The sound of Annie screaming brought Finnick to tears. He rushes inside the Justice Building, ahead of everyone else, wiping any sign of emotion off of his face.

Annie was fighting against the peacekeepers as they dragged her to the train. "Don't I get to see my Mom? I have to say goodbye." She screamed, clawing at their plastic suits.

Finnick walked over to them, and grabbed a hold of Annie, "You guys have done your job, thank you. I can escort her from here." His voice was deep, and dark. The peacekeepers let go of Annie, and went on with their day.

Annie looked up to Finnick, and suddenly she seemed as wild as her hair. Her eyes were puffy, her face was covered in tears and snot. "Finnick," She exclaimed, "I have to see my mom."

He let go of her, and started walking silently towards a room on the side, "Wait in here, I'll try to find her for you. We only have about five minutes."

The next little bit felt like forever to Annie. She silently sobbed, occasionally letting out a loud, guttural sound. She had never been as afraid as she was right now, but that would certainly change.

While Annie sat and waited, Gerald, the other tribute, boarded the train. He seemed so relaxed, almost as if he wanted to be reaped.

Suddenly the door opened, and Annie saw the face of her mother. "Momma.." She cried out, running to hug her.

"Annie, baby, please. Promise me you'll fight, okay?" Michele whispered, holding her baby girl tight.

Annie sniffled, looking to her mom. "Promise me you won't watch. Please. Promise me."

Annie now understood why Finnick made her promise the same thing. I don't want her to see me kill someone. And I don't want her to see me be killed, she thought.

"We have to get on the train, Annie." Finnick whispered, reaching for her hand.

"Promise me, Momma." Annie said, her eyes full of determination.

Michele smiled, admiring her daughters face. "You look so much like your father." She said, holding Annie's face. "I promise."

And with that, Annie walked out, afraid to look back.

"Michele, I'm going to do everything I can." Finnick said, his voice low. "For your sake, and hers, don't watch. Stay in my house, the spare key is under the floor mat. There's money under the sink. Take care of yourself, and I'll try my best to call."

She smiled softly, "Thank you for taking care of my girl."

————————

Annie made it into the train before Finnick did. She saw Gerald and Mags sitting across from eachother, and they both smiled.

Annie had never spent too much time with Mags, but they still felt a love for eachother. Gerald looked more friendly than he had on the stage. It must have been an act, Annie thought.

Finnick walked in, his face filled with pain. He looked at Annie. This sight was something he never wanted to see.

He spent so long trying to prevent her from seeing the Capitol, or even knowing much about it. He was supposed to be her protector. How could he fail?

Celia and Sylvia both boarded the train next.

Sylvia smiled towards Finnick, "I thought you weren't mentoring this year, what changed?" She asked, a flirtatious smile on her lips.

"I just decided I was more needed in the Capitol," Finnick said, a fake grin on his face, "I'm sorry, Celia. Do you mind?" He questioned.

Celia could see the pain in his eyes, and shook her head. "No, I don't mind at all, Finnick. Annie, Gerald.. Good luck. Take care of eachother out there." And with that, Celia was gone.

Sylvia smiled, clapping her hands, "And with that, we're off! Lunch should be ready any minute. I'll run to check on it, I bet you're all starved!" She spoke as she walked away, and through the doors that led to the other carts.

The train was silent again.

Gerald looked around, "Well. I guess I'll start. Hi, I'm Gerald." He spoke, smiling a bit.

Mags smiled at the tribute, "How old?" She never talked too much, but could push out words when she needed to.

"I'm sixteen," He replies. "Annie, you're eighteen, right?"

Annie looked as though she was caught off guard, she clearly hadn't been listening. "What?"

"Yes, she is." Finnick spoke for her, smiling towards Gerald. He had no reason to hate the boy, but he did, simply because in a few days, he could be the one to kill her. "Mags, will you turn on the TV? I want to see the Reapings."

Finnick went to sit on the couch, and offered a seat up to Annie, which she took, silently.

Gerald looked at the couple, his eyes full of sincerity. "You guys are together, aren't you?" He questioned, feeling bad for the pair.

"You can't hide," Mags said, looking at Finnick.

She was right. Finnick hadn't been careful at home. Everyone in District Four knew about them, so there was no point in disguising their relationship from Gerald.

"Yes, Gerald. We have been for a long, long time," Finnick started, "but when we're in the Capitol, no one can know. Do you understand me? It won't just be bad for Annie and I. It would be bad for you."

"I'm sorry." Gerald said, his voice soft. "I really am."

He was interrupted by the sound of Caesar Fickerman, who was talking about the Reapings. He started talking about his favorites.

"How could someone already have favorites? They're just judging us by looks." Annie whispered, looking at Finnick. He placed his arm around her, and pointed to the TV.

Caesar was talking, and showed the video of Annie being reaped. "I will say, look at these two tributes from Four. Gerald—is that his name? He looks so strong. Oh, and Annie.. Just wow! I almost teared up when I first watched it!"

"That's good," Finnick said. "You want them to feel bad for you at first. Then you show them what you're made of. And, Gerald, it's good that they already think you're strong. The Careers will want you, and you can get Annie in as well. Then, when the time is right, you two can either kill them off, or break off."

"I will say, though, my bet right now is on Saphira from District One. Did you see how tall she was? Wow!" Caesar continued, but Annie could no longer hear his voice.

Kill them off. Kill. She didn't think that she would be capable of killing someone.

Just as Annie was about to start panicking, Sylvia walked into the room. "Lunch is ready! Come on now, let's eat like a big, happy family!"