Vivian lay in Finnick's arms, choking and sobbing. She had no idea where her boundless emotions sprouted from, nor did she think she was capable of producing so many tears; but she hadn't cried like this for a very long time.
As he patted Vivian's shoulder, Finnick's heart filled with self-blame. She must have been really scared to be bawling so violently... why didn't I search for her sooner?
"Try to calm down, okay? Let's find a way out of here. We have to deal with your injury first. Also, the temperatures here are too low. You might get hypothermia if we don't get you out soon."
A bright pink flushed across Vivian's face. She felt embarrassed; she had never expected to cry so miserably in front of Finnick. She broke away from his embrace and wiped her tears. "My foot's
injured though, how do we get out now?"
Finnick suppressed the gut-wrenching pity that surged in him. He needed to be calm. He eyed the height of the pit's walls and said, "Step on my shoulders. You should be able to get to the top. Then once you're out, I'll jump out of this pit by myself."
"Okay," Vivian nodded. They had to try, there was no other way.
"How's your foot?" Finnick asked. He eyed her red and swollen foot warily. What if she gets hurt again?
Sensing great concern in his tone, Vivian's face flushed pink. "It should be fine. This is the only way to get out."
"Bear with it for now, okay?" Finnick petted Vivian's head. He continued, "Climb onto my shoulders
slowly. Be careful."
Then Finnick crouched into position with his back facing her. At this, a tear trickled down Vivian's cheek again. Even she had to admit that his sincere actions touched her completely.
Vivian stepped carefully onto Finnick's shoulders. To steady herself, her hands pressed against the soil wall before her. "Okay, I'm on. You can slowly stand up now."
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