Water splash on rocks, the sun glistering on the surface but underneath you can see teenagers swimming under. Stealing kisses, playing around, and enjoying life, laughs and smiles filled the air. Hard to believe this is Panem and that today was the reaping of the 74th Hunger Games.

No one seems concerned, not even the overprotective parents hanging on the side of the boats looking to make sure things were kept PG-13. The houses on the side of the bay had there windows opened and pointing out at the kids as if today wasn't the day we get picked for slaughter.

District 4 is like this we're very chill and partying, yet serious when needed. It could be one of the reasons that everyone was relaxed was that we were trained, we weren't really a Career district but we aren't idiots. No one here was an idiot not even the crazy.

Finnick Oddair was splashing water at Annie Cresta who seemed happier than she did on regular days.

I'm standing beside them with Remy by my side she was laughing at them and I smiled. I'm Finnicks cousin. He was more of a brother and most people didn't believe we were cousins.

A big wave came and splash on me and I fell laughing.

Everything seemed fine.


We were all dressed in our sundress standing in the town square (which is 98% sand and palm trees). Everyone was looking at Marie Loke who was going to reap. I was moving my freshly painted nails around and talking to Remy.

"Most Districts get scared on this day." I commented looking at the twelve year olds to see if there were scared. No, no one really gives a damn until the Games start, that's when the nerve's sit in.

"Since when are we like other Districts?" She asked looking over her shoulder at the boys on the other side of our sixteen year old panel. She winked at freckled face Jon Handel, he's cheeks turned the color of his flaming red hair.

Honestly if he and Remy get together they'll make a really freakily attractive ginger.

"You're such a tease." I told her giggling at how she was licking her lips at him. She smirked and shrugged.

"Obviously." She said looking back up at Marie who tapped the microphone and looked at the sea of teenagers.

Marie smiled as if she was a tiger ready to attack, looking for a target. Actually all of Marie looked like a tiger and that's because her skin had the print of a tiger and her hair was cut in a boy cut. I'm sure up close her eyes where golden and dangerous like a tiger.

"Hello District 4, I hear you're the party District right?" She asked. Everyone in the crowd smirked including me. Marie looked at everyone not sure what to except, she looked around some more and then moved to the bowl.

"I'll do boys first." Marie said putting a hand inside the bowl.

The boys side tensed and all you could here was the breeze and waves crashing on the shore. Marie pulled out a paper and read:

"Jon Handel."

My mouth fell open as Jon looked up frighten but quickly compose himself and walked towards the stage. I looked at Remy as Jon introduced himself.

"There go your plans to make a super ginger with him." I said quietly, she nodded and said.

"He won't make past the training."

Marie then moved towards the girls bowl and we shut up.

It now that the panic sinks in my name is in that bowl six times, I could be chosen for a blood bath, to die for no reason. I close my eyes tightly trying to block everything out, I won't get chosen, there thousands of names in there. Soon I'll be back in the water and swimming with Finnick, fishing with Remy.

Everything will be okay; I just need to stay calm-

"Spencer Oddair."

My eyes open and I see everyone looking at me. At first I'm confuse at who called my name but then I see the Peacekeeper's waiting outside my panel. Slowly my eyes turn to the stage where I see Finnick standing up shaking his head and Annie with her hands over her ears looking down, shutting the world.

I've been chosen for the Hunger Games.

I start moving towards the end of the panel but Remy holds my wrist. I look back at her and see tears in her eyes.

"No Spencer you can't. You'll die." She said in a strained voice.

"And you will too if you volunteer. Plus I know you won't. Rems I can't let all these people see me cry. Let go." I tell her and pull away but she holds on and I see the Peacekeepers edge closer to us.

"Remy let go." I tell her softly. She looks down at my arm and nods, letting it fall.

I move away from her without looking back at anyone. I let the Peacekeepers move me to the stage.

Marie smiles at me and welcomes me on stage. But I don't feel welcomed, I'm walking into a trap. Marie starts talking to the crowd. I put my head down and try to shake all the feelings I have away.

"Well there we go-" She stops mid-way. I look to see Remy putting her middle three fingers to there mouth, she kisses them, and lifting them up in the air towards me and Jon. Most people tense up, this isn't a sign used very often the Panem anymore. It means goodbye to a loved one.

I look around the crowd and notice that I know every single one of this people. The Oddairs are very well-known not because of Finnick only.

All this kids I've grown up with them, played in there houses, meet there parents, I gone to school with them, I know there secrets, there all more than friends there family. Even Jon he lived next to me when I until I was nine. Now I've been chosen for them all to see me die, slaughtered, for selfish reason for a show.

I look at them all and see them realizing this too, there's a feeling of realization in the air. Slowly everyone starts repeating Remy's gestured, it's like a wave moving around. There parents follow, most of them are crying. I glance at Remy, she's crying too but nodding at me.

She's ready, they all are. This is our first sign of protest but mostly this is our goodbye.

I look at the crowd amazed at what has happens and turn my head towards Finnick. His looking at the crowd astonished, Annie is also up followed by four other victors. They all look at me and Jon.

Then they also put there three middle fingers to there mouth and point them at us. Annie smiles threw tears at me. I and Jon stand, we have to be strong. We all stand there for a moment in union.

"Umm…" Marie says looking around at the Peacekeeper who just shrug even though some are doing the salute also. "Well I guess."

Marie counties talking but I don't listen. Finnick looks at me.

Please hold it together. I beg silently in my mind. It seems he notice because he nods and starts clapping as I shake hands with Jon.

As I shake hands with death.


Songs for this Chapter:

For the beach scene-~

Radioactive- Mumfound and Son

For the Reaping~

Dumbledore's Goodbye-Nicholas Hooper