Allied Hearts - Finnick Odair

Chapter 16

They were gone, I couldn't believe it. An emptiness filled my being. There was no skip in my step and every moment seemed meaningless now.

I watched as they died, as they struggled with the water but ultimately lost their battle. I watched. I saw them die. That image will haunt me forever.

The luscious blonde locks tangled around their face as they sunk to the bottom of the ground, an oasis of water surrounding their now peaceful body.

How could I be so sad, I'd not known them that long, how selfish was I to think of myself in this moment. What about their family, they'd be grieving more than me.

The sound of the cannon wouldn't escape my head as I replayed the tragedy in my head over and over, torturing my mind.

And then I woke up.

'Hey Alia, hey, hey shhh.' Ava came to my comfort cradling me in her warm arms. Every so often stroking the hair out of my flustered face. 'It's just a nightmare, you're okay.'

Yes I was okay. But were they?

I had decided to take a nap after Ceaser's theatrics but now I live to regret that decision after the horror I witnessed in my dreams.

I had been summoned to my bedroom until dinner anyway, and only then I'm allowed out to watch the games. Only because it'd be suspicious if I didn't attend, and the Capitol couldn't see the dysfunction that was President Snows house.

'Your father really is not happy with you.' There was a scolding tone in Ava's voice, she never liked when I got myself into trouble.

'I know, I had the big lecture after Ceaser left and the cameras turned off. Like always.' Sighing I forced myself up and on to the edge of the bed.

'He warned you what you had to say Alia, you knew what would happen if you said Finnick.' The slap mark on her cheek still stung from where Snow had struck her. It wasn't unknown for him to get physically violent towards his young daughter when she stepped out of line.

It was true I knew what would happen, maybe I even did it on purpose, I don't know what I was thinking in that moment.

'Anyway dinner is soon so it's about time we got you up and ready.' Taking my small hands into her gentle ones she guided me up, sorting out my scruffy hair as she did so.

'I can just wear this.' I shrugged in the mirror not hating what I saw, the outfit was cute enough.

'The cameras have been on this outfit, you know you have to change.' All patience seemed to be wearing thin with my dear nurse as I tested all boundaries and pushed against all the rules I knew.

Huffing along the way Ava walked over to the walk in wardrobe emerging herself into the depth of it. A couple of options were thrown out into the bedroom as the many choices pooled around my feet.

'Choose one then.'

Something seemed off with Ava but I never had the time to investigate as she ushered me along the way. I opted for a red dress, plain and simple with matching pumps.

Entering the dining hall for the second time that day I was greeted with admiration from members seated around the grand table. A grin was plastered on my fathers face as he called me over to the seat next to him, although this grin said he was happy his eyes were cold and unwelcoming.

The chatter came to a halt as the projector flashed upon the wall, lighting up the room and shutting up the residents. Eyes eagerly waited to see the victim from last nights game.

A huge splash erupted to the surface as an oh so familiar face appeared above the water, gasping desperately for air and coughing up the water that had found its way to his lungs.

A relieved smile couldn't help but form on my face as I seen the boy I'd been waiting for.

'Aw look at Alia, I bet she's overjoyed Finnick is still alive!' A happy clappy orange haired woman made a fuss causing my father to glare and my cheeks to turn a new shade of red.

Okay I know Finnick is alive now I need to know Callissa is safe. The mind games continued as Cooper rose to the top of the water spluttering up the water he'd swallowed in his journey underneath.

That left Callissa and Meddy as the finale two tributes to make their way up, one of them was dead and no doubt one was dangerously close to being. I prayed for Meddy to be dead, as evil as that sounds I wanted Callissa alive more than her. Maybe there wasn't too many differences between Snow and me, here I am eager to see who's been killed.

No, I'm different. I have to tell myself that and believe it or else there's no hope.

With no sign of either doomed girl appearing the spotlight turned back to Finnick, he was swimming around aimlessly. Most likely to escape any other encounter with a whirlpool.

Maybe this was it, the moment I had been dreading since the start. My new friend Callissa could be dead. My throat began to close up as my eyes welled with tears. I could only imagine the horrificness of her experience. To drown and know you're dying at such a young age especially is traumatising to a viewer never mind the person encountering it.

'My bets on that Callissa girl, between that infection and the water there's no way she's making it until the end.' A snigger emerged from the audience making my stomach turn in knots.

Here I was fearing for her whilst the Capitol made bets on her life like all she was is a pawn in their game.

Maybe my new friend has gone. Maybe I need to accept that they'll both leave me.