CHAPTER 1
Darya Marlowe could not sleep. Insomnia was her companion for as long as she could remember, if the moon was up, so was she. She recalled countless times she was reprimanded at school for falling asleep in class, but regardless of the punishment she refused to stop staying up, it was so much better to swim at night anyways than it was to dream. Sighing hopelessly, Darya pulled the covers off and got up. "It's no use," she muttered to herself as she walked around the bed toward the open window and stuck her head out, inhaling deeply. The salty air and crashing waves beckoned her to the ocean and she couldn't find it in herself to even pretend to feel guilty about it, tomorrow was the reaping, she should be sleeping, she should be making sure she was well rested for Annie. Annie Cresta was Darya's cousin, Annie's father and Darya's mother were siblings, were, she emphasized to herself, her mother had died trying to save a drowning girl. The little blue-eyed girl had made it, her mother had not, it was always ironic whenever a District 4 person drowned and died, few ever did, some came close, but almost no one ever actually died. You were more likely to die in the games than you were to drown, Darya scoffed a bitter laugh at the irony, her life was full of ironies, like Annie, sweet and kind Annie, who had always lived a more sheltered life than her. Annie who had both her parents and her two little brothers and sister, who had always lived in more comfort than most, poor Annie that had made it to eighteen without having been picked for the games, until she was, two years ago. Letting out another sigh, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately, Darya pushed herself away from the window and made her way to her open bedroom door exiting and heading toward the staircase, making sure she was especially quiet as she passed Annie's door and made her way down the stairs. Two years, she thought, seems to be the timeframe for her before thing go bad. Darya thought back to the time she was twelve, when her father died lost at sea during a storm in a fishing trip gone bad, she wasn't the only one, many lost their fathers that day. Then her mother followed two years later, leaving her and her brother orphans, her uncle took them in though, saving them from being put in the "academy", the school for career tributes. But then Annie was reaped, along with her brother Fen, strong and handsome Fen who died so savagely protecting Annie, poor Annie who came back broken and mad.
Shaking her thoughts away, feeling already too dry and restless, she picked up her pace as she walked to the end of the Victor's Village, running to the beach when she finally saw the ocean, ripping off her clothes as she now sprinted to the water. She dove in, her splash muffled to her ears, as the cool water enveloped her, quieting and shielding her from the world above her. Darya dove deeper and deeper until she reached the ocean floor and looked up, she could barely make out the surface, her only notion was the bit of light from the moon, the full moon would be coming soon, was her last thought before she kicked off the floor and swam her way back up. When she reached the surface she took a deep breath intent on diving again when she noticed a warm light swaying further into the ocean, she knew it was too early for the boats to be out, curious she started swimming toward it. As she swam closer Darya realized she had underestimated its distance, turning she found herself miles from the shore and though she had swam in open water before, she had never done it this far in at night, as she was debating whether to head back or continue, her thought process was broken by a splash behind her. The sound made her mind up for her, her curiosity peaked again, she swam closer to the light and realized it was coming from a lantern hanging off an awning on a boat, as she waded closer she also realized that a huge rock formation stood behind the boat, the mouth of a cave barely being made out by the slight light hitting it. Hearing a man's voice cursing followed shortly by another splash, Darya was only able to make out something glittering before it disappeared in the water, on instinct she dove in to retrieve it. She knew the faster you picked up a fallen object the better, especially in water and even more so at night, she pushed in deeper until she spotted it and found it tangled on a net, it was heavier than she thought, untangling it she realized it was a trident, an expensive one. Suddenly, she felt the net rising and wrapping itself around her, she looked up and saw the water darkening above her, before it completely wrapped around her and was suddenly pulled rapidly up. Panicking, she found herself bunched up with some large fish, their spiked tails cutting into her naked body. Her lungs screamed in retaliation of the lack of oxygen, with barely enough room to move, she wiggled herself up trying to maneuver her position. Darya, could feel the push of gravity start to increase, she frantically tried to ensure she reached the surface first, so she could take a breath and so the weight of the fish wouldn't crush her when she reached the top.
As soon as she felt the air on her lips, she took in gulping big breaths, her vision was slowly becoming less blurry and her head less dizzy but a sharp gasp made her finally focus her eyes, her hazel meeting sea green. Finnick Odair stood, ropes wrapped around his muscled arms with his mouth gaping in shock at Darya, they both froze just staring at each other, then he gave an incredulous huff and made as if to speak before being interrupted by Darya's screams.
"Shut your gaping fish mouth Finnick Odair and get me out of here!" Darya angrily shouted; her voice strained by the pressure of the fish surrounding her.
At her command Finnick shut his mouth firmly, nodded, and pulled, steadfastly and skillfully he maneuvered the net onto the boat, letting go as gently but as quickly as he could. Once the net was released and open, he ran toward the slowly rising body in front of him.
Darya sat up softly and took a couple more deep breaths, while she took in the damage to her arms and legs, 'great', she thought bitterly, she was bleeding slightly from various scratches, she wouldn't scar at least, but she definitely wouldn't look her "best" for the reaping ceremony. She made to stand but her legs buckled slightly, a pair of strong arms steadied her, one grasping her arm the other her waist, the hands warm on her pale cool body. Darya looked up to see Finnick staring at her face concernedly but also pointedly at nothing else, his curls moving with the breeze. She felt the cool air on her bare back, and she shivered, that's when she remembered, she was naked.
Finnick felt Darya shiver and instinctually his hands tightened on her body, their eyes still glued to each other, he gulped and started to speak.
"Dar-," he started before Darya interrupted.
"Take off your shirt," Darya said quietly.
"Wh-, what" Finnick responded smartly his voice hitching at the request.
"Take off your shirt Finnick," Darya said clearing her throat, her cheeks tinged the slightest bit pink, "I need it."
Finnick continued to look at her at her face intently, his grip still firm on her arm and waist.
"My shirt -," he repeated stupidly, before Darya spoke again.
"I'm cold." Darya said pointedly, her cheeks now flaming red.
"Oh, right, ahem," he said embarrassedly gently releasing her and slipping his shirt over his head before handing it to her sheepishly and turning around to give her privacy.
Darya quickly scrambled to put Finnick's shirt on, it fitting her more like dress and coming to her mid-thigh, it was warm. Once she was covered up, she gave an awkward cough to signal it was safe for him to turn around.
He did, his hand scratching at the back of his neck looking both embarrassed and amused, his cheek dimpled as he quirked a smile. Darya held her arm, also embarrassed, a nervous laugh threatening to erupt over the absurdity of the whole situation, instead she offered up a raised eyebrow, a jutted hip and crossed arms.
"I-I'm sorry Darya, I didn't know there was anyone else here." Finnick said sheepishly, her face and stance making him feel like a scolded schoolboy, "I didn't see your boat."
"No, I didn't, I swam, no I'm sorry, you weren't to know, I should have called out, you dropped, oh-" Darya answered rambling, feeling bad for making him think she was really angry, before remembering his trident and hurriedly made to find it, before spotting it glittering under some of the flopping fish. She quickly retrieved it and made her way to hand it back to its owner but Finnick's gaze stopped her short.
"What?" she asked, now feeling self-conscious.
"You look like a mermaid Dar." He said softly, continuing to stare, then as if remembering himself added teasingly "and you swim like one too, five miles, impressive Marlowe.
She rolled her eyes. She supposed she probably did with her pale, almost translucent skin, and her thick, long, dark hair that reached her lower back, holding a trident didn't help. The kids at school used to make fun of her coloring, Fen used to always tell her that she had been found on the shore, that she had been gifted from the sea, that she was a mermaid and that's why she looked so different to everyone else, that that's why she had dark hair and was so pale compared the rest of District 4. It had been years since anyone had called her that, she had almost forgotten that story.
"C'mon," Finnick said and gestured her over, "the sun is starting to rise."
And it was, Darya could see the hint of yellow painting the sky green, it was dawn. She nodded in agreement and made her way over to him and handed him the trident, their hands touching briefly. He was warm and she was cool, they shared a short look communicating their agreement to go. Finnick pulled the anchor up and Darya made her way to the wheel ready to navigate them back, it was late and the reaping was today.
Looking back at Finnick, who nodded his assent to start moving, Darya turned the wheel and started to lead the boat back home while Finnick speared the remaining live fish. She realized they were Yellowfish Tuna, her favorite. Then she remembered, the District 4 victors had a tradition, they would take turns going out fishing the night before the games for the rest of the group, the chosen person dividing and dropping off the haul to each of the other victors home in time for breakfast.
Last year it had been Annie's turn, it had taken Darya months to be able to get Annie to even touch the water, she still wouldn't go into the water unless someone else was with her, but Annie panicked so Darya did it for her, she hadn't had any luck with fish that night but she had managed to find a large oyster reef, not uncommon but a very special treat and the victors had been more than pleased.
Keeping her stance steady Darya drove the boat expertly and continued to lead the boat toward land.
Now that she recalled, that had been the first time she had met Finnick, well officially, she knew of him of course and had interacted with him briefly when he had delivered Annie back to her family. In fact it was a wonder they had never talked to each other before, they shared various acquaintances and friends. Their fathers had been good friends and they had worked together, they both were on the same boat the day of the accident. Now that she thought about it, she vaguely remembered seeing a sad, copper haired boy with sea green eyes at the funeral, Mags had been standing with him. That's how they had been officially introduced, at Mags house, Darya had arrived with a netted bag full of oysters and Finnick had been sitting at the kitchen table surprised to see her enter. Mags who had been making tea had invited her in and formally introduced the two, mentioning that Finnick loved oysters, Darya had smiled kindly and exited the house briefly only to come back with two other bags and handing it to him. She had stayed only for tea, enough only for some light chatting, and then had excused herself to finish delivering the rest of the bags.
As if summoning her with her thoughts, Darya noticed the elderly woman appear, standing on the sand waving at them with a beaming toothless smile. Darya couldn't help but smile back, hearing a chuckle behind her she assumed neither had Finnick. As she stationed the boat back to shore, she noticed briefly from the corner of her eye Finnick hopping off and tying the boat to the closest wooden post. Darya walked back to the stern and released the anchor from its hold before making her way back finding Finnick crating the last of the fish, Mags watching pleasantly on, before beaming when taking in Darya's presence.
A surge of affection for the old woman hit Darya so suddenly she wanted to cry, they had almost lost her to a stroke but thankfully she was recuperating nicely, instead she offered a wide grin before getting of the boat and running up to her to hug her tightly. A little taken back but extremely pleased Mags returned the gesture just as firmly. Mags may as well be her family for all intents and purposes, she had taught her how to weave nets and fashion fishhooks out of anything, just like she had taught her mother. Breaking the embrace gently, Mags brought her wizened hands softly to Darya's face and patted her cheek lovingly before looking down. Smiling cheekily, before pulling on her clothes and speaking in her choppy breathy way, "Soots you." Looking down at herself, Darya laughs and blushes at being seen with nothing but Finnick's shirt on.
Footsteps muffled by sand approach them and they both turn to look at a shirtless Finnick carrying a crate, Mags smiling wickedly and Darya blushing once more as he nears them. Finnick greets Mags with a peck on the cheek before showing her the fish he caught.
"Got a good haul today Mags, best catch I've made this year," Finnick says pleased.
"Kuta mermay too?" Mags answers pointing at Darya, knowingly.
Finnick laughs amused, a faint hint of pink on his sun kissed cheeks, "Yeah Mags, caught a mermaid too, anyway I'm heading out, I've got to drop these off," he said lifting the crate of Yellowfish before finishing the conversation as he walked himself slowly backwards, "yours or mine?"
Mags points at Finnick, Finnick nods in understanding before looking to Darya grinning, "You and Annie come too." And without waiting for an answer Finnick turns and walks away.
Confused Darya looks to Mags, who answers by motioning her hand to her mouth, breakfast, comprehension dawns on Darya's face and she smiles shyly. Mags nudges her and points to a pile of neatly folded clothes on the sand, Darya realizes it is her clothes and blushes once more. Smiling at Mags gratefully, she picks up the clothes in one hand and offers her free hand to Mags, who takes it. Holding hands, they walk back to the Victor's village together.
