Welcome to the 99th Hunger Games

B1, C1: Welcome to the 99th Hunger Games

FINNICK ODAIR

I woke up unexpectedly as an alarm clock rings me awake.

Wait what? An alarm clock...

Oh no.

It's the day of the Reaping.

I always have my alarm clock up specifically for the day of the Reaping. As a Victor, I need to be up and ready.

I take a cool shower, trying to drown out the memories resurfacing from my Games. Then, I put on a loose shirt to impress the Capitol women that I know is going to look for me during the Reaping.

Usually during Reaping Day I would head out to where the Reaping takes place, but now I have to visit my family.

The Capitol knows about my "affair" with Annie Cresta, who is the love of my life. We got married in secret when I turned 25, which the Capitol doesn't know about, and shortly afterward our first child was conceived, my son. Just to keep them safe, Annie and I don't wear our wedding rings.

My daughter, however, was born 10 years afterward. 10 years apart because of President Snow. He made me come to his mansion and promise to be distant toward my family. Therefore, I had another child after 10 years. This makes the whole Capitol think Annie was another woman who I would sleep with, but they are so wrong. She is the love of my life and I want to be with her, but she and my children will die if I don't listen.

I come to their Victor's house disguised, just in case Peacekeepers show up early. The door was opened by my 23 year old son, who I greeted with happiness. He was a Victor too, winning in the 91th Hunger Games. He looks like his mother with his dark red hair and green eyes, but his facial and body structure was more like mine.

"Where's your mother?" I ask. He points to the kitchen. I quickly run in after a work of thanks to find the woman I haven't seen for a long time. She was wearing a long green dress that complimented her eyes, her hair loose and flowing. Annie was so beautiful, it hurt that I couldn't see her as much as I wanted too.

Annie turned around after I called her name, "FINNICK!" She yelled and gave me a tight hug. I wrap my arms around her, kissing her head and smelling the beautiful sea smell that I love from her. Annie pulled away and gave a grim smile, "Happy Reaping." She said, shuddering.

I put my hands on her shoulders, "Are you alright? Where is our daughter?"

"I'm fine, right now at least. You know it's her second Reaping." Annie said.

I nodded. My girl was now 13 years old. She got called for the last Hunger Games, but someone volunteered for her. That girl died, which made my daughter regret letting the volunteer go.

"You'll find her at the docks, her favorite place. Like someone I know." Annie gave her cute smile. I was so glad she was herself at this time.

"I'll come back after I get her." I whisper. Even though Annie was in her mid 40s, she still acted like the young girl I fell in love with all those years ago. She giggled again and let me go regretfully.

Then I ran to the docks to see the child I haven't seen for a year.

And indeed she was there, the child that had the same hair like me, billowing in the air. Even though the hair and eyes were the same as mine, Her other facial features, except for the mischievous dimples, were Annie's. If she had red hair and dark green eyes, it would have looked like teenage Annie was sitting there, marveling at the sea.

I sit next to her, "Hey."

She turned around and widened her eyes, "Dad!" She gave me a hug as strong as the ones her mother gave me. My daughter lets me go and whispers, "Did the Peacekeepers catch you?"

"No, or I would have been punished." I answered and she frowned.

"Why can't we be together? Why is it so important that you have to sleep with others?" I was taken aback by that question, always mesmerized by the way my daughter can handle mature things at a young age, unlike my son when he was younger.

I turned her head so she can looked at my eyes, "Snow wants to hurt every Victor in Panem. People think Victors get everything and live in peace? They don't."

"Is my brother doing the same as well?" She asked quietly, "He has been disappearing for the Capitol most of the time."

"Most probably. I didn't know about this. I am sorry."

Yes, Snow sold me into prostitution, but my son? That is in another whole different level of suffering for me. My own son has to go through these things of sleeping with women he doesn't love? Unlike me, my son cannot lie very well, so doing this for so long without being caught lying is an achievement for him.

I was about to scream at the world for being so cruel. I was about to cry for the miseries my family is now sharing. However, I hear a chime ringing throughout District 4. It was time for the Reaping. I got up to go, but my girl caught my hand.

"Dad, I need to tell you something." I obeyed and sat down again, listening to her, "Dad, if I get reaped, just...try to get me alive, since you are going to be the mentor for this year...I just think I won't be able to go through this, like Mom."

"Honey, what happened last year was nothing you couldn't do. And I know you can win without me. You have my strong will, like me."

"But I only went for Career training for two years. I'm not as strong as the others..." She looks down sadly.

I smiled sadly, "You will be fine. I know it."

She looked up, her sea-green eyes searched my own, to see if I am lying. "Are you sure?"

"It's the most surest thing I have ever said." I took her hand and stood her up. "Now, let's go. The Peacekeepers will be suspicious."

She nodded and gave me a hug. We had to be separated from each other, to show that I am being "distant".

"I love you." I whispered.

"I love you too, Dad."

She ran off, as fast as her legs can go. She is a much faster runner than me, like Annie, who can run easily on sand as it was flat ground.

I went another way, through allies so no one can piece two and two together. I sneakily took my seat where other mentors would sit. My eyes searched for my family. Minutes later, the kids came to sit on their respective seats, depending on their age and gender. My daughter was near the front, wearing a green dress similar to Annie's. My son and Annie were sitting where parents would sit. She found me sitting on the chair at the stage and gave me a small smile. I didn't give one back; I knew that the cameras were on me as the children prepared.

The mayor of the District gave the usual speech about the history of the Hunger Games. District 13 became found out after the 74th Hunger Games, when two "star-crossed lovers" of District 12 won because of a rule change that they stuck to, for some reason. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. District 13 thought it was a stroke of rebellion when they performed their obviously fake love scenes so they secretly made rebellion acts toward the Capitol. However, the Rebellion was shut because of President Snow's extreme knowledge about the District 13 hideout, which became destroyed before Katniss and Peeta found out. Now, the people of District 13 participate in the Hunger Games.

Then the escort, Romulus Fishman, first reaped the boy tribute. I wasn't worried about my family about this one, for my son is now 23 and already a Victor. The boy became a 16 year old named Caspian. He stepped forward with a wan smile on his face. No volunteers came up.

"Now for the girls! May the odds be ever in your favor!" Romulus cheered. My heart beat under my loose shirt, but my face was still composed to be calm. He took out a slip and read the name.

Then, my odds never became in my favor right then and there.

Nor did hers.

"Serafina Cresta!"