Stay with me? [Finnick Odair]

3

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Chapter Three: Fight or Flight
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"Clementine Carter!"

It felt as though I had been punched in the gut, I couldn't think, I couldn't speak, I couldn't move, all the air had just been knocked out of my lungs and I thought I would collapse. Relief had taken over me at first because it wasn't Mae that was called, but it was soon quickly replaced by fear, I couldn't bring myself to move until a girl beside me dug her elbow into my side.

That's when I broke from the crowd.

I was a tribute. No longer a girl from District four, just blending in and trying to keep her head down, I was now a pawn in the Capitol's sick and twisted game of chess — no matter if I lived or died, the Capitol would use me to keep the people at bay.

Not like I had much of a choice.

When I got up on that stage, my eyes locked with Finnick's, he looked as if he was about to pass out; his face was void of all colour and his eyes were practically falling out of his head. I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes, so I just stood beside Asher Prescott without a word.

Asher asked for anyone who was courageous enough to take my place, my eyes met Mae's, she was considering it. I could see it on her face. She chewed on her bottom lip; I shook my head to tell her to stay where she stood. The silence from the other girls was chilling; nobody else was willing to save my life other than my own sister.

Even if Mae was to ignore my request to stay where she was, Asher took the silence as a no, she was too late.

"Well, there you have it! This year's female tribute," she cheered, clapping her hands excitedly. "Now for the boys," she beamed as she skipped towards the glass bowl on her right, I felt Finnick's eyes burning on the back of my head, so I stole a quick glance back at him and instantly realised the glint of sadness in those bright blue eyes of his.

I sighed. Turning back to the crowd, my eyes instantly found Mae again and my stomach twisted at the tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared back at me. What made it worse was I couldn't move to comfort her, I had to stay up on that stage and watch her break down right in front of my eyes.

"Oliver Cresta!"

My eyes flickered to the boys, instantly finding Oliver in the crowd, Annie Cresta's brother, the one boy I hoped wouldn't get picked for these games. He made his way up to the stage, visibly shaken and at a loss for words, he stood on the other side of the mic and kept his eyes forward.

That was until Asher spoke up.

"Well, come on, you two, shake hands!" She babbled, I reluctantly turned to my fellow tribute and held out my hand. He stared for a moment. I could tell his mind was racing, but I just kept a blank expression, he slowly placed his hand in mine and gave it one firm shake.

"There you have it! This year's tributes! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"

They all treated this as a national holiday, like Christmas, but it wasn't. It was far from it.

I kept my eyes to the ground as we were shown into the Justice building and separated into our own rooms, waiting for our family and friends to come and say goodbye, I couldn't focus on anything, I just stood at the window staring down at all the families rejoicing that it wasn't their children being thrown into that arena.

Then I found my sister. Mom had held her until the peacekeepers came and collected them.

I couldn't stop the tears the thought of not being there for them was eating me up inside, I just waited to hear the click of the door opening to turn around. Mae instantly rushed towards me, wrapping her small arms around my waist. I collapsed to my knees and pulled her tiny frame into a tight embrace.

"You have to win. You have to," she sobbed, face buried into my shoulder, I tightened my grip on her and nodded my head. "It's not fair." Her voice was so broken and splintered, I couldn't help but choke on my own tears as she pulled away from me.

"Listen to me, Mae," I started, trying my best to keep my voice strong for her. "You can't take any more food from them, it's not worth it. I might not make it back to you, so you have to understand that you have to take care of both yourself and mom." She shook her head, trying to refuse but all that came out was a strangled cry. "You know how to hunt, you can go to the market, where I showed you last time, to get some money."

"Just try to win," she mumbled through her tears. "Promise?"

I nodded. "I promise, Maebae," I smiled up at her, she weakly mirrored my expression and I stood up to talk to my mom. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her into a hug and moved my mouth beside her ear. I lowered my voice. "You can't shut down again, you have to be there for her," I started, keeping my voice at its lowest. "Make sure she's taken care for, do not let her go through this alone, understand?"

My mom nodded. "I understand, Clem."

I could tell she was holding back tears. Her stone-cold exterior didn't fool me. I dug my chin into her shoulder and held her tighter; she moved her arms around me. "I love you, Mom."

There was a moment of silence. "I love you too, baby," her voice had became less than a whisper, she gave me one last squeeze before the door swung open and they had to leave, we shared goodbyes and I love yous until the door shut and that familiar click filled the room.

I turned on my heel, resting my head against the wall when the door swung open again. My brows furrowed, and I turned back around only to see the one and only Annie Cresta standing in front of me, pale cheeks stained with tears, I sighed and moved towards her.

"Annie, I'm so sorry," I whispered to her as she was quick to return my embrace, we stood silently for a moment before pulling apart. "Have you spoken to him?"

She nodded. "Just finished. I gave him my bracelet for good luck, I hope this will help you too," she spoke quietly, holding out her hand and in her palm sat a golden chain necklace with a small golden sparrow attached to it, I instantly shook my head and pushed her hand away.

"Annie, this was your grandmother's, I can't take this," I refused politely, but she pushed it back towards me, placing it in my hand and closing my fingers around it before I could refuse again.

"She said it will bring good luck to anyone who needs it most," she smiled towards me, a flickering light of hope filling her eyes. "I hope this will help you in the games." She seemed so sure of it, I couldn't refuse.

"Thank you, Annie," I quickly said, tying the necklace around my neck, she nodded and gave me one last hug before leaving the room.

I was alone once more...