Masked Enemies

Chapter 22

Finnick

My lip burns as I walk back to the house, soaking wet with seawater and my own tears. The ocean was probably contaminated with tears now, thanks to the amount that I had cried into it once Cascade and Katniss had left.

I trudge up to my room and change into warm, dry clothes, because this was probably the last time I would ever be home. I know I would die in that arena.

Flipping the switch on the television in my room, the one that I had installed so I could watch the news without having to go downstairs, I turn on the elections. They continue, and Offen is still talking.

"I have decided to be merciful and let two tributes win." Offen tells the large crowd that is running towards him with clubs, the crowd that the Peacekeepers are restraining.

I breathe out a sigh of relief. That meant that I wouldn't have to kill Katniss. But if I didn't kill her, then Cascade would die. It would be better if I just died so both of them would win.

"However... the tributes must be of the opposite gender." Offen says. That meant one of them would be inevitably dead. I could still live, though. I knew that there were barely any victors left, which meant that I would be up against easy competition.

I stand up and walk over to the window. If I squint my eyes, I can barely make out Katniss heading to the station. Cascade is escorting her, and both of them are chatting like they are old friends. From here I can sense that the conversation was forced and it was just to pass the time.

I press my face to the window and watch them leave. They are only a few yards away from the house, so if I knocked on the window they would still be able to hear me. So I open the window and push it open. I stick my head out the window and call out their names. Their heads turn and they see me.

Katniss grins and yells. "Bye, Finnick!" She waves, turns, and then I don't see them anymore.

Cascade gets one small wave in, but I know that she would be back here soon. She might be dead in the next few weeks. I might never see them again. Fate was a cruel thing. It could give to you, or it could take from you.

I go back to my bed and lie down, my head pounding from what had happened that day. Closing my eyes, I drift into sleep.

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"Finnick." Someone whispers into my ears. I open my eyes and see Cascade standing over me. "The Reaping. It takes place at noon."

Cascade is already ready for the reaping. Her hair is pinned up and she is in some sort of blue dress. Blue for the ocean, I guess. Maybe she wanted to represent her district if she went to the Capitol.

"Uh...yeah. I'll be there." I yawn and stretch my arms above my head. I am still in the clothes I wore yesterday. Cascade is leaving, but before she can, I ask her how long I'd slept.

"A day. That was some headache. Katniss is probably home by now." Cascade informs me, smoothing out her dress and fixing her dirty blond hair.

I am surprised to hear that I had slept for a day. While the headache was bad, it hadn't seemed horrible. It wasn't the worst headache I'd ever had.

I get out of bed and go into the bathroom, where I quickly shower and rush out the door. My stomach grumbles and it occurs to me that I was hungry. Hunger doesn't really bother me right now because I would have a feast in the Capitol anyway.

I walk along the beach and to the train station, and from there I ride to Justice Building, where I stand among the boys. I see men of all ages standing in the crowd, moving forward in a synchronized way, waiting for their blood to be drawn.