Annie Cresta- Beyond the Sea

Chapter 11

Finally, after waiting for what seems to be an eternity, districts one through three have gone, and it was Dallas' turn. He nervously stood up as the gate opened just for him.
"Hey, Dallas!" I called. He turned to look at me, an anxious look plastered onto his face. "Good luck!" I smiled. He returned the grin, but it was forced.
"Thanks. You too." He left, the gate closing behind him.
I sighed and looked down. This may take a while. I looked next to me at the row of other tributes. Once again, the thirteen- maybe fourteen?- year old boy from District 5 was staring at me. His thin golden brown hair flopped in front of his face. It reminded me of a s'more, a type of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmellow treat Finnick had brought me before, after he had one the games and was getting used to Capitol life. I decided to be friendly and waved. He gave me a shy smile and hid behind the tribute in front of him. Maybe he could be my ally.
Five minutes went by. Then ten. A half an hour later of wondering what the hell Dallas was up to, I was called. The gate opened majestically, and I walked into the training room. It was weird seeing it empty, it was like seeing a chicken without feathers. Up high in the corner were the game makers, watching me. Their gazes bore into me and felt like an extra ten pounds on my back. Time to show them what I've got.
I walked over to the trident station and picked up the smallest one, which was only up a little past my waist. A couple game makers snickered, probably thinking I was weak and could barely lift it. I've always looked smaller from far away.
I lifted it over my shoulder, balanced it, ready to fire, and then thrust it into the dummy twenty feet away. It hit its chest and went in deep. Nice.
Their laughter died down, replaced with curious looks. I worked my way up to the biggest one, (and boy was it heavy,) and readied it at my side defensively. I took a deep breath and then used my remaining energy to go on a rampage.
Quietly, I ran and slashed through the dummies, cutting off some of their heads and piercing their bodies. I finished the last one by sticking it and lifting it above my head with all my strength, yelling in mock victory. I must've looked crazy, I must've looked mad and low on ideas of what to show them.
But, miraculously, the game makers stared at me like I could save their stupid T.V. show.
I dropped the trident, dummy still attached, and went to the knot tying station. I tied a fishing net in under five minutes, but time was running out, and after that, they excused me. I ran back to my room as fast as I could, not bothering to go over the details with my excited prep team once I got there. I was tired, and worried. I once again felt sick.
I lied down on the bed like a starfish. My arms lie spread out like broken wings, burning; I know I probably pulled something, lifting that heavy trident above my head. It was probably the heaviest thing I've ever picked up. I deserved a rest.
Suddenly, there was a knock on my door.
"Annie? Can I come in?"
I recognized Finnick's voice, and accepted. The door opened and in he came. His bronze hair shimmered in the dim light, and I could tell he just took a shower. I could smell the Capitol shampoo from a mile away. But I couldn't move my arms without hurting myself, so I just lied there, not bothering to sit up.
"Hey, Finn," I said.
He sat down next to me, a little smile playing across his face. "I can tell you worked hard. You did a great job," he said, glancing at my arms. He reached out and brushed them with his calloused hands, sending a quick jolt of pain racing through my arm. I quickly reqoiled it to my chest and gripped it tightly. I could feel a little heartbeat in it.
"Dude!"
"Maybe too hard.. " he sighed. "Just rest. You'll be okay tommarow." Finnick gently stroked my hair, his blue eyes watching over me protectively. I looked at him an let my arms rest at my side. For the first time in a while, I felt safe. We stayed like that for a long time.
His voice dropped to almost a whisper. "You will win, Annie. Youre smart and have the wits to. I'll get you sponsors.. I promise. I won't let you die, because I can't live without you."
I closed my eyes, thinking of all those times I helped him get over his stress and nightmares post-Games. "Finnick, I-"
Suddenly, there was another knock on my door.
"Annie, time to see the training scores! Hurry out!"
It was Jayda. I sat up and glanced at Finnick. He smiled confidently. "Let's go!"
We walked over to the red velvet couch and took a seat, guarding my arms greedily. Dallas, Darcy, and the others watched eagerly at the TV. The announcer began with district 1.
"From District 1- Bello with a score of 10" A careers face showed up on the screen along with a ten, that circled her image and disappeared.
"Also from 1- Thunder with a score of 8. In District 2-" I gasped at the sight of the girl who threatened me with the bow- "Tanzanite with a score of 11".
Shit.
Not good.
"And Dart with a score of 10" Nice. Now all the careers have a good score and a better chance of killing me.
"In District 3- Astrid with a score of 11... and Gold with a score of 8".
Finally District 4 came.
"In District 4, Dallas with a score of 7 and Annie with a score of 9".
Gasps and applause filled the room. We both did a fantastic job, but I wasn't happy at all. This high score would only get the attention, and anger, from the careers. Finnick was happy, but then saw my face, and his smile faded.
"Excuse us" he said, taking my hand and leading me to my room. I was scared. Really scared.
"Something up?" Finnick asked. "You did great, I don't see why you're so upset." I lied down on my bed and curled up in a ball. My heart was pounding.
"I know.. I should be happy, but the high score- it will just get the attention of the careers, I got better than one of them- I showed them up- " I was shaking now.
Finnick put a blanket over me. "You're overreacting. Trust me, this is good news! You're just tired, get some rest and we'll talk about it tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay.. okay." He probably knows best. He kissed me on the forehead, and left, closed the door behind him.
He was right. I was purely exhausted, and it wasn't ten minutes I was left alone that I fell into darkness, that I fell into dreams.