The Mermaid

Chapter 9

"Finnick?" I whispered, slipping into his room. My feet hit the smooth cold wood, making a barely audible squeaking sound. He sat up in bed, looking around quickly before yanking back the covers and rushing towards me.
I held onto his cheeks as he kissed me roughly, desperately. His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me firmly against him.
We pulled away, resting our foreheads against each other's.
"What if someone finds out?" I asked, worry beginning to eat away at my mind.
"They won't," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my forehead. He led me over to his bed, where we sink into the mattress and held each other. He pressed a kiss to my forehead every now and then.
"I love you," I whispered, snuggling back into his side.
"I love you too," he didn't hesitate,
"I love you so much."

The next morning I woke up extra early in Finnick's arms. As quietly as possible I left his room, hoping no one saw me. 
I dressed myself for training, pulling on a light gray tank top and leggings, the outfit laid out for me.
My stomach began to growl and I headed downstairs towards the kitchen, still barefoot.
Abruptly, I stopped when I saw a certain someone in the living room- President Snow.
"Did you know that the Capital originally planned to use citizens of District 4 as our Peacekeepers, but instead chose District 2 when they refused to cooperate? An uprising- they created an uprising," Snow told me as he twirled a white rose between his fingers, not looking at me. Cautiously, I walked to the couch, seating myself far away from him. He smelt like roses- not in a good way.
"No. We'd never learned about it in school," I answered, my expression grim. I couldn't bring myself to smile at him.
"Exactly. When the Capital sees an act of defiance, we erase it. It never happened," he tells me, looking back at me with anger in his eyes. For a moment, I didn't answer.
"I suppose that's what you're trying to do with Miss Everdeen's little trick," I dared. He smiled, evilly and cruelly.
"Yes. It is," Snow finally says, dropping his smile.
Nodding, I prayed he couldn't see how scared I was.
"A very recent act of defiance took place in your District, didn't it?" He asked, referring to Granny, although he already knew the answer. I swallowed the bile in my throat, wiping my palms on my leggings. Looking everywhere but him, I took everything in. Intricate designs on everything, chandeliers, mirrors, satin furniture- it was the Capital style. The beauty seemed to cover up the horror in their history.
"Yes," I squeaked, gazing at the rose in his hand.
"No! No it didn't," he yelled angrily,
"When the Capital sees an act of defiance, we erase it."
I nodded, clearly afraid.
"What do you make of Miss Everdeen's little trick?" He asked, calmed down.
"It was brave," I answered boldly,
"But foolish."
Snow nodded, agreeing with me.
"Very foolish indeed. Do you think the same of your grandmother's little scene?" Snow spat, seemingly mocking me.
I shook my head, "No. Not at all."
Snow wasn't surprised, it seemed.
"That's alright. Because it didn't happen, correct?" Snow asked, rhetorically, "Your grandmother died of natural causes, of old age."
I nodded, ready to leave.
"Good. May the odds be ever in your favor," he wished me luck, but I knew he didn't mean it.
Snow left, leaving the white rose on the the table for me.
"May the odds be ever in your favor," his voice rang in my head. But they weren't. The odds were never in our favor.

Our sneakers squeaked against the concrete floor, the only other sound besides grunting Victors in the training room. Finnick turned for the tridents, leaving me alone.
Instinctively, I went for the knives. However, when I saw Katniss Everdeen in the corner, I went over to her.
She was trying to make a fish hook, like the kind Mags used to make for Finnick and I.
I watched her for a minute, but she wasn't making it right.
"Try using a different knot. The water will loosen that one up when you put it in," I instructed, handing her a new wire. She said nothing, but took it in her hand, starting over.
"There you go. Just like that," I congratulated her when she finished one. Katniss looked up, smiling a little at me.
"My other mentor, Mags, used to make Finnick and I fish hooks so we could go fishing by the dock near our houses," I told her, grabbing the materials and starting to make my own.
She frowned at the mention of Finnick's name. As if on cue, a hand pressed against my back, making me jump. Katniss glared at my side, at Finnick.
"Hello ladies," he smiled, showing off his dimples. I hadn't told him yet about Snow's visit, afraid he'd get angry.
"Finnick," she greeted harshly, moving on to rope tying. Katniss grew aggravated as she attempted the knot, and failed.
"No no no no," Finnick muttered as he took the rope from Katniss, quickly adjusting her knot and forming a noose. He put it over his head, pretending to hang himself.
"Funny," her lips curved at the corners in amusement.
"You wanna take me for a walk?" He asked, smiling. She crossed her arms over her chest before walking away from us.
Finnick began to laugh, "She doesn't like me, that one."
We watched as she approached Beetee and Wirus, engaging in a conversation with them.
"Finnick, wait," I grabbed his forearm, pulling him close to me and lowering my voice.
"Snow came to visit me," I whispered as Finnick's smile was quickly wiped away.
"Why?" He asked, frowning.
"He wanted to make sure I wouldn't spill anything about what really happened with Granny's death," I gulped, "He told me that if anyone asks she died of old age. Of natural causes."
Finnick swallowed, his face growing red with anger. His breathing become unsteady, as he grew tense.
"Calm down," I ordered, grabbing his hands. He relaxed immediately, anger still in his face, however.
"Finnick, stop," I demanded as he broke away from me, his nostrils flaring as his anger built up again.
"Finnick!" I scolded, gripping his shoulders. He stared me in the eyes, letting his head drop.
Surprisingly, he pulled me into a tight hug.
"Meet me downstairs after training," he whispered quickly before pulling away and heading towards the tridents.

"Finnick?" I whispered, rounding the corner. He fidgeted with a gold bangle on his wrist before his head snapped up.
"Come here," he motioned, reaching out for my hand. I have it to him as he stood, pulling me away.
"Don't say anything until we get there, okay?" He instructs, dropping my hand. Nodding, I casually followed him down the steps. We stopped in the corridor, between two sets of stairs. It was quiet, eerily quiet.
"Listen," he says, pulling me close to him, "Plutarch Heavensbee has a way to get us all out of the Games."
I could hardly process that- Plutarch Heavensbee, the head game maker, would save us?
"But only if we protect the Mockingjay. If we get her, and Peeta, out alive, they'll take us to District 13," he explains, continuously looking around to see if someone was coming- but I think he knew no one was.
I could only make out the outline of his face, and couldn't see his expression.
"Why? Why are they doing this?" I whispered, desperate for an answer.
"To start a Revolution- a rebellion against the Capital."
For a moment, I could only think of what a rebellion would mean- no more children being sent to fight to the death, no more starving, dying citizens in the Districts- freedom.
"I think that's wonderful," I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. He leant over, resting his forehead against mine and pressing kisses to my nose.
"Marilla, we're gonna be free after this. And I want to spend every waking moment away from the Capital with you," he says, pulling me even closer,
"Will you marry me?"
I nodded furiously, tears prickling at my eyes- happy tears.
"Yes, yes, yes," I uttered, kissing him as he laughed.
We pulled away, holding hands as we trudged up the stairs and to his room.
"I love you. I just wish Granny could've been here to see us together," I told him, accidentally ruining our perfect moment.
"Me too," he kissed my temple, pulling the sheets over us,
"Me too."