A/n. I really really hope you guys like this story. I'm going to try and update weekly. As always, please read and review!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with the hunger games!

Come Away To The Water

Chapter 1

I wake up and stretch, feeling the muscles ripple under my skin. I yawn. I'm fishing with my father today, so I'm sure the day will be long and exhausting. I slide out of bed with a slight groan and slip into my clothesfor today. As always, short sleeves and shorts. Why wear anything else when fishing on a hot summer day?

I live in district four. My name is Finnick Odair. I am fourteen years old. I've been lucky to be born in a district where they train children for the games. I'm the top of my class in the training department. I don't like it at all. I go dounstairs and see my father waiting for me in the kitchen. He has my tanned skin and sea green eyes. He is tall with brownish black hair. He has a muscular build. I avoid his gaze and sit down to eat breakfast. It's not that I don't like my father, I really do. It's just that he can be emotionless at times, and I can tell that today is one of those times. He has been this way since my mother died. I barely remember, because I was four when it happened. She was always adventurous, and wanted to go beyond the limits of district four. She built a remarkably sturdy raft from lumber she found in the woods boardering the east side of the district. She sailed away on the early-morning tide. Unfortunately for all of us, she was spotted by a squad of peacekeepers when she was barely visible in the distance.

To my four-year-old self, she looked so strong and confident. At that moment, she looked brave enough to do anything. Even now, I have flashbacks of the peacekeepers piling into a patrol boat and speeding off to where she was now frantically paddling. A white-uniformed man shot my mother on the spot for insightting rebellion.

Even after ten years, the sound of the gunshot is still a tangible thing. I can feel it rippinga hole in my heart. As a little four-year-old, all I knew was that mommy was gone.

I know my father remembers that moment perhaps even more than me. Usually, we are both happy. There are times, though, when I can't ever imagine being happy again.

I shake my head to clear it of such depressing thoughts and eat my fish. I get a very small quantity, as usual. We are not as rich as the victors in Victor's village after all. A ry smile forms on my face at the thought.

Once done, I clean my plate and walk outside with Father to prepare the boat for another day of fishing. This takes about half an hour. I rearrange the nets, and untie all the appropriate ropes. Once everything is in it's correct place, we set sail.

Of corse, we have certain limits we have to stay within, or we'll get shot right then and there. The peacekeepers are extra careful with us after my mother's death. Wouldn't want anyone getting hurt, would we? I glare at the water and wait until we're further from shore until I cast my fishing line and throw the nets out to sea.

There is usually nothing to see or do on a normal day at sea. Usually, all there is to do is clean and gut fish and wait for the next catch so we can repeat the process. Today if different, though. Today, a white fishing boat appears in the distance. A little girl is dangling her feet over the rail, laughing. She looks to be about seven or eight, and skinny enough to slip through the gap between the bench and the railing, if she's not careful.

As if the thought calls up the action, slipping is exactly what she does. Her smile freezes on her face as she lets out a cry and slides into the watter.

I can tell by her posture and panicked expression that she can't swim. It looks like her mother, who is peering helplessly over the side of the bote at her struggling daughter, can't either. For a moment, I am numb, and can only watch as the small girl struggles. Then, I come back to my senses. I stamd up, climb up onto the railing, and careful to avoid the fishing-lines and nets, I jump. The water is slightly cold, bringing slight goosebumps to my limbs. I spot the girl entangled in a net and swim strongly over to her.

I hold her steady while I gently disentangle her from the net, using my legs to keep myself afloat. Her breath is coming in shallow gasps. From what I can tell, she didn't swallow any water. I think her panic is now subsiding into shock, though. I hug her shivvering body close to me as I swim with her toward her mother's boat.

I wave to her mother to signal that her little girl is safe, then I help her climb back abord the white boat.

"Tth-thanks." She stammers out through chattering teeth. She really must be cold. I smile at her.

"Anytime. What's your name?" I ask, wondering if I'd recognize it from anywhere.

"A-Annie. Annie Cresta." She says. She gives me a shy smile and waves while I return to my own boat. Annie Cresta. I've definately heard the name before. I sigh. I'll have to ask Father about it later, but for now, I had to continue with my job.

A/n. You like it? Hate it? Please, please review. Five reviews and I'll update before next Wednesday. Thanks so much for reading!

HouseOfNightMockingjay13