Finnick Odair
For the first time in weeks Annie slept a full night without having a nightmare. She fell asleep on the couch in the train. She was staring out the window trying to fight the urge to sleep and stay up to see District 4. I let her sleep though, she needed it. Plus, we were pretty far away from District 4. Mags went to bed too. I tried to fall asleep but I just couldn't. So I sat on the couch across from Annie and stared out the window.
Annie groaned in her sleep and rolled over. The couch she laid on was huge, but she was sprawled out that her head almost hung off the side of it. Her brown hair was in her face and hanging off of the cushion and swayed slightly.
The position she was in looked very uncomfortable. One of her arms was bent so far I was sure it was broken. Her legs were tangled together and her other arm dangled off the couch as well. So I walked over and picked her up bridal style. She lost so much weight it was scary, it was like picking up a child.
I walked down the hallway leading her to her room. I passed on of the chefs on board the train, his name was Greggor.
He raised a green eyebrow suspiciously at me. "What are you doing with the young victor Finnick?"
I rolled my eyes "Putting her to bed."
"Really? Is that all?"
"Yes!" I shout whispered, and rearranged her in my arms. "What else would I be doing?"
"Well knowing you Finnick…" Greggor broke off, laughed and walked away.
Why would I do that to Annie? I shook my head and continued down the hallway. After finally opening her door and lying her down. I stopped before leaving the room. She looked do vulnerable lying there. I thought about her horrible nightmares.
Knowing it was a horrible idea, I slipped onto the bed beside her. I couldn't sleep anyways, if she had any nightmare I would be there to stop her from screaming. I smiled at seeing Annie looking so peaceful and I moved a stay curl away from her closed eyes. Her chest softly rose and fell and she moved ever so slightly when I put a fuzzy black blanket on her.
I took off my shoes and put my hands behind my head. My heart quickened when I realized I was sleeping besides Annie. My eyes became heavy and I tried not to fall asleep…
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I woke up to a sudden movement besides me. My eyes snapped open, I looked up to see the familiar green eyes of Annie Cresta. My cheeks burned when I realized I fell asleep.
"What are you doing in my room?" she asked, her cheeks were flushed too.
"Uh…" I broke off, not wanting to tell her I purposely slept in her bed. So I did the worst thing possible: I lied. I cleared my throat "You fell asleep on the couch, I was bringing you to your room. I was about to leave but you told me to stay."
"Oh." Her cheeks became for red "Sorry, I must have been half asleep because I don't remember."
I nodded "Yea, you defiantly were sleepy." That wasn't a lie necessarily.
I slowly rose from her bed. "I shouldn't have fallen asleep though. I probably scared you. Well maybe not, you know with my looks you probably were extremely happy waking up next to me. Any woman would be."
She rolled her eyes at my cockiness. Seeing her smile brought one to my face too.
"Come on." I said while putting on my shoes, "Let's go get some breakfast. We should be home soon."
We got up and walked down the hallway in silence. When we reached the dining room Mags was already there, she was a very early riser.
"Hello." She said while looking up from her teacup. "How did you two sleep?"
Annie blushed and sputtered "F-fine."
"Okay." I answered.
I sat down and Annie sat beside Mags. I wondered if Mags knew that we slept together. Well not that way. I would never do that to her. But a whole bunch of men would in the Capitol. I felt sick to my stomach and didn't eat anything. I would find a way to make sure Annie didn't have to sell her body like I do.
I thought about at the table while Annie and Mags talked. Maybe… maybe I could threaten President Snow. With what though? Surely not with his life, guards would come in as soon as I put my hand in my pocket to get the weapon. Maybe his reputation.
Secrets.
The Capitol was full of them. Instead of the treasure that the woman handed off to me I could get secrets off of them. Most of them would be rumors and gossip but it would be something.
Something that could possibly save my family and Annie. No more prostitution. I would almost be a free man. The thought of that happening seemed impossible. But I would try.
And hopefully I would win.
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Hours later the ocean came into view on the train. The sandy land of District 4 was the next thing I saw. Annie and I immediately got up and ran over to the train. She gasped when she saw the ocean, the waves splashed against the shore and I felt at home.
Annie's hand found mine and our fingers interlocked, I squeezed them to show her that I was there for her. That I cared.
When the train stopped we were surrounded by cameras and reporters, thankfully not as much in the Capitol. They didn't shout as much either. Peacekeepers pushed aside the obnoxious photographers to make a pathway.
And they Annie saw her grandfather.
She sprinted towards him, and he was there with his arms wide open. Annie knew he was older and she slowed down and hugged him. His old frail hands stroked her hair and he whispered things into her hair. They rocked and Annie patted his back.
Tears were in the old man's green eyes, he pulled away and looked at Mags and I. "T-thank you. So much."
That was the one time I was glad to be a victor, each time I brought a tribute home the smiles in the loved ones eyes was one of the happiest things I had ever seen. Also when you bring a victor home, their home District is awarded with food. Children wouldn't be eating moldy bread and bad fish.
"It wasn't us." Mags explained "It was Annie. She was the one who went through the Games."
"She was so brave. And strong." He hugged Annie again.
We took a car across town, Annie was wedged in the middle of me and her grandpa, Mags was in the front. It was getting later. The sun was setting. The sky was a mixture of oranges, reds, pinks, and yellows, it was very beautiful. But there was something more gorgeous thing sitting beside me.
When the car stopped and the door opened I smelled the ocean. It smelled do good, far better than the floral or spicy scent of the Capitol.
"You did it Finnick." She smiled at the sunset, the colors reflected onto her face. "You brought me home."
Annie wrapped her arms around me "Thank you."