As Oceans Rise ||Pre-Hunger Games|| 1

Chapter 1

Her loose blonde curls blew in the sea wind, her smile wide as ever when she turned her head to see her best friend standing beside her. "Wish I could be as carefree as those birds."

High above them a couple of birds flew on invisible strings, eyes trained on the ocean below. From so far below Kailani couldn't tell what species they were, though by the way they hovered her mind tipped towards hawks. Against the sky, bluer then the previous days, they were silhouettes.

"Me too. Kai." His soft voice echoed into the wind. 

"How was your visit to the Capitol?" Kailani asked. Her smile faded at the look on Finnick's face. "Finn?" 

He had a slight bruise on his neck, that he tried to have covered up, but Kailani knew better. "What did they do to you?" She reached towards the bruise, but Finnick flinched back. 

She wonder why he always came home with bruises after his trips to the Capitol. He wasn't the only one, her older brothers would often go on trips as well, and return with bruises and cuts. She always asked but the far away look in their eyes made her wonder if she really wanted to know. 

"Nothing," His gaze stared straight out at the sea. "Do you want to tell me about that bruise above your eye."

Kailani stood up. "Training with the guys." Everyday consist of training with her brothers. She knew one day she would be thankful for the hours of torture but hopefully not any time soon.

"Come on, We got to go." Finnick said. His eyes still not meeting hers. 

Kailani looked towards Finnick then back to the ocean before following her friend. The demons inside those who come back victors haunt them the rest of their days. Kailani would know. She saw it with her parents, now her brothers and her best friend were dealing with it now.

"Who do you think will be picked this year?" Kailani asked as they walked past Victor's Village. Heading to the town hall for another yearly reaping. 

"Who knows. Hate it for them." Finnick said. Raw emotion filled his eyes. 

Kailani watched as emotions flicker in his eyes. She knew what Finnick went through was hell. She hoped and prayed that she didn't have to go through it. She saw how it affected her brothers. "We better get going," she grumbled. Her family hated the Hunger Games and most importantly President Snow. He was the reason her parents were dead, even though they say it was a boat accident. Her brothers told her that President Snow killed them, though she asked why, they would just said he was evil. There was more to the story, but Kailani never questioned it again. 

"There you two are," Xavier smiled coming up to the two as they went to the Reaping area. He was the oldest of Kailani's four brothers. 

"Xavier," Kailani smiled, "Where's everyone?" They entered the town square seeing parents and children laughing, happy and excited for the games. How could anyone be happy, Kailani thought. It was a certain death sentence if your name was called. It was only because they never had anyone entered the games. 

"All here," Xavier laughed, "Hey Finn."

Finnick greeted Xavier with a hug. They had been friends since they were little. Xavier was like an older brother to Finnick since he was only 3 years older. Finnick was a friend to each of the Zale siblings. They were the siblings he never had.

"Perfect timing." Finnick smiled. "I got to head to the stage. I'm mentoring this year again."

Kailani hugged Finnick as he left.

"See ya up there, brother." Xavier smiled as he hugged Kailani, pushing her towards the line to get her finger pricked. "Stay Strong, Kai."

Kailani rolled her eyes, making her way to the line. Even signing in with blood, then fighting to the end in blood.