Chapter I: What Are The Odds?

A/N: I got the idea for this story whilst researching for another one. This Hunger Games fic is after a failed Second Rebellion. The Hunger Games have gone on. Sometimes the places where my mind goes worries me. But I thought it was an interesting idea. There will be familiar people in this story, though they won't be showing up in this chapter. There are multiple OCs. I hope you enjoy my offering. Thanks go out to meaperson1 for being a sounding board and anyone else who helped. :) Enjoy the first chapter! SSD

"Get up you lazy slut, it's Reaping Day!"

Isabel Storm shifted towards the edge of the bed. Being called such names by most of her family was common now. She was 37 weeks pregnant and unmarried. Not that it was her fault on that particular score. Both her family and Erik's had been incensed. Erik's parents had not allowed them to get married, because they did not think she was good enough for him. In fact, Erik had died in what was supposedly a ranching "accident" on his family's ranch.

Isabel knew in her bones that Erik had been killed by his family, most likely his father.

She counted herself lucky that her family had not thrown her out of the house. Yet. Isabel had been told that after she had the baby, the both of them would be cast out.

Little did they know, her boyfriend's two best friends, James and Damon, and their family were more than willing to take her in when the time came.

Isabel rubbed her back. The baby liked to press against her spine.

After showering, Isabel got dressed in a blue blouse and black stretchy pants. Not the most flattering of outfits, but given her condition, it was the best she could do.

By the time she got to the kitchen, her family had already left. Save for her youngest brother Tristan, the only people she had civilized conversations with were the Martells and the Frades.

"Hell, James and Damon's mother is going to help me deliver the baby. I don't know what I'd be doing without them," Isabel thought to herself.

After having a breakfast of bacon and a three egg omelet with cheese (Isabel was really hungry this morning), she washed the plates.

On her way out the door, Isabel stopped to look at herself in the mirror on the wall. Her face was puffy, but her oceanic blue eyes gleamed. Her dark red hair was back in a braid, smooth and sleek.

She waddled out. Isabel missed Erik horribly. Sometimes the only thing getting her through the day was the fact that she was going to have a piece of him for the rest of her life.

By the time she got to the Square, Isabel was one of the last to get counted. Even though it had not been a long walk, her feet were already sore, when she went to stand with the 18 year olds, who ignored her.

There were now two videos the Districts were forced to watch. One about the Dark Days of the First Rebellion and another about the failed Second Rebellion. Rumor had it, that the prior President Snow (his son Romulus was now President, this would be his first Hunger Games in that office) had given the Mockingjay a rather symbolic punishment: She would be forced to have children, as many as the Capitol could wring out of her. She and her husband Peeta had two children under 3, with a third on the way.

Isabel, like most others in the Districts, that those kids would likely get Reaped.

District 12 had been rebuilt, and was doing slightly better than it once did. Mostly due to the influx of refugees from 13. In fact, someone from 12 had won the 78th Games. A 15 year old girl by the name of Gloria Sterling to be exact. But she was among the refugees from 13. So that explained a lot!

District 10's escort Jade LaRoche strode up to the stage quickly and with no bounce to her step. She wasn't too over the top for a Capitolian. Her skin was a natural tan-ish color. It was her hair and eyes that seemed unnatural: silvery blonde hair, with purple eyes.

Once she got to the podium she said: "Welcome to the District 10 Reaping for the 80th Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favor."

The Mayor of District 10, Richard Bostwick, looked at the bowl with the names for the eligible girls, and grinned.

Soon the remaining stains on his family name would be erased.

"Let's get started with the girls, shall we?"

Isabel was not really paying attention to what was going on, as she was shifting her sore feet.

She almost didn't hear "Isabel Storm" called out. She couldn't believe her ears.

Once she realized it was for real, Isabel began waddling up to the stage.

She could feel everyone's eyes on her. And her baby was churning inside her.

When Isabel was about halfway to the podium, Jade called out, "Are there any volunteers?" If she wasn't mistaken, the Capitolian sounded almost desperate.

Isabel was far from surprised that there were no volunteers. Erik's entire family hated her, his father was the mayor. He could have engineered this, to get rid of her and the baby in one fell swoop.

Tylara Donovan was usually proud to be from District 10. She was the only Victor from 10 left standing after the Second Rebellion failed.

But today, the people of her district failed her. After over thirty years of mentoring tributes, Tylara did not think she could ever be surprised. This year was already proving her wrong. An obviously pregnant 18 year old girl had just been reaped and NO ONE was volunteering for her.

Whilst Tylara was looking around, she caught a glance at the mayor. He seemed to be having trouble suppressing a very evil grin.

It was in that moment, Tylara knew that this poor girl had been set up. She would have to find out more later on the train.

Before Jade could even reach for the bowl with the names for the boys, a voice called out, "I volunteer as the male tribute."

Isabel looked up. It was Damon Martell, twin to James, and one of Erik's best friends. He strode forward without any help from the Peacekeepers. She could feel the tears starting to run down her cheeks.

"Damn hormones," Isabel thought to herself, "I cry at the drop of a hat, though today does have a good reason for crying."

When he got up to the stage, Jade asked, "What's your name?"

"Damon Martell," he replied. He gave the Mayor a filthy look.

Jade gave them both a weak smile before saying, "District 10, I give you your tributes for the 80th Hunger Games: Isabel Storm and Damon Martell.

As they were being whisked away by the Peacekeepers to the town hall, Damon whispered to Isabel: "James and I promised Erik, that if anything were to happen to him, we'd protect you. Since only one of us could volunteer in the event of you being reaped, we flipped a coin."

Normally a reaped tribute's family came to visit them in the Town Hall to say goodbye. There was no such thing for Isabel. She had nothing to do but twiddle her thumbs and rub her belly.

"I don't regret you. You are precious, no matter what anyone tells you."

Isabel now knew that she was likely to be killed. She was an easy, slow moving target.

To her immense surprise, the door opened. To Isabel's joy, it was her 11 year old brother Tristan. He came up and hugged her carefully. Tristan was the only member of her family who did not treat her like dirt.

When he placed a hand on her distended belly, she moved it to where the baby was. After a few moments of feeling his niece or nephew move, Tristan threw his arms around her, crying, "I'm gonna miss you, Izzy!"

For a few more moments they were uninterrupted. To Isabel's surprise and again happiness, the Martell's came for a visit, obviously having just left Damon. They also gave her more hugs as well. Soon, James and Tristan left with Mr. Martell. Arthur's mother had stayed behind.

Laura Martell turned to her saying, "You have become like a daughter to me. A lesser girl would have caved to the demands of her family."

Isabel gave a small smile at that. She had really come to appreciate the older woman's advice. She was also her doctor.

"Since it is likely you will give birth during the Games, I will tell you this: While you are still able to move, get to a secluded area preferably a cave if there are some. There you should be able to have the child out of the elements."

Laura kissed Isabel on the forehead, sounding choked up, "I am proud of you. Remember that."

With that Laura left. Isabel could see the tears in the older woman's eyes.

The walk to the train was nearly intolerable. You could hear a pin drop in the silence. Damon walked at Isabel's side.

Mercedes Frade, her best female friend pushed her way forward. With a smile, she handed Isabel a wristwatch. Mercedes said, "You'll always need to know what time it is, even in the arena." She then stepped back in line.

He went up the stairs first, then helped Isabel up them. Though it took a little bit longer than they would have liked, they managed to get her up the steps.

As soon as they were inside, the train started on its way.

And they were on their way to the Capitol.

A/N 2: So... what do you all think? I'd love to hear what you think, especially of Katniss's punishment! SSD