The Real Reason
Chapter 1
This can't be happening her name was only in there once; I'd made sure of that.
"Chloe Holloway", our escort Oceania repeats, slowly my sister steps forward. I wait hoping someone else will volunteer or even better I'll wake up and this will all have been a nightmare. But as she ventures out of the surrounding crowd and down the path to the stage steps. I know there's no hope.
"I volunteer", I shout through the silence of the crowd.
"A volunteer, how lovely", Oceania says joyfully.
I keep my head straight, my face confident as I walk to the stage. Passing my sister without even recognising her existence and climb the stage steps. It breaks me to see her face and if I was anywhere but here I would be at her side but I can't appear weak, I'm from district two.
"What's your name dear", Oceania asks once I've reached the stage platform.
"Clove", is all I say, smirking out into the watching crowd.
"Well, please join me in congratulating this year's female tribute for district two Clove", she exclaims.
The crowd claps loudly; here is district two it's a great honour to go into the games, even if it means you could die. From the smiles on their faces I can tell their glad I stepped forward to take Chloe's place. They would have being ashamed to be represented by a twelve year old girl, who can't fight and would die quickly. It's horrible to even think about. They know at least I can win; most of them will have seen me or talked to me at training, over the last nine years. I've gained quite and reputation though I keep to myself, for my skills with a knife and several defeats over older students. At least I stand a chance, I can win make them proud.
"Now for the boys", Oceania states, she reaches into the glass bowl, searching around for a while before pulling out a single slip of paper.
"Jake", she begins before being cut off by a voice from the crowd.
"I volunteer", it says and from in the crowd a boy appears
It's the tall blonde boy on my level who trains at the same time as me. I can't remember his name; it's something like Carl or Keith. The truth is that I've never really talked to him, except for the occasional words, when we trained together. You'd think that after 9 years of being the only two one the same level, that you would know each other well, not us. I can't recall much about him, except that he is an arrogant, jerk, who boast all day to the large group of friends and girls who constantly circle him. Girls, most except me, fall at his feet; each one claiming that he loves them but that's never turns out to be true. He never holds on to them, maybe for a week at max before he moves on. But still they fall, so typical no wonder there not chosen for the games, there idiots. It's the same for most of the boys, they fall at his feet to, doing anything to catch his glance, speak to him. Most of them are only there to enjoy the popularity he holds, to be cool. For someone surrounded by friends he always seems lonely to me.
"And what's your name young man", Oceania asks, obviously not entirely happy about being interrupted.
"Cato Evans", he says strongly and in the crowd a group of girls begin to cheer. He just smiles and winks to them before turning his attention back to the crowd. Such a show off! He'll be my only competition though and I know he's a good fighter, I'll give him that. He'll be useful for a while, for sponsors and support but he's easily disposable off. I can beat him, I will for Chloe, I'll come back home, even if he has to die.
"Congratulations to the district two tributes for the 74th annual hunger games, Clove and Cato", Oceania cheers and she is soon joined by the crowd.
"Tributes, shake hands", she instructs.
I turn and look Cato straight in the eye; I must not show my fear. He brings out his hand and I shake it. His hand shake is strong and his hands so warm compared to the coldness of my own.
"Game on", I whisper just loud enough for him to hear.
"Game on", he replies before we are pushed into the Justice building to say our final farewells.
Let the 74th Hunger Games Begin!