Annie POV

It's been five years since I won my Games. Five years of hell. Mentoring. Each year since I won, there's been no break of Finnick and I mentoring. This year, it's the seventy-fifth Hunger Games. A quarter quell. Tonight, the card determining the outcome will be read. I'm not looking forward to it.. I could list all the possibilities, but instead I decide to ignore the concept of the Quarter Quell completely. Amongst the Capitol, I'm rumored to be completely insane, and it's even passed around that I live in a mental asylum. People find it cold of Snow to choose me as mentor each year, while others find it sweet. I know most view me as a loony freak, and while I'm adorable to some, I'm like vile to others. I've tried everything to kick the habit of my short black-outs. But they still come. The feeling of my memories controlling me is enough to drive me off the edge. But Finnick helps me hold on.

Finnick watches me as I leap out of our bed. We live together full-time now, and in all these years we haven't yet had our wedding, though neither of us have yet to take off our rings. It was simply too risky… Snow still has Finnick working in prostitution as much as he can. I want to help, but all I can do is hold him if he cries at night. We've both matured. It's been ten years since Finnick won his Games. We're not teenagers anymore. He's taller, his voice is deeper and more masculine, and he has grown into his muscles. It makes him even more attractive in the Capitol's eyes. I glance at my reflection in the mirror. I'm a bit taller, though not by much, and my body has turned into that of a woman's. Not that of a girl's. I'm slender, and developed. My face is still the same, apart from my hollow cheeks. My bright green eyes stare back at me, and my long black hair and bangs haven't been trimmed in years.

"Beautiful as always, Mrs. Odair," Finnick murmurs. I smile at his sweet term of endearment. Since it seems like it might be a while until we can officially get married, sometimes we use it to satisfy our longing. The spark between us hasn't died. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only thing that lights Finnick's eyes up, and I know for sure he's the only thing that puts a smile on my face. We've talked about having children .. but in the end, we decided it was for the best if a familiar-looking bronze haired child didn't suddenly belong to me. A shiver runs down my spine as Finnick still stares at me wordlessly. I can tell he wants a child. But the Capitol is forever crushing hopes and dreams…

I push out my anxiety and begin to brush my hair and begin another day. I slip on a dark navy-blue dress and my normal tennis shoes. I begin to pile on my jewelry: my mother's charm bracelet, Dorien's token, and my ring. "Annie, you don't know how grateful I am that you lived. That you got to come home with me. I'm sorry that I'm incompetent as a fiancé. You should be able to have children, and you shouldn't have to be afraid that someone from the Capitol will catch on to our relationship." His tone is choked and grave. "Thank you .. for not leaving me..yet," I immediately stared at him sternly. "This is like when I was in the Games. I thought you didn't love me because of who I was, because of what I did..," He nods grimly. "Finnick, you are the love of my life. I don't care if I have to make some sacrifices. Everyone does. I would never be able to live with another person; because you are the one that holds my heart. You are the one that makes me happy. We know everything about each other," Before I know it, I'm blabbing. "I worry every day that you'll find someone prettier than me in the Capitol, or another victor, or…," He puts his finger to my mouth and kisses me. It's a long, lasting kiss. "So, I guess you and I are going to be together forever, then?" He says it truly, a hint of disbelief and happiness in his voice. "Forever, Mr. Odair."

Finnick POV

I finally force myself out of bed and leap down the stairs. I fall slightly short and tumble down the last few. "Finnick!" Annie starts to laugh and so do I. It's not unlike me to do stupid stunts to catch her attention, and I'd do anything to earn a laugh. I pick her up and twirl her around, like I always do. "Finnick Odair, unless you want your breakfast burned, put me down!" I kiss her cheek and sit down obediently. Annie and I have both changed so much … I guess I'm manly now. The boyish looks I once had have disappeared. But it only makes Capitol women want me more. Annie's … womanly. She has become more beautiful with age, and my love for her only grows as time goes on. We've been together for 7 or 8 years now, and we're stuck like glue. As many women as I have pining after me, she's the only one that appeals to me. She's the only one that I want. I've known her too long to adjust to anything else. Some people call her crazy. Considering I know her better than anyone .. she's not. The memories just hit her hard.. Dorien, and the girl she let drown so she could win. It's been five years, but she's still haunted.

I wish we could have the freedom to get married and have children. There's nothing I want more than a house-hold full of miniscule mixes of us. Annie would be a good mother. I would be a good father. But my prostitution calls for me to remain forever single. I have an image… and if I drop that, it'll get either me or the girl I love killed. We've considered having a child, where she would keep it a secret and not reveal who the Father was. But I suppose it'd be awfully suspicious if the kid ended up looking like me. I hate to disappoint her… She's never voiced her displeasure over my life-style. Over what I'm forced to be. She only offers me support.

We eat breakfast together and plan our day. Neither of us are looking forward to the Quarter Quell drawing tonight. But we're not planning on wasting the pretty day. We head towards the spot where we first met. But before we go, we turn into one of the only wooded places in our area of the District. It's a snarled, tangled, mess of branches and berries, and this is one of the only places I can be confident no cameras lie. I clutch her hands and stare into her eyes. "Katniss Everdeen… a rebellion is forming because of what she did with the berries." Annie doesn't look surprised but she seems unwilling to accept my words. "If we want to get married and live happily ever after, together, in this world.. if we want kids.. if want to get rid of the Hunger Games..we..," Annie's expression is desperate. "Finnick .. not yet .. not so soon. I can't let you risk it. Not yet. Snow will know and he'll kill both of us." She pleads with me, and how can I deny her? If her intuition is to keep her guard up, then… I will follow. She glances at me. "Finnick.. if it becomes more evident, more clear, that it won't fail, then…," She nods her assent.

I don't want any child of mine to suffer from the Hunger Games, and it's hard enough to see one of the only people I care about suffer. Any attempt I have at ending them, I will take. We ignore our tense conversation and spend our day similarly to how we spent our first. We play in the water, race each other, and splash each other. It's almost like it's 7 years ago and I start to wonder. What would I have thought then, if knew that that beautiful, shy girl got to be the one that I'd spend my life with? Annie and I had such a chance meeting, something that could've easily never happened. I remember to constantly thank whoever may be listening for what we have. As the sun sets, we lay against each other, just staring the beautiful array of colors displayed in sky. Nothing exists apart from us. Annie eventually falls asleep in my arms, and I gently wake her. "Time to watch the Quarter Quell card reading, Mrs. Odair," She yawns and it's clear she's not in the mood to get up any time soon. I figure it's dark enough for no one to see, and considering no one's outside anyway, I scoop up Annie. I take my time, gazing up at the stars as I walk. Eventually we arrive at the Victor's Village, and I knock on Mags' door. She smiles adoringly at us, especially when she sees Annie asleep in my arms. I gently prod Annie awake, and after a bit of protest she gives in. She opens her wide green eyes and seems confused. I point at the TV. There are only a few minutes until the card will be read. Annie sees how tense I am, and she strokes my cheek gently. I kiss her forehead and both of us glue our eyes to the screen.

He reads the card.

My mouth opens in shock, in disbelief. Mags looks sick.

But Annie.. she starts to scream and sob and launches herself onto the floor. She curls up into a ball and the tears stream silently down her face. This year's tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors. No matter how young or old. No matter how loved or loathed. There's only nine living District 4 victors. Annie, Mags, and another I don't take time to think about are the only female tributes. There's a 2/3 chance that one of the only two people I live for will be reaped. This is low, even for the Capitol. We're promised lives of luxury and peace after we win. We fight for freedom. But now that's being taken away from us?

Just hours ago, I was dreaming about my life with Annie. Thinking about how lucky and fortunate we had been. How wrong I was.. I knew our life was too good to be true. If Annie's going into the arena, I will not hesitate to go in with her and slaughter every possible tribute I can to spare her life. I'm stronger than I was when I was 14. I'm intimidating, I'm attractive. If I'm picked and Annie or Mags is not, I will do my best to win. Thinking of Annie's face would probably give me enough strength to conquer all of the Capitol.. I can't believe this. One of our greatest consultations is that we never have to face the arena again. This is unforgivable. We killed to win; we destroyed most of the good inside ourselves to win..

Mags and I gently move Annie to the couch and for the first time since Annie's Games I put my head on Mags' shoulder. "Finnick.. I'll be volunteering if Annie is picked," She says firmly. "I…," I want to protest, but I can't. Do I want to give up my mother figure for the love of my life? The choice is obvious. But I don't want Mags to die. Since luck has been our side far too long, I know she might.. But..

"Finnick, I'm old. I know you love me, but don't volunteer to save me. You have so much ahead of you. I do not. Annie doesn't deserve another Games, nor do you."

But there's no way Snow will be letting me off. Finnick Odair, in the Games, again? I come to the sick realization that most Capitol citizens would kill for that. I'm going into the Games again.

I chuck my trident at the dummy and smile. Perfect shot.

The competition in the arena will be double. These aren't untrained children. These are winners, killers. All of them won. You don't win because you're an idiot. You win because you're strong, have talent with a weapon, or because you were smart enough to formulate a plan. Of course, many victors have changed. Some have grown old, and some abandoned their skills as soon as they left they arena. But all are still threats to me. Annie stares at me, her eyes empty. It's been a week since the card was read. I've taken action – I ordered a whole set of dummies and decided to finally unveil the trident that won me my Games. I stroke its jeweled handle. I haven't touched it in years, preferring instead to use unimportant ones for hobby. Annie hasn't quite adjusted to the idea of this Games yet.. I know the memories have overtaken her. She's been mumbling incoherently for days. I can kill 23 tributes for her, but fighting the monsters inside her head is something I cannot do..

"Finnick!" Annie suddenly shrieks and jumps up. She throws her hands around my waist. "You can't go back! You can't die!" She doesn't cry, but I can tell it requires a bit of effort. "Annie … maybe I won't get picked," But both of us know I will. I know Snow's attempting to send us in together; he'd love that. If it weren't for Mags' selfless promise, I'd be in the same state Annie was.. "I can beat all of them." As an example, I pick up my trident again, and even though I'm only using one hand, I can still land it perfectly. "Mrs. Odair, let's face it. The Capitol loves me. I'm wicked with a weapon, and if I managed to beat Careers when I was 14, I can do it now," Annie's grip tightens around me. Anyone else would be disgusted with my little speech; you can never be sure what will happen to you in the Games. But every point I have is … correct. I'm a favorite, and 18 year old Careers were nothing when it came to my 14 year old wrath. "I can win."

Annie POV

Today's the Reaping. I know I will not be going to the arena. Mags' will be volunteering for me. I know I'll be mentoring… Snow would practically faint from happiness at the idea of fragile little me personally watching Finnick die. "Oh, Finnick..," I don't get out of bed. Instead I curl closer to him. "Remember this day, five years ago?" He nods and I can tell he's thinking. If I had known this is what the future held… "Only one more week with you." There's always a chance Snow won't pick me to mentor, and that'd be unbearably cruel. But we both know he will; he'd prefer cold, hard pain over cruelty. Finnick and I have spent every moment possible in the last month together. Days at our spot, and hours spent discussing every last thing we can. We talk about our lives, our time together, our experience in the Games. We talk about the rebellion; talk about how this is the certain fuel it needs. We both agree to do what we can to throw down the Capitol.

"Finnick … maybe Snow won't pick you. Maybe…," He shakes his head. "I'll win." I want to believe it, but anything can happen in the Games. District 1 should've won in mine. "Finnick, I love you so much.. how can two people possibly go through so much pain and suffering?" We both smile slightly at my last words. We get dressed, and before we go Finnick kisses me gently. "One day, Annie, we'll be together. We'll have as many kids as we want, and I won't have to sell myself, and we can finally just … live. No more Hunger Games. No more pain." I sigh as walk out the door. "One day."

We have to deliberately swerve away from each other and walk a good distance apart to the Town Square. Cameras are swarming the district. The roped-off area normally for tributes is pitifully small. All are already there when I arrive, including Finnick. He stares at me and I turn away. People from the district can't take their eyes off of me. They want to see if I'll have an outburst… Children surround our reaping pens. Some are smiling, a year free; those trained are glaring at the Cameras. Another year with awaited glory lost. There are only 3 female victors. Mags, I, and a forty-something year old with children. As arrogant as she is, she shouldn't be picked. Then again, none of us should… We had more, but in the past few years, one died from an overdose; one from illness, I suppose one even the Capitol couldn't cure; and one died from an 'accidental drowning'. So it's just us three.

I ignore our District escort's speech. She drawls on and on, and finally it's time to pick the … victor .. tribute. "Ladies first!" She beams and lunges her head in the big glass bowl. Only three small slips of paper lay on the bottom. "Annie Cresta!" I feel like I'm about to puke and I almost do as I hobble up to the stage. I'm hoping, hoping, hoping that I can make it up there without a relapse. But I'm not lucky. Memories pour into my head. Dorien's head.. District 1's transformation from beautiful to hideously scarred.. the deaths of those I mentored.. their screams… their blood.. I start to cry and I can't stop myself. I'm on live television, but yet the tears still flow. I vaguely hear a, "I volunteer!" and a name being called. But I'm still frozen in place. I feel someone lift me up and I'm slowly led back to the roped off area. As I'm put down, I snap out of it. Finnick stares at me, and I can tell he desperately wants to put his arms around me. But he can't. I want for the name to be called and then I realize it already has been.

Finnick walks to the stage coolly. He sends a smirk to the cameras. He links his hand with Mags and our escort gives her usual cheery word of luck.

As I see Finnick standing on the stage, my heart is torn in two. I want to scream, grab him, and I want us to run away. I want us to get away from the Capitol, the Games, the world.

I finally know how he felt all those years ago.