Dead in the Water | An Odesta Fanfic

Chapter Forty-Two

"Why do we even take him on walks?" asked Finnick. Salmon was settled happily in his arms as they walked back up to Victor's Village. "I just end up carrying him half of the time."

"It's your fault for buying a Capitol dog," said Annie. "He's not used to exerting himself. They probably had him in silk pajamas and eating caviar since the day he was born."

"Yeah, but you'd think he'd start getting used to life in the district by now."

"How can he, when you spoil him so much?"

"I do not –"

"He's wearing a sweater you made for him, Odair. He eats dinner in the dining room with us. How is that not spoiling him?" Annie shook her head. "You don't have to carry him, you know. You could just make him walk."

He looked down at the puppy in his arms. Salmon gave a tired sigh and snuggled up against his chest. Finnick smiled. So maybe he was spoiling him a little. But it was nice to have someone who didn't know or care about all the things that made life so complicated.

"Finnick."

The sound of his first name caught Finnick's attention. Annie had stopped walking and was staring up into Victor's village.

"Is there a man standing outside your house, or am I just –?"

He looked up quickly. They were still only at the entrance to the neighborhood, but he could see the figure standing by the door of his house.

"No, that's real." Finnick said slowly. He took a step back to stand beside Annie, pushing Salmon into her arms. He didn't expect any trouble, but just in case –

"Finnick?" Annie said again. Her voice was shaking, and her eyes were getting that familiar look where they went all distant and started to slip out of reality.

"It's okay." he said. "Let's just stay here a second, okay?"

Annie held on to Salmon, burying her face against his fur. It seemed to help her stay in reality a little longer, holding on tight to something warm and real, and matching her breathing with his. Finnick turned back to watch the man by his door. He was leaving the house now, and as he came closer, Finnick could see what was making Annie so nervous. The man was clearly from the Capitol. Finnick could tell by his clothes. They weren't so extravagant – he had seen much worse in the Capitol – but they were still out of place in district 4.

Annie was starting to whisper quietly to herself, but Finnick didn't dare take his eyes off of the stranger. He could only step in front of her as the man came down the street towards them, hoping she wasn't seeing visions of anything worse.

"It's okay." Finnick said again, but he didn't quite believe it himself. Any sign of the Capitol in district 4 felt horribly wrong. His two lives were colliding with each other and Finnick wasn't sure who to be. He straightened up as the man came close, clenching his fists and wiping any emotion from his face.

But the stranger only gave them a quick nod as he passed by. That was all. No fight, no words – just a nod. Finnick wasn't sure what was worse. He almost preferred a fight to what he knew was waiting for him in the house.

He stayed there until the man had passed, watching him carefully all the way down the hill, until he disappeared in the streets of district 4. When Finnick turned back to Annie, she was looking up too, watching the stranger as he walked away.

"You good, Cresta?"

Annie nodded.

"Okay." he said. "Come on, let's go." He shot another glance down the road, but the man was nowhere to be seen. "We'll be safer inside."