Chapter Text
She faced the sea, feeling how the warm morning breeze tucked on her loose linen clothing, blowing her hair out of her face. The sound of the waves hitting the shore was comforting. It reminded her where she was, reminding her that she was still alive and that the nightmares that had plagued her for years every night before the reaping were just dreams. It served as a reminder that Edith was still twelve and had never been placed into the academy. Edith was safe, safe from the bloodshed. Little Edith, that loved the living things in this world and was barely able to look when her father was gutting a fish, little Edith that had brought home that little seagull one night so that their mother could nurse it back to health.
This year the reaping would be hard to watch. She had been tossed into the pool of possible volunteers, but the academy had not chosen her, something she was not particularly mad at, but a girl she knew had been chosen. Annie Cresta had been chosen to volunteer as tribute this year. Once it had been announced it had made her skin crawl. She wondered why she had been chosen ever since it had been announced. Annie was a kind and gentle girl that might be able to wield a trident and throw a net, but was anything but a fighter. A healer maybe, but not a fighter. She cried too easily, was frightened too quickly and would not be able to survive for long in the arena. These were not bad things, she was friends with Annie and loved the other girl dearly, but she was not meant for the Hunger Games. She was meant for a quiet life, taking care of a few children with a husband that provided for her. A soft smile graced her lips as she thought about Annie making a net together with her new husband, a symbol for a long lasting marriage.
She turned as she heard the soft footsteps in the sand. Her father was standing there, the loose jacket he was wearing also blowing in the wind as he approached her. He came to a halt beside her, looking over the sea as it took on the golden colour of the sun made the sea look like a sea of pure gold that you only had to dive into to find riches beyond imagination.
„If it weren‘t for the reaping today would be a good day to set out.“ her voice was soft, but still carried through the wind and to her father. He just nodded solemnly, her father was not a man of many words, especially during the day of the reaping. Many years ago, it must have been during the year the 43rd Hunger Games had been held, his younger brother had been reaped. It gnawed at him, because no one volunteered for his brother, even though he had just been twelve and not even signed up as one of the career tributes. The boy that was supposed to volunteer had been too frightened and had not said anything during the time someone could step up to volunteer.
„These days always are. Bizarre, isn't it? Days that cause so much pain for people are always so beautiful.“ he said calmly as he stood beside her. „You should come inside. Your mother is worried about you. She doesn't want you to miss breakfast and she wants you to try on a new dress that she got you for the reaping.“
They slowly went into the house. Their conversation did not need words, their silence said enough about how they felt. This year it was different than before, this year little Edith would also be in the reaping bowl, her name in only once, the chances of her being drawn being slim. The house was large enough for the family, made from stone and wood, with windows that allowed a direct view of the ocean.
„There you are.“ the warm voice of her mother echoed through the dining room as entered. She smiled softly as her daughter and husband entered the house.
Tobias and Edith also joined them after a short while, the family ate breakfast together, speaking of mundane things like what would be needed fixing on their boat or what Edith would need for school. It was nothing too meaningful, their conversations during the day of the reaping rarely were, everyone was too afraid to say something that moved someone else to tears, which would occasionally still happen. After they had finished their breakfast her mother disappeared for a moment, then returned with a beautiful dress. It was white and almost reached the floor, but did not do so by a bit.
„What do you think, Wren?“ her mother asked softly. She reached out for the dress and touched it lightly. As it moved in the light she realised that that the dress was not white, it was, but not entirely. Once it was moved in the sun it glistened in soft marine colours imitating the waves of the sea.
„It is beautiful.“ she breathed out, moving the fabric in different angles so that the light would hit it from different angles and draw out the different colours.
„Try it on!“ Edith exclaimed excitedly, wanting to see her older sister in the beautiful dress she had helped to pick out.
Wren nodded, taking the dress from their mother and disappearing for a moment. Then she appeared again and Edith let out an excited squeal. Their mother smiled softly and pressed her fingers against her lips. The dress reached down to the middle of her calf, it was taken in a bit by the wait, accentuating her broad shoulders and wait combined with her hips. The sleeves were wide, but a band tightened just above the elbow, making them look like the heads of flowers that usually only grew in the spring along the coast.
„It is beautiful.“ their mother said quietly. Her father, brother and sister just agreed quietly.
„It is for today. I wanted you to have a nicer dress since you outgrew your old one.“ her mother smiled softly as Wren embraced her and whispered thanks into her ear.
They had all gathered on the square before the Justice Building. Parents had let go of their children and given them into the area where they all stood lined up, staring ahead at the stage. Everyone was wearing their best, wanting to look as presentable and wealthy as possible during the reaping. The older children stood toward the front, while the younger ones stood in the back. The banners of Panem were flattering in the breeze that was winding through the streets.
Her eyes were fixed on the stage, she had already recognized the mayor. An older man with bronze skin and white hair, he was tall and skinny, looking a bit sickly this year. Then there was the escort of District 4, a man with teal hair and make up that matched it. He looked so unnatural that it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand, the smile that was large that it looked like his mouth had been cut open made her want to throw up on the ground before her. Then of course the past victors were also assembled. There was Mags Flanagan, an elderly woman that was barely able to stand straight on her own, but was smart and had taught her many important lessons during her time at the academy. Then there were Rick Vallier, a man that had been hard on her, but had taught her many important lessons of restraint as well as patience, Silver Uckerman her mentor in all things related to weapons, the man she had to thank for discovering that she was able to wield knives with the ease most people from District 4 only did the trident. Ivan Oren, they had not interacted much during her time at the academy since he mostly trained the boys but he was a kind enough man that she remembered his name. Last but not least there was Finnick Odair, the youngest victor in the history of the hunger games. He was handsome and not much older than her, his tan skin, the bronze hair and sea green eyes that he was famous for were partially barely visible from the crowd. She had never spoken to him since he was not mentoring at the academy, why she did not know.
Then it all began. She tuned out the speech that the mayor held and about how much of an honour it was to be able to fight in the Hunger Games. It was only after a few words of the escort, his name being something utterly hilarious like Coppelius that she started to pay attention again.
„So since last year we started with the girls, we will start with the boys this year.“ he grinned and drew a name from the bowl beside him. „Finn Zotar!“ there was a moment of silence, then a voice rose above the crowd.
„I volunteer as tribute!“ a boy from the front stepped forward. Wren felt dread enter her, it was Quinn, her best friend. The boy that had stuck with her since they were able to toddle. Usually only a few people knew who the person to volunteer was, only Wren had known that Annie had been chosen because she had spoken to her about it. He joined the others on stage after being asked to come up.
„And what is your name?“ the overly cheerful voice of Coppelius asked.
„Quinn Estear.“ he spoke into the microphone. The crowd roared, but quieted down after a few moments.
„Alright, to the girls.“ he stuck his hand in the bowl and drew out a slip. The world stopped spinning as the name hung in the air.
„Edith Lowsea!“ There was silence but this time no voice came Annie did not volunteer and fear coursed through her veins as cold as ice. The mentors looked at each other on stage. Wren felt like she was back in her home for a moment the first time her father told her about losing his brother and not being able to do something. The anger she had seen in his face, the tears that had slipped over his cheeks, made her want to throw up even more than before. Her gaze had fallen on a trembling Edith, she was moving slowly, and even from her stand point she could see the tears running down her sister's face.
„I volunteer!“ she shouted as loudly as her trembling voice could muster. Every single head on the stage turned to her. „I volunteer as tribute!“
She straightened her back and made her way up to the stage, her head held high and as she stepped up the last stair she could see the anger in Silver‘s eyes.
„And what is your name?“ Coppelius asked, his smile as large as it had been before. He smelled so sweet that it was almost sickening.
„I am Wren Lowsea.“ her voice was now clear again, strong and able to easily carry through the microphone.
Wren and Quinn turned to face each other, they shook hands and the crowd erupted in cheers. They were clapping and whistling as they were whisked into the Justice Building to say their last goodbyes.
She sat there on the plush sofa, her hands running over the soft material. A soft smile tugged on her lips as the door burst open and her family rushed into the room. A few minutes, that was it.
„Oh my girl!“ her mother hugged her tightly, warm tears meeting her scalp as her mother pulled her even closer to her.
„It will be alright.“ Wren smiled calmly. „I will come home.“ For some reason it did not feel like a lie, it felt like a promise that was to be kept. Her heart was not racing anymore like it did when she volunteered, but rather beat steadily in her chest.
„Promise?“ her sister asked, teary eyed. Even if it was an honour to be chosen to volunteer, most of the tributes never returned home and the families knew that.
„Yes I promise.“ Wren smiled as her mother took her sister's hand and almost dragged her out of the room after saying I love you. She knew that her mother did not want her to see her or her sister cry before she left, now leaving her with her father and brother.
„Show them what we from District 4 are made of!“ her brother hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek and whispering another I love you and also left. Then her father sat down beside her. His hands were rough and warm as he took her hands into his.
„Please come home to me.“ he whispered. His eyes were misty and he grabbed onto her hands so tightly that she thought he might break them any moment.
„I will. Like I promised Edith I will promise you.“ she smiled at him, knowing that it would be a painful time without his wisdom and knowledge.
„Take this as your district token.“ he whispered softly and took off the shell necklace that he had worn for a longer time than she could remember.
„Thank you.“ she realised that her eyes also must have misted over since a single tear rolled down her cheek. Quickly she pulled her father into a hug. „I love you.“ It was a whisper.
„I love you too,“ he was almost dragged out by the Peacekeeper. She sat there for a moment waiting for the next person to enter.
Shock surged through her as she saw the man standing in the doorway. It was Silver, her mentor at the academy. He moved to sit down beside her, not saying anything.
„A bold move really.“ he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.
„Annie did not volunteer and I could not let Edith walk to her certain death. She cannot even watch when our father guts the fish, how would she be able to kill a person?“ Wren asked as she leaned back into the sofa.
„She wouldn‘t. Let me give you one last piece of advice before you leave.“ he said, his eyes fixed on the door, „I will not be mentoring this year, the Capitol wanted Mags and Finnick to mentor these Games. Listen to what they say and do what they recommend, Finnick did not win his Games at fourteen for nothing.“ he got up from his seat, gently kissing her forehead. „And prepare for an emotional wreck next.“ Silver said, not wanting or expecting anything said back. He never let her answer him when he gave her advice, always leaving before she was able to reason with him.
As he left Annie came crashing into the room, cheeks tear stained with new tears running down them in a constant stream. Sobbing, she hugged her.
„I am so sorry.“ she cried. „I was so afraid I couldn‘t even move!“ she cried into her chest. Wren hugged Annie back, gently stroking her back and running her fingers through the beautiful brown hair.
„There, there, Annie. You don‘t need to apologise. It is alright.“ Wren smiled at her. She suddenly realised that she wanted to cry like Annie, throw herself into someone‘s arms and cry about how afraid she was she would never see her family and friends again.
Before Wren or Annie were able to say anything else Annie was dragged out by the Peacekeeper.
Now Wren was on her way into the train. The crowd that had gathered at the station was cheering for her and Quinn as they stood on the platform, waving goodbye to the people of their District, the thought that it would be the last time they saw them looming over everyone. As the doors of the train closed behind her she knew that this would be the beginning of a new life, the beginning of something that she would never forget.