If I Had A Heart…
I could love you
If I had a voice I would sing
After the night when I wake up
I'll see what tomorrow brings
Chapter 1
Winnow Fontanne stood in the town square of District Four, surrounded by her peers. Today was the Reaping of the 74th Hunger Games, but Winnow wasn't worried. Within her mind, Winnow visualized the beach, her home away from home. She could feel the warm sand beneath her feet, could see her sister beside her, laughing. She was eighteen and this was her last reaping. The chance of her name going up was small, but at the same time, the thought didn't particularly trouble her. But then again, very little troubled Winnow. She would have to care about something to be troubled by it.
Winnow had long ago decided that there was little she should waste her time with, little to care about. You could say that Winnow had become jaded after a mere 18 years of life, of loss, and misery.
Winnow came out of her day-dream as the Capitol video began to play on the screens. Winnow rolled her eyes, playing with a lock of her dark hair. She had dressed properly for Reaping Day. She wore a simple sea-foam green dress that complemented her hourglass figure and bronzed skin. Her dark hair hung loose around her shoulders, gleaming in the sunshine from the unusual amount of time she had spent brushing it that morning. Her skin was bronzed from her work in the sun all day- bringing a glow about her that made her pale blue eyes especially striking against her darkened skin. Winnow was easily a few inches taller and much more muscular than any of the other girls her age.
Winnow tuned out the length of the video, finding President Snow's narration quite, well, boring. District Four's escort, a tittering, flamboyant man by the name of Pyrrhus Reed crossed to the microphone in front of the Justice Building. He had hair the color his name so proclaimed- fiery red; clapped his hands making sure all attention was on him. "Ladies first," Pyrrhus cooed with a sickeningly sweet smile. He reached into the bowls, his finger nails painted to match his flaming hair. He drew out a single slip, unfolding it with exaggerated slowness. "Winnow Fontanne,"
At first, it didn't quite register. Everyone turned to look at her with wide eyes. Winnow her lips, and then began moving through the crowd. They parted before her without fuss, so she had a clear view of Pyrrhus Reed trembling with the excitement of an over-sized puppy. Winnow climbed onto the platform, glaring daggers at any Peacekeeper who attempted to propel her forward or speed up her careless gait. "Congratulations, Miss Fontanne!" Pyrrhus cried, offering his hand to her.
Winnow merely looked at his hand, a sneer on her lips that made Pyrrhus falter, and scurry back to the other bowl to pick the second tribute. "And last, but certainly not least, our male tribute…Kai Rive!" the escort announced. Winnow couldn't control the brief flash of surprise that flickered over her face, before schooling her expression back to impassive once more.
A young man Winnow's age with dark brown hair and a thin frame strode up onto the stage. His face was carefully schooled in indifference, though Winnow could see the tightness to his jaw that betrayed his emotion. Winnow knew him quite well. Two years ago, at least, Kai Rive had been the kindest boy she had ever known.
"District Four, Meet your tributes of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games!" Pyrrhus crowed, meeting absolute silence. He obviously expected thunderous applause, the poor thing. Winnow smirked, before being led into the Justice Building.
She was thrust into an empty room, to await visitors that would say their farewells, send her off with encouragement and love. Too bad Winnow didn't have anyone. She sat alone in that room for fifteen minutes, listening to the sounds of both tears and laughter through the wall where Kai must be having his own time with family and friends.
Winnow counted the minutes, feeling her loneliness keener in this moment more than she had in years. She stood up, with a wave of relief, when the door opened, and the Peacekeeper came to collect her for the train. Winnow did as she was told, following the Peacekeeper from the Justice Hall and to board the train. He led her into a lavish parlor compartment, before leaving her there alone.
Winnow wandered the compartment, exploring all the fine things furnishing the room. "You like?" A male voice ventured from the entrance. Winnow turned to meet the gaze of Finnick Odair, the victor of the 65th Hunger Games, and her mentor, she supposed.
Winnow turned back to survey her surroundings. "I've never seen anything so fine," she responded, making her way to one of the cushioned seats, sinking down into the luxurious cushions. Odair seemed a little confused at her words. District Four was a rich district, and a scene like this was not uncommon. "My family was poor," Winnow offered with a tight smile.
"You didn't have friends… that were more well-off?" Finnick asked hesitantly.
"Why Odair, are you asking me if I had any friends at all?" Winnow teased, with a faux offended tone. Finnick shook his head good-naturedly. She raised an eyebrow at the admittedly attractive victor. "I helped my family work after school. I rarely spent time at friends' houses, and if I did, they were more or less…in the same situation as me." Winnow explained with a nonchalant wave of her hand.
As she finished speaking, Pyrrhus entered the compartment, with Kai in tow. "Hello Winnow," Kai greeted her solemnly, a tell-tale red puffiness around his eyes. Reed simpered at him sympathetically.
"Kai." Winnow replied coolly.
Finnick glanced between the two eighteen year olds. "So I see an alliance is out," he remarked.
"Why?" Pyrrhus questioned, looking quite confused. The man could not seem to take a hint.
Winnow and Finnick rolled their eyes, while Kai just looked at their District escort without expression. "Where am I staying?" Winnow inquired.
Pyrrhus shook his head, as if clearing out the cobwebs. "How unforgivably rude of me! I will show you two to your rooms so you may rest," he remarked, gesturing for the two tributes to follow him back the way he'd come.
"Winnow, Kai, we need to watch the Reapings later," Finnick informed them, as the pair paused and looked at him. Winnow nodded impassively, before turning back to Pyrrhus.
Kai nodded as well. "I cannot speak for Winnow…but I could use some time to collect myself," he murmured, and Finnick agreed sympathetically. Winnow did not even look at him as he mentioned her name.
"Can we go?" She cut in. Finnick frowned at her rudeness, and Pyrrhus pursed his lips.
"Of course!" the District Escort answered brightly just a moment later. Pyrrhus led the two tributes down the hall and out of Finnick's sight.
A small woman with wispy white hair emerged from a compartment right behind Finnick. "It looks like we have a cold fish here, Mags," the young victor remarked. She mumbled something that was almost unintelligible and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Maybe," Finnick mused. "Kai seems to know her. Maybe I'll ask him about Winnow later," he added.
Mags nodded in approval of that plan, squeezing Finnick's shoulder again. "Looks like we've got our work cut out for us this year,"
A/N: This baby has been in the works for a long time! But I never finished this first chapter until after I saw Catching Fire- and new inspiration!
Please tell me what you think! Review!
Revised 7/26/16.
