CHAPTER I

Hi guys!

So I know some of you expect the sequel to The Unexpectedly Changed Life of Emery, but I have this huge writer's block. That's why I decided to start another story, this time about The Hunger Games! I've written a lot already and will update regularly!

Before you read, I have a few things to say:

1. I searched on Google for maps of Panem and found a really nice one where District 4 was the most Southern district. Then I watched Catching Fire and saw the district wasn't south in Panem, but more up north... But hey, it's a fanfic and in my twist of the story, District 4 is more to the south with a warm climate!

2. When I sat behind my laptop to write the story, I had no idea how to start. So I asked my sister who's 14 y/o to give me a word to start the story with, and she gave me chicken... Still, I wanted to use it so I want to thank my little sister for giving me inspiration ;)

3. Happy New Year!

Now, enjoy the first chapter and I'll see you in a week!

Chicken. Unlike my little brother and parents, I had chicken on my plate. Why? Because I didn't like fish. Which was pretty strange. In my district everybody liked fish, since that was what our whole district was about.

It was early in the morning. My father usually had to be at the dock around 7 o'clock, but not today. Still, we always rose in the early hours, every day. I ate the last bit of my breakfast and shoved the plate aside.

"I'm going to Eleanor's", I said as I pushed back the chair and stood up. My mother nodded and swallowed the last piece of food away. "Make sure you're back at twelve, okay?"

I nodded and picked up my plate and glass to bring it to the kitchen. Then I walked out of the front door of the house, feeling the soft sand on my feet immediately. I didn't bother to put on my shoes, nor my coat- it just wasn't necessary in my district. Sometimes there would be heavy rain showers, but they lasted usually no more than two minutes.

I let out a sigh of relief and walked onto the beach. I had to say, we certainly had one of the best houses here in the city; a pretty, spacious house right on the beach- the sea being ever present in our existence. It was the most important thing in our daily lives.

I started to walk over to the house next to mine, where my best friend lived. But I hadn't even taken two steps before I caught sight of her. The wind played with her blonde hair as she stood with her feet in the water, staring at the point where water met sky. I shook my head and chuckled. Damn, she was always so deep.

People always said we were quite the pair, us two. She had blonde hair, fair skin and bright green eyes, while my skin was more tanned and my hair was darker. People never knew what to make of my hair. Was it black? Was it dark brown? I didn't even know. But my eyes were blue. In contrast to my skin and hair, my eyes were light- like most eyes in District 4.

"Eleanor!" I shouted with my hands around my mouth and ran towards her. She turned around and waved. "Marina," she sighed and brought her hand to her eyes, as if wiping tears away. I frowned. She was wiping tears away. "I'm sorry, I know I should've met up with you ten minutes ago."

"It's okay," I said, "I was late anyways." I cocked my head and let a hand rest on her shoulder. "What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

"You know what's wrong," she half-snarled at me, but her face softened quickly. "Sorry. It's just my little brother."

I nodded understandingly. Of course I wasn't angry at her for snarling at me. It was a hard day for all of us. Her little brother had turned 12 only yesterday. This was his first year. Byron, my own little brother, was already 15, but it didn't make it any easier. The thing was that if we could, we both wouldn't hesitate to volunteer for them. But they were boys, and girls couldn't volunteer for males.

I sighed and squeezed her shoulder. "I know," I said softly. "I understand. But his name is only once in the bowl, they won't pick him."

"We can only hope," she sighed as well and turned, letting my hand drop off her shoulder. "After Eridan last year…" She paused, face turning grim, just like mine.

Eridan was our friend. Perhaps a lot more than just a friend. People called us the three musketeers, naming us after some story that was a popular one, hundreds of years ago.

Eleanor, Eridan and I did everything together. We fished, we saved some sea turtles when they came to visit me during work and they come over for dinner a lot. He was a year older than we were, but didn't seem to mind the company of two girls at all.

Eridan was funny, with his dry and sarcastic humor and self-mockery. If he hadn't been my best friend, he'd be serious boyfriend material.

But then he got reaped for the 73th Hunger Games.

And Eleanor and I couldn't tear ourselves away from the television. We watched his Tribute Parade, where he was dressed as a sexy fisherman. We watched his training score, a nice nine. We watched his interview, how he won the ladies of the Capitol. We watched how he became a murderer, a part of the Career pack.

And we watched how he eventually killed off the District 8 girl, though he himself had almost died if he wasn't brought out of the Arena sooner.

When he came back home, he wasn't the same anymore. It was only the most logical thing to happen, but still, you didn't expect it. He lived in the Victor's village and we came by every day, though not a word came out of his mouth. The only one he actually talked to was his mentor, Finnick Odair.

I shook my head, trying not to think about it. Eleanor seemed to want to clear her mind as well and turned to me with a somewhat forced smile. "How many times is your name in the bowl?"

"Six. The standard."

Eleanor nodded. "You?" I asked, looking up a bit. Eleanor had always been taller than me, being a nice 5'9''. I myself was 5'6''. Not short, I knew that, but I had always wished I was taller.

She shrugged. "Same."

Six out of thousands. It was a small chance that we would be picked. But then again, every tribute had thought that before the Reaping.

Because yes, today was that day. The Reaping. And I wished I could say more, like how I was certain that I would be safe just like previous years, but… I couldn't. I never could. Eleanor couldn't as well. And now with her little brother in the bowl for the first time… it was hard.

"Wanna go for a swim?" I asked her and saw a smile tugging at her lips. It was sort of tradition: every morning, before the Reaping, we would dive into the water. It was calming to do so, as if we could clear our minds by just touching the water.

This time, it was the first time without Eridan.

Eleanor nodded and the next moment I pulled my light yellow summer dress over my head. We already had our swimming clothes on underneath it and ran into the water, gladly pretending that it was just a normal day in the weekend. I let my body sink deeper into the water and took in the salty scent of the water. The next moment I felt water splash right in my face and heard Eleanor's laughter follow it. "Oh, you are going to pay for that!" I shouted and dove right onto her and pushed her under the water.

For the next hours we played like that, giggling and laughing as if we were small kids without any concern and worry about the Hunger Games. Finally we got out of the water and giggled a bit. We jumped when someone behind us cleared his throat and we whirled around. There stood Eleanor's older brother. He had his arms folded in front of him and a bemused look on his face.

"Had your fun, girls?" he asked as he walked over to us, putting on the stern-older-brother-face. Eleanor rolled her eyes at her brother and grabbed her dress from the ground. "Why do you always have to ruin everything, Douglas?"

"Because you're late", he stated simply. I raised my eyebrows. "What time is it?" I asked as I picked up my dress as well. He threw a towel at me and his sister. "Half past twelve. I'd hurry if I were you."

"Shit," I said and looked at Eleanor. "I'll see you at one o'clock okay? I'll come by your house."

She nodded and gave me a quick hug before going off with Douglas, who gave me a small smile before turning around. Douglas was 19, his last Reaping was last year and he didn't have to worry about becoming a tribute anymore. Still, he had Eleanor and his little brother to worry about. Even if you weren't picked, the Games would always follow you.

I sighed and walked to my house with the towel over my shoulders.

Home, I ignored my mother's scolding and went upstairs to the bathroom. There I took a short bath, but still made sure my hair didn't smell like salt too much. As much as I loved the natural scent, I didn't want people to say I smelled bad- if I were to be picked.

After the bath I walked to my closet and picked out a dress. I made sure it was elegant, but didn't want it to stand out too much. I hated the fact that I had to question myself the same thing over and over. What if I got reaped? What would the Capitol think of me? What would the other tributes think of me?

I didn't want to ask myself these questions. I didn't want to get reaped. No one did.

My mother braided my still wet hair in a fish braid, saying nothing. She was tense, just like every year. It was hard for her and my father to have both their children in the Reaping. I knew what their greatest fear was. Byron and me both in the Games. It was my greatest fear as well.

It was exactly one o'clock when I headed next door to Eleanor. My parents had told me that they would come a little later, and I took Byron with me. "You okay, kiddo?" I asked and he snorted and rolled his eyes. "Come on Marina," he said, "I think you're more scared than I am." I gave him a look. "Well duh," I said. "It'd be stupid to not be scared." He merely shrugged and followed me outside.

Eleanor and her little brother were already standing on the porch. I felt my heart sink. The boy was shaking. "Hey Glan," I said to him with a smile and crouched in front of him. "It's okay, boy. You won't get picked, I promise." He nodded and I looked up at Eleanor, who gave me a sad smile. I could tell that she had had this conversation with him a lot and it probably broke her to see Glan so afraid. I couldn't blame him.

I stood up once more. "You ready?"

The others nodded, but before we could go, the front door of Eleanor's house opened. There were Douglas and his parents, smiling at me. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Hurley," I greeted and then looked at Eleanor's brother, giving him a nod. "Douglas."

He smiled. "Let's hope the two of you get to swim next year again", he said and I knew that was his way of telling me to come back this afternoon. "Good luck, Marina", Mr. Hurley said and I nodded at both him and Douglas. Eleanor and Glan had probably said their goodbyes already, seeing the way they looked at their parents. "I'll see you later", I said and then we were off.

The walk to the square was quiet, Eleanor had her hand placed on her younger brother's back. I remembered the year when Byron had been twelve. He wasn't that scared to be honest- but I certainly was.

We arrived no later than five minutes- the city center was close to the sea. Scratch that; everything was close to the sea.

As we drew closer to the ladies with the needles, Eleanor suddenly stopped and pushed Glan away from the crowd to calm him down- at least, tried to. She looked at me briefly and mouthed 'go', before focusing her attention on her little brother. I nodded and looked at Byron. "I'll see you soon, kiddo", I said with a half-smile and laughed softly as he said: "Stop calling me kiddo, I'm 15."

We split up. I watched him go stand in the boys' line and sighed. I really wished I could be sure that I'd see him after the Reaping. But nobody could be sure. Everyone could be a victim of the Reaping.

I walked to the girls' line. A few seconds later it was my turn and I gritted my teeth as I felt the brief but sharp pain in my finger. Then I moved over to the group of 17 year old females, trying to calm down a bit. After all this time, I still couldn't get used to the Reapings. They were uncomfortable, fearful and unnerving.

Eleanor came to my side and gave me a sad smile. "He's going to be okay", I said softly and she nodded stiffly. Finally, a Capitol lady walked up the stage. Calla Roseworth, the ridiculous escort of District four, was wearing a tight yellow dress that made me barf and I immediately knew I had to throw away my own yellow summer dress. Her hair… well, it was a wig of course, but it was awful. I think she wanted birds to sleep in it, because it could very well be a birds' nest.

"Welcome, welcome all of you!" she said in an overly cheerful voice and I mouthed her following words. "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

She did this every year. It was profoundly annoying, and I just wanted to snap her neck.

I wondered if that was Career-thinking.

"Now," she continued, "we have brought a special movie from the Capitol to you!"

The screen behind her lit up and the movie that the escort knew by heart played. I didn't listen and pretended to watch, while I was actually just staring into the distance. Every year it was the same song over and over again. The only thing that changed, were the tributes. Like Eridan. I looked at the stage, behind Calla Roseworth. There sat the mayor of the district and next to him sat the victors. District 4 had a lot of victors; from the 68th until the 70th Hunger Games, our district even had three victors in a row. And the most recent one was Eridan.

He sat on the stage next to Finnick Odair and Mags Flanagan, scanning the crowd. The next second, his eyes rested on Eleanor and me and he gave a small nod. I nodded back. Eleanor ignored him.

"Come on, Eleanor," I whispered and nudged her, "you can't still blame him."

She refused to look at me, then sighed and turned to me anyways. "I know, it's just…"

"He never said thank you," I finished the sentence for her as she trailed off. "I know, but he's been through a lot. I can't even imagine what he's been through. I haven't seen him crack one grin since his return. And the ones on the television during the interviews and the Victory Tour were forced."

She just nodded and I sighed, focusing my attention back to the escort as the final tunes of the Panem anthem was heard and I felt my stomach contract. It was time for the Reaping.

"I just love that," she said with a dramatic sigh, then turned to us again. "And now it is time to pick one young man and woman to represent District 4 with pride!" If I weren't so nervous I would've rolled my eyes at her. She sounded so enthusiastic I think she might have fainted if she wasn't broadcasted on national television.

"As always," she said with a bright smile as if it was some privilege, "ladies first."

She walked over to the female bowl.

Six out of thousands. I wouldn't be picked. The odds were in my favor. Comparing to some of the poorer people, the odds were in my favor. I wasn't going to be picked.

Calla Roseworth played a little bit with the folded papers, then pulled one out. I looked at the small paper. This little thing decided if someone would be dead or alive after a few weeks. It decided if I would be dead or alive after a few weeks. I watched her open it and she moved closer to the microphone.

"Marina Moore!"

It wasn't until I heard a gasp next to me that I realized who's name had been called.

Mine.

My heart stopped and I almost choked. I turned to Eleanor, eyes wide, and saw that she was probably mirroring my own face expression. She quickly pulled me into an embrace as if she wouldn't let me go, but I felt numb. I was too numb to even hug her back.

I was going to die.

It felt like my body took ages to catch up with my brain and I finally let go of her. I couldn't look at her. I couldn't say anything. I couldn't even cry. The only thing I could do was what I had to do. I walked to the stage. Everyone around me looked at me with pity, but also relief in their eyes. They weren't picked. But I was. They shuffled away from me so that I could walk to the stage.

The only thing I wanted right now, was to die. I just wanted to die on the spot. That was better than to be killed with a knife, arrow or sword. As I made my way to Calla Roseworth- now not just an escort anymore but my escort, I felt every eye of District 4 watching me. Now I wanted to puke.

But then I remembered the cameras everywhere. I didn't want them to see me chicken out- not that I even could. I didn't want them to see me as their new prey. Even though I was shaking, I took a deep breath in and straightened up. I had to look strong. I walked up the stairs and ignored the hand that Calla gave to help me up. I almost wanted to snarl at her that I could walk by myself perfectly well. But I didn't. Somewhere in this nightmare, I still had my manners.

I stood on a stage. Never in my entire life had I stood on a stage. But I didn't care about the audience. I could only see Byron in the crowd, horror written all over his face. I almost felt the tears leave my eyes.

No, I told myself. No, I wouldn't cry. Because I would come back. I would come back for Byron, my parents, Eleanor… everyone I cared about. I think that somehow my face had changed from horror to determination, but I didn't know how much. I didn't know anything.

Calla said something about picking the boy, but I wasn't paying attention. I was looking over the crowd, staring at the sea. Would I ever see the ocean again?

Before I knew it, another young man had been called on the stage. Don't let it be Byron. Don't let it be Glan. Please, don't.

"Hadrian Waller!"

I exhaled, not having realized I had held my breath. In the front of the crowd, among the 18 year-olds, a boy gulped. Just like the people around me had done, the boys around him shuffled away to let him pass. I had seen that face before- Hadrian worked with my father at the docks. I had seen him catch fish with a trident or a spear, I think he actually had a chance in the Games.

For a second he looked stunned. He looked around, before knitting his eyebrows in a frown. He walked up the stage, not showing any emotion anymore. He went to stand next to me.

"Well," Calla called with smile, "I announce to you, the tributes of District 4! Shake hands!"

I turned to Hadrian, and I saw him crack a small smile. I felt my lips tug up as well and we gave each other a firm handshake and a nod, as if to already say that we wouldn't hurt each other. I only hoped he thought this as a sign of alliance as well.

"Happy 74th Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

A sob escaped my mouth as the door closed. I was in a spacious room- perhaps the Mayor's office. The walls were painted in a soft blue color, the floor was made of light wood. I knew it was probably the last time I'd see the typical District 4 interior.

I furiously wiped my tears away. Don't think like that, I ordered myself, don't you dare think like that! Suddenly the door opened and I turned around to see Byron and my parents storm inside. "Byron! Mom, dad!" I called and fell into my mother's arms. I sobbed and buried my head in her neck.

"Marina, dear," my mom said as she patted my head and hushed. She tried to pull away from me but I didn't want her to leave me. I didn't want to leave them! "Honey, we only have three minutes with you."

That did it and I let go with a sigh. I turned to dad and he threw his arms around me. Those strong, familiar and safe arms. "If… if something happens to me," I began softly, "if I'm dying… get him the hell out of the room." I didn't want Byron to see my death. He was old enough to see the Games, but age didn't matter when it came to the death of a family member.

My dad nodded and pulled back, but held his hands on my shoulders. "I want you to come back to me, Marina," he said. "You come back to me." He placed a kiss between my eyebrows and I smiled at him.

I wiped my tears away and walked to Byron, who was standing next to dad with tears in his eyes. I pulled him into a hug. "It's gonna be okay, kiddo," I said, but I didn't know if I was reassuring him or myself. "I can take care of myself."

"You have to win," he said as he pulled away and I almost frown hearing the despair in his voice. Byron never let anyone know how he felt about thing; the typical teenager he was. But I guess this was a valid exception. "You have to! You can use a spear or trident, Mar. And knives! You're fast and smart, so you can win!"

I nodded. "Yeah, maybe I can. I'm gonna do everything to try and win, Byron. Everything." I wanted to win, really. I just didn't know if I could.

"Here," he said as he dug his hand in his pocket. "I want you to have this."

My eyes widened a bit as he placed a pearl in my hands. "I found it yesterday on the beach. I hope it protects you." Another tear rolled down my eye as I pulled him into a hug once again.

"Are you turning into a softy?" I asked and he rolled his eyes, making me smile. "Thanks, Byron," I said softly. "I love you."

"I love you too", he replied.

The door opened and a peacekeeper appeared. "Time's up", he said and pulled my parents back. I let go of Byron and tried to give him a smile. "Stay safe, kiddo", I said and he struggled in the peacekeeper's arms. "Come back to us, Mar!" The door closed with loud bam.

And it was silent.

I took a few breaths in and a few breaths out, but startled when the door opened again. I relaxed a bit as I saw Eleanor sneaking inside.

"Okay, I don't have long", she said and walked to me with red eyes.

"I'm so scared, Nor," I said. "I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die!" I took everything in me to stop myself from crying again.

Eleanor shook her head and gave me a tight hug. "No," she said, "you aren't. You are going to make it. In three weeks, you will be back here, safe and sound. You understand?"

"I want to," I said. "I have to. I can't leave you and mom, dad and Byron."

"You can't leave me," she said nodding, then tears started streaming out of her eyes. "You can't leave me too!"

I hugged her tightly and cried with her. "I'm not going to leave you," I said. "I'm coming home."

"You better, Marina," she said to me as she cupped my face. "I'll see you in three weeks, okay?" I nodded and she kissed my cheek.

After a few minutes of just hugging and talking, the door closed behind her and I stood there, feeling numb again.

Then it opened again and I frowned. Who wanted to see me now? Douglas? Eleanor's parents?

But it was Eridan.

He closed the door behind him and turned to me, a grim expression on his face.

"Eridan?" I asked confused, but when he nodded, I couldn't help feeling relieved and glad. Finally he had made a move to show our friendship wasn't over. Finally he made contact with me.

I moved closer to him and threw my arms around him, feeling more relieved when he immediately hugged me back.

People always thought there was something going on between us, but the moment we met we had friend-zoned each other.

I pulled away and gave him a questioning look. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd mentor this year?

He shook his head. "Mags volunteered to mentor instead of me this year," he replied. "I don't think I could mentor with you as a tribute, Marina."

I nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I understand," I said. "Do you- uh, do you have any tips already?"

He looked at me with serious eyes. "Don't let them change you, Marina," he said. "Don't let them change you into a monster like they did with me."

I swallowed. "God, I'm so sorry," I said. "I'm so sorry we didn't understand what was happening to you."

"No, don't say that," he said with a smile. "I'm sorry that I ignored you. And that it looked like I didn't appreciate the help."

We were silent for a while, then I looked up at him. "Eridan?"

"Yes?"

"Please, talk to Eleanor for me?" I said, almost pleading. "She can't lose me too after you."

He nodded. "I will."

Eridan gave me another hug and then let go, walking to the door. "Goodbye, Marina. Come back to us."

I hope you liked it and I'll see you in a week or so!

Oh and... review!