Waves Breaking Over Rocks Part 2

Chapter 15

Annie

The almost peaceful time we spent on the isle was cut short by the Careers. I barely had time to see Wiress's body fall. Then, Katniss's arrow lodged itself in Gloss's throat. I stifled a scream. Everything got blurry, fast. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Johanna hit Cashmere in the chest with her axe. Then, Enobaria and Brutus retreated.

I quickly find out that it was tears that had been clouding my vision. I blink them away just in time. The Cornucopia starts spinning faster, and faster, and faster. I fall and roll over the side. I'm about to fall to the water when I feel a strong hand grab my waist and steady me. At first, I think it is Finnick, but this arm is a lot bigger and stronger. Peeta.

When it's all over, I climb back up to the rocks. I quickly thank Peeta, then retreat to a side of the Cornucopia. I feel a cold feeling wash over me and hear the familiar voices of my loved ones, and I let them pull me away.

"My, my, Annie! He sure is beautiful! You two did a good job!" Mags says, smiling up at Finnick and I. We're in our mansion in 4. I'm holding little Seadon in my arms. He's giggling, looking up at me with his father's eyes. I stroke the blonde curls that have just started to grow. He's going to look so much like Finnick when he grows up.

"Thank you." Finnick says. He is so happy with the baby. Seadon and I are everything to him.

"Could I hold him?" Mags asks.

"Of course." I hand her my baby, who is still giggling. He loves his Grammy Mags.

I start to feel the familiar cold, and I think: No, don't take me away... I want to stay here...

But when I see the look on Finnick's face I know I'm needed in the real world.

I put my arms around him and comfort him, hiding my own tears. He needs you, he needs you, he needs you, I tell myself.

I start to get dizzy, and I get pain in my stomach, much like the cramps I had gotten the day before. I can't let Finnick know I'm in pain.

"I'll be right back, Finnick." I whisper. I rush away and hide on the other side of the Cornucopia. There, I retch until there is nothing else left in me. My stomach still hurts and I am forced to lie on the ground, curled up in a ball.

I'm about to go back with Finnick when I hear the familiar sound of a parachute. I take the silver package with me, without opening it.

Finnick and I open the container, curious as to what Gabriella could have gotten me. It turns out to be a few bread rolls from home. Finnick counts them before I could take one, then leaves to find Beetee.

"You can have a couple, Annie, but we need the rest." He tells me as he walks away. Instead of questioning it, I take two rolls and stuff them in my mouth. The vomiting had left me hungry, and the rolls reminded me of home. After a while, Finnick comes back.

"It's not safe to stay here. Let's head back for the beach. We can sleep there. Besides, we really need to talk." He tells me, helping me up. Johanna, Katniss, Peeta, Beetee, Finnick, and I make camp by the shore.

When we're all finally settled down, Finnick and I take a walk to check the perimeter.

"Want to sit down for a few minutes?" He asks when we're out of hearing range. I'm already tired. I've noticed that, lately, I've been feeling more and more tired. It's probably just something to do with the Games, though. "How are you doing, Annie?" He says it as if it's completely normal, as if it is a normal day.

"Well, apart from the fact that we're stuck in and arena with dozens of other people trying to kill us, I'm fine." Before he could respond, the National Anthem starts playing. God, I hate that song...

That's when Wiress appears in the sky.

I had known it since the moment it happened, known it all along, but it never had truly hit me that she's dead.

"She's dead, Finn-" My voice breaks as I remember her kindness to me. One of the few people who had it worse than me when it came to post-traumatic stress disorder.

He just hold me like I held him in the Cornucopia. He knows just what I need.

"There is a phrase, from one of the ancient languages of the world outside Panem that serves to honor the dead. My mother taught it to me: Ave atque vale. Hail and farewell." He tells me.

"Ave atque vale, Wiress, Cashmere, Gloss..."

I stay with Finnick until I fall asleep.

That night, I see blood. I see pain. I see suffering. I see the beautiful laugh of a little angel that makes it all go away.

O+^-C