Embers of Hope: The 69th Hunger Games

Chapter Two

The thunder was loud that night, the rain slammed against her windows and lightning illuminated the darkness. Brooke restlessly turned in her sleep, dreaming. She was on the beach. The nice one hidden away in a cove by the Victors Village. It was nestled away from the rest of the bustling piers and villages teeming with people. The water was pure, a beautiful turquoise. The sand felt soft under her bare feet, just like in real life.

But this was a dream.

The cove was surrounded by rock, a slippery black kind that kept people away, but she'd always been an explorer.

The place was a haven, untouched by human hands and thriving with life: seabirds, turtles, adorable little crabs.

The wind blew cold over the ocean that day. It was winter in District Four, and although it was a tropical region, it still got cold in the northern parts. Brooke lived in the north of District Four, as most people did, it was where their centered city was.

She was wearing a long white dress in the dream, her hair unraveled, its dirty blonde color whipping around her. She pulled a cream-colored sweater closer around her as she walked the length of the beach, toes dipping in the sand. She was waiting for someone. They always met there. It was their secret spot.

She raised her head to look out upon the beautiful sea. It was so peaceful.

Someone grabbed her from behind.

She squealed in laughter as his arms encircled her and spun her around in a whirl.

Her feet touched the sand once more as he set her down, she rested her hands on his chest, and his arms stayed around her waist.

Their eyes met as she gazed up at him, but she couldn't see his face, it was blurry.

To Brooke that didn't matter right now.

"I didn't know if you were coming," she laughed, her voice sounding so light and airy.

He said nothing. Brooke didn't mind.

She took his hands and they danced along the beach, her laughter the only thing disturbing the air, along with the ever-persistent sound of the wind.

He twirled her around in a waltz and she paused when she spun back around, touching their fingers together.

She smiled.

White dusted his hair.

Frowning, she reached up and brushed his hair back, then realizing what it was, turned her face to the sky.

"Oh my gosh! It's snowing! It's snowing on the beach! Do you see it?"

It was so magical, she jumped about, stuck her tongue out, closed her eyes, and looked to the sky.

The flakes were blocked from landing on her nose when a shadow passed in front of her closed face.

She opened her eyes, he was standing there, standing so close.

He leaned down, his blurred face smiling and for the first time, Brooke didn't find that right.

"Wait," she said. Her voice sounded small now.

She opened her mouth to call his name, tell him to hold on a second, but she found she didn't know who he was.

He leaned in, and his lips met hers, a deep kiss. They had done this a thousand times before, right?

She knew him. She loved him.

But why did this feel so wrong?

He got more aggressive, holding her wrists instead of her waist.