TWO

TIDAL WAVES

The water was moving slowly around his wrinkled knees, bare feet buried in the sand below as he waited, trident pulled back, eyes fixed on the water- posed. Ready to strike at any second. Finally, movement. He pulls back, and just as it comes into view he strikes. Finally, a catch.

"Dad?!"

He turns, eyes narrowing at the tree-line, there she was, he'd been waiting hours, "You missed my catch!"

"If only I could rewind time," Talia says, even from there, metres away, he could tell she'd rolled her eyes.

He slowly wades out of the water, his trident still stabbed through the fish as his feet carry him onto the shore.

"Is that your first catch?" Talia asks as her father places the fish in into a bag for safe keeping.

"Sadly, yes, I expected a little more from the lake but theres barely anything," Her father says, "What about you? Did you get everything your mother needed?"

"I only managed milk and bread, and the bread I had to beg Jamie Kilen for in the bakery," Talia admits, sitting down on a chunk of washed up, old driftwood.

"This fish will feed us tonight, and perhaps tomorrow, and by then, its a new day," Her father smiles, he always had been hopeful. Gregory Riverthorn was once a respected net fisherman who worked upstream, but since his business upstream was taken by a rival group, he'd lost all he'd worked hard to build, and with it, his money and ability to care properly for his family.

"Dad...What are we going to do?" Talia asks, her blue orbs fixing on her fathers.

"I don't...I don't know, Talia, but we'll figure it out, we always have," Gregory says, placing a warm hand on his daughters shoulder.

"Okay," She says, sending her father a small smile.

"Is Mickey still slouched across the sofa?" Gregory asks, and Talia nods in response, "That boy is a liability, he sells his soul to get into the Peacekeeper training and now he doesn't even go,"

"I know," Talia sighs, her boots kicking softly at the sand, "He's 19 and still can't drag himself to help us- I watch you and mum struggle everyday to feed us and I see Freddy walking to school in his hole ridden clothes and I can't help but...But feel responsible,"

"No, my dear, its not your fault-"

He's about to say more to his distressed daughter when his eyes are drawn across the lake. His eyes narrow as he watches someone wade into the water.

"Talia, Talia look!" Her father says, tapping her arm, she looks up to where her fathers eyes are focused.

"What? Its just some guy fishing," Talia mumbles and Gregory shakes his head.

"Thats not just some guy, thats Finnick Odair!" Gregory says and Talia's eyes widen, looking out across the lake.

"No, it can't be," Talia waves her hand, dismissing her father.

"It bloody well is, I may be old but I'm not blind yet, its him- that boy was a gift to us the year he won, bringing all those riches to the district, I only hope we have a winner soon who can do the same,"

"Maybe this year," Talia says, standing up beside her father and observing the fishing Victor, "Wasn't he the youngest ever winner?"

"He was indeed- 14 years old. Smart kid, made nets out of vines and when he caught someone in a trap, he used a trident to spear them,"

"He had a trident? He risked the cornucopia?"

"No, no, he had the trident sponsored to him, the most beautiful trident I've ever seen, I think he still has it. He was a handsome young man, won over a lot of the Capitol public, now he spends his days surrounded by them- he practically lives in the city,"

"Wouldn't you? If you won?"

"Would I live in that vipers nest? No, Talia, I wouldn't be caught dead in the Capitol," He says, "District 4 is my home, and it will be till the day I snuff it,"

"Maybe Finnick enjoys it, maybe its better than seeing your district starve to death," Talia sighs, as if on cue, her stomach rumbles.

"I think we should get back, you sound hungry," Gregory says, eyes still fixed on the Victor of the 65th Hunger Games.

"Indeed, if you can take your eyes off your hero," Talia chuckles, "Dad, lets go,"

"Of course," Gregory says, grabbing his trident and single fish.

The father and daughter head off the banks of the lake, walking through the trees. They take a slow walk back to their family home, passing the now empty fighting pits. They step inside their home, Denise sends her husband and daughter a wide smile, Mickey had since sat up from his slumber and Freddy was helping his mother with the washing.

Talia watches her father hand the fish over to his wife, and she sends him a smile, "We saw Finnick Odair," Her father says.

"You did? He must be one the mentors this year," Denise says, beginning to prepare the food.

Talia looks at her younger brother, who should have been out at a training school, learning how to fish or make hooks or nets, and yet he was helping his mother get through her work load.

"Freddy, when are you planning on getting back to the training sessions?"

"They cost money now," Mickey says from his slouched position on the sofa, "Penny was telling me,"

"You still dating her?" Talia asks, and Mickey looks at his sister and nods his head to the front door. The only daughter of Denise and Gregory Riverthorn leads the way outside, and Mickey follows, his work boots thudding behind her.

"I need to talk to someone about this,"

Talia's face contorts with worry, "What is it?"

"Penelope...She's pregnant,"

"What?!" Talia asks, she felt like knocking her brother clean out.

"I know, I know...Its a big mistake, and I've told Penny she needs to do something to get rid of it but shes blinded by the idea we're going to get married and be in love forever,"

"You told me...Promised me, you'd never have kids, and neither would I," Talia says, shaking her head, "You're an alcoholic liar,"

"Tal, please, I know I'm a mess, but I need you, I need you more than ever,"

"How old is she?"

"17,"

"Damn it, Mickey, she'll be in the Reaping tomorrow!"

Mickey's face contorts with worry, "What happens if her name is chosen?"

"She won't be, I promise, they haven't had a young tribute in a few years, they'll pick someone else,"

"Maybe if she's chosen a career will volunteer," Mickey stammers, he was panicking.

Talia grabs his hand, causing his eyes to snap up to meet hers, "It'll all be fine,"

"I hope so,"