The 37th Hunger Games: The Beauty of a Pearl

Introduction

I look out to the horizon watching the waves lap over each other. Our boat slowly bounces up and down in the vast ocean. A soft sea breeze dances across our faces. Breeze that smelled of salt, water and of home.

"Don't you ever think of leaving? You have a boat, why don't you just sail away?" I ask.

My father leans into me and strokes my long golden hair.

"It's not that easy. The Capitol guards these waters, you know that. If I go out further than I'm allowed to, they'll shoot me down. Besides...I could never leave you and your brother. You two mean the world to me."

I look into his comforting eyes and smile. I rest my head on his chest and feel the warmth of his breath beating down on my neck. My father is my everything. He always knows just the right things to say and he can lift your mood in a second. He was the best father I could ask for.

"Tomorrow's the reaping..." I said.

"Don't you worry about it my pearl. This is your last year. Your last year of your name being in that wretched ball. I know in my heart that your name won't be picked. You'll make it through this year and then you can finally live your life without that fear in the back of your mind."

He gives me a kiss on my head and I smile at him.

"Maybe I could help you collecting the pearls?"

"I'd like that." My father grins.

My father is a pearl collector. The Capitol swoons over the pearls and my father is hired to go out and dive for them. He is even allowed further out than other ships, but he still has a limit and if he passes that they would shoot him without a second thought. The pearls earn our family stacks of money, and we are one the richest families in District 4 because of it. Our family isn't exactly perfect though. My parents split up when I was 13. It was hard to deal with at first, but I know that it's for the best and that they are happier now. I just wish they could be happy together.

I watch my father walk over to the wheel and begin to steer the boat back to shore. He walks the way all fathers seem to walk. Heavy footed and with some sense of authority but also somehow a feeling of happiness and laughter. Smiling to myself, I look out at the crystal waters as we sail back to reality. I wish that we could stay out at sea forever, not have to worry about the games. But I know there was no avoiding the games. Tomorrow is the reaping, and my name could be drawn.