(A/N: Fanfiction does not seem to want to cooperate with me right now... Because of a bug that may or may not be preventing you from seeing Chapter 3 unless you press the double arrows on the initial link to the story, I'm going to try a little test to see if I can't beat this. You lucky lot get a double feature! Here's chapter 4 for District 4! Enjoy!)

~Carlos's POV~

I love the smell of salt and tears in the morning. All around me, those who weren't in the Career Program shifted uncomfortably, hoping they wouldn't get reaped. Don't know what they were quaking for, if they did, someone who did bother training would certainly take their place. District Four is one of the few Districts that could feel safe because of those like me.

I wasn't a meathead like the monsters in District 2, but for my size, I was pretty strong. I glanced over to the other half of the possible tributes, shaking my head in disappointment. I didn't see many girls in the Career Program this year, and the few I saw were pretty young, so there wasn't a good chance they'd be reaped or would volunteer. The older girls looked more toned, but most of them looked absolutely scrawny…

Steffi Gardner was looking upon all the fish in her barrel this year, and she looked about as disappointed as I was. She was our escort, and she usually looked pretty ecstatic for the Reapings. Not this year, though. The odds were not in our favor this year. Last year's winner, Thell, was from District Four. The only Districts that have ever won consecutive Games are 1 and 2. Already, we were cursed.

Steffi tapped on her mike to draw everyone's attention, then began speaking. "Greetings and salutations, District Four! Most of you may know me, but for those who don't, I am your esteemed escort, Steffi Gardner!"

She paused for applause. There was a slight hesitation, but some parents caught the message and started clapping slowly and awkwardly. You might as well have slapped Steffi in the face.

"Mayor Oswald Kaiden." she sighed, gesturing to our mayor, a cane-wielding old man with warts on his bony arms the size of my fist. The applause was a bit more complacent; people actually liked Mayor Kaiden, unlike Steffi. She smelled of floor wax and candy, two very foreign flavors here on the seaside. Not many people here liked foreign.

Mayor Kaiden introduced himself, then began his scripted recital of Panem's history, made even more unbearable by his rickety drawl. When he was finally through, I almost didn't even want to volunteer anymore. Steffi took the stage again, and I was kind of relieved to hear her fast-talking pitchy Capitol accent.

"Now, let the Reapings begin! Ladies first!" she pipped, walking over to the female tributes' Reaping Ball. She dug her hand into the sea of paper cards and pulled one out. Her expression brightened momentarily, and I automatically knew that this was going to be bad in some degree.

"Nadia Kaiden!" she squeaked. My mind stalled for a moment before it finally registered that the mayor's granddaughter just got reaped. I looked for Nadia quickly, spotting the 17-year-old as her shocked and solemn face turned from Steffi to her grandfather, who just grimaced, sadness flashing across his ancient face. Her head dropped and she began to trudge up the steps. No one had volunteered yet. At this point, if no one had volunteered, it was a fair bet that there weren't going to be any volunteers, a rare occurrence in District Four. Steffi knew this, as well, but she asked anyway. "Any volunteers?"

Silence… I almost felt bad for Nadia, and I did honestly feel bad for Mayor Kaiden. Clearly, he was alive at the time of the first revolt. He probably knew the true dimensions of what had just happened better than anyone here. I remembered for some reason that today was Mayor Kaiden's birthday. The pit in my stomach drops further, but I wave the sympathy away quickly. It's messing with me, and I'm supposed to be desensitized. NFNM. 'No feelings, no mercy.' That was the motto for the Career Program here in D4. It might've been different in other Districts. Hmph.

"Carlos Santiago!"

Steffi's voice snapped me from my thoughts. I realize she called my name and curse under my breath. I was planning on volunteering… If anyone volunteers in my place, I can't do anything about it… I make a point in glaring at each of the age division on the boys' half, daring any of them to volunteer in my place. The message is pretty clear. Most draw in a breath when they see my deathly warning visage. Others aren't even looking at me, so it's apparent that they don't plan on volunteering.

I walk up the steps beside Nadia and stare out at the crowd. "Any volunteers?" Steffi asks.

A seagull cruised above the crowd, squawking a little. I took it as a substitute for crickets, because below the seagull, not a work was to be spoken. It was the first time in a long while that District Four didn't have any volunteers.

"Well, there you have it!" Steffi chuckles. I can tell by the way her voice rises that she's noticed the same things I have and is about as surprised as Nadia looks. We both turn and shake each other's hand. I blink apologetically at her and she gives a curt, depressed nod.

No feelings, I think as I grip the girl's sweaty palm. No mercy…

(A/N: There you have it! Chapter 5 will be up tomorrow afternoon, and don't forget to review!)