Finnick and Annie (Short Stories)

From your Dad

Darling,

I left this letter for your mother years ago and if you're reading it now it's because you're old enough to understand. I really hoped there'd be no need for it; I wished I could tell you all this in person. But I guess if you're reading this now it's because I didn't make it back.

First of all I'd just like to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I'm not there for you, nor will I ever be. I'm sorry that I couldn't even stay long enough to know if you're my son or my daughter. Your mom told me she was pregnant before I left, I guess she was trying to convince me to stay. I must seem like a terrible person for choosing to leave anyway.

Please don't get me wrong, I wanted to, I swear. All I ever wanted was a normal life. To be able to marry Annie and have children and live happily by the beach with no Games and no war. When she told me she was pregnant I was overjoyed. Everything was finally working out for us! We were married and expecting a child and all I had to do was make it back home to her so we could grow old together like we'd always wanted. But I messed up.

I don't know what you've heard about my life but I'll tell you the basics. I won my Hunger Games when I was only fourteen years old. I was the youngest person ever to win, which everybody thought was such an honor. I don't think many people realized what that kind of trauma could do to a boy. As if that weren't enough, a few years later President Snow took over my life completely and began using me to make money for himself. I don't feel like going into details, but all you need to know is that I was miserable, and your mother was miserable and we couldn't be seen together. I had a lifestyle I never wanted and I had to pretend to love it and Snow and Panem.

I couldn't stay because I would have never been able to forgive myself if my friends had died for a cause I felt so strongly about. I needed to make sure you could grow up in a different world than the one I grew up in. I needed to make sure we could celebrate your twelfth birthday without the overwhelming fear that your name would be drawn at the Reaping.

I hope it all worked out; I hope I didn't die in vain. Annie didn't think she'd be able to raise you by herself, but I know her better than she knows herself, and I know that she's stronger than she gives herself credit for. I also know she's not alone. Johanna swore to me she would look after the both of you, and knowing her the way I do I'm sure she's been there for you in ways I haven't been able to.

I could keep writing this forever but I know I'll never be able to put my feelings into words. I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I hate leaving but it's something I need to do for myself. There are many things I never got to teach you, but if there's one lesson you should learn from your father is that you should always stand up for what you believe in. I don't know what happens to people after death. I was never much of a believer in heaven, but I really hope now that that's where I'll be only so I can watch over you and make sure you're okay.

I love you and I love your mom. Please tell her that. Please watch over her. I hope the two of you are safe and happy; that's all I ever wanted.

Very proud of you,

Dad