AS THE WARM BREEZE ENTERED THE ROOM THOUGH THE OPEN WINDOW, IT CAUSED THE YOUNGEST OF THE EVERDEEN CHILDREN TO STIR IN THE BED NEXT TO SAGE. At six years old, she had learned of the Hunger Games in school. On the nights when she'd be woken up by the nightmares she practically talked herself into having right before she went to sleep— she'd make her way across the house and to their parents bed. Then, once the sun would begin to seep in through the curtains, their father would carry her to her own bed before he left for work. Then after he was gone, she'd make her way to the smallest of the rooms in the house, and would wake Sage. The first few times, Sage would bring her back to her own bed, and then would lock his door. But she'd end up with her blanket and pillow outside his door or waking him up again.

"Time to get up, Prim." Sage muttered, as he propped himself up enough to get a good look out of his window— the sky looked to be clear, and he could still see the darkness in the sky over the district as the sun creeped higher and higher. It seemed like a perfect morning, too perfect for what would be taking place in a few hours.

            He glanced back at his little sister, still sound asleep. So he slid all the way down his bed and got up that way, leaving her be. He got freshened up for the day before grabbing the leather jacket that he had managed to buy off some old and retired miner at the Hob for a good chunk of venison that he had convinced his father to let him trade down there. Of course his mother wasn't too happy about the trade, but there would be plenty more. They could spare a bit of venison. He then grabbed his sturdy boots and kept them in his hands as he crept out of his own room before going to the next room over and poking his head in to see if Katniss, his ten year old sister, was awake and waiting for him. Sure enough, she was— she was sitting up in her bed, still in her pajamas. She had her knees pulled up to her chest and she was resting her chin on one of them.

"It's a bit early for you, don't you think Kat?" he whispered to not wake their mother or Prim. Their walls were paper thin. You could hear someone drop a coin if you were quiet enough. Specially if you had sensitive ears like his mother and Prim.

Katniss sighed heavily, "So can I go with you today?" she asked, "Please? Dad said he won't be able to take me until next week."

            Hunting was something that Sage had been doing since he could properly hold a bow and arrow. He had gone with their father almost every morning when he went, but after a while he began going on his own while their father began giving Katniss the same lessons as he had given Sage. However their father couldn't go as often after his promotion in the mines, leaving one of Katniss's only hopes of going being Sage.

"Are you going to try and follow me if I say no?" he asked, arching an eyebrow as he leaned on the doorframe.

"If I have to," Katniss retorted, "you didn't catch me until we were outside the fences on Tuesday." she reminded him, a small smirk spreading across her face.  "Please, Sage? Please? I promise I won't make any big noises or anything." she pleaded, her voice getting a bit louder with every word.

"We'd only be out for a few hours," Sage replied, "you'd have to be back in time for ma to get you ready for the reaping." he stated.

Katniss rolled her eyes so much all he could see were the whites of her eyes.

"And I don't want you spooking anything." he added, "On Tuesday I lost two rabbits and a squirrel because you have such heavy feet."

"Not heavy enough for you to hear me..." Katniss muttered quietly.

Sage pressed his lips together and leaned his head on the doorway, giving his sister a look as he waited for her to agree to his terms.

Katniss stared back at him for a moment, "Okay, okay..." she sighed heavily, "I won't argue about coming back and I'll stay quiet."

Sage smirked, "Be ready in fifteen and I'll come back and get you, alright? I'm going to get Ella and we'll stop back here on our way to the fence."

"Ugh," Katniss sighed heavily plopping back on her back. "Why does she have to come?"

Sage looked back at her, "You don't have to come ya' know."

Katniss rolled her eyes for a second time, "Okay, I'll be ready for you and Ella. Just please no kissing in front of me." she said dramatically looking away from him.

Sage rolled his eyes as he grabbed the handle to the door, "I'll see you in a bit, Kat."

            Once that was settled, Sage shut the door to the bedroom before quietly making his way through the small kitchen and dining area and out the front door. Once he was outside, he took in a deep breath of the fresh air as he sat on the step to their door and pulled on his shoes that would have made it much harder to sneak out of the house. Their home was on the outskirts of the area of Twelve known as the Seam— the poorest area of District Twelve, the poorest of the districts. Sage attributed that partially to being furthest from the Capitol. Sometimes, he'd catch himself wondering if they were as close as Districts One or Two, if they'd be just as well off. But being further away had its perks of course. Most of the peacekeepers they got in the district weren't the greatest when they were being trained, and they didn't really care much as long as nobody started a problem. That was why they didn't bother to turn the fences on most of the time, or why they let people trade and sell as they pleased at the Hobb. So that was an advantage they had there.

            The morning air in District Twelve was never crisp or really pleasant. Besides the warmth on this particular day, it had the the smell of the coal mines already swirling around. The mix of freshly mined coal, a scent that not many people outside of Twelve could really pick up on, but a scent that you grew to hate. He made his way deeper into the Seam until he came up onto the Hawthorne house. A even more crowded home than the Everdeen's. Mr. Hawthorne would be in the mines by now, Mrs. Hawthorne would probably be sleeping if she wasn't dealing with the newest addition to the home. And Ella Hawthorne, the oldest of the children would be waiting out on the steps if she was going with Sage.

And sure enough, she was seated outside and waiting.

"Morning," she smiled as she stood up just as Sage approached her and they hugged each other before Sage kissed her cheek.

"Morning." he replied with a smile as he took a step back— however her arms didn't let go of him.

"Are you not going to wish me a happy Hunger Games this year?" she asked arching her eyebrow.

         Sage could almost feel his heart drop into his stomach and his insides began to churn just thinking about the reaping that would take place later in the day. But he forced himself to let out a small chuckle.

"Sorry, I must have forgot," he paused before taking a step back again before clearing his throat. "Happy Hunger Games, Miss Hawthorne. And may the odds be ever in your favor." he said, dramatically mimicking Effie Trinket, the new escort for District Twelve after their old one had chosen to go to a different district. Last year had been her first year.

"Right back at you," Ella stated with a smile as the two of them began to make their way back through the Seam.

           Once they got back to the house that Sage had left Katniss in, Sage barely had to open the front door before Katniss was outside and pulling her boots on like Sage had told her to do when she first started going with him. Ella and Sage waited patiently for her to get them on before the three made their way towards the outskirts of the District. When they approached the fences, they all stopped for a brief moment to listen for a hum that may have been radiating off the fence. But as usual, there was silence. So Ella ducked through the fence first, then Katniss, followed by Sage. Before they said anything to one another, they darted across the clearing and into the forest on the other side.

"Remember, we only have a bit before we have to head back." he reminded the group, but looking towards Katniss who was already making a B-line for the hiding place where their bow and arrows were hidden.

"We don't have to..." Ella muttered to Sage as Katniss went ahead of them.

"We'd be stupid to try and make it out here with loudmouth," he said, chuckling a bit towards the end as he motioned to Katniss. "besides, it's our last year this year. In a few years the games could be over." he said nonchalantly. Although not a single ounce of him believed that the games would be over in a few years, that was wishful thinking.

"Yeah, maybe." Ella huffed, humoring his statement, as they approached their hiding spot.

          Katniss moved the brush they had used to cover their things and lifted up Sage's bow and handed it to him along with some arrows. Katniss then handed Ella hers before grabbing the extra pouch of arrows she would carry for Ella and Sage.

"You can have a go with mine, if you want," Ella said, offering her bow to Katniss. Katniss didn't have her own yet, and she usually practiced with Sages' when she came out with their father because their fathers was far too big and heavy for hers. But Ella's was much lighter than even Sage's. "I'm going to stay back and make some more arrows."

"Because yours are garbage if we're being honest," Sage said, looking down at his sister who rolled her eyes and he laughed in response. "Christ, Kat lighten up a bit would you?"

"Ha-ha," she retorted as she took Ella's bow. "Are you sure?"

Ella nodded, "Go for it," she stated, glancing up at Sage.

He shrugged, "Just watch the sky, the Capitol ship will be coming in soon."

Katniss smiled and nodded, "Got it,"

             With that, Katniss took Ella's arrows and went off ahead of them. Leaving Sage and Ella walking through the trees, barely keeping up with his younger sister. Usually on the day of the reaping, they wouldn't care much for actually hunting— simply spending time together was their main goal of the trip outside the fences. The last few years, the weather hadn't been ideal— cloudy and sometimes rainy. Not much good for hunting, but it left room for talking or just being quiet with Ella. Bringing Katniss along put a damper on some of Sages other ideas, but this year was a big year for Sage when it came to the reaping. So letting Katniss tag along would make a good memory of him for her if things weren't in his favor.

"So how many times is your name entered?" Ella asked as the two of them walked along.

Sage had been hoping not to have that conversation.

"I donno," he shrugged, "Seven? Eight? Give or take a few." he added as he pulled an arrow from the pouch on his shoulders and loaded it into his bow. He then let his eyes drift around the trees surrounding them, hoping and praying to see something that would catch his eye.

"Wha-"

"Sh," Sage hissed quickly as his eye caught a squirrel perching on a branch. Just sitting there, as if it was intentionally sitting there for him. He drew back on the arrow, and aiming carefully at his target before letting the arrow fly— knocking the squirrel out of the tree before it even know what hit it.

"Sage," Ella began as he made his way towards the tree it had been in, and began searching the ground for it. "Sage," she started again, this time grabbing his arm to stop him from keeping himself distracted. "we both agreed, no tesserae this year." she said, her eyes narrowing. "We were just going to hunt and gather more, and sell more of it at the Hobb."

Sage didn't say anything at first, "I didn't have a choice, okay?" he stated, "Prim got sick last year and we went through more than we had expected. I had to." he explained briefly, "Besides, my dad got me a job in the mines that starts after school ends. That means I won't be able to hunt as much as we thought."

Ella sighed heavily, "So how many times is your name in?" she asked again.

"Twelve times." Sage gave up, and pulled his arm out of her grip and continued looking for the squirrel. It wasn't as much a he really could have done by any means, but it was more than he had to enter.

"Sage!"

            Sage and Ella looked up to see Katniss running back towards them, and in her hand she held a dead rabbit. She held it by the back feet and and it looked like she had gotten a shot right through the eyes like their father had taught her to; make it quick or don't take the shot was something that he taught them. It was something he said repeatedly while they hunted.

"That's a good one," Sage replied as he took it from her, and examined it. "Have dad skin it for you, you could get a bit for the pelt by the looks of it." he told her as he handed it back to her to slip into the sack hanging from the bottom of the pouch of arrows she had.

"She's a better shot than you." he smirked, looking at Ella. She clearly wasn't amused that he changed the subject, but she didn't bring up the subject again.

             The three of them managed to find a bush full of berries that Ella then gathered— and Sage and Katniss both managed to get a few more small animals. It was actually pretty good haul for the day. They'd be having decent meals for the next few days. Their time outside the fences seemed to be going fine, they didn't talk much more about the reaping. Mainly because Sage made sure to stick by Katniss— Ella never liked talking about the games around kids not old enough for the reaping yet.

            However, when they were getting close to calling it for a trip outside the fence. Katniss made a good shot, this time getting another rabbit. And she hurried to go fetch it.

"What if you're reaped, Sage?" Ella asked, grabbing his hand before he could catch up with Katniss. "What if this is the year?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

Sage sighed heavily, "It won't be," he stated. "after today, you and me won't have to worry about the reaping ever again, at least for ourselves, and we won't have school anymore. If you ask me, it sounds like this year should be a pretty good one."  he said with a small smirk as he pulled Ella closer to him and kissing her forehead before her cheek, and then finally her lips. "Positive thinking, neither of us are going to get reaped."

           The moment between them was quickly ruined when the sound of motors surrounded them. The trees surrounding them began to rustle as the wind began to pick up as the roar of the engines grew louder. Sage quickly let go of Ella, and scanned the area for Katniss— and he found her alright. A rabbit in hand and her eyes fixated on the ship with the Capitol symbol on it that was approaching them. Getting closer and closer by the second as it went in to let people out in Twelve.

            Sage's heart began to pound violently in his chest, and his stomach felt like it was inside out. His eyes were wide and he could almost see Katniss getting shot down by the ship. Or worse— just taken off to be turned into a Capitol slave without a tongue...and himself and Ella would no doubt be shot on site or in the middle of Twelve and become an example. Everything began to flash before his eyes.

"Katniss!" he called out to her, at least he was pretty sure he did as he ran towards her. Barely feeling the ground beneath his feet as he ran towards her.

            He wasn't even sure if she had heard him over the engines as it grew closer, too close for comfort. Before he knew it, he firmly wrapped his arms around her and picked her up. Pulling her into some bushes that happened to be near them— he could only hope it was good enough coverage from the eyes on the ship. As quickly as it came, the ship had passed them, and Sage only heard his own heavy breathing and pulse in his ears. And it took a second for him to even begin to loosen his grip of Katniss.

"Goddamnit, Katniss, what the hell were you thinking just standing there!" he said finally, letting go of his sister. His voice came out much louder than he had intended it to. "When I said watch the sky I didn't mean for you to just stand there and gawk at it!"

Katniss looked back at him, her eyes were wide. He never raised his voice at her or Prim. Just at their parents when they got after him about going to school. "Hasn't dad told you to always be on the lookout for things like that!?" Sage added, "Do you know what couldn't have happened if they saw you!"

"I-I'm sorry..." she sputtered out.

"They would have killed you, Katniss!" he added before he felt someone grab his arm.

            Sage suddenly realized how tense his arms still were and he relaxed a bit. He turned his head, only to see Ella standing there.

Sage took in a deep breath of air before taking a step away from her and then pointing in the direction that they had come from. "Let's just go back," he started, "ma probably has breakfast going right now anyway."

             There was silence between the three of them for a moment. Sage avoided looking at either of the girls with him, and just kept his eyes fixed on the ground for a moment. And when Katniss didn't budge an inch, he looked down at her.

"I'm talking to you, Kat." he said sternly, and Katniss quickly glanced at Ella before looking down at her feet and away from Sage as she hurried by him on her way in the direction he was pointing.

Ella sighed heavily, "I don't know what scared her more, the ship or you, Sage."

Sage didn't respond, he simply turned and followed Katniss, hoping that nobody would be waiting for them at the fence.

AUTHORS NOTE;
Thank you sooo much for reading and giving Sage's story a chance! Sage is possibly one of my favorite characters I've ever created; and his story has been so much fun to create too.

Be sure to tell me what you think!

Stay Classy!

*edited*