Everything went by in a blur. After a helicopter whisks me out of the arena, I am taken to a strange white room, where there is nothing but me.
I sit on the bed and stare into the distance, wondering how much my life has changed since the Games had begun. "I won," I say in a barely audible whisper. "I won...I won..." I still can't believe I won. "I won the Hunger Games. No, that's not possible. I must be dead. That must be why I'm in a white room. This is death. But...I won. I did win, didn't I? Claudius Templesmith said so."
I continue mumbling to myself, and suddenly a woman that's vaguely familiar bursts in with tears in her eyes. "Oh, Annie! I can't believe I'm actually seeing you again!" she sobs, and flings herself on top of me. "Food will be brought to you soon," she promises between sobs.
I don't know what to do. Why is she crying on top of me? What's her relationship with me? Wait, I know who she is. She's Locketta. She's partially responsible for my suffering. "Go away," I say, my voice tight and cold.
She blinks at me. "A-Annie?" she stammers.
"This is your fault!" I scream, her innocence bothering me. "All your fault! If you weren't there that day, I wouldn't have to suffer!" I begin hitting her with my fists.
She backs away from me as fast as she could. "Annie, are you okay?"
"No, of course I'm not okay! How can I be okay when everyone I know is dead?" I roar, leaping off my seat. She screams in alarm and fleas out the door, shutting it behind her.
Great.
Now I'm alone again. I probably shouldn't have chased her off, but I am angry, and I had to take my anger on someone.
Someone comes in not long after she leaves, and they inject something into my arm.
I black out.
When I awake again, I hear voices. I can't tell who they are, because they're standing somewhere that's out of my eyesight. I pretend I'm still unconscious so I can eavesdrop without them catching me. "Do you think she'll be ready by then?" one whispers urgently.
"You mean, for the interviews? Most likely not," another says.
"But we don't want the Capitol fussing over it," the first one insists. "If it takes longer for her than for previous winners, they'll know that something's wrong."
The second voice raises as it growls, "Something's wrong? Of course something's wrong! She was forced to watch other tributes die! She had to see Davis die! Wouldn't you react the same way if you saw what she saw?"
The first voice responds, "Well, I did see what she saw, thank you very much. In fact, I'm pretty sure everyone else did, too, and no one is taking it badly as her."
"She had first hand experience!" the second voice snaps. "It's worse for her than anyone else! I wouldn't be surprised if it damages her for eternity! Can't you postpone the interview, Doctor? Wait until she's better? Locketta had a fright there, and judging from her expressions, Annie wasn't doing too well."
"No," the first voice—the doctor?—states firmly, "The interview will not be postponed, Mr. Odair. I'm afraid President Snow's rules cannot be changed."
The second voice was obviously mad by this point. "Snow this, Snow that. I'm getting sick of it! Tell him I'm willing to do—that—to every female in the Capitol if that's what it takes to postpone the interview. Please, doctor! I'm doing this for her, you know! She won't take the interviews seriously unless she's better. Do you really want her to relive her nightmares when she's not fully healed?"
"Will she heal?" the doctor's tone was harsh. I wince when I realize that they were talking about me like I was some strange specimen waiting to be displayed to the public.
"It hasn't even been a day yet," the second voice points out. "Give her time. Time heals, Doctor. Trust me on that one. When she's ready, I won't complain to you about it anymore."
"Do I have your word on that, Mr. Odair?" the doctor asks. "I can't say for sure how long it'll take, and we'll have to come up with some type of excuse to reassure the Capitol that she's fine. The longer it takes for her to heal, the more worried everyone will be. I'll tell President Snow to postpone the interview for a week, but after that, I won't be able to prolong it. It might not be enough for her, but after one week, she will have her interview with Ceasar Flickerman. Deal?"
Silence.
I suppose the second speaker either nods or shakes his head.
"Thank you, doctor," the second voice says solemnly.
"Don't thank me," the doctor says dryly, "Thank yourself for the relations you have with, ah, certain Capitol citizens, Mr. Odair." The door clicks as they leave the room.
Thinking that I'm alone again, I open my eyes and sit up groggily. I feel as if I just had a massive hangover, and I've never even had a hangover before.
Then I hear the second voice. "So, you heard that, huh, Annie?"
I still can't see who's speaking. I don't mind, really.
A hand brushes a few strands of hair out of my eyes. "How are you feeling?"
Bad. I feel really bad. But 'bad' is hardly the appropriate word to use when I had just won the Hunger Games. I remain silent, not answering the question.
"I should probably go tell Doctor Hyde that you're awake," the voice continues. "He'll want to check you over and see how much damage you've had. Are you hungry? I'll find an Avox and have them bring you something to eat, if you'd like."
"No," I say softly. "No food."
"No food? Suit yourself," the voice says. "Well, I'm off. I'll come and visit you later, Annie."
I don't want to be alone. "Come back," I beg, my voice hoarse.
The person's head turns in my direction, and I can finally see who he is. My blood runs cold when I see his face.
It's hauntingly familiar.
Davis.
"Davis...?" I gasp. "No, that can't be. How can you be alive when you're dead? Or am I dead?" I'm so confused. I don't know what's happening to me anymore. Why is Davis here? Maybe I really am dead.
"Annie, it's me," he takes a step closer. I cower against my seat with my body shaking. "Finnick."
Finnick.
What was his relationship with me again?
That's right. I hate him. He caused me the pain that would never have had to exist if he hadn't spoken to me. "No, don't come any closer!" I cry out. He freezes, his eyes searching my face hungrily. "I hate you! Go away and leave me alone!"
"Annie?" he asks uncertainly.
"No! It's all your fault! Davis's death is your fault! Everything is your fault! Ellie's death is your fault! I hate you! Hate you!"
There's hurt in his eyes. Why would he be hurt if it's his fault? I don't understand. "Annie," he says. "Don't you remember me? I...I love you, Annie," he whispers the words.
No, it can't be. How can I be in love with a murderer? "Go away!" I repeat, raising my voice. "Don't come near me! Go away! I hate you!"
He sucks in a breath. "Oh, Annie...what have they done to you?" he asks, and, seeing my horrified expression, he then turns toward the door in defeat.
I let out a sigh of relief.
As the door closes behind him, I hear him vow, "You fell for my charm once, Annie Cresta, and I'll make you fall for my charm again. I promise you that."
Disclaimer: The Hunger Games doesn't belong to me!
The heartbreaking reunion! Will she accept him? Read on to find out! (When I actually write/post the next chapter, that is...)
Now, I could be extremely evil (insert evil laugh here) and finish the story at this point (and possibly put up a sequel), but it'll be a lot shorter than this fanfic, so I'm putting them all in one.