Chapter 1

Talia Flanagan - (15) portrayed by Ruby Rose Turner

Jonas Flanagan - (11) portrayed by Kace Winfield

Oscar Flanagan - (50) portrayed by Scott Foley

Kailey Flanagan - (deceased) portrayed by Daniela Marder

Iris Flanagan - (deceased) portrayed by Indiana Evans

Aqua Seaton - (15) portrayed by Kristina Pimenova

Gill Seaton - (12) portrayed by Kannon Hicks

The sun rose to a canopy of gold, and all I thought about was how much I hated my birthday. I never thought it was anything special. It was just a reminder of the Games drawing nearer. Everyone always made a big deal about the Games, but for me, I didn't care about it much. I simply tried to enjoy life as a bright smile ignited my face when the salt-water breeze invaded my nostrils while the tide pushed and pulled against the currents below me. It brought life to the beach near my district, and I witnessed it all on a cliff.

If only I could just take a boat and leave, then I'd never have to see any Peacekeepers or anyone from The Capital or even watch their ridiculous program. Watching it gave The Capital power as families watched their loved ones get killed just to prove a point that they ran the show like how my sister, Kailey, was reaped.

I don't remember her too much except that she took care of Jonas and me after Mom died. There wasn't a time where she didn't take care of us except when she had to go to Career school as most of the time, she left me to stay with Mrs. Seaton, which was how I met my best friend and her younger brother. Dad once told me how anyone who volunteered was stupid. Well, that's exactly what my sister did. I used to think volunteering made someone brave, but Dad snapped back, telling me to never say that again. He probably thought that I'd volunteer for the Games someday. As if that would ever happen. I just wanted to run far away from Panem and go somewhere where they won't catch me.

"Talia!"

Looking down at the water, I saw a girl my age rowing a small boat. Her blue eyes connected to my hazel ones. She looked so small from where I was sitting, but then again, I was at an impressive height away from her and from everyone else. I smirked when she furrowed her eyebrows at me and cupped her mouth by making an "O" shape before she shouted, "Your dad's been looking everywhere for you! Come down here already!"

I got up from my spot and took a few steps away from the edge by going down the hill, but I stopped myself after a few paces as I looked back. A wicked grin crept up on my face, and the next thing I knew, my feet bolted to the ledge before I sprung myself over the cliff.

"What are you doing?"

Even though she shouted at me, I didn't care since it was too late anyways. Gravity pushed my body to the water. My golden-spun hair flew in the air in a whimsical manner, and I shut my eyes in preparation to hit the water as I brought my hands together and pivoted my body so that my hands were the first to go inside. The cool water soaked through my shorts and my sleeveless shirt as I moved through the current at a brisk pace.

As soon as I was underneath her, I noticed how her eyes searched for me anxiously. At that moment, an idea sprung in mind as I held my breath a little longer to draw myself closer to her. When I was close enough, I heard her gasp when I popped up in front of her. I then quickly grabbed her shirt before pulling her inside as she yelped.

I laughed with glee when she rose back up and coughed up some of the water she swallowed while she turned to me with a glare and said, "Real mature."

"Don't act like you didn't want to go in, Aqua."

She rolled her eyes and hoisted herself onto her boat as I did the same. She then gathered her dark locks and twisted them to get the water out, but she was still soaking wet. I didn't even bother trying to get myself dry, because I loved the feeling of my clothes clinging against my body or how the beads of water trickled to the ends of my strands.

"You do realize your dad's gonna kill you. He's been asking almost everyone where you went."

"Of course he did."

"What were you doing up there anyway?"

"Thinking."

"About what?"

"How amazing it'd be to run away."

Aqua sighed in defeat and shook her head. "They'd catch you before you'd even blink."

"Why are you being such a pessimist?"

"I'm not. I'm being realistic. On top of that, what are you going to do about your family? You'd really leave them?"

I couldn't argue with her since she was right. I loved my family, and I didn't want anything to happen to them. I can't even imagine if Jonas and I were in the Games together. One could only imagine what it's like for siblings to go up against each other knowing that one of them was going to die.

"You know, it's not fun anymore when you're being serious."

"Just tryin' to give you a reality check."

"Whatever. Let's just head back to shore."

We both grabbed onto an oar and paddled our way back to land. When the boat trudged along the damp sand, it stopped when it couldn't get past a few feet away from the ocean. I hopped off the boat and felt the sand instantly curling between my toes. Grabbing my shoes from the ground, I tapped my shoes together and tapped away any grit and residue that's been left over. I always left my shoes on the beach so that it was easier for me to climb the cliff. I then went back into the water so that I could soak my feet and shoes before putting them on again.

I grabbed the rope that connected to the stern, and Aqua and I pulled it across the sand until we reached a staircase where there were stems sprouting and exotic leaves brushing against the wood. There were others lined up in rows stacking on top of each other. Aqua and I hauled the boat up and gently placed it on one of the columns. My hands shook at first, and it wobbled from time to time, but we managed it. We then headed up the steps and strolled through our district.

District Four was always bright with the sun reigning over us. It rained from time to time, but it was rare. Most people in the district liked the sun more, because it was easier for them to navigate through the currents on their boats to catch fish. For me, I always preferred the rain, because I liked hearing it dribble against the ocean to create rippling effects. Other than that, the rest of the district was lively with many of the locals bargaining for prices over the new fresh fish they caught.

The stones on the streets fit together like an overgrown puzzle, placing themselves amongst the others in the courtyard. People sharpened their blades to gut out the fish's intestines or they removed shells from shellfish while others polished the pearls before neatly placing them on cushions in the stands. Some of the customers muttered under their breath over the prices as they walked away, but it didn't stop a crescent of teeth forming into an alienating imitation of a smile when the jangled sound of a coin purse shot through the merchant's ears.

As I looked over the merchandise, I was nearly shoved out of the way by a girl as she shrieked in a cheerful manner. In fact, most of the other girls charged forward, especially the ones who were close to my age. Aqua and I just looked at each other before we headed over to see what the commotion was all about.

They led us about half a mile to where the train station was as it stopped on the platform with Peacekeepers guarding the doors. They then stepped to the side to make room when the doors slid open. A handsome young man came out with his sea-green eyes, bronze hair, and golden skin. He put on his charming smile and waved at the screaming girls. They created an uproar, shouting his name, "Finnick!"

I rolled my eyes at their outrageous behavior. I never understood why the girls went insane whenever he came back home. It was very obnoxious to me how he always put on a show. Even though I didn't spend a lot of personal time with Finnick, all Grandma Mags told me was that he was close with my sister. He used to visit us often when I was a kid, but then he stopped after Kailey died. He probably wanted to give us our space for a while, but then again, it's been over eight years. That didn't stop him from visiting Grandma Mags though since she trained him for his games.

"Come on. Let's go."

I nodded to Aqua in acknowledgement, and we walked away from the scene. We made our way to a stone house with a tiled roof. A crack was in the gable, and the clasp on the shutters was busted. We went through the door that was already open and saw two boys twine a large net. One of them was Aqua's brother, Gill, and the other boy was my brother, Jason. Gill was much more lean and bony, and Jonas had tassels of curled mahogany strands hovering over his pale eyes.

"You guys still working on that?" Aqua asked them.

Her brother gestured to the net as he replied, "No. We finished our net a while ago. Nemo said he'll give us two loaves of bread if we make this for him."

"When does he want it?"

Jonas stopped what he was doing as he answered, "He said as soon as we can."

I knelt down and held the net in my grasp. They were using thick material which was very beneficial to fishermen since it wouldn't tear so easily. Even though they still had a long way to go, they did a decent job so far.

"By the way, we just saw Isla, Drift, and Misty running past our house. Did something happen?"

"Finnick." I answered simply.

"I don't get girls." Gill said to which Jonas agreed by nodding his head and smirked. "Why do you all chase after him?"

"Okay. One. We don't chase after him. And, two. We're not into muscle-heads."

"We don't need to know that." my brother said and gave me a disgusted look.

"Don't need to know what?" a familiar voice asked.

We all turned to see a man heading our way. He looked similar to Jonas except that his eyes were more my shade. Clenching onto his stubble jaw, he leaned into his cane as he dragged his leg behind him due to a boating accident that happened many years ago. He was none other than my father, Oscar Flanagan, the mayor of District Four.

"Nothing. We were just talkin' 'bout Finnick. His train arrived at the station." I replied.

Dad shook his head and took a few more steps before he looked back at me. "We're going to your grandmother's, so get ready."

It was always tradition for my family to celebrate at my grandmother's house. Dad said a long time ago that he didn't want her to walk all the way to our house, so he always had us going to her house. I didn't mind though. As long as I got to see her, then I didn't care since she watched over me whenever my sister went to train as a Career.

"Talia." I knew I was in trouble right away when I heard his stern voice. "Why are you all wet?"

"I…was at the cliffs today."

"When are you going to learn to grow up, Talia? I just don't know." He looked away in disappointment and waved his hand at me. "Just, go. Get ready already."

I looked over at Aqua, who already excused herself with her brother as they headed out the door. Aqua turned back for a moment to give me one last look before walking out. I knew I was going to see her in school tomorrow, so it wasn't really goodbye. All that was left was to get dressed.

I went through the narrow hallway and went through the first door to the right before shutting it behind me. I opened my drawers, took out a set of clothes, and placed it on my bed. Going into the adjacent room, I filled up the tub and went inside to wash off the salt on my body. I made sure to scrub every inch of my body before getting out and wrapping a towel around me as I made my way back into my room to put on a plain top and shorts. I also strapped a leather sheath on my hip as I took a knife with an inwardly curved blade on my nightstand. I bought it off of a man at the market after finding various pearls in the ocean from oysters.

When I headed back out, I saw Jonas and Dad at the front door. We headed out with Dad shutting the door behind him. Jonas was ahead of us, while I stood by Dad's side to stay at his pace as he limped on the street. He stumbled from time to time, so I held onto his arm to which he thanked me as we headed to the victor's village.

Victor's village wasn't so grand, but it was a lot nicer than our homes. District Four had the third most victors after all since we were normally part of the Career pack with Districts One and Two. We passed through a metal archway with a bronze plaque sprawled on it. All of the homes were lined up in rows and were all a few feet away from each other. They were all made of marble, and there was a radiant garden in a small stone circle.

We walked along the cobblestone path and made our way to the fourth house down. Jonas already knocked on the door while I helped Dad go up the steps. When the door opened, we were greeted by Grandma Mags. She was a frail woman with a sheet of curly white hair and possessed the kindest smile that warmed anyone's heart.

Her pruny hands cupped Jonas and she kissed him on both cheeks as she did with Dad and me. She then welcomed us inside as I guided Dad to a chair in the corner. He eased himself down, careful not to cause anymore pain in his leg and leaned back.

"Let me get you some water, dear."

Before Grandma Mags went into the kitchen, Dad stopped her by saying, "No. Don't. I'm fine, Mom." He then addressed me as he said, "Talia. Jonas. Help her prepare dinner."

Jonas and I followed Grandma Mags into the kitchen. There was an assortment of fish whether it was crab or a fine fat trout. Grandma Mags told Jonas to grab some hazelnuts outside so he left us alone. I then grabbed a knife from one of the drawers and dug it inside the trout. I sliced up to the belly with careful precision while Grandma Mags grabbed a pot and placed it on the stove before turning it on as she filled it with water. I noticed how she glanced at me from side to side with a proud smile on her face as I took out the bones.

"That's some fine work, Talia."

I smiled back at her as I said, "I learned from the best."

When the water was boiling, she placed the crabs inside and waited while I took a pan out and placed it beside the pot as I cooked the trout. It simmered in the herb roasted butter that I got from the fridge. I could smell the fresh saltwater ocean as the trout's aroma wafted through my nostrils.

As soon as Jonas came back with a bowl of hazelnuts, Grandma Mags cupped his cheek and proudly said, "Good work, Jonas. Now, come with me."

They went into the other room, and I peeked to see a two layer cake with white frosting. She then helped him crush the hazelnuts so that they could stick them to the side. I smiled knowing it was my birthday cake. They weren't the best looking, but her cakes were just as good as her seafood.

A little while later, we ate our dinner and then we had the cake that Grandma Mags made. We sat in silence eating our piece just like dinner. I caught Grandma Mags smiling at me from time to time. She even wiped off the crumbs off of the corner of Jonas's mouth.

When the door knocked, Grandma Mags went to the door right away, and my head shot up when I heard her welcome her guest. "Finnick."

"Hi, Mags."

I heard her shut the door, and the footsteps grew louder as we stopped eating and saw Finnick standing there, staring at us. There was a glint in his eye as he put on his devilish smirk and said, "If I would've known you had company, I would've come back another time." He then nodded to Dad in an obnoxious manner. "Mayor Flanagan."

"Hello, Finnick. I heard you were back. Bored in The Capital, were you?"

I heard the disdain in Dad's tone right away, but it didn't seem to affect Finnick. In fact, his grin grew even wider as he said, "Well, I can't stay too long. District Four's my home after all."

"Tell that to President Snow. I hear he always needs your full attention to the Capital people."

There was no denying the friction they had. After all, Finnick distanced himself from our family with the exception of Grandma Mags, but that was because she raised him after his parents died, or at least, that's what she told me a few years ago. They were in a boating accident with Mom and Dad. Dad told me that his parents invited them, and when they got on, the boat lost control and crashed before it engulfed into flames taking his parents and Mom with it. Dad managed to crawl out of the rubble but with the price of being a cripple. It was common in District Four to get into a boating accident as it was a natural occurrence, but it was a tough time for my family as Mom died a year after Kailey's death.

He looked over at the cake on the table and smirked again as he turned to me. "It's your birthday, huh? How old are you?"

Grandma Mags answered for me with a proud smile on her face, "She's fifteen now, Finnick."

"Fifteen?" Even though he had on his charming smile, his eyes were more like hollow shells as he stared at me hard before he turned to Jonas. "And what about you, little man?"

"Eleven."

"Aren't you lucky?" He then turned back to Mags as he said, "Anyway, I just wanted to see you since it's been a while, Mags. I'll let you spend time with your family on this joyous occasion."

I didn't miss the sarcasm in his voice when he emphasized "joyous". It didn't take a genius to figure out how he connected it to the Games since they were fast approaching. I had a higher chance of going in every year since my name is being entered four times. Jonas, on the other hand, didn't have to worry about it since he wasn't the proper age for it yet.

As soon as Finnick walked out the door, Grandma Mags followed him out and wished him well before heading back to us. I then excused myself to go to the bathroom. The nearest one was in Grandma Mags's room, so I went there. When I came out, I noticed her nightstand. There was a photo of my family. Dad wrapped his arm around Mom's shoulder, Kailey carried me in her arms, Mom's stomach was so huge that it looked like it was going to burst, and Grandma Mags put a comforting hand on Kailey.

Right next to the frame stood a golden pin. I held it in my fingertips and examined it carefully. It was as if someone fashioned a small golden bird and attached a ring around it by the tips of its wing. I recognized it right away as a mockingjay.

"Talia?" I gasped and turned to see Grandma Mags standing in the doorway. She then noticed the pin in my grasp, so she smiled warmly and came over to me. "We're just about to open presents."

"Sorry, Grandma." I looked at the pin in my hand again and asked her, "Where'd you get this?"

"Your sister, Kailey, gave it to me when she was reaped. Do you like it?"

"Yeah. It's great."

She then smiled at me and said softly, "It's yours then."

"N-No. I can't-"

"Of course you can." She then took the pin and secured it on my shirt. "Think of it as part of your birthday present."

The pin shone with pride under the moonlight, and I looked at Grandma Mags to see her cupping my cheek as we smiled at each other. "Thank you, Grandma."

"You're welcome, dear. Now, let's go open up the rest of your presents, hm?"

I followed her back into the living room where Dad and Jonas were waiting. We sat on the coach, where Jonas enthusiastically gave me a scrapbook as he said, "Grandma and I made it together."

I opened the first page and chuckled in glee when I saw photos of my family. There was a photo when I was ten as I dumped a bucket of cold water on Jason's head, and there was another one where I was hugging my sister.

"Thanks."

I kissed Grandma Mags on the cheek, and Jason stopped me from hugging him as he said, "Just thank you is enough."

"Alright. Time for mine."

Dad got up and leaned in to hand me a small box. As soon as I opened it, I saw a white comb with a pearl on it. I smiled and thanked him as I put it in my hair. He smiled warmly when he looked at the comb in my hair.

Before I knew it, time slowly passed, and it was time for us to leave. I took my scrapbook and wished Grandma Mags well as I kissed her goodbye, but she stopped when Dad had to go to the bathroom, so Jonas and I waited by the front door.

"Oh, Talia, do you mind delivering this to Annie. She left it yesterday."

I looked at the shawl in her hand and nodded as I headed to her house. Grandma Mags told me once how Annie was close to Kailey just like Finnick, but unlike him, Annie was at least friendly to me, but I couldn't help but pity her. Whenever I saw her, she was always fidgety, and she freaked out for a moment whenever I greeted her from behind. I guess that was the price of the Games.

Annie's house was right across from Grandma's house. I went up the steps that lead to the front door and invited myself inside. Luckily, the door was open. I didn't want to bother her since she was most likely asleep, so I just wanted to drop it off.

As soon as I left it on the coach in her living room, I heard creaking followed by a moan. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I crept to a door that was slightly ajar. I peeked through the small space and saw red hair sprawled on the bed. I knew it was Annie. As for the man on top of her, I couldn't get a good look at him until he lifted his head with his eyes shut. I recognized that face right away. Finnick Odair was with Annie Cresta.

I couldn't hold in my breath as it escaped through my mouth, and before I knew it, Finnick opened his eyes and met me. I knew I was in trouble as he stopped what he was doing, so I got out of the house as quickly as I could and met Dad and Jonas outside.

"Talia, why are you in a hurry?"

"Nothing. Grandma Mags told me to deliver Annie's shawl."

"And did you give it to her?"

Sweat molded onto my palms, because I didn't want to tell him what I saw, so I lied easily. "She was asleep, so I put it on her coach."

"Alright. Let's go home then."

As we headed towards the gate, I turned my head to look at Annie's house and saw a pair of big, green eyes staring at me through the window. It was Finnick. He stood there, shirtless, staring lowly at me. I knew I was in big trouble from the moment I looked at his face. Little did I know, though, that this was just the beginning.

Here is the first chapter of my fan fiction. I know we don't see Cato right now, but we will soon. Right now, I just want to explore District Four and focus on my OC's relationship with Finnick as a conflict arises from seeing him with Annie. This fan fiction is a slow burn story, so I hope you enjoy it. Stay tuned!