Zayden says.
"I guess... I just hope she is careful." Finnick says.
.
ANNIE POV
"So you get any parachutes?" Aden asks.
Before she can answer he does for himself.
"I have gotten more than one. Although it is uncertain which district one came from." Aden boasts.
"I was given this bag." Annie says.
"Must've been expensive." He says slightly jealous.
"It was the first night, I also got sunscreen but I haven't had anything else. I told the mentors to use all my money." Annie says.
"Maybe they did then."
"Maybe." Annie says and continues to walk ensuring he is always in front of her.
"You go to that big thing?" He says and points to the dam.
"It's just a dam. I thought I might be able to find water there, but there is no way to get to it."
"What do you mean?" He asks.
"You'd need some type of equipment to climb the mountain to get to the water. I don't understand why they have one if we can't use the water."
"Maybe the water level needed to rise and that's why it is raining all the time." He says.
"The rain is how I've been collecting my water."
"There's a canyon probably two miles east of here. We could go there for water, there are also a few plants but I didn't think they were safe to eat."
"Didn't spend time at the survival stations." Annie says.
"Didn't think I would need it. You know we don't need to talk to each other unless necessary."
"Have you been all over the arena?" She asks.
"Mostly, why?" He asks confused.
"I'm curious if you've seen any other water spots."
"Only the canyon."
Annie nods.
"We should only go if we need to, someone could easily be hiding there to attack."
"But we need water." Aden complains.
"I have two sixteen ounce full water bottles in my pack. If we are careful we can make them last for at least-"
"Give me one." Aden barks.
Annie hesitates.
"We are sharing-"
"You have to portion it out carefully if we drink a certain amount each day we'll be fine. We're still sharing."
"It will rain tonight, we can collect more."
"You don't know that, it could be days until the next rainfall." Annie says.
"I don't care. Give me a water bottle or the deal is off." Aden says.
"Fine, but let's stop first." Annie says.
"Annie-" He says annoyed.
"There's a cave right there." Annie says pointing.
"Fine." Aden says and they walk to the cave.
"It's warm in here." Aden says surprised.
"Caves have natural temperatures." Annie explains
"Is this where you have been hiding?" He asks.
"I don't stay in the same place twice and I don't stay in caves too long."
"Why not?" He says and grabs the water bottle to take a few gulps.
"If there was an earthquake we could easily get crushed to death." Annie says.
Aden nods.
"We should rest for a few hours and then move on. You could draw a map of the arena since you've been all over." She says.
"With what?"
"There's dirt on the ground, a rough sketch is better than nothing."
"So where else have you been hiding?" He asks.
"I'm not telling you, because when we split up you will know where to look.
"Fine...so you kill anyone?" Aden asks with a smile.
"Yes." Annie says softly.
Aden smiles like a proud Father.
"How many?"
"Two, a young boy and a girl my age."
"Don't know their names." Aden says.
"I only talked with you, 1, and 2. I didn't care to learn the others names either." Annie says
"Why not?' He asks confused.
"So, it wouldn't be harder if I had to kill them." Annie says.
He nods and they stay silent.
"Aren't you gonna ask me?" Aden says slightly offended.
"No, I don't need to know who or how you killed them. They're dead either way." Annie says.
"Right, you can take a rest and I can keep watch." Aden says.
Annie looks at him wearly.
"I actually make traps so both of us can sleep at the same time." Annie says.
Aden smirks.
"If you want me to protect you then you have to trust me." Aden says.
"You can't trust anyone in here Aden those types of mistakes get you killed." Annie says.
"Fine, put out your trap and call it a day." Aden says.
Annie puts out her net to cover the entrance.
She doesn't close her eyes until she hears the soft snores from Aden.
A first light Annie shakes Aden awake.
He moans.
"We need to get going. I want to move before rain or an earthquake hits." Annie says.
"Fine, where exactly are we going though chief?" Aden mocks.
"Away from here." Annie says. "Show me your map before we go." Annie says.
"It's nothing beautiful but here it is." Aden says.
"This is where the canyon is?" Annie asks on a spot towards the far east.
"Yup." He says.
"Not much detail on the west half." Annie says cautiously.
She had a suspicious that he didn't actually travel all over the arena. His lack of detail on the west side makes that apparent.
"I'm not a topographer." He says annoyed.
"Okay well this is good enough." Annie says starting to put the net back in her pack as they leave the cave. "We should go this way." Annie says as Aden goes in the opposite direction.
"Just give me a minute gotta take a piss." He says annoyed.
Annie rolls her eyes.
I bet you do from drinking all that water. Annie thinks to herself. She wonders briefly if he would go after her water supply once his is all gone. He is clearly not thinking ahead.
"Hey-" Annie starts
Annie hears the swooshing sound before she can duck. An arrow rips through her bag having most of her supplies fall to the ground.
She doesn't bother picking them up she lets the bag fall to the ground.
"Run!" She shouts and leaves her things behind. The less she has to carry the faster she will be able to run.
Aden runs after without question. They're lucky they both had a few things in their pockets they both still have weapons and a bit of food. The things they lost were rope, Annie's traps, sunscreen, and most importantly water. However Annie still has a small 5 ounce water bottle that is clipped to her belt, but it is empty.
Aden easily catches up to her within a few minutes.
Arrows fly at them, they are always close to hitting the target, but miss by just a few millimeters. An arrow gets close enough to rip through Aden's jacket open.
Aden takes a sharp right so they are covered by a boulder.
"Get down." Annie says and jumps into a crevasse.
Aden follows her.
"This is where you've been hiding." He says slightly impressed at her thinking.
"We have more important issues." Annie says.
"That person isn't trained, it's why they keep missing." Aden says.
"I think they're getting the hang of it." Annie says annoyed.
"I do as well, which is why a sneak attack would be a good idea."
"Whatever you're gonna do, do it fast." Annie says.
"With pleasure." He says and looks up. He decides to climb out at the right moment to tackle the kid.
Annie hears a struggle and then a canon.
She waits a few moments in case Aden was the one who was killed. He jumps back down startling her.
"We need to figure out what to do now." Aden says.
"Besides hide." Annie says worried there are others.
"The kid was working alone, I'm talking about supplies. We lost food and water and the sun tan lotion. "
"And my rope." She says annoyed.
"That's your problem, we can't wait to see if they'll send us something."
"Did the kid have anything on him?" She asks.
"Besides the arrows he had a little water and some nuts."
"We can take those. Do you want the weapon?" She asks.
"I'll take the arrows, they could be good for stabbing an animal. Do you still have a weapon?" He asks.
"I've got my knife." Annie says.
"Good." He says and smiles.
"What?" Annie says. She can't imagine what is funny at a time like this.
"That makes 7."
"I know." Annie says.
"I just wanted to let you know since you are ditching me at five."
"You'll have enough supplies by then." Annie says.
"Speaking of supplies what do we have." Aden says.
They start to go over what little supplies they still have.
FINNICK POV
"The gamemakers are starting to make it hotter." Finnick says noticing the temperature in the arena.
"Well, we can't send them water now it's too expensive so are bottles."
"It also isn't helpful that District 1 has been guarding one of the canyons since they broke off from each other." Lena says.
"Which one?" Finnick asks.
"Does it matter." Zayden says.
"Aden said there was only one canyon, he doesn't know about the other one." Finnick says.
"Could've been lying." Lena says.
"He's not, despite what he told Annie he hasn't been everywhere in the arena. Which she probably suspects when he drew her that map." Zayden says.
"Only 3 tributes went to the dam including Annie." Finnick says.
"Aden is right about the dam theory, the rain is making it fill up and rather quickly. I doubt that is an accident." Lena says.
"If they want water the next place they will probably go to is the canyon." Zayden says ignoring her comment.
As the number of tributes goes down the longer everyone stays awake. They have all been together in the small for awhile.
"Which means a fight." Finnick says.
"Some entertainment finally. It's been getting quite boring." Lena says.
"People are dying." Finnick says disgusted.
Lena shrugs.
"Lead the way to the canyon, water is now our first priority." Annie says to Aden firmly.
"Whatever you say, it's about a four mile walk." Aden says.
"Then we should start walking. If we're lucky it will rain on the way." Annie says.
"Looks like a fight plan is being set in motion." Lena says.
"It would appear so." Finnick says.
"No, look at the map it looks like they aren't the only ones heading to the canyon." Lena says.
The map shows Annie, Aden, and the girl from 7 all heading in the same direction. They have no idea that the tributes from 1 are just waiting to attack.