*73rd Hunger Games – Reaping Day – District 4*

Fifteen year old Everley Odair sat on the terrace wall, outside her bedroom, watching the waves crash against the sand all along "Victors Beach" and for a moment you would've thought she was happy. She had the traces of a smile on her face, with her pink lips slightly upturned at the corners, but she didn't look exactly sure of it. Soon the expression on her face changed and she looked sad, almost like whatever happy memory she had been thinking of had been washed away with the tide. Her long golden locks fell in front of her face, and covered those eyes that so closely resembled her brother's, and she was presently joined by the cause of all her wistful ocean gazing.

Twenty-two year old Finnick Odair was aware his sister was disappointed in him. He couldn't blame her. He was never around, and when he was in District 4 it was for the tour or a big Capitol-sponsored event. He was basically an absentee parent to the girl who lost her mom and dad way too young. He had been too young when the boat crash killed them, but she was just a little girl. Luckily for them, Finnick won the Hunger Games that same year and that caused their lot to rise significantly in life. They were now quite comfortable living in the Victor's Village along the shore, all these years later.

To his defense- it wasn't Finnick's fault he wasn't around. He had.. expectations of him in the Capitol and President Snow had made it abundantly clear that should he not follow through on those expectations something awful would happen to his dear sister, the only remaining family he had left, save Mags of course. Mags was his saving grace. She had been around since the moment his parents died, because she always supported children's charities in District 4. But once Finnick became a Victor she was always there, like the mother he needed for himself and Everley. They all lived together in his beautiful Victor's home on the coastline, until that fateful day President Snow had come and laid clear the plan for his future.

None of that mattered today, what mattered today was that he kept his sister's spirits up, he would only be here for the Reaping after all, and it was important to him that he spent every second with her that he could. Whenever Finnick came home he made it a point to practice with his sister, she was being trained at the Academy in District 4 just like all of the other children, but there are things only a Victor can know about the games, that was the stuff he prepared her for. He drilled her on fighting stances, plants, medicines, water sources, and even sponsor-gaining tactics. She effortlessly answered him and she parried his trident hit with one of her own. Finally, they laid on the beach together laughing about some mistake one of them had made, and for a brief moment in their relationship they felt like just some brother and sister again.

Finnick turned to her as Mags walked outside and motioned for them to come in. The sun was starting to climb further in the sky, it was almost time. "You ready to go out there today Ev?" She nodded in response and then confidently said, "my name is only in there a few times, there is likely going to be a volunteer, and I am lucky and grateful we didn't need to take any extra entries this year, again." Finnick was pleased with this answer, she wasn't scared and she knew that in all reality she wouldn't be chosen. He was grateful his sister had a good head on her shoulders and he didn't have to coddle her about days like today.

Mags looked insistent now, probably eyeing Everley's long beachy curls in her hair and recognizing that hair needed a washing. She was right. Everley needed a full shower after her sparring with her brother, and she did so quickly, putting on the sweet teal frock that Mags had laid out for her on her bed. She slipped into some comfortable sandals and reconvened with Mags and her brother in front of the house.

They walked slowly towards the Justice Building, mostly for Mags sake, but also to relish the last moments with Finnick. He indulged them with stories about the Capitol and mentioned Annie Cresta, the Victor from the Games 3 years prior... Everley was starting to suspect he had a thing for the poor girl, who seemed very out of it after having watched her district partner get decapitated in her Games. She had won by being the best swimmer when the whole arena flooded. "Poor girl…" Everley thought again. "The games ruin people's lives, and take their brothers away" she thought selfishly.

When they reached the square Mags and Finnick each grabbed one of Everley's hands and squeezed them. Finnick brought her hand up to his lips with a small kiss. "One more year down, kid. Almost there." Mags smiled wordlessly and gestured for her to join the other fifteen year old girls. As Everley took her spot she looked around and found herself feeling overcome with sadness for whichever poor girl was to be chosen.

That's why, when mere minutes later, "Everley Odair" was announced through the loud speaker, Everley found herself dazed and unable to react. "Sad for the girl who is chosen… yes I will be. Everyone is looking at me. Why is everyone looking at me?" Suddenly a girl next to her tapped her on the shoulder and she jumped into action. Putting on her best "smile" (if you could call it that) on her face she marched forward to the stage in front of the justice building. She shook hands with her male counterpart, whose name was called after hers while she was still hearing just ringing in her ears. She smiled again sweetly and once she was sure the cameras were on her, she collapsed into her brother's arms. "It starts now" she thought.

On a high speed train bound for the Capitol Finnick Odair could not pull himself together. He was weeping a constant stream of tears because his worst fears had come true and his beautiful sister would be swept up into the madness of the games now. "Even if she wins, it will be far from over…" he thought darkly. She had been a Capitol sweetheart when he won his games, and she was just a little girl. Any man could see she was nearly a woman now, closer to 16 than 15, and she was growing up very lovely indeed. He gritted his teeth. "No I won't let that happen to her. No matter what" he thought.

Days in the Capitol passed quickly now. Far too quickly for their liking, but the Odair siblings remained huddled together, heads down, as much as they could. The male tribute from District 4 had little interest in getting to know either of them as a teammate or mentor. Finally, when it came time to say goodbye to his sister before the Games, Finnick offered one last piece of advice to his sister: "Don't let what you need to do to come home, destroy you. Let it fuel you." She nodded soberly and kissed him goodbye for what felt like the last time ever.

But it wasn't. She was wrong. Somehow, 4 long … long days later, Everley Odair emerged as the Victor of the 73rd Hunger Games, and her life would never be the same.