Secrets, Lies and Eternal Sadness: ~What if Annie had stayed?

Chapter 6

Suzanne Collins owns all characters in the Hunger Games trilogy.

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Chapter 6

Annie’s POV

Weeks pass after the funeral but I hardly move. I can’t bring myself to do anything. I go to the beach with Finnick a few times but I mostly spend the time looking out to the ocean and thinking about all the memories I shared with Grandma.

When Finnick knocks on the door one morning, I know something is up. He’s pale and shaking.

“What happened?” I ask, stepping out of the house and closing the door. 

“My Dad.” He whispers.

“What?”

“He’s being released. He’s asked me to visit first. I can’t go alone. Will you come with me?” He asks.

I nod. “Of course I will.”

When we arrive at the Justice Building we have to go through a lot of checks before we are allowed to see Peeta.

We walk into a large conference room. There is a long table in the middle of the room surrounded by benches. A man, who looks well into his fifties, sits on one of the benches looking at the wall ahead of him but not seeing anything. He has piercing blue eyes.

“Excuse me?” Finnick says quietly.

The eyes blink a few times and focus on Finnick’s face.

“Finnick.” He breathes.

I stand there awkwardly, wishing for the moment to end. Finnick’s hand finds mine and he squeezes it before walking over to the bench and sitting opposite Peeta.

“You’re Finnick?” Peeta asks.

Finnick nods slowly. “Yes.”

Peeta then looks at me. “You’re not Rue.”

I shake my head. “I’m Annie.”

Peeta smiles. “Nice to meet you.”

I nod. “You too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Peeta looks at me. “Really?”

I nod. “You knew my parents and my grandparents.”

“Really?”

I nod. “Liam and Jennifer.” 

Peeta smiles. “Yes I did. And how is your grandmother?”

My face falls.

“Are you ok?” Peeta asks.

I nod. “Fine. My grandmother Annie passed away a few weeks ago.”

Peeta smiles sympathetically. “I’m sorry to hear of it.”

I nod.

Peeta seems like such a sweet and genuine person. I can hardly believe he once murdered someone.

“So Finnick, what should I know about you?”  Peeta asks.

Finnick shrugs. “I’m not really sure.” 

Peeta smiles. “Tell me things I should know about you.”

“Well I was born in District 12 but when I was four years old, my whole family moved to District 4.”

“Who is your whole family?” Peeta asks.

“My mom Katniss, my dad Gale and my twin sister Rue. I have an older brother and sister called Logan and Willow but they have their own families. I have a brother and sister in law called Holly and Chris and my nieces and nephews are Jennifer, Liam, Gale, Maysilee, Peeta and Primrose. I haven’t ever been back to District 12 since I left and I spend a lot of time with my sister.”

Peeta smiles.

“Annie is my girlfriend and her brother Finn is my best friend and Rue’s boyfriend.” Finnick finishes.

“How did you guys manage to get stuck dating not only brother and sister but twins?” Peeta asks.

I shrug. “I guess our part of the district is small.”

Peeta laughs. “Obviously.”

“So what about you?” Finnick asks. “Tell us about you.”

Peeta nods. “Well I was born in District 12 and lived there until I was arrested and brought here. I was a tribute the 74th Hunger Games and I was a joint victor with your mother. We were both re-entered in the 75th Hunger Games where I met Finnick and Johanna, your grandparents.” He says turning to me.

I nod.

“After the 75th Games’ abrupt end, I was taken to the Capitol and held hostage and that’s where I met dear Annie Cresta. They did something to me there that turned me into a monster. For ages I hated Katniss because of what they did to me. Eventually we came to love each other again and we got married. Then Willow was born and then Logan and we were so happy. When I found out about you and Rue I didn’t think I could have been happier. Then of course we had the new games and the trouble with Mrs H and I ended up here.”

Finnick and I nod. I think we’ll get on just great with Peeta.