A/N: Hello everyone! Here is chapter one of the REVISED VERSION OF CIAM! I'm so blown away at how many views this story has gotten! 8 THOUSAND VIEWS! I just want to thank everyone for reading and favoring. I promise you'll enjoy this version way better than the last one. I hope.. Anyway as always, enjoy and review! Tell me what you think! I want to make this story as interesting and amazing as it can! Have a good day or night!

Chapter I

I crack my eyes open, the bright sun blinding me as it pours through the small window of my tiny bedroom. I wish I could pretend today is not happening. I wish I could pretend today is not Reaping Day. Unfortunately I can't. I have to get started on my chores right away, preparing for the fact that my name may be picked; leaving my dad all alone to fend for himself. It would be easier on me if my twin sister wasn't dead, and my mom hadn't left. You know what they say- C'est la vie.

I drag myself out of bed, walking over to my small mirror nailed into the stark white wall. My bedroom isn't much, just a bed, dresser, and small chair in the corner. I don't mind it though, it's my sanctuary. I get to hide in here while my dad is drunk off his bum. Usually he gets really angry and violent. He's never hit me or anything, just yells and throws things. Ever since my sister died and my mother left, he's been like that.

Taking in my appearance, I become disappointed. I don't consider myself pretty. My sun-lightened brown hair is in tangles, my emerald green eyes are bloodshot, and accessorized with deep purple bruises under them. Thanks insomnia, for all you do for me.

I need to hurry up and start fishing for the day, I remind myself. Even though Four is one of the career districts, and being wealthy is the norm- my father wastes all of our money on booze. There were days where we couldn't eat, so I took up the skill of catching shellfish, and fish. This is also illegal, unless you have a license-which I don't.

My eyes flicker to the picture of my sister and I. We're twins, however, my sister had my mother's blonde hair, and blue eyes. She was so beautiful, her cheerful attitude and her bell-like laugh made her so much prettier than just her delicate looks. This picture was taken the day she died. I will never forget that night.

"Come on Nikki, it'll be fun. The storm isn't even that bad, we'll be fine." Sara whispered. A bolt of lightning struck outside, illuminating my room. I could see the excitement, and adventure in my sister's eyes.

"Shell, it's too dangerous!" I warn her, pushing myself up in bed. I take another wary glance out of the window, watching the waves violently crash against the sharp rocks.

"Uggh! You never want to do anything fun or daring!" She cries, throwing her arms up in frustration. I know full well that if I don't say yes, she'll go by herself. If anything were to happen it would be better for us to be together versus her having no one.

"Fine." I grumble. I swing my legs over, and land on the cold hardwood floor. We walk sneakily through the dark house, being careful not to wake up our parents.

We finally make it outside safely, and my eyes zero in on the small boat tied to our dock. The palm trees are shaking frantically, and the side of the boat is knocking against the side of the wooden dock. The heavy rain immediately soaks our thin clothes, chilling us to the bone.

Sara hops into the boat swiftly. She extends her hand out to me, but I hesitate. I have a very bad feeling about this.

"Are you coming or not? How will you ever be considered cool if you don't put yourself out there and take risks?" She questions me, raising an eyebrow.

"Sara, I think there's a difference between wearing a shorter length of skirt and asking out your crush than going on a suicide mission in the middle of a storm!" I whisper-yell at her. She rolls her eyes, and pulls me in anyway. Well, I guess that decision was easy.

"If anything happens, I'll let you rub in my face how you told me so." She smiles, untying us from the dock.

"If I even get the chance to." I mutter. I watch as our house drifts farther and farther away as we sail out to sea.

"Where are we even going?" I ask her, turning around on my seat.

"On an adventure! Lighten up already! You're sucking the energy out of me." She exclaims, standing on the bow.

"Just get off the edge, would you?" I scold her. The storm strangely seems to be getting worse. The rain pelts my face, blurring my vision. The lightning flashes closer and closer to us, which seems impossible.

"Nikki!" Sara screams. My head swivels around just in time to see her figure fly off the boat.

"Sara!" I scream for her. I jump up from spot on the boat, and begin digging around frantically for life preservers. My hand comes across them, but it's too late. I lean over the edge and watch as bubbles rise to the surface of the black water. The color in my face drains, and my heartbeat picks up. She's nowhere to be seen.

I know the only thing I can do is try to save her. I slide on the life preserver and dive into the water. I feel as though I have been burned when the ice-cold water comes into contact with my skin. It freezes me right down to the bone. I swim quickly, looking for any sign of Sara, but I all I see is black.

Snapping back into reality, I tear my eyes away from the picture, focusing on getting ready. I decide a bath may help with my nerves.

After I'm clean, I walk into my room, quickly pulling on my denim shorts, and white tank top. Sliding on my brown sandals and running a brush through my hair, I stomp out the door.

Just as I'm almost halfway to town, Sam stops me. I roll my eyes, and cross my arms over my chest. Sam has had a crush on me since forever. Let's just say the arrogant, self-centered jerks aren't my type.

"What do you want, Sam?" I ask impatiently.

"Today's Reaping Day…" He smiles, running a hand through his wavy blonde hair.

"Wait, seriously? I must have forgotten, I mean the paralyzing fear and the sense of impending doom has escaped me completely." I reply sarcastically, smacking my hand against my forehead.

"Whatever Alwyn, you can hide behind this tough exterior all you want." He scoffs, walking away. I eye him suspiciously before continuing on my lovely journey. I've never had a boyfriend, and I don't think I want one either. Everyone around here is so self-centered, and shallow.