Naina Brand took a deep breath and dived back under the water. Just like every other person in District 4, she was another creature in the sea. For once she wasn't out trying to fish in the early hours to help her father. He was growing older and he was finding it hard to provide for them. It was just him and her. Naina's mother had drowned when she was younger while fishing and Naina couldn't do anything to save her.

No, she was doing all of this for herself. She was pretty sure that this would be the last time she would swim without a care. Today was the Reaping and she was planning on volunteering. Being only fourteen, most people would think that she was crazy if they knew, but they didn't. They didn't know that Naina and her father may not make it another year. Her time was now or else she and her father would surely starve. At one point, they had lived in the richer part of the District with their fishing business a success, but, with just the two of them, Naina and her father now lived in the poorer part.

Naina didn't mind going into the Games. She felt prepared. She was pretty sneaky, she could climb, and, of course, she could swim. She felt she had a pretty good advantage even though she was short at five feet tall and pretty bad at hand to hand combat.

With a frustrated grunt that bubbled up to the surface, Naina settled herself on the ocean floor and closed her eyes, set on pushing all of those thoughts away. It was nice to rest her eyes from the sting of the salt water. Eventually, she had to resurface. It would've been great if she was just a fish and could stay down there forever with hardly a care in the world.

A bark sounded from the beach. Treading water, Naina spotted the stray dog she called, Atlantic. She took care of him from time to time. He was warning her that it was time to head home. She knew her father would be looking to wake her for the Reapings.

It was cold out of the water, but she had to run back to her house, she was late. Atlantic ran at her side. She had promised him something for his help.

Naina slipped through the hole in her bedroom wall that served as a window. She grabbed a towel off the floor that she had used after yesterday's fishing. She tried wringing the water from her red curly hair. In the small cracked mirror on her wall, she saw that her green eyes were slightly red from the water. She scowled at them and her wet hair. They would give her away.

She quickly changed from her swimsuit to the old shirt she had slept in last night. Only a few minutes later, her door opened and her father poked his head in.

"Time to get up, Naina," he said.

Naina groaned and brought her blanket up over her wet head. "Alright, Father. Just give me five minutes to get ready."

She heard the door close and she slowly got out of bed to get dressed. Still trying to dry her hair, Naina put on a blue blouse and a black skirt that was above her knees. Hopping on one foot, she put on her flats. After combing her hair and drying it some more with the towel, Naina decided that she looked good enough. Her hair was almost dried and her eyes were looking better.

Issac Maywhether pulled out his outfit that he had planned for the Reaping and pulled them on. By the end of ten minutes, he was in his purple skinny jeans, a black t-shirt, and a black and white checkered hoodie overtop. Most people would say he had an odd style and if Issac was paying attention, he would agree. Issac had long black hair that fell a little longer than his shoulders and dark eyes.

But the problem was, Issac usually wasn't paying much attention at all. He lived his own world. He had an imaginary idol named Kevin. He was often distant and he didn't have many friends. Only one, Akiko.

In the kitchen, Issac's mother looked up as he entered. She was an older woman, raising her children had taken a lot out of her. She didn't say anything about what her son wore for the Reaping. Instead, she turned back to their meager breakfast. Issac's mother no longer worked and his father worked long hours and made barely anything to get their family along. His sisters, Livvy and Shine, also worked, but they didn't make any more, even combined.

Issac's father sniffed disapprovingly at Issac's attire, but also said nothing. Livvy, one year older than Issac, and Shine, one year younger, helped bring the food to the table. From where he was at the fire, Issac's twin brother, Link, was adding more wood. He looked exactly like Issac only some people would say he was better looking than Issac.

"You aren't seriously wearing that, are you?" he questioned with a critical brow raised at Issac.

Issac ignored him and sat at the table, or maybe he didn't hear him.

A few minutes later, the family all squeezed around to eat. Nothing much was said through the meal and, once it was over, Issac wondered out of the house while the others did the dishes.

He was early for the Reaping. There were only a few people standing around and a few more signing. Issac signed in with his lazy scrawl before walking into the place in front of the Justice Building, heavily guarded by Peacekeepers.

A smaller hand grabbed his, making Issac turn around.

"Good morning, Issac," Akiko said with a smile. She eyed his choice of clothing. "I like your outfit."

Issac looked at Akiko's long blonde hair, tan skin, and big blue eyes. She was wearing something pretty, but he didn't really notice. "You look pretty, too, Akiko," he mumbled.

Her smile widened as she played with the hem of her dress. "Thanks."

Issac looked around and as he did, his dark eyes grew far away. "Kevin, do you think I'll be reaped?" His mumbling had become barely a whisper. "Kevin?"

Akiko put her hand on his shoulder. "Issac?" He didn't respond or look at her. "Issac, you're floating away."

Issac blinked and looked at her. "Sorry."

"That's all right. Good luck in the Reaping, okay? I think they want us to get to our sections."

Issac gave her one last smile before going to the fifteen year old section.

Being normally shy, Naina only had one friend, Celia. They stood together in the fourteen year old section. They were looking over the others eligible for the Reaping.

"Who do you think will volunteer this year?" Celia asked as they looked across the aisle to the boys.

I don't know," Naina shrugged. "Look for someone who looks confident I guess."

"Look at Ray," Celia pointed out. "He looks ready to go."

Ray was standing in the fifteen year old section. He was the school's bully, meaning he stuck to his people and he expected you to stay in yours. He'd downplay anyone who didn't. Other than that, he was a jock, very muscular and it showed.

"Maybe, I won't be too sad to see him go really."

Celia shrugged indifferently.

Before she could bring up anything else, perhaps her own plan on volunteering, the mayor was ready to go. All of past years' victors were all seated and present. Their escort, Averie Trite, stood not too far away from the mayor as he gave his speech and such that most ignored. Averie flipped her hair and smiled at the older District boys. She hadn't been District 4's escort for long so she was in her low twenties in age. Her light golden blonde hair was pulled up into a ponytail with the curls cascading down her back. Averie's eyes were bright blue and she wore a bright dress the color of sand that was on the short side. One of the things that showed she was from the Capitol, aside from her accent, was her tan that was obviously not from working hard days out in the glaring sun. This was the reason she wanted to escort District 12.

"Happy Hunger Games!" she announced when it was her turn to speak. "Oh, good luck to every single one of you! Let's choose our Tributes!"

She pranced over to the male bowl on her six inch heels and reached one of her manicured hands into the large bowl. With a dazzling smile she read the slip of paper she had freed from the others.

"Come up to the stage, Issac Maywhether!" she called out while clapping her hands enthusiastically.

Issac's eyes were far away as he made his way to the stage. He kept mumbling under his breath. Akiko gasped and pressed her hands against her lips. Issac almost fell going up the steps. Averie gave him one of her smiles as she welcomed him.

"Now, any volunteers?" she asked, her eyes sweeping over the crowd.

Akiko sighed and looked away. She couldn't watch this. No one would volunteer for Issac. Even if there was a chance for fame and fortune, apparently it was better to watch the punch line to every joke, the District's crazy kid, to go to his death. Her teeth gritted in anger at the District.

"Nope? All right then," Averie concluded turning to Issac. "Looks like you got all the glamour to yourself, you lucky kid."

Issac's eyes continued to shift back and forth, his mumbling was getting worse as the ceremony went on. "This isn't good, Kevin. Not good," he said talking to his imaginary idol.

"Let's see who our lucky lady will be," Averie said as she pulled out another slip.

Naina didn't really catch what happened much after that. A girl's name was called, volunteers were asked for, and suddenly she was stepping forward.

"I volunteer as Tribute for District 4!"

Next she was shaking Issac's sweaty hand and meeting his distant eyes that seemed to look right through her.

What now? She asked herself in the elevator to the room within the Justice Building. What now?

Reality crashed back down onto her shoulders. It was that moment her father came in. He looked completely unraveled and worn. Half of his shirt was no longer tucked in and he continually ran his hands over his face.

Before either of them could say anything, they found each other in the other's arms. Naina tried to comfort him as silent tears ran down his cheeks.

"What'd you go and do that for?" he asked brushing her red curls out of her face as if he was trying to brush away tears that didn't exist. Naina knew she had to be strong, if not for her father, for the Careers that would be watching everything with a close eye.

"We need the money," she said convincingly. "Let's face it, you're not getting anything younger."

"We don't need the money." Naina looked at him with doubt. "Not like this."

"I'm sorry, Father. I did what I thought was right." She wouldn't meet his eyes.

He gripped the back of her neck and pressed his forehead against hers. "I know, Naina. Your mother would be proud of you."

If it had been anyone else, Naina would've snapped. She hated her mother's death being brought up. Since it was her father and this would probably be the last time she could see him, she let it slide.

"Thanks, Father," she said stiffly.

In no time, the Peacekeepers were there to take him away.

"I love you, Naina," her father said quickly his eyes starting to widen with urgency. "You know I'd take your place if I could."

"I know," Naina sighed. "I love you, Father."

And he smiled one last time before he was gone and the door closed.

Celia came next. Naina had known her best friend would come to support her. They immediately hugged before Celia sat down next to her.

"I was going to tell you," Naina said before Celia could say anything, "but I never had a chance."

"It's to help your father, isn't it?" Celia asked quietly.

"Yes," Naina whispered looking at her feet.

All of a sudden, Celia got a fire in her eyes. "Do you know the position that you're in, Naina? A position where you can win! You can be a Career and totally take over the games and win! So do it."

Naina nodded. They had time for one last hug before the Peacekeepers came and escorted Celia away.

Issac watched as his family walked in. His mother gave him a weak smile. His father still looked tired, but it seemed like he was trying to make an effort to push his crabby attitude away. Livvy and Shine sat on either side of their brother. Link crossed his arms and leaned against the wall not too far away.

"Issac, are you okay?" Livvy asked him.

Issac shrugged. "This couch is pretty nice, isn't it?" he asked quietly as he ran his hands over the blue velvet.

Shine smiled sadly at him. "It's very nice."

Link frowned and stood in front of his twin. "Look at me, Issac."

Issac looked up slightly confused by his brother.

"You have to try to win the Games. Get your head in the game and focus. You're part of a Career District."

"I don't want to be a Career," Issac mumbled shaking his head. "Kevin, what do I do?" His eyes had grown distant and his family knew that he was now in his own world.

With a frustrated sigh, Link left just as the doors opened and a Peacekeeper appeared.

Issac's mother kissed his forehead and followed her other son.

"Your brother's right," his father huffed as he also left, but Issac was no longer listening, instead he was back to inspecting the couch.

"Good luck," each sister said as they hugged him and left as well.

Akiko was next. She pulled a chair over so that she could sit in front of her friend. Issac hadn't taken notice of her yet. She gathered his hands in hers to get his attention. He finally looked at her, but he wasn't there in the room with her.

Akiko's brow creased. "Issac, you're floating away."

Issac blink and finally his eyes cleared up a bit to focus on her. "Hi, Akiko," he said.

She smiled. "Hey, Issac," she replied. "Are you all right?"

"I guess." His eyes grew confused. "Why didn't anyone volunteer? Even Kevin said he'd volunteer if I got Reaped."

"Maybe he thinks you can win," she whispered smiling sweetly. "I do."

Issac gave her a small smile in reply. "You do?"

"Of course, just do what you know how to do to win."

His eyes lit. "Like navigating?" He was always resourceful on a ship at night.

"Exactly."

Unknown to both, a Peacekeeper walked in and grabbed Akiko's arm, letting her know that it was time to go. She struggled a bit

"Do your best, Issac," she said before kissing his cheek and disappearing with the Peacekeeper.

A few minutes later in a car, Issac and Naina were on the train and off to the Capitol.

Here's a little Thanksgiving surprise. I wasn't going to post anything today because I didn't think I'd finish this chapter in time. Since I did, I hope you liked it. I hope I did these two Tributes justice. Let me know and review!

May the odds be everin your favor.