Ending at the Beginning
Chapter 1
Ten Days, Two Hours, and Thirty Minutes
My mother has always taught me that our life is a gift from God. I was once given a sermon at our local church about how we shouldn't waste our time in any way. Each day that we are alive, we are given 86,400 seconds. 86,400 of air, time with friends and family, and purpose. I always took this lesson to heart. Now I hold it closer to me than ever. We take life for granted, and I hope and pray that it doesn't take anyone this long to realize this.
On the day of the annual reaping, I, along with one of my classmates named Sky were chosen for the 1st annual Hunger Games. I had heard many things about this process, and was frightened at the thought. Although I was scared that I would be chosen, I still signed up for the Tesserae. That was one of the biggest mistakes of my life, although the grain greatly helped my family food wise. After the reaping, I was taken immediately to the justice building, and then to a train without even saying goodbye to my family or friends. The long two day journey to the Capitol was miserable. I wasn't once allowed to leave my room even when meals were brought. I slept most of the time. I was longing for a little communication from anyone. I wished I could talk to Sky. I don't know much about him, but I really want to get to know him better, since we could both be dead in three days time.
We were both lead off of the train once we reached the Capitol. I caught only a glimpse of Sky before we were taken to the training center. Once I was through the doors, Missy, our mentor, took me through a series of hallways until I was shown to my stylist room. The process was quick and painless. We just discussed what I would like to wear on the night of the interviews. Once that was over, I was brought to the extravagant dining room. We had a decent meal of Lamb, potatoes, and pretty delicious gravy. But it was nothing to die for. Literally. I was really glad that no one was talking to me. The last thing I wanted was to be messed with. I shouldn't have even thought that.
The second that popped into my mind, as if she was psychic, Missy asked "So, do you two have any plans for how you will play the game?" before she even finished her sentence, I gave her a look that could have killed her if she hadn't immediately turned away from me to see Sky's response. "Well," he started to say, "I guess I will probably lay low until the final eight, and then come out fighting,". "If you don't mind," our male servant began to say, "but I have seen demonstrations of how these games will be waged. You will most likely be one of the first to be picked off if you don't retrieve a decent stock of supplies from the cornu…". He was cut off by our girl servant who came up and punched him square in the jaw. Right after she whopped him, she led him to a guard who took him away immediately.
I was standing there puzzled when she ominously said, "You didn't hear anything,". Then she scurried off after the guard. I was completely speechless. Sky wasn't though, because he said "Wow. I have a feeling these games aren't as simple as we thought.". As soon as I quickly finished dinner, I hurried up to my room, still trembling in fear. How much is the Capitol willing to go to, to keep us from getting any edge? Before I could even produce another thought, I was ambushed from behind. And that's the last thing I remember.
Author's Note:
This book is from the point of view of Lark. As of now, Beginning Trials is discontinued until Ending at the Beginning can catch up to the story.