I don't want to do a brief history of The Hunger Games to explain what's going on, so I'm just going to assume you've already read the books and know the basics.
My name is Jay Bell. I live in District 7, working my ass off so that I can be alive to be dying the next day. Ever since the war against the Capitol, the higher numbered Districts have been in poverty. In the world I was born in, you either survive or die. To survive, you need to start with the basics. Adapt. Having no parents, I eventually had to learn to fend for myself. I was lucky enough to be picking up scraps, but when I turned twelve, everything changed. I went to the Mayor of District 7 and asked for a job. It's not uncommon for people in District 7 to start working at a young age, but they only work small jobs. They eventually get slightly better jobs as they age. But the thing is, the jobs you can get a young age come with small pay. What I did was different. When I asked for a job, I specifically asked for a job where I work for the Mayor personally.
I got a job in the wilderness surrounding District 7. In a world where everyone is poverty and food is hard to find, you do what you can to get a plate of food. Even if you're the Mayor, quality food is still a challenge. In the woods, I collect berries, wild vegetables and fruits. I hunt whatever's edible, and fish for what's in the water. If I had a bow, or knew how to use one, I could probably shoot birds out of the air. So unless I find a way to sneak up on a bird and sink my machete into it, then I guess deer and boar will have to do. When I'm collecting all this food for the Mayor, I'm not allowed to touch any of it, but he ends up giving me a small portion of what's in the bag. When Peacekeepers learned about what I was doing, I started collecting for them too. The Peacekeepers and the Mayor usually just turn a blind eye now and let me do whatever I want. Because of this job, I'm well-fed, I'm healthy, I'm hated. That's right, hated. I'm getting so much food, but the only people that get the food is the Mayor, Peacekeepers, and me. I don't give food to the other people in the Districts, I don't give food to those who ask, and I don't give food to those nearing death by starvation.
I cheated the system, yes. But I'm 17, and still alive. Maybe back then, before the rebellion, I would have given food to the other people since we weren't that poor. But because the rebel war, the Districts became involved in conflict again which created even more poverty than there already was. So I don't share desperately needed food, so what? I'm doing something to keep myself alive. everyone had the opportunity to ask the Mayor for this job, but I'm the only one who took it. What I'm doing is fair. It's not my fault other won't fight for their survival. I told myself that I am going to survive this world. To do that, I'm doing everything I can to stay alive.
"Hey Jay! Cut your losses and lets go. The reaping is in two hours." A Peacekeeper named Ricko says. Usually they would just let me explore the woods on my own, only sending Peacekeepers after me if I've been gone too long, but because today is the day of the Reaping, I had to be accompanied by a Peacekeeper to make sure I don't run. I'm not bothered by it since it's been happening since I was twelve.
My leather bag only had squirrel and rabbit meat with a few handfuls of berries and herbs. I haven't been out here long enough to find something big, but I can do that after the Reaping. Ricko and I headed back to District 7. When we arrived, I gave my bag to Ricko to take to the Mayor's house to be checked and divided among the Peacekeepers. I headed straight home and cleaned myself up. I took a bath to wash off the smell and dirt of the woods and animal blood. People usually wear their best outfits for the Reaping, but I just threw on something casual. I shirt that fit comfortably and a pair of jeans. I put my black jacket on and headed for District 7 Square to await the Reaping.
Twenty five years ago, a girl named Katniss Everdeen led a rebellion against the Capitol. She's the Victor of the 74th Hunger Games, and a Tribute in the 75th which she escaped from. When the rebels won the war, the Panel of Victors announced that they will hold one more Hunger Games, the 76th. This game would be different as it would use the children from the Capitol. The Victors wanted to teach the Capitol a lesson, show them what has been done to the children of the Districts for 75 years. Yes, it was a good idea to show the Capitol what the Districts experienced, but the Victors gave the winner of the Capitol Hunger Games one wish. His wish was that the Games resumed for the Districts as well. They couldn't go back on their word or risk an uprising. So, the Panel of Victors decided to hold the Hunger Games for the Districts as well as the Capitol. It was pretty stupid on the Panel of Victors part. They should have seen this coming. Since the Hunger Games resumed, Districts 1, 2, and 4have gone back to being Careers. District 12, under the guidance of Victors Haymitch Abernathy, Peeta Melark, and Katniss Everdeen, became the top contenders of the Games, winning 5 of the last 22 Games. District 1 had 4 wins, 2 had six. District 4 had five wins, and the last 3 remaining Games belonged to 5, 6,and 11. District 7 hasn't placed in the top 8 since the games resumed. Luckily for the Districts, the Capitol children were absolutely horrible in the Games.
As the time of the Reaping drew closer and closer, the Square began to fill with people. There are less of us then there were 25 years ago, but war and poverty does that. It cuts the population. A few minutes later, the Reaping began. A young lady with blonde hair and a Capitol accent stepped out of District 7's justice building. She wore a blue suit complemented by a skirt of a darker blue. They had glitter in them so that it would sparkle as it caught light. She played a video of the war, and then the rebellion. It's the same video every year for the past 20 something years.
"Happy Hunger Games. May the odds be ever in your favour." The lady announced. "As you know, this year we celebrate the 101st Hunger Games! Now to select the Tributes." The Capitol lady walked over to this large glass bowls containing the names of the girls in my District, because as usual, ladies first. She pulled out a sheet then announced the name. "Midna Caren."
A young, twelve year old girl walked slowly and hopelessly up to the stage. She's Career fodder.
"Now, the boys." The lady announced gleefully. I didn't have to worry about my name being picked. I'm 17 and I haven't signed up for any Tesserae since I had enough food for myself. My name was only entered the minimum amount of times. It sounds like a lot, but my 21 is nothing compared to the 50 that others have. "Jay Bell!"
Well shit.