Chapter Text
I wake up screaming, my mind still filled with images of giant porcupines, and mutant rats. I’m quickly quieted by a bucket of water to the face and an unpleasant snarl right above me. "Shut up Finnick!” Waverly hollers over Dad’s snoring. I turn my head upwards toward the rusty analog clock that lies unsteadily on the top of the doorframe. It reads 5:00. Today is the morning of the 65th reaping and every year on this day is hell. 2 innocent children from district 4 will be hauled to the capitol and forced to fight for their lives in the wicked Hunger Games, a death sentence for most, but an honor for many in here. Most days it scares me like all-fire, but sometimes, when Waverly beats me particularly bad, I think it may not be so bad, death in the games. At least I’d be pampered before my gruesome end. On those days, I think of my girl, Annie, and I’m given the strength to go on, for her. I put on a shirt and pants without drying off, because I’ll be wet by the end of the day either way. I grab a net from outside and begin walking towards the beach