Chapter 1

I quickly ran from on of the fish factories, praying that no one had seen me steal the oysters. I took the back street behind the city hall to avoid getting caught by any Peace Keepers in the plaza. My heart was pumping the adreniline through my veins as I took a right turn onto Corral Street, leading me to the beach. The ground changed beneath my sneakers from the hard concrete to the somewhat warm sand. The waves crashing onto the shore rang in my ears. The night made it hard to see, but I could see four familiar shadowy figures in the distance. Two larger shadows were attempting to built up a small flame they had burning while two thinner shadows were huddled beneath an old, tattered blanket. I slowed down to a walk, relieved that I hadn't been caught. The smallest shadow glanced at me, her green eyes instantly lighting up.

"Nia!" she cried gleefully before getting up and tackle hugging me. For such a small and light weight girl, she could really pack a punch. I grabbed her and held her close. The other shadow under the blanket got up and walked over to us, her brown eyes eyeing my swollen pants pockets curiously.

"Hazel, let of go Nia and come back to the fire" she said softly. Hazel let of the grip she had on my waist. Both turned and walked back to the slow growing fire. I followed them and saw how skinny Hazel had become in the past year; she would get most of my portion of oysters this evening. Riley looked up from the fire and slightly smiled.

"Nia, do you think we could train tonight?" After all the reaping is tomorrow" he asked as I sat down. He really wanted to be a tribute in the Hunger Games; he says it is to avenge Zari's death.

"Well, we could do that. Or we could have some dinner" I replied while pulling the oysters from my pockets. All of their eyes widened at what I had brought home. I smiled warmly and began opening our dinner. Mara and Riley quickly scarfed down their dinner; they were the lucky ones and had gotten to eat breakfast this morning. Chaz and I ate slowly, savoring each bite of the seafood since we won't know the next time we would get something as special as oysters. Hazel looked won at her two oysters but left them untouched.

"Something wrong Haze?" Riley asked while eyeing one of her oysters. Hazel looked up at me, her blonde hair in a messy braid that was coming apart and getting into her eyes.

"Where did you get these?" she asked innocently. The others stopped and looked at me, as if asking the same question.

"I…I had to…steal them…" I whispered somewhat ashamed. They all gave me a wide-eyed stare but didn't speak. I wasn't proud of the fact that I steal, but I need to for the survival of what's left of my family. With mom, dad, and Zari gone, I had to take care of them; no matter what it took, I would provide all I could for them.

"But mommy always said that stealing was bad and that we shouldn't do it" she said innocently, using a voice that always broke my heart.

"Don't talk about mom!" Chaz snapped; out of all of us, Chaz took mom's death the hardest.

"But it's true!" Hazel said, her voice cracking from becoming upset.

"I don't care! She's dead and her rules died with her!" Chaz snarled. He would never admit to it, but I could see a tear forming in the corner of his eye, just waiting to slip.

"You don't have to be so mean about it!" Hazel cried before getting up and runningdown the beach. I shot Chaz a death glare and got up. I sprinted after Hazel and grabbed her. I turned her around and began to wipe the tears off her cheeks. In the moonlight I could see that her eyes were beginning to form a red tint.

"He didn't mean it Haze" I cooed while stroking her cold cheek.

"But he's so mean to me! Ever since mommy and Zari died!" she said while warm, fresh tears began to slide onto my hands. I sighed and hugged her close, rubbing her back to comfort her.

"I know sweetie…but it's hard for him…he still hasn't gotten over mom dying" I whispered.

"I'm not either! You all knew her for over a decade! I knew her for 6 years!" she cried out while looking up at me.

"I know baby girl. But you need to be strong, like Finnick O'dare!" I said, trying to cheer her up. She giggled and nodded.

"But…Finnick doesn't steal"

"I know…but if I didn't steal then we wouldn't eat" I replied while kneeling down and poking her tummy. She giggled again and hugged me tightly. I smiled and picked her up, and carried her back ver to the fire. Chaz and Riley were already beneath their blanket while Mara was sitting by the fire, her back to us. I set down Hazel and tapped Mara's shoulder. She got up but avoided my eyes at all cost; she was probably crying. I hugged her close and waited a few moments. I let go and led her to the blanket the three of us shared. The fire's light dimmed but flares flickered into the night sky. Hazel layed down in the side, waiting for me to lay next to her. I layed down next to her with Mara following. I took our old and sandy blanket, one of our few possessions we had, and spread it around us. Hazel curled up next to me and slowly difted to sleep. I glanced over and saw Mara was still awake.

"Everything can change tomorrow" she muttered.

"I know, but it'll be okay…" I murmurred back.

"It would be better if you didn't get the tesserae" she said while turning to face me. Her brown eyes seemed darker with frustration and sadness.

"But then we'll have oil and grain…It'll help us in the long run" I replied, trying to comfort her. She sighed and rolled onto her side.

"I hope you're right" she murmurred before falling asleep. I waited for both of their breathing to deepen…so that I knew they were asleep. Then the tears began to roll off my cheeks like rain drops going down a window. I kept my sobs within my chest, even though I wanted to break down; but I know that I can't anymore. I need to stay strong for the others…they need me now more then ever. Especially when the reaping is tomorrow, I had to keep my family out of the games, no matter what. With tears still falling down my cheeks I held onto my sisters and cried myself to sleep; praying that no matter what we wouldn't be influenced by the Hunger Games again.