Chapter 1 - The Calm Before the Storm

I'm glad I asked dad to let me go out by myself today. Between his anxiousness and Brooke's I definitely needed a break. I don't blame them of course, they're always like that around this time of year. Reaping.

I still have a day before the actual reaping, when everyone will gather in town square and be worried about getting picked, then not getting picked, and, on top of that, someone volunteering. As much as I hate the Volunteers, there's no denying we're lucky to have them. If it wasn't for them, I might actually have to worry about getting sent into the arena.

Our house is only a short walk from the docks, so I don't need to get up as early as most fishers do to get here right at sunrise, when we're allowed out. It's one of few safety procedures we have hear, no fishing after hours. To be honest, I think that it's just the Capitol trying to work us harder during the time we're allowed to and maybe starve us a bit, but we do okay. And it's safe to take out tesserae here, thanks to the Volunteers. I have, even though Brooke's always been against it, since I was twelve. Each year, I've gotten tesserae for my parents and myself, racking up a whole sixteen entries this year. Not that I need to worry.

The docks don't open for a little while, so I decide to visit Annie at her parent's fishing shop. They're probably setting up by now.

The chimes attached to the door makes a sweet tinkling sound as I walk in. Racks of different ropes, hooks, spears, and even sails line the walls and shelves of the small building. I look towards the back of the room, where a blocked off doorway leads to Annie's house. I'm about to make my way towards the door when the chimes on the front door ring again.

Before I even register who's come in, a pair a small arms have wrapped themselves around me, just below my shoulders the highest they can reach.

"Alexis!" Annie's muffled voice comes from somewhere around my stomach. I reach down a lift the girl up and spin her around. She laughs and shrieks, as if this will never get old, until I set her down.

"Hey there, kiddo." I say. Annie's thirteen, only two years younger than me, but too small and sweet for her age. "What were you doing out and around at this hour?"

"Just picking up some stuff from the market. It's not as good as what we can get from you though." She replies, showing me a basket that she smartly set down before she had hugged me.

I give a laugh and a huge fake curtsy, blowing kisses to an imaginary crowd while Annie cheers and claps wildly, as if she can make up for the missing thousands in my supposed crowd of fans.

"Seriously, though," she continues, after I've finished my bows, "You're the best fisher I know! How do you do it?"

"Do what, Annie?"

"I've never seen anyone get as much as you do in one day. Most of the other fishers will come back with a few big tuna, if they're lucky. You'll have at least five tuna, six salmon, tens of little colourful fish, and pounds of water plants." She explains, curiously. "How do you get so much done?"

I smile " You give me too much credit, it's my dad who can do all of that."

"Really? Because I don't believe you, I seen you come in with nearly as much stuff on days you go out by yourself. Where is your dad, anyway?"

"Panicking, at home. You know, with reaping tomorrow and all." Annie nods, understanding.

"Aren't you worried?" She asks, her beautiful face giving way to some of her own anxiety.

I kneel down and kiss her forehead. "It'll be okay, Annie. As long as you and Brooke are okay, I'll be fine. Besides, we've got the Volunteers, so even if we get reaped, we won't be tributes."

"But, what about Cassius?" she whispers.

I don't know what to say. Cassius was her older cousin, and Volunteer. He's been training for forever and this is his last year to volunteer, at eighteen.

I sigh. "I don't know what to tell you. Cassius is one of the best students at the training centre, Annie, he could do it."

Annie closes her eyes and nods. "Thanks"

"For what?"

"Being honest to me. It's why I trust you."

This surprises me. Annie's never told me this before. I smile. "Well, I trust you too. That's why I'm honest."

She grins, and then does something else that surprises me. "Can I come fishing with you today? You said that your dad's staying home. Maybe I can help!"

I was expecting to have the day to myself, but, honestly, I think I could use the company. "Sure, Annie, sounds great. Better get ready though, if I'm going to try and catch as many fish as you say I can."

"Yay!" She gives me a big hug and runs to get ready.

I don't know what I'd do without her.