The Hunger Games: Catching Fire saw previous victors being reaped, and, despite knowing the horrors of the Hunger Games, there is a touching reason Mags volunteered for Annie. Catching Fire followed the events of the 75th Hunger Games, or Quarter Quell, where only those who had been previous victors could be selected. Catching Fire introduced many new characters that were previous Hunger Games victors, including tournament veteran Mags.
The reaping of the 75th Hunger Games was much different from the 74th, as there were very few victors to pick from, and Katniss was the only District 12 female victor, so her place was already confirmed. Similarly, there were only two living female victors in District 4 by the 75th Hunger Games reaping: Mags and Annie. Mags won the 11th Hunger Games and continued to mentor District 4 tributes throughout her life, including Finnick Odair. Annie, on the other hand, was the victor of the 70th Hunger Games, just four years before Katniss, and only 23 years old during the events of Catching Fire.
Mags Wanted To Protect Annie
With Mags obviously out of her physical prime, it was shocking that she would volunteer for Annie, but Annie was mentally struggling and Mags wanted to protect her. It is not explicitly stated, but Annie’s mental state and trauma from her Hunger Games are mentioned, so it makes sense that Mags was trying to protect her from reliving that. In the Hunger Games books, it is mentioned that Annie stayed hidden in her games, only becoming victor because a dam broke and she was the only one who could swim. It is evident Annie never fully adapted to the horrors of the Hunger Games.
Also, Mags was Finnick’s mentor, and most likely helped mentor Annie. They would have all lived together in the District 4 Victors' Village. Much like how Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch became family, it is probable Mags, Annie, and Finnick did as well, so Mags may have felt a maternal kinship towards the younger two. Finnick was protective of Mags throughout Catching Fire as well, which only enforced their close relationship. The silent Mags in The Hunger Games was near the end of her life and knew neither she nor Annie would make it out of the 75th Hunger Games alive, so wanted to give Annie and Finnick a chance at a life together.
What Happened To Annie In The Hunger Games?
Annie’s story is deeply saddening throughout The Hunger Games. After Catching Fire and the disruption of the tournament by the rebels, Finnick escapes to District 13 and the Capitol captures Annie, Johanna, and Peeta. Annie’s capture is one of the saddest, as the Capitol knows she has no information on the rebels because Finnick could not risk telling her, so she is captured simply to torture Finnick. Thankfully, the rebels attack the Capitol and manage to rescue Annie, Peeta, and Johanna, bringing them to District 13.
Inside District 13 in The Hunger Games, Annie and Finnick get married and Katniss becomes very fond of Annie, even giving her one of her victory tour dresses for the wedding. Finnick and Annie find out they are having a baby too, but Finnick dies in an attack by the Capitol’s mutated lizards before the baby boy is born. Annie stays with the rebels, voting to not put the Capitol ' children through a “Final Hunger Games,” despite what they had done to her. After the events of The Hunger Games, Annie goes home and raises her child, staying in and sending photos to Katniss.
