That Fine Line

Chapter 17 - The Odds in my Favor

I didn't sleep at all that night. Every interaction I'd ever had with him reeled in my head. And each time a tear was shed, the more I loathed the man. By the time it was morning, I was hellbent on killing him.

At breakfast, we were already dressed and ready to leave for the arena. Finnick was wearing a billowy light blue button-up, looking like he was on some sort of vacation instead of being on his way to a gladiator game.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him glance at the back of my head for a second.

"You wore the hair clip."

My fork clattered as I dropped it on my plate, vexed. "Do you want me to take it off?"

"No, of course not," he replied casually.

For a second, I was afraid he did end up retracting his offer for alliance with me since that would make killing him more tedious. Thankfully, I would still be able to stay close with him in the Games.

I guess my original plan was still on.

After breakfast, all the tributes were taken to the arena by hovercraft, and each waited in their individual Launch Room for arrivals to begin. Belle's prep team had dressed me in a tight, black wetsuit with removable sleeves and boots. Looks like I'm gonna be in water soon.

Belle entered the room on her own terms as usual, bringing a cheery, excited demeanor with her. Her hair had been done up today in pink curls that bounced with every step she took.

"Hello, hello!" She skipped over to hold my hands in hers. "I just wanted to come say 'good luck' and 'happy Hunger Games' before you leave!"

I nodded with a hint of sarcasm, but I knew she didn't have any ill-intention behind those words of Capitol courtesy.

"Um, Belle, I wanted to thank you for the mermaid dress that I wore at the interview," I mentioned awkwardly, "I liked it a lot."

Her eyes widened with surprise at my gratitude, especially after I'd indirectly criticized her for making me wear a fishnet to the parade.

"Oh, darling, you're ever so welcome! I had so much fun designing it anyways, and it matched you perfectly! It definitely drew in a lot more sponsors for you especially with how plain all those other tributes were dressed, really..." She blabbered on.

"Alright, well, I'm going to bid Finnick farewell now, so goodbye! It was lovely to meet you, um, dear!"

I chuckled at the fact that she didn't even know my name as she hopped out of the room. Then I began to wonder if Finnick's response from last night would have been the same if I was someone like Belle. What if I'd never left the Capitol? What if I'd been a customers of his, whom he fell in love with? Would he still choose Annie over me? I'd be so much more prettier. Maybe I'd have pink cotton candy for hair too. And I'd be rich. If we were together, he'd never have to sell his body for anything anymore. Whatever he wanted, I could simply provide for him.

I scolded myself. What was I thinking? The Games were about to start in less than two minutes, and here I was thinking about the tribute whom I wanted to kill most like this?

The tribute tube slid open, indicating that it was time for me to enter. Taking one last breath of safe Capitol air, I stepped onto the lift. When I'd finally risen to the platform, the sixty-second countdown began.

Each tribute was standing on the edge of a pathway towards the Cornucopia, which was a small island in the center of the lake we were on. Beyond the sandy shores of the water was a tropical jungle of greenery. I squinted against the sunlight to look for Finnick in the distance, trying to see if he was on any of the pathways along my line of sight. Unfortunately, the tributes were too far away to see beyond the ones I was in-between.

I looked back at the hologram of decreasing numbers. Ten seconds.

Nine. Where do I go first?

"He loves me."

Eight. Where would he go first?

"He loves me not."

Seven. The Cornucopia?

"He loves me."

Six. What weapons should I get?

"He loves me not."

Five. I don't need weapons.

"He loves me."

Four. I'll need food.

"He loves me not."

Three. I'll need fresh water.

"He loves me."

Two. I'll need Finnick.

"He loves me not."

One. I need to run.

"He loves me."