BOMBSHELL - Finnick Odair

29

Ember

"Looks like they got you good, Em."

I'm trying to imagine if the throbbing in my temple looks as bad as it feels, and I assume it does if it was noticeable enough for Johanna to comment on it.

I try to laugh, but wince in pain at the pressure it sends to my ribs. The involuntary air I suck in through my teeth makes a hissing sound, and my hand immediately goes to grab at the broken bones.

"It was worth it," I say, leaning my forehead against the cool, concrete slot.

She smiles, showcasing her busted bottom lip. I wonder what witty remark she said to earn that one.

"They at least left lover boy and I alone while they played with you," says Johanna.

That makes the pain a little more bearable.

"Get him to talk yet?" I ask.

She shakes her head, "Still quiet over there."

I didn't expect him to. He's being beaten and tortured for information he doesn't even have. I use the minimal support the wall provides to aid me in sitting upright. Before Johanna can protest against it, I'm using the rest of my strength to crawl across the floor.

Peeta's more coherent this time.

His back is pressed firmly against the opposite wall and he's already facing me. He looks to be deep in thought, staring at the ground at nothing in particular.

For a moment, I'm not sure what to say. How can I put this feeling into words? Sorry will just never be enough.

"Peeta," I plead.

He doesn't answer. Just stares right through me. Expressionless.

My fingers curl around the hole in the wall in efforts to hold my body weight up. "I know you're confused," I begin.

But he doesn't give me the chance to finish.

"No," Peeta says calmly. "I'm not confused."

His hands are balled up into fists and resting in his lap.

"Instead of getting caught up playing allies with you," he spits venomously. "I should've stayed with Katniss."

Johanna, from her cell, calls out, "Then you'd both be dead!"

While that might be true, I can't blame him for his reaction.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," I say, mostly to myself.

A deep sigh slips past my lips and my head falls in defeat. "I just wanted a better life for Wes."

I turn to move away, to give him the space from me that he obviously wanted, when he stops me.

"Wes," he interjects. "Your younger brother?"

I swallow the lump in my throat.

"Yes," I respond. "Do you have any siblings?"