Annie Cresta

Maxem, Maxem. Where are you? Finnick where was Finnick? Who is Finnick? Who am I in fact? The answers seemed to come tumbling in, my name is Annie Cresta, I am seventeen years old, and I live in District 4 which is the fishing district. But that didn't describe who I was did it? Those were just facts, anybody could figure that out. I survived the Hunger Games, or at least I think I did, maybe I actually died. No I won. I'm sure of it.

I drifted in and out of consciousness, dark nightmares would haunt my slumber. Some with Maxem, Garran, Alanna, Kanda. Alanna and Maxem nightmares were the worst. One was Maxem picking up his head and he started to walk around, looking for me. Hunting me. Then Alanna would me running away from the snake, my feet would be stuck and I couldn't move and help her. The snake would attack and with each blow she would scream. It broke my heart.

I woke up screaming. I tried to sit up, but there was a wide restraint around my waist and tied to the bed, my fingers clawed at it trying to get it off. I tried everything; wiggling, squirming, and some more clawing but none of it worked.

Somebody walked in and immediately stopped "Where is Maxem?" I demanded. But is he dead?

The woman gave me a sad look and pointed to her mouth. She was an Avox, and she was holding a tray. The Avox sits me up in a sitting position with a touch of a button and puts a metal tray on my lap. I frown when my stomach growled. The size was very small. Only a quarter of a glass of water, a few apple slices and a tiny bit of broth. My immediate reaction was I thought the Capitol was trying to starve me. But as soon as I gulped the water and saw the Avox's disapproving glare I knew my stomach would hurt. After I finished my small meal it did, I managed not to throw up the only thing in my stomach.

How many days have I been in this bed? Days? Weeks? Months even? I just want to go home. I start to claw at the restraint again and I feel a sharp pain in my shoulder and I'm out again like a light.

.

.

.

It seemed to become a pattern; wake up, scream, try to escape, sharp pain on body, and darkness. Sometimes the Avox came and she would give me food, it was nice to have someone in the depressing room, even if she couldn't speak. Sometimes I'd wake up and see a I.V. in my arm pumping what I thought was food, I would grab it and rip it off, leaving me with a bloody gash that would most likely leave a scar. The next time I woke up there was no blood, no scar and most importantly; no restraint. I was free to move around. I sat up and a wash of dizziness went through me, when it passed I checked my arm, it was smooth, hairless and scar less. I frowned, did I imagine the entire think. I lifted up my shirt to see my stomach, the scar that I had there was gone. It made me feel like the Capitol was taking away things that I am.

I placed my foot on the white tile floor, and looked around, the door was shut, but maybe it was open. I stood up at first I was afraid I would fall but I didn't, my legs were strong and smooth like satin too so I continued walking. I looked down, I was shoeless and in a hospital gown. My feet slapped against the cool floor. The door swung open and I peered out. There was a long hallway that appeared to have no other doors.

"Hello?" I called out, hoping to see a familiar face, no response, and no surprise. I wanted to see Finnick and Mags, even Brigum and my prep team would be a nice sight.

I continued walking down the hallway. When I reach the end and turn there they are and I launched myself at them Finnick was there and hugged me tight and whispered in my ear "Good to see you again little mermaid." He sounded genially happy to see me, I smiled against hit white shirt.

I hugged Mags next, who patted me on the back and murmured unidentifiable things in my ear. Surprisingly Brigum hugged me too who almost crushed me. Justine grinned and hugged me too. Nobody said anything for a moment. My prep team wasn't there to squeal and gush at me.

"Well come along!" Brigum said happily. "Let's go get you ready!"

I didn't want to leave Finnick and Mags, I waved goodbye sadly at when Brigum brought me along we took an elevator up. He kept talking about all the pretty dresses he was designing for my victory tour. The hospital was underground. Brigum lead me to the lobby of the Training Center and up the elevator to the fourth floor. It was almost a relief to be back here, at least I wasn't in the arena.

My prep team run towards me, hugging and gushing "You did wonderful!" Peko squealed.

I nodded and mumbled "Thanks."

They lead me over to the best thing that I have seen all day; the dining room. Food filled up almost every inch of it. I grabbed a large meat filled sandwich, a bread roll, and some carrots. But my size portions were firmly controlled. I wasn't allowed seconds.

We go back to the room I once stayed in. My prep team stripped me and hosed me down. I lost a ton of weight in the arena, I could see and count my ribs.

"Finnick and Mags wouldn't let the nice doctors 'enhance' your body." Jacey frowned.

I made a mental note to thank them. A few hours later, my hair was glossy and curly, fingernails were painted a turquoise color, and makeup caked my face. That's when I started to hyperventilate, I had to go back on stage, and watch everyone die again. Tears threatened to escape my eyes, and they were just about to but Brigum came in.

"I'm here!" He said in a sing-song voice.

He was holding a long blue and sea green dress. "Close those pretty little eyes Annie."

I closed them and the dress slid on, padding went over my breasts and other areas like my stomach, to cover what the games did to me.

"Perfect!"

I opened my eyes, the dress reminded me of the ocean back home, the different shades of blue and green was like staring at the ocean itself. The bodice was tighter and flowed down and when I walked it was like the waves itself. It was just what I needed to get through the interview. I would be strong like the ocean.