Hello all. It's been a while since I've posted anything but hopefully that will change soon. I hope you enjoy this story and please tell me if you love it or hate it.

-Chapter 1-

The Beginning

Humming a soft tune, Faith Silven, carefully tied silver ribbons into her long black hair. The light blue dress her mother bought for her was sitting on the bed, pressed and still steaming from the iron. She stared at the lacy material for a minute or two, before finally pulling the dress over head and shoving her arms through the sleeves. Looking in the mirror she sighed. She felt utterly ridiculous.

Faith never wore a dress other than on reaping days. This year she was thirteen, however still only just over four and a half feet tall. Her baby face just continued to make her look younger. Giggling, Faith shook her head. The other tributes would get quite a shock if she ever was reaped. Later. She would regret that thought.

The horn blew, signaling that it was time for the citizens of District Four to head down to the beach where the reapings would be held. After tearing the silver bows out of her hair, she nodded and ran outside to join her friends. Everyone was to nervous to even make small talk, only an occasional reassurance that the odds were that someone older would be chosen. After signing in with the peacekeepers, Faith took her place in the block of other thirteen year olds. The makeshift stage made out of loose boards was decorated with blue and green streamers. As the colorful capital woman took to the stage, everyone fell silent.

"Welcome, people of Panem to the 74th annual Huger Games. In order to honor this exciting reaping, the president has sent a video from the capital!" The woman trilled. Faith sighed as they played the atrocious video that they play at every reaping. When it was finished the woman giggled and proceeded to reach into the bowl that held the female names. "As usual we'll have ladies go first."

It was so quiet you could here the paper open from all the way in the back of the group, everyone praying silently as they held their breaths in anticipation.

"Faith Sylven." The woman announced all to cheerfully. The girls around Faith slowly backed away from the tiny girl, some with pity in their eyes, others relief. Faith however was in shock. It had to be a mistake right? It couldn't be her, it was just impossible. Out of the hundreds of pieces of papers, her's were chosen? Fear hit Faith like a wall and she stumbled as she was dragged forward by the peacekeepers. Finally she was on stage and hesitantly shook the hand of the woman who had just sealed her fate. She felt her eyes prickled but quickly held them back. She wouldn't cry. Not for these monsters.

Suddenly a large figure came up beside her and her head automatically snapped upwards. It was a boy, maybe seventeen or eighteen years old. His brown hair going down right below his chin. His bronze skin was identical to Faith's own, however his eyes were bright blue while her's were an aqua-green. They shook hands awkwardly, both of them too scared to do anything else.

"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

-FAITH-

The goodbyes were short before the two tributes were whisked away into a limo. Faith was finally coming out of her shock and slowly began to realize the truth of the situation. She was going to have to go into an arena and go up against kids probably twice her size and possibly even five or six year older. She was going to have to kill other kids if she wanted to survive.

"Um, I'm Josh." A voice said, bringing Faith out of her thoughts. She smiled at her district partner and shook his extended hand. She had seen him working at the factory before, but never thought to introduce herself before.

"I'm Faith." She murmured quietly. He returned her smile with a quick quark of his lips before glancing out at the scenery flashing by the window.

"Are you scared?" He asked, his voice nearly a whisper. Faith nodded and squeezed his hand like she used to do with her father. "I would be crazy if I wasn't."

The two chatted for the rest of the ride, slowly but surely becoming friends. Faith mentally kicked herself, knowing the risks of becoming emotionally attached. In the games, only one of them could survive. But she couldn't help feel a sudden attachment to her fellow tribute. He knew what she was going through. He understood her and would listen to her patiently, almost like an older brother.

When the limo stopped, she and Josh slowly got out of the car, their hands entwined in vice like grips. Finnick Odair and Mags were waiting for them, both smiling when they saw the two tributes nearly clinging to each other.

"I told you that they would get on fine, Mags. Look how cute they are! The Capital is going to eat them right up," Finnick cooed. Faith couldn't help but let out a small giggle. Finnick shook the tributes free hands before ushering them onto the silver train. Faith's jaw dropped when she saw the elegant interior. Royal blue carpets with gold edging covered the floor. Polished wooden tables and gold table settings sat in the middle of the large cars. Paintings of the beach and lighthouses littered the walls and a glass chandelier hung from the ceiling.

"Sleeping cars are in the back and separate." Finnick announced with a cheeky grin in place. Both tributes immediately got flustered and shouted incoherently as they tried to prove that their relationship was fraternal.

"Geez I was only pulling your legs. Anyway let's sit down. I'm starving." The handsome man said with a chuckle. Avoxs slowly brought out huge platters filled with all sorts of food. Faith had never seen so much food in her life. Taking a little of this and that, she found that everything was delicious. If she wasn't careful she would gain twenty pounds before the games even started.

"So, have either of you two ever had weapon training before?" Mags asked. Josh and Faith both nodded.

"I'm good with spears or tridents, and I know how to handle a knife." Josh said, recalling the standard training that all District Four kids had.

"I'm better with a trident than a spear, and I'm handy with any blade except for a sword." Faith mumbled. Finnick smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

"This is a great start. It seems you're both athletic enough to pass." He murmured. Josh frowned, "pass what?"

"The Careers standards. They're a nasty group made up tributes from District One, Two and, if we're lucky, Four. They're bred for killing and ability, however they're your best bet for survival in the first half of the game. I'll speak to their mentors tonight, but I think that you two have a good chance of getting in." Finnick explained. Faith gulped, she knew about the Careers alright from watching last years game.

"Finnick, I don't think I can kill... People." Faith whispered as bloody images filled her head. Finnick's face softened and he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Look at me baby girl. I'll make sure those nasty brute know you won't take part in their sport, but in the end if it come down to the final four or even five, it starts becoming a battle of survival. Killing skills are good only for the first half of the game, after that learning how to get yourself out of dangerous situations will be key in you making it back home." Finnick said firmly, glancing back and forth between Faith and Josh.

Faith nodded and gently clasped Josh's hand. It wasn't for entertainment they were doing this to get home, or at least one of them.

-FAITH-

The next morning Faith woke up and looked around her car in a dazed panic. After realizing where she was she felt tears roll down her cheeks. So it wasn't a dream after all. She was in an extravagant bed that could only be in the sleeping quarter that were assigned to her last night by her mentor.

Sobbing quietly she curled up until her forehead rested against her knees. After a while the door opened and a gentle hand combed through her hair.

"Oh baby girl, the first day is always the worse." Finnick murmured as Faith slowly curled against him. He lifted her up so that her head could rest on his shoulder and slowly made his way to the dining car. When they entered Josh lept to his feet ready instantly worried, but Finnick waved him off.

"I've seen a lot of tributes go through this, especially the younger ones." He explained as he say down. He carefully pried Faith's arms off and say her in between himself and Josh. Her tears had already stopped, her eyes red and puffy. Biting her lip she stared down at her lap, ashamed of acting like a baby in front of her friends. Finnick rubbed her back encouragingly and filled her plate with food.

After breakfast the two tributes were sent to shower and when they returned a team of stylists flocked them. Faith was waxed eyebrows to toes until everything but the hair on top of her head was gone. After rubbing her skin in sweetly scented oils, the head stylist named Iya, clothes her in a lovely blue blouse and skinny leggings. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and pearls were weaved in between her glossy dark locks.

"You look stunning now go out there and smile children." Finnick shouted as they entered the tunnel that would lead them to the Capital. Faith and Josh stated out of the window, preparing for what was going to come. Josh was in a lovely blue shirt and dress slacks, making him look more mature.

Suddenly light flooded the cabin and cheers filled the air. Capital citizens were lined all the way down the platform waving and screaming as the train pulled in. Josh and Faith followed instructions and put on their best smiles, waving enthusiastically at potential sponsors. The people went crazy. Throwing roses all over the place and pushing at each other to look at the tributes.

Finally the train stopped and Finnick motioned for the kids to go first. The two stepped off of the train, hand in hand and shook hands, autographed posters and even blew kisses occasionally. Finally it was time to go and peacekeeper lead the group into a limo that would take them to the Tribute Building.

"You two did wonderful, I couldn't have done a better performance myself." Finnick said as they began their trip. "Now District One and Two have agreed to meet us in the lobby, don't worry just keep up the charm."

The limo stopped and Josh helped Faith out of the car. Two boys and two girls were already waiting for them. The boys were both very muscular, blond and strikingly handsome. However they both were clearly cold blooded killers. The girls weren't much better the taller blond was clearly beautiful while the smaller brunette seemed to care less of how she looked and more about how powerful she was.

Faith kept her face in a blank mask, her green eyes glinting as she seemingly sized up the teens in front of her, but she was terrified on the inside. The shorter male stepped forward and held out a hand for her to shake.

She took it without hesitation and shook it firmly. His Grip was strong but she didn't let it phase her. He did the same thing with Josh who also kept a blank mask. The tribute smiled at them and crossed his arms over his chest.

"My name is Cato from District Two." He said, "Welcome to the Careers, Four."

Faith had to stop herself from sighing in relief. She relaxed in a neutral stance as the others stepped forward to introduce themselves as well. The other boy was Marvel, from District one. His partner, the beautiful blond was Glimmer and the scary brunette was Clove.

"Isn't she kinda… small to be a Career?" Clove asked bluntly as she pointed to Faith. Faith smiled in return and flicked her hair behind her shoulder.

"Doesn't mean I can't handle myself in a fight." she countered, her voice coming out colder than she anticipated. It was scary, Faith thought, but she needed to sound acceptable to these people, at least for now. To her relief Clove smiled and laughed slapping Faith none too gently on the shoulder.

"I think we're going to get along just fine, kid." she barked. Faith giggled and looked over to where Josh was talking to Marvel and Glimmer, laughing and eventually even wrestling with the bigger boy playfully.

"Boys." Glimmer groaned as she rolled her eyes. Clove snorted and nodded in agreement but Faith was somewhat preoccupied by a certain District Two tribute staring at her. Cato had a look on his face that Faith couldn't quite place. It was almost possessive.

"Okay children, I'm going to bring my two upstairs so that they can see their floor. We'll see you at the chariots tomorrow." Finnick said as he guides his two tributes away from the fun and towards the large gold and crystal elevators.

"Well I must say that things couldn't have gone smoother. As of today you two are finally Careers." he said as he hugged the his two tributes. Faith felt an uneasy feeling growing in her stomach, and for the life of her couldn't figure out why.

So First Chapter Done, Please Review :)