1 - Uncharted Waters [Hunger Games]

2 - Echoes of the Siren

Chapter 2

"Ocean Eyes" by Billie Eilish

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

Mira walked home after visiting the children. The streets were almost empty, with only a few fishermen returning from the sea and fishmongers closing up their shops. It was still an hour before ten so she still had time to wander through the secluded parts of the district.

She ventured deeper into the woods until she reached her destination. The Cove was a small, sheltered part of the beach, connecting to the greener outskirts of District 4. This had been Mira's special place since she was a little girl.

When Mira was younger, she often overheard the fishermen spinning tales about sirens who lured children to the sea and drowned them. These were stories meant to scare kids away from the more dangerous areas of District 4, where the water was deeper and the waves rough, making it nearly impossible to swim or fish. But unlike the other children, who steered clear of the Cove, Mira was even more determined to find it. She had clung to a childish hope that her mother, whom she imagined as one of these mythical sirens, might be there waiting for her.

As a child, Mira believed her mother—Marilla, the victor of the 51st Hunger Games—was hiding in the sea, eluding the "bad guys" who had once tried to kill her. People in the district had called her mother "The Siren" after her victory, and Mira's young mind took that name literally. In her mind, Marilla was a real siren, just biding her time in the depths. So, every day after school, Mira made a detour to the Cove, hoping for a glimpse of the woman who had given her life.

"So beautiful," Mira whispered to herself, settling down on the sand and admiring the powerful, crashing waves. She listened to the sounds of the surf pounding against the rocks, marveling at how something as beautiful as the view in front of her could also be so dangerous.

She curled her legs up, resting her chin on her knees, and dug her feet into the sand, savoring the sensation of the fine grains between her toes. With a soft smile, she traced patterns in the sand, recalling the first time she'd come here alone, ten years old and filled with a hopeful longing.

It was exactly six years ago today. Mira took the chance to visit her favorite place while her Nana and Papa were away on some business at the dock, thinking she was still asleep. It was Reaping Day, and children her age could either stay home or watch the event in the town square. Mira, however, preferred to stay home, collecting shells and making crafts from the things she found on the beach. Any guilt she felt for sneaking out and disobeying her Nana would melt away as soon as she reached her secluded hideaway.

The cove always felt different from the usual beaches—unique, almost magical. The sunlight danced on the water, making it sparkle like diamonds. White sand covered the ground like a soft blanket, while towering rocks and trees shielded the area from prying eyes.

It was perfect.

Mira skipped toward the huge rocks, eager to find more shells and smooth pebbles. As she approached, she heard a faint sobbing sound coming from behind a nearby rock. It was barely audible over the crashing waves, but it was there. Intrigued, Mira climbed up onto the big rock to locate the source of the cries, scraping her knee in the process. She whimpered, pausing to examine the now-bleeding scrape. This was her first real wound—Nana would definitely question her about it.

Lost in her thoughts, Mira didn't notice the bronze-haired boy staring at her.

Twelve-year-old Finnick Odair had known this day would come. The moment he learned to hold a weapon properly, his training as a Career tribute had begun. He was already strong and skilled, but he was still scared. Scared of being chosen, scared of not being ready, scared of dying in the arena. One day he would volunteer, but he wanted more time to prepare.