July 4th: Reaping Day. 65th Hunger Games
[Taken from Mags Flanagan's memory journal]
My name is Finnick Odair. I am 14 years old at the time of writing this. Mags says that if I win, I will want something to remember "Before". When she said this, I corrected her and said, when I win. She smiled at me the saddest smile I've ever seen on an older woman.
If you win, she repeated, her voice serious.
I suppose Mags is right. I could lose.
But I'm not going to.
Dear Mom and Dad
I am writing to you at Mags' request. She says that if I don't win, I will regret not saying goodbye. I told her, I'm not going to lose. I'm not going to die in that arena. I'm going to live a long life by the sea without ever having to worry about being afraid.
When I come home, there won't be a person in Panem who doesn't know the Odair name.
It is not goodbye. This is a promise.
To be distributed for free in all districts. Reading at schools is mandatory.
The youngest ever Victor was crowned last night when Finnick Odair delivered the final blow in what might be considered the greatest Hunger Games of our time. After a thrilling week of ups and downs and a decisive sponsor gift, the Tribute from District 4 managed to score the biggest win we've seen in the history of The Games.
On the evening of July 18th, as the sun went down in the arena, the Hunger Games crowned a new Victor as Finnick Odair, 14, from District 4 won the upper hand in the final fight amongst Districts 1, 2 and 4. After over a week of wearing the competition down, and after receiving the most expensive sponsor gift in the history of The Games —a golden trident that he skillfully wielded against his opponents—, Odair finished his alliance with other audience favorites with a bang.
Finnick was able to weave nets out of vines he had found in the arena, entangling opponents before spearing them with his new weapon and swiftly delivering the finishing blow. We all saw the key moment live: when the cannon announces the 23rd death and a Tribute becomes a Victor.
We caught up with Finnick on his way to the train station after his meeting with President Snow, where the brave young man shared a quick interview with us.
Olivia: Finnick Odair. Youngest Victor in the history of the Hunger Games. How does it feel to go home a Victor?
Finnick: I always knew I would go home a Victor. It's a great honor to make my District proud.
Olivia: You received the most expensive sponsor gift we've seen in history. Why do you think the people of Panem supported you like this?
Finnick: (laughs) I guess they have good taste.
Olivia: What do you think your family thinks of this victory?
Finnick: I'm sure they're very proud. I told them before the Games that I would go back home a champion and I know that it was their blessing that gave me the strength to fight.
Olivia: We saw you dominate the fight by the side of the river. You were extremely skilled at fighting with knives, but the trident… that was a whole different deal.
Finnick: Thanks to the generosity of the Capitol, we had great teachers at the Training Center. If it weren't for them, I would've never learned to fight like that.
Olivia: Of course. As part of the new Training Program, all Tributes receive a three-day training at the Capitol's facilities. But you have to admit you are a natural!
Finnick: Perhaps my trainers had a good eye.
Olivia: I think they did! Is there anything else you would like to say to the citizens of Panem before returning home?
Finnick: That I'll be seeing them soon enough.
Olivia: Thank you, Finnick.
As a reminder, Finnick will embark on his Victory Tour in the upcoming months. We'll make sure to have extended coverage on the occasion.
November 5th: Victory Tour. 65th Hunger Games
First Entry in Finnick Odair's Journal.
Ever since the nightmares started, I turned to Mags. Her strong hands as she holds me remind me of my mother Before. She used to be warm; now she hardly ever looks at me. The first time bloody faces appeared in my dreams, I ran to Mags' house and cried until the sun came up.
She keeps suggesting I write about it, that memory is a fragile thing, but I want the nightmares to vanish, so there's no point in writing about them.
Today we embark on the Victory Tour. Mags says I will have to give a few speeches, attend a few dinners, and, when the time comes, I'll be expected to mentor other Tributes as well.
I don't want to mentor anybody. I want to sit by the sea and watch the waves lick the shore until every memory fades away.
July 4th: Reaping Day. 66th Hunger Games
Today I saw Julian Crane again.
Julian won the 40th Hunger Games. He was deeply affected following his games and spends most of his time isolated in his home at the Victors' Village, only occasionally leaving to go sit by the beach staring at nothing.
When I asked Mags about him, she said Julian would have never hurt a soul if he hadn't been reaped. Back then, volunteers were not that common outside of District 1 and 2, meaning he had no choice. Today there were two volunteers in District 4: Leigh and Andree.
Andree is 14. He says he wants to follow in my footsteps. I felt angry when he said that. He doesn't know about the dreams —no one but Mags knows— but he shouldn't have to know about them to know you don't win without giving up something.
However, I cannot resent him. This is how we were raised. We chase glory and fame for our District without stopping to think of the blood on our hands.
When it comes down to it, none of us has any choice in the matter.
July 11th: First day of the 66th Hunger Games
Andree died in the Cornucopia bloodbath. Leigh died a couple of hours later when she took a spear to the chest.
We are supposed to stay in The Capitol until the end of The Games, regardless of the state of our Tributes. Mags has been sniffling all day long. I wish there was someone else to talk to, but Julian stayed behind in our district. Not that he does much talking to begin with.
July 13th: Third day of the 66th Hunger Games
I was invited to a private dinner with the sponsor who sent me the trident last year, Lucretia. She's a wealthy woman from Snow's inner circle so I'm supposed to be on my best behavior.
Mags said I have no obligation to go and that I should be careful about what I say to her if I do.
In the end, not much happened. Lucretia asked me about life by the sea and if I had any girlfriends back home. She seemed pleased to know I do not.
July 20th: Tenth day of the 66th Hunger Games
A Victor was crowned at the early hours of morning. The girl who won, Hayley, was from District 5. She won by letting other Tributes hunt each other, then she ambushed the last Tribute standing from District 1 by the makeshift lake.
The boy from District 1 drowned. He struggled against Hayley's freakishly strong frame for almost 5 minutes. Every mentor in the room was silent as the boy, who was 12, breathed his last breath.
The boy from District 1 volunteered because he wanted to be the youngest ever Tribute to be crowned Victor.
His name was Octavius.
November 5th: Victory Tour. 66th Hunger Games
Today was supposed to be the first day of Hayley's Victory tour, but she hanged herself in her bathroom last night.
April 3rd: Finnick's 16th birthday
I received letters from my cousin Aimar and my father. Aimar wanted to know if he could stay at my place for a while. His wife is pregnant and constantly nauseous at the smell of fish. I haven't seen Aimar since Before. We were good friends once. He apologized for not being around, saying his wife is scared of me. I understand. Some people say I look strange at times. Haunted, they whisper if I'm not smiling brightly at them.
I'm haunted by my dreams, vivid memories of the people whose lives I took. I'm haunted by Hayley's face at the Crowning ceremony, where you could see something was fundamentally broken inside of her. I'm haunted by Hayley's ghost, the girl who could not stand the weight of her actions and took her own life. I wonder if one day I'll do the same.
I asked Mags once if she ever thought about it.
Every single day, she said. I wake up every morning, I walk to the beach and I ask myself if I can keep doing this.
How do you know you can keep doing it? I asked.
Someone has to see this end, she said.
See what end?
Mags smiled and asked me to take some of her salted bread to Julian. I didn't bring it up again and neither did Mags.
I also received a letter from Lucretia. She invited me to visit her new gardens when I'm in The Capitol again. I tore the letter into pieces before I finished reading it.
June 10th: Mags' birthday
Mags' birthday was an interesting affair. All the living Victors from the district were there —Sam, Frances, Julian, Mags and I. Julian didn't speak much, but he braided Mags' hair before we roasted the fish. This year, I was allowed to drink with everyone. I know Mags told the guys to not give me liquor, but Sam argued that it was a wonder I wasn't drinking heavily already.
Aimar asked me why I spend so much time with Mags after I came back from her small birthday celebration. I told him, because she's the reason I came home.
No, your training was, said Aimar.
What training? I said. My 'training' was fishing with my father.
But the Academy—
Who cares about the Academy, Aimar? No one truly teaches you how to kill.
He stayed silent for a while, stirring the pot where he was making a soup. Do you ever think about it? he asked.
Because Aimar seemed sincere, I answered in the same fashion. Every single night.
How do you deal with it? he asked next.
I stopped to think about it, but I didn't have an answer. Instead I said, how's Ceelia?
Aimar smiled at that and we spent the rest of the evening talking about his wife. It comforted me to know he was happy, just as unease about his unborn daughter took a hold on me. When she turns 12, her name will be at one of the bowls at the Reaping ceremony. Will she volunteer? Will she win? And if so, will she break?
July 4th: Reaping Day. 67th Hunger Games
It has been decided that I'm ready to be a permanent mentor alongside Mags. Sam banged his fist on the table when Mags announced that this year I am supposed to go with her again not just for interviews about my first year as a Victor. Frances said he would take my place, but Mags said, there's no point. The Capitol has issued an order.
The table fell quiet. Sam and Mags exchanged a long, loaded look, but no one said anything.
When the Capitol escort called the names, two kids volunteered. I left the stage thinking of Aimar's daughter.
July 9th: Interviews. 67th Hunger Games
Lucretia called me during the interviews. It's supposed to be the job of a mentor to be there in case one of the Tributes needs me, but Mags said she could handle it. I faked a headache and stayed in my room until the phone began to ring.
I didn't know if it was important, so I answered and I was met with the shrill sound of Lucretia's voice. She wanted to check in on me, she said, that she was worried because she didn't see me backstage.
I thanked her concern and told her I would rather sleep it off, but she kept pushing for a meeting so I ended up asking her to come over. Anything to avoid seeing the young Capitol girls screaming my name wherever I go.
Lucretia came alone and asked the Avoxes to leave, saying that if she needed something she'd call for them. I politely thanked her again for her concern, then I asked her to let me rest, but she was convinced that what I needed was a dutiful nurse to stay by my bedside while I slept.
I wish I had never picked up the phone to begin with.
December 10th: Selene's birth
Aimar's daughter was born today. He cried for a long time after he held her. I thought he was crying tears of happiness, but later as I found him by the beach, stabbing driftwood with a small knife, he confessed that he had never felt more scared in his own life.
She's so small. Defenseless, Aimar said.
She's a baby, I said.
I can't protect her from the Reaping, Finnick. They're going to come for her just like they came for you.
I sat in silence next to him for over a while, wondering if I'd do anything to stop Peacekeepers from taking little Selene away.
I wish she was dead. I wish I was too, Aimar said. I don't know if I'm strong enough to fight for her.
Without thinking, I echoed Mags' words. Someone has to see this end.
Aimar didn't say anything after that.
July 1st: 3 days before Reaping Day. 68th Hunger Games
President Snow came to see me. He said he was worried about my silence during the last Victory Tour. I told him there was no reason for me to say anything about Augustus Braun. I don't even know him.
You have to understand, Finnick, that all Victors play an important part, President Snow said.
I'm not interested in playing anymore, I replied.
You should be, he said. When I didn't reply, he continued. Please return Lucretia's calls. She's quite insistent that you return to The Capitol this year. Do not disappoint her.
And if I refuse? I asked.
I understand Aimar's daughter is doing well, right?
He left after that. I ran to Mags' place to ask for help but no words could come out of my mouth. All I could do was cry.
To be distributed for free in all districts. Reading at schools is mandatory.
The young man, Victor of the 65th Hunger Games and Capitol darling, was seen with Abigail Heart, heir to the Heart Hotel empire, at what looked like a very romantic dinner at Panem's most luxurious restaurant on this Friday evening. What are we to make of this?
Finnick Odair, 17, was seen at The Pink Door (read our review of the restaurant in page 19) holding Abigail Heart's hand as they had a candlelit dinner together.
Abigail Heart, daughter of hospitality mogul Marcus Heart and owner of the modelling agency Heart Eyes, has been on the news quite a lot this week. According to sources close to the heir, she and Finnick have been corresponding for months and they saw this relationship coming from miles away.
When he was asked by a reporter about the nature of their relationship, Finnick smiled and said, "we are just friends. Good friends."
July 31st: One week after the 69th Hunger Games
I've been called back to The Capitol but I told Mags I'm not going anywhere. The rules of The Game are that once I'm out of the pool, I'm free. I don't have to be The Capitol's darling. I don't have to take their money or their gifts. I can just say no.
Today I told Mags I'm not going to The Capitol. She looked afraid for the first time since I met her. She tried to get me to tell her why I'm not going, but I couldn't. Thinking about the women of The Capitol makes me sick.
August 3rd: Ten days after the 69th Hunger Games
My father died in an accident at sea. They say his boat failed and sank too quickly to be rescued. I saw my mother and I tried to hold her but she was too lost in her grief to return my hug.
When I got back home, I had received condolences from President Snow in the form of white roses.
They never found my father's body.
July 4th: Reaping Day. 70th Hunger Games
This year's volunteers are Annie Cresta and Jonathan Filk.
If I have to see one more volunteer, I'm going to be sick.
July 5th: Tribute Parade. 70th Hunger Games
If I could be anywhere else today, I would. I cannot listen to the Panem national anthem without picturing the unseeing eyes of the Tributes I killed. However, Lucretia was waiting for me when we arrived at the train station, so I was whisked away to her mansion before I had any say in the matter.
I was late to the Tribute Parade, but Mags didn't make a big deal about it. When we were alone, she slipped a note to me that read you're allowed to say no.
I dropped it in a flower vase before turning to her and saying, no, I'm not.
July 13th: Third day of the 70th Hunger Games
Jonathan was decapitated earlier today. We've barely seen Annie on screen since then; she ran off by herself when Jonathan was murdered, pale as a hospital sheet.
Mags is worried about Annie, saying she thinks we might lose her to herself before the Gamemakers can get to her. I saw Hayley's face in my mind's eye the day of the Crowning ceremony. If Annie manages to win, there is a big chance she will meet the same fate.
Before I knew what I was doing, I left Mags to go see Lucrecia.
July 14th: Fourth day of the 70th Hunger Games
Lucretia did not like that I was seen with Abigail. She's throwing a tantrum and will not sponsor Annie. So I went to Abigail. She sent Annie food and water, and all it cost me was giving in and sleeping with her.
July 17th: Seventh day of the 70th Hunger Games
I had a packed scheduled today with many of the President's friends. I've convinced Quinta Belli to sponsor Annie. If Mags has any luck, we will have enough sponsors to send her food and water today.
At this point, all we can hope is for the Gamemakers to finish this soon. Water is getting more and more expensive with every passing day and, without Lucretia's money, we will not be able to keep Annie alive any longer.
July 17th: Seventh day of the 70th Hunger Games (evening)
Annie's out.
She won.
I understand Mags better now.
Annie will live.
Someone has to see this end.
To be distributed for free in all districts. Reading at schools is mandatory.
The newest Victor in our long tradition of the Hunger Games was crowned last night. Mentored by another recent winner, Finnick Odair, Annie Cresta went through ups and downs but in the end she outlasted them all
On the evening of July 17th, the Hunger Games crowned a new Victor as Annie Cresta, 18, from District 4 managed to outlast all of her opponents in the arena. Just as we were getting ready to witness the long game District 11 was playing, the gamemakers decided to shake things up, which in turn broke a dam that flooded the arena and flipped the Tributes' world upside down.
Suddenly, it was no longer about brute force, but about skill and perseverance, two things Annie Cresta showed plenty of when the time was right.
She started the games with a bang, bravely volunteering at the Reaping in District 4. Then, she scored brilliantly before the games even started —a 10, the second highest score this year.
Annie went on to ally with Districts 1 and 2 at the beginning of The Games, skillfully mastering throwing knives, which allowed her to win two fights at the Cornucopia.
Everything changed on the third day though, when Irelia's blade ended their alliance as she took down Jonathan. She had to change tactics and fled. She bid her time in the dark until the earthquake hit and broke the dam. Instead of trying to outrun the wave of destruction, Annie swam. Where other Tributes lost their composure, Annie kept swimming, persevering through it all.
We caught up with Annie on her way to the train station after the Crowning ceremony, where the most beautiful Victor we've seen in recent years prepared to return home.
Olivia: Annie! You look gorgeous today! Your stylist really has outdone herself this time, huh? Tell us, how does it feel to go home a Victor?
Annie: I'm just very thankful to all the sponsors who supported me when I had to break off the alliance.
Olivia: Irelia was trying to assert her dominance in the arena and you decided to flee. Why?
Annie: I couldn't be there anymore. It was not safe.
Olivia: But you had to know that without food or water it would be impossible to survive.
Annie: Thankfully, my sponsors could see the long game as well.
Olivia: That's right. You had incredible support pouring in from all parts of Panem. Why do you think they supported you like that?
Annie: (smiles) Perhaps they saw something in me.
Olivia: Is there anything you want to tell Panem as they're watching?
Annie: I want to tell them that it was not in vain and I'll be seeing them soon enough.
Olivia: Thank you, Annie
As a reminder, Annie will embark on her Victory Tour in the upcoming months. We'll make sure to have extended coverage on the occasion.
First entry in Annie's journal.
November 6th: First day of the Victory Tour. 70th Hunger Games
I can't do it. I would rather slit my wrists than step foot in The Capitol again. I simply cannot go there.
Finnick says that if I don't want to talk about it, perhaps writing about it will help. But what am I supposed to say? Dear diary, I want to die all the time?
It should've been me.
I dared him to volunteer; now he won't stop haunting me. Because I dared him to fight me in a real arena over a stupid argument at the Academy.
Finnick thinks I'm being too harsh on myself. I did not force anyone to do anything: not Jonathan, not Irelia, not the gamemakers. Nothing inside that arena was safe.
But I know better.
November 9th: Victory Tour. 70th Hunger Games
Finnick came on the tour with me. Apparently he's expected at The Capitol by some admirers that he cannot let down.
When I asked Finnick what that was about, he said it was better for me not to know, but that he hoped my mental state would keep me safe.
I don't know why he thought that would make me feel any better.
November 16th: The Victory Banquet at the President's mansion
Finnick found me when I got lost in the gardens of Snow's mansion.
Just another day, Annie. You have to keep it together one more day, he said.
I wanted him to hold me like he did at the train the night before, but he said it was dangerous for me to be seen with him like that. I believed him.
I just want to go home, I said.
And you will, he said, this time tomorrow you'll be sitting by the sea and you'll be safe.
That I did not believe.
July 15th: Eighth day of the 71st Hunger Games
Finnick said writing would help but I'm still waiting on it to work.
It's been over a year and I still wake up screaming as Jonathan's head is severed from his body. I can still taste his blood on my lips. I can still feel my limbs going numb from swimming in the cold, dark water of the arena.
I stayed behind with the rest of the Victors because I am never going to The Capitol again. I think Snow is grateful that I'm not a mentor after the shit show behind the scenes at my Victory Tour. I am grateful.
The people of the District stay away from me, so I don't have to see anyone if I don't want to. Sam and Frances know that, without Finnick around, the only place I want to be is home.
Today, both of our Tributes died at the arena at the hands of Johanna Mason. Their names were Angel and Conall. They both volunteered.
July 4th: Reaping Day. 72nd Hunger Games
Finnick was right. Seeing them volunteer is, perhaps, the single worst thing I will have to witness for the rest of my life.
As Mags loses more and more of her voice, it becomes highly likely that one day I'll be asked to take her place in the mentorship program.
When I asked Finnick how he does it, he said someone has to see this end.
Somehow, I doubt that someone will be us.
July 4th: Reaping Day 73rd Hunger Games
At some point, I fell in love with him. Don't know where, don't know when. I just know that seeing him board the train after the Reaping, knowing what he's doing to keep his family safe, made me want to claw someone's heart out.
As far as I know, he's going to be Fulvia Cardew's arm candy for a day. Then he's being passed around the Crane and Dovecote heirs for parties and who knows what else.
I sat in front of the sea for hours after they left, wondering if there would ever be a time where Finick and I could be free.
July 4th: Reaping Day 74th Hunger Games
I dreamed of a small child and I woke up feeling emptier than ever. When Finnick woke up, he told me he had a similar dream. We stayed silent for a long time before I said, I can't do it.
Do what?
Have children. Not here. Not like this.
Finnick nodded. I could see his cousin's daughter cross his mind, darkening his features.
We could run away, said Finnick, out of the blue.
Run away?
Yes.
Be serious, I said. No one can outrun The Capitol. They'll kill us.
Finnick sighed. I think I'd rather die than live another year like this.
My heart beat faster inside my chest. If Finnick thought we could do it, I would believe him. I would follow him wherever he went.
When? I asked.
When I get back, Finnick said, we'll do it then.
July 28th: Last day of the 74th Hunger Games
This is bad.
This is really, really bad.
My phone rang not too long after the official broadcast ended. Finnick whispered on the other side: go to Mags'. Do not go anywhere. Do not talk to anyone who's not Mags.
When I asked what was wrong, all he said was I don't know yet. That's the problem.
Within an hour of the end of the Games, Peacekeepers doubled their guards around the Victor's Village. I can hear them talking amongst themselves as they pass outside Mags' window.
What's wrong? I asked Mags.
She shook her head and told me to go to sleep.
When Peacekeepers knocked on her door, she signed at them that I was having one of my episodes and they left. We stayed awake with the TV on in the background, waiting for news. All we heard were the praises Caesar Flickerman sang of District 12's star crossed lovers.
July 4th: 5 years after the 75th Hunger Games
July 4th is now a day of remembrance. We gather round to share stories of Before, of those we lost in the fight. We retell the horrors so our children won't have to live them.
The nightmares never stopped, but as Finnick holds my hand while we walk by the beach, our son running a few steps ahead of us, I know that he was always right.
Someone had to see it end.