The next morning I woke up and was completely ready for the execution. Finnick was waiting by the bed with a glass of seaweed coffee for me. He kissed my cheek.
"Are you sure you can handle this?" He asked me. His brow was furrowed and he seemed concerned.
"They messed with the wrong woman Finnick. This time they will pay." I said, confidently taking the drink from him. I sipped and got up. I noticed he had picked an outfit for me. It was the same black one I had worn on the Victory Tour to District 12.
"I figured black would be fitting for the situation." He said softly, coming behind me and rubbing my shoulders softly. I turned my head and kissed his cheek gently.
"Leave me alone to change." I told him. He walked out quietly, taking my now empty cup. I picked up the picture I had found of Amee.
"They will pay for what they did to you. I promise. They will suffer." I told her image. I undressed and pulled on my black gown. It was a bit hot for what I would be doing but I didn't care. If that's what Finnick wanted me to wear, I would wear it.
I left the room and he had me sit down. He carefully did my makeup and gave me a sad smile when he finished.
"Are you sure you're prepared for this?" He asked. I nodded.
"Let's get to the square then." He told me. He was in a dark suit. He seemed serious and handsome. I held his hand the whole way there. Raviah grabbed me when we arrived.
"Your parents want to speak to you." He told me.
"Where are they?" I asked.
"The Justice Building." He replied. I nodded and began pulling Finnick with me to the entrance. Raviah stopped me.
"Alone." He specified. I took a deep breath and dropped Finnick's hand.
"Okay." I said. I tried to muster courage as I walked through the doors alone. As soon as they opened a separation formed, which made a path to the room my parents were in. I opened the door and went in. It closed behind me.
There they were. My mother and father, wearing the same clothes they wore at my reaping. They looked exhausted. My mother's dress was baby blue and her hair was curled. My father wore a deep blue suit. His short dark hair the same as always. I sat across from them.
"Now we know how you felt when you were reaped." My father said with a weak smile. It was a feeble attempt at a joke. All it had earned was a glare from my mother.
"I thought I could win when I was in your seat. I did win. You have no chance of survival." I shot back coldly.
"Annie, look we didn't...we weren't thinking. We regret everything about it Annie. We loved Amee." My mother said.
"That's the difference between you and me. You loved Amee. I still love her. I will love her my whole damn life. You never cared about us. You were happy when I was reaped! Why would you be happy? I had a one in twenty four chance of survival and I KNOW you didn't think I would win." I sneered at them.
"Annie, we had full confidence in you." She replied.
"Shut up. I don't care. I hate you. You're selfish, terrible people. I can't wait to light you ablaze." I screamed.
"Annie...you're...you're our executioner?" My father said. His eyes filled with tears.
"Do you think I would let it be any other way?" I asked, smiling. They both went silent.
"I will be so happier with you gone. I have Finnick now. I don't need you."
"Don't think for a fucking SECOND that, that man loves you. He is a liar and a whore." My mother said through gritted teeth.
"And why should I believe a murderer?" I hissed back. I left the room. Slamming the door behind me and walking calmly outside.
The wind howled around my face as I walked to my spot on stage. The wood piles were set up. My parents were to be burned at the stake. I stood next to President Snow. Being as civil as possible. Finnick came up and stood between us. Protective as always.
The crowd gathered and my parents were brought out in gags. Peacekeepers tied them to a large wooden pole over the huge pile of wood.
"Today we are putting Cornet and Kokane Cresta to death. Their crime? Treason. Planning an attack against Panem. Thankfully, the lovely victor Annie Cresta found out about this plot. Though it clearly pains her to see such disrespect from her parents, she has made it obvious that she disagrees with their behaviour." Snow announced at the microphone. I then took over.
"As you all know I lost my sister in a terrible disaster. While trying to save them I nearly lost my own life. Losing my sisters was not something I was prepared for. While in the hospital recovering from the injuries I sustained that awful day, I got a letter from my mother and father asking me to aid in their plan to bring down the government of Panem. I refused and brought the matter to the Capitol. I now will be losing the rest of my family. I do not feel sorrow however. I felt sadness and heartbreak in losing my innocent sisters. I only feel happiness in knowing my parents can no longer be a threat after this. And with that said, I would like the torch." I said, clearing my throat lightly.
Finnick handed me the blazing stick. I looked my parents straight in the eyes.
"Undo the gags." I directed Raviah. He took a deep breath and nodded. He walked behind them and allowed them to breath.
"You don't get last words." I told them as I placed the torch onto the wood. The fire nipped at their ankles. I watched in silence. Finnick wrapping his arm around my waist. My mother had tears streaming down her face. Her eyes captured mine. The same eyes I had looked to for comfort in my childhood I now looked to. This time to make sure she was suffering. She started to shriek as the flames inched higher, lighting her dress ablaze. My father cried out softly, and began biting his lip so hard blood poured out.
Flames consumed them both and it disgusted me watching their flesh dissolve. But I vowed I would not turn away. I watched as the last bit of life was burned from their bodies. And when it was done, I spit on the ashes and glowing embers. Finnick patted me on the back as we walked off the stage.
We got all the way to my home before I broke into heavy sobs. Finnick hugged me tightly.
"Annie it's okay."
"I killed them. I'm awful. I'm terrible. STOP LOVING ME." I screamed. A sea of tears came down my face.
"Think about all the people I killed in my Games. Think about how I let my father die." He said softly, holding me tighter.
"It's not the same. You weren't the one to pull the trigger on your dad." I told him. He held me.
"I would have if he hurt someone I love." He whispered in my ear. He kissed my forehead. In that was promise that everything would eventually be okay and time would heal my wounds.
