Chapter 1
District 2,
It's morning and all I can hear is screaming, on and on, until I realize I'm the one screaming. I close my mouth immediately, then pondered why I was screaming, obviously it was because today was the reaping.
I put on a loose shirt and some gym shorts, then went outside to go on a daily run, the reaping doesn't start until 2 so I'm safe to run for an hour, it's only 8:00 am. I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Rose! This is my story on how I'm going to die, it doesn't sound so nice but it's a pretty good story. I live in a city called Panem and there are 14 districts, the Capitol is the main district and controls the other districts, they destroyed the last district, 13 because of a rebellion. I live in district 2, I love it here since we get to train for The Hunger Games, oh and I forgot to tell you about The Hunger Games. OK The Hunger Games started after what we call the dark days, when all the districts rebelled against the Capitol and as you can tell we lost. The Capitol destroyed district 13 and placed The Hunger Games as a reminder of the rebellion and to prove who's in charged, The Hunger Games is technically a huge outdoor arena (the arena changes every year) were 2 tributes, boy and girl are reaped from each (ages 12-18) district to fight to the death until one tribute is standing, The last person is classed as the Victor of that years Hunger Games. Although the Games have been going on for 74 years. Obviously this year is the 74th Hunger Games.
This year I'm volunteering. I hope I win, wait why am I hoping when I know I'm going to win. The only person in district 2 I don't want as my partner is Cato Wood, the boy everyone fears. The girl everyone fears is Clove Cleverwood but really it should be me since I'm way stronger then her and smarter and while I'm at it she looks like a hungry hound.
I snap back to reality and realize I'm at my small meadow where I can let my guard down for a minute.I lay down and stare up to the sky trying to make out shapes in the clouds until I hear a thud beside my head. I sit up and look to where the thud came from, I see a shimmering sword in the grass. I suddenly hear laughter coming from behind me. In one quick motion I unravel the golden electrum whip thats twists around my wrist like gold strands of hair. I stand up to face Cato and his "gang". Their not that strong compared to Cato and I can take them out easily, but not Cato, he's more effort.
"What do you want?" I ask knowing that theirs something hiding behind Cato's smirk.
"I want to fight you that's all" Cato laughed.
"and why would you want to fight me when you know your going to lose when I have my whip and your sword is over their?" I breathe pointing ten yards behind me to where Cato's sword lay in the grass.
"Maybe because I want you to prove to me your stronger then Clove. Anyway if you know that your going to win why do you need an whip to beat me?" Cato smirks.
" Well I can hurt you more with a whip so I prefer to use it. But if your to chicken I would understand" I laugh coldly.
"I'm not scared of you since your stalling me, let's start." Cato replies before throwing a punch at my arm.
I catch his fist and push him back before turning reflexively and swinging the whip over my head to bring it down on him. He's not as quick so he gets a slither on his arm but fortunately he moved quick enough not to have my whip slice his arm into two pieces . When he see's his arm gushing blood he charges at me and I'm able to block him knocking him over, I pin him down while coiling the whip around his neck winning the duel.
"Well you beat me so I guess you are the strongest in District 2" Cato say's with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
" I guess so" I laugh.
I take the whip from his throat and stand up. I move so quickly that Cato is still on the ground.
"So, are you going to tell people I'm strongest here when I come back from the games this year?" I ask curiously.
"What? Your volunteering this year? Well I guess I know who the other tribute will be!" Cato smirks.
" Oh great now I get to prove I'm stronger then you, in front of the WHOLE world if no one kills you first! I feel bad because if I win this easily then you won't bring pride to our district!" I laugh.
Cato got back on his feet and threw a punch into my stomach. I didn't have time to dodge so I got it in my stomach knocking the air out of me. I gasp for air and Cato realizes what he did.
"sorry"he says before helping me up.
"it's ok but tell me next time you want to fight." I say accusingly.
" I have to go"I say looking down at my waist watch, not one from the movies! It's a stop watch really.
When I start to walk back to my house I slightly turned to see Cato's friends looking confused about what just happened. I jog back and went up to my room. I pick out a one shouldered neon pink top and jean short shorts. I grab my friendship bracelets and head towards the town square where the reaping will be held.
I sign in then take my place among the 16 year old girls.
Our escort, Lucky wobbles onto the stage that has been set up in front of the justice building. Her ridiculous wig makes me laugh, this year it's a pink Afro! Lucky clears her throat to begin.
" Happy Hunger Games everybody,lets get started, ladies first" Lucky says in a frilly capitol accent. She walks over to the huge bowl that's filled with the possible girl names.
" Clove Cleverwood" she loudly announces after choosing a piece of paper.
I see Clove walk up to the stage.
"Any volunteers?"
It's now or never I think, " I volunteer" I yell since Lucky is a bit def.
" good good" Lucky says as I take my place. There's no going back now, I either win or lose.
" Nickolas Marshall" Lucky says but before Lucky can say anything else Cato comes running up yelling I volunteer.
" Well we have some interesting tributes this year"Lucky says excitedly.
The mayor comes up and reads the treaty of treason( mainly the contract to place the hunger games) then signals me and Cato to shake hands. We do, then make our way into the waiting rooms, no one comes to see me except for my little sister called Jorgia. She's not really little considering she's taller than me.
When Lucky collects us to board the train to the Capitol I smirk at Cato who returns my smirk since he was staring.
I wait in my room that has a great king size velvet bed for Cato, I know he's going to come in... I hear a knock on the door and smirk, I walk to the door and open it to reveal my mentor Enobaria.
"Oh, I thought you were someone else. What do you want Enobaria?" I ask.
" Well I came to introduce myself but you already know so I guess I'll leave you alone." Enobaria replied
"Wait!"I yell before she turns.
"Yes?" Enobaria asks curiously.
" is there a training room on the train?"I ask intensely.
"well you aren't supposed to know but yes there is... would you like me to show you?" Enobaria asks with a grin that looked like a grimace showing her golden razor shark teeth.
I followed Enobaria down a silk covered hallway then turned into a small room to find Cato and Brutus fighting with swords,I couldn't tell who was winning since they were both really good. I pick up a whip and slash at the target shredding the fabric they turned and stared at me. Cato smirks since he's seen me in combat. Brutus stares then snatches my whip and says" I think I might keep this since it's the only one here".
"Don't do that she bites like Enobaria, My friend is proof." Cato chuckles.
"I do not! I'm not Harmony dummy. But I will kill you if you take my whip away from me." I glare.
"I'm not scared of a little girl" chuckles Brutus.
"You might want to be she can beat me in a duel that I'm trying to win" mumbles Cato.
I smirk and pick up a few knives and start to throw them at Brutus missing purposely. He's in those shocked kind of glares though so doesn't pay attention. I take the chance and walk over to Brutus , snatch the whip out of his hand it coils up my wrist and I feel a small familiarity and then ask Cato if we can leave the shocked mentors and train. He agrees and we train for an hour then avoid food and sit down at the couch to watch the reply of the reapings.
District 1 was a girly girl who looked weak so I didn't pay attention to her but the boy looks handy with a spear by the way he holds his body and his hands. District 3 looks really weak this year and district 4's girl looks OK but the boy is weak. District five's girl looks cunning and reminds me of my little sister Jo! The rest of the tributes are weak except 11 and 12. I think I might win this year. I realize Cato looks threatened by the District 11's tribute.
"Your not really scared of him are you?"I ask Cato curiously.
"What? No! Why would you think that?" Asks Cato
"Well you looked scared when he came on to the podium... Are you? You do know we can take him out easily together"I reply
"Fine I'm a bit worried but now I come to think of it, he won't make it pass the blood bath." Cato answers still nervously.
"As funny as you sound right now he is a threat. I think the careers can take him out though. Just promise me one thing..." My voice fades away.
"What?" Cato asks.
"I get to kill district one girl. OK?" I smirk.
Cato laughs loudly. "OK!" He answers very amused.
"What's your problem anyway?" Cato says curiously.
"I hate girly girls. If she flirts with you though she's the first to die even if district one's other tribute defends her." I answer
"Why me" Cato asks
"No reason" I answer quickly. I stand up and grab an apple. I head to my room when I hear people in the other room. I look at the door and see it ajar. I peak my head in and see something GROSS! I see Brutus and Enobaria making out! I run into my room and start laughing my head of at them. I hear a knock at the door followed by Cato's voice saying let me in. I open the door and ask what he wants.
" did you just see that! It's gross but funny and LET ME IN! Answers Cato holding back laughter. I open the door just in time for Cato to kiss me. OMG! He's KISSING ME! I push him away.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" I yell.
"Just wanted to try it. I kinda like you... I don't really like Clove so... Forgive me?" Cato says embarrassed.
"Well don't do that again or else." I stalk of, climb into bed and drift of to sleep.
END OF CHAPTER 1
Sorry it's so long! I wanted to start the next chapter as the parade!
