Secrets, Lies and Eternal Sadness (Sequel to CIBT?)

Chapter 8

Suzanne Collins owns all characters in the Hunger Games trilogy.

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Chapter 8

Annie’s POV

“Annie?” I hear.

Finn walks into my room where I am throwing things into my bag.

“What’re you . . . no!” Finn shouts, realisation dawning on him.

“I have to.” I say.

“Just wait! Get rid of it, make things right with Rue and Finnick and you’ll have more kids with him. I know it.” Finn says.

“I’m sorry Finn, I really am. But she said things that hurt me. Too much for me to forgive and she told Finnick and now he hates me and his child. And I won’t have him in my child’s life if he doesn’t love it.”

“Annie, think about this. You’re going to leave the only place you’ve ever known. Whilst you’re five months pregnant. Why don’t you stay here until the baby’s born, try and patch things up with Finnick and maybe, when the baby’s old enough, if you still want to, you can leave then.”

“Dad said I can either keep it and leave or get rid of it and stay. And I don’t plan on taking a human life.” I say.

“Dad was angry. You know Mom won’t let him abandon you. He always made a big thing of not turning into Mom’s parents and I don’t think he’s going to do it now because of one inconvenience.”

“My child isn’t an inconvenience and he meant every word he said!” I say.

“Nobody’s had it easy the past few months Annie and I’ll be the first one to admit there are times when I wish everything would just stop. With Finnick disappearing and Rue finding out she was pregnant, it wasn’t exactly the best timing and I know I messed up by leaving but I had to think. I’ve thought and now I’m back. Don’t you think our parents deserve some amount of time where one of us isn’t missing?”

“Finn, I love you but I have to leave. I don’t want to hurt anyone and I’m helping myself and my baby by leaving.” I say.

“Annie-”

“Finn I’m not arguing with you about this.”

“Finnick will come after you.”

“He’ll have to know where to find me first.” I say.

My brother looks at the ground and I feel a little bad.

I give him a reassuring hug.

“I’ll be fine. And when all this blows over, I’ll come back.”

He nods. “Just be careful.”

I nod. “Always.”

“Write to me?” Finn asks.

I nod. “I’ll write to you. And when he’s born, I’ll send you a picture. Maybe we could meet in the middle so you can meet him.”

Finn nods. “I’m a letter away.”

I smile and give him one last hug, tears pricking my eyes.

“I’m always with you.” He says.

I smile.

“Twin telepathy.” We say simultaneously.

I laugh and wave once more before closing my bedroom door.