Chapter One
I turn towards my clock in my dark bedroom and see it is almost five in the morning . Five a.m. is the tie I get up every morning… well all but one. Sometimes the sun isn't even up yet but it is the best time to go fishing or at least that is what they tell us. Some argue time doesn't matter. I don't really think about it. Besides, getting up early in the morning gives me some alone time.
My Father is always up this early because it is his job as a fisherman of District 4. It's not the most glamorous job but it is one most people have. More people would probably like this job if it wasn't for the quota. The Capitol sets it for us and sometimes it seems impossible but the peacekeeper aren't too strict about it.
I wait for the buzzing sound to go off but it doesn't come. I close my eyes and breath in and out deeply.
There is only one day when the alarm doesn't go off and that is reaping day. The day that marks the start of the yearly Hunger Games celebration.
I would use the word celebration lightly. It isn't considered in most place. IN my house the Hunger Games is not a celebration but a plague that festers all year.
The Hunger Games was created 70 years ago in the nation known as Panem. It was made after what people call the Dark Days. The 13 Districts of Panem started a rebellion to free themselves from the grip of the Capitol. However, the Districts ended up failing and we were left with only 12 Districts.
District 13 was blown off the map into nothingness. As if that wasn't bad enough, they created a pageant known as the Hunger Games to further our punishment. Each year two teens from each District aged 12 to 18 are chosen to be offered up as tributes. These tributes are brought to the Capitol to be paraded around in ridiculous outfits, interviewed, and then taken to an arena where a fight to the death ensues.
The arena can be anything. I've seen everything from snowy terrains to hot deserts. The arenas are also filled with deadly traps from the gamemakers, the people who built the arena. The gamemakers also judge our survival rate.
It is the law that all citizens watch the Hunger Games until it's end. Of course, they want us to witness 23 children being murdered. The lone victor of the Hunger Games gets awarded prizes, money, glory, and a House in victors' village. Victors' village the place where all the victors live after they won the games they almost hide away from us. The village is so far away that it makes me think they are meant to stay away from the rest of us.
Some Distircts have childern chomping at the bit to volunteer for the Hunger Games. They want to give their District pride or something along those lines. Those tributes are known as careers. My District is considered a career District. WE have a small training academy, but we don't get volunteers every year. We do produce more victors than other Districts though.
I sigh deeply. Even though I am supposed to sleep in today I can't take it. I will just keep thinking about the reaping and the games.
You're 18 Annie. This is your last year. I think to myself.
After this I will no longer have to worry about competing in a death arena. I will just have to worry about every day struggles.
I sit up in bed and pull my messy hair into a pony tail. I'm not going to bother getting made up yet when I am going to be smelling like fish soon. I pull on my worn down tan fishing boots, jeans, and a messy white t-shirt that I only wear when I gut fish,
I leave my bedroom. When I walk past my brother's room I can hear his soft snore. I wonder when I am no longer eligible if I will enjoy sleeping in on reaping day. I leave a note for my Mother because I know she worries, even more so on this day.
As soon as I leave the house the smell of the sea is everywhere. From past arenas I know lost of other Districts don't know how to swim. I can't imagine that being a possibility because in District 4 that is a part of you. Some people learn to swim even before they can walk, it comes second nature to us.
Despite this being a day off I still see plenty of people at the docs and boating marina. I go and rent a fishing pole. I could've brought one from home but didn't want to make too much noise. I wanted a little alone time before the reaping.
I grab the worm and secure it to the hook and toss it in the water. I like seeing the ripples in the water. It's silent not even the seagulls are making a sound. The sound of the waves is relaxing it goes well with the smell of the sea.
After I catch 4 fish I go to a gutting table. Gutting fish is not my favorite thing about fishing it is messy and smelly.
"Hey Annie." I hear as I am scaling a fish.
I look up and see my friend Luna.
"Hey." I say back.
Luna has the classic District 4 look tan skin, golden hair, and sea green eyes. I don't have the classic look with my brown hair and slightly pale skin, but I do have the sea green eyes.
"Fishing this early?" She asks me with a smile.
Her family work at this small arena her house is right on the ocean. My house is tucked away in a small part of town where all the fishermen live. You don't have a beachfront view, but it isn't a shack either.
"I needed some alone time before the reaping. I wanted some time to think." I say softly.
"Ah right the reaping." She says just as softly.
As if talking quietly will make it go away. The peacekeepers hear won't care unless we are speaking ill of the games. They are the Capitol's dogs and everyone knows this. They leave us alone for the most part.
I nod and continue to clean the fish.
"Yuck." I whisper to myself as I pull out the innards of the fish I am cleaning. I've been cleaning fish since I was a little girl and I still find myself saying yuck when pulling out the innards. I toss them in a bucket and put the clean fish to the side.
"Those would go well with bread. The bakery is having the reaping day sale." She says with a smile.
"That's my brother's job." I say.
She smiles. I know she has always had a crush on my older brother.
"Right Chris." She says and tucks a piece of her golden hair behind her ear.
I nod.
"All done." I say loud enough for her to hear.
She looks down at the fish I've cleaned.
"You heading back home?" She asks.
"Yeah, I need to change."
"Best clothes for the reaping." She says in the nasally Capitol accent.
"May the odds be in your favor." I say walk past her. It's something our escort says right before the blind draw.
The walk back to the house seems to be shorter than usual. Everything today seems to move quicker than usual.
When I walk inside I see my Mother picking at her cuticles and my brother slicing a loaf of bread.
"Annie, there you are." She says in an accusing tone.
"I left a note Mom." I say and set the bucket of clean fish in front of her. "I wanted to get something fresh to eat for breakfast."
"Oh… alright I guess." She says.
"It will go good with the bread." My brother Chris says with a wide smile.
I roll my eyes. I know he is trying to stay positive for our Mother's sake, but let's be real no matter how hard he tries she won't feel happy until after the reaping. Both of her children will be free from the death arena.
"Give them here I'll fry them up in the skillet." My Father says. HIs hair is pulled back in a low pony tail. He is where I get my brown hair and fair skin. Both Chirrs and my Mother have the golden hair and tan skin.
"Okay." I say and hand them over to him.
I clean myself up while they prepare breakfast.
I wash away the smell of fish and blood on my hands. I put on a light blue sundress that I only wear for the reaping. I don't want a lot of clothing associated with this day.
When I head back out to the kitchen we all eat in relative silence. My brother tried to start conversations multiple times but nothing stuck. My Mother just keeps staring at my face as if it will be the last time she will see me. I would hate to think how she would be during a goodbye session if she acts like this when my name hasn't been called.
"All done, time to head to the square Annie." My Father says with a smile that doesn't meet his eyes.
I nod and grab some shoes.
"Good luck little sister." Chris says and pats the top of my head."
"Yeah luck." I say as I walk out the door.
I don't know if getting your name called would be lucky.
When I get to the square I head to the 18 year old girls section. There are so many of us. I find Luna and stand next to her.
"Think we will have a volunteer?" Luna asks.
"I dunno." I say.
"I always hope there's one." She says softly.
"Me too." I say. If there is a volunteer then I won't have to go in there. Besides, better for someone who is willing to die than an innocent person.
I look around and notice all the cameras that will be broadcasting this live to all of Panem. If you end up crying then people won't like you from the start.
Our Mayor steps out to introduce and introduces our Victors. Our victors go to the Capitol to help train the tributes before the start of the Hunger Games. I don't exactly know what the training entails but I assume it must help.
The mayor names the deceased victors first and then the live ones. We currently only have three. The mayor does it in the order they won.
First is an elderly woman named Mags. I don't know much about her and neither do most people. She lives alone in victors village and doesn't have any family left. I heard she married when she was young but he got sick and died. She must feel lonely in her big house.
Next is a muscly man named Oscar. He's in his mid thirties and has the strong build of a tree. He volunteered and likes to remind people he is a victor every chance he gets.
Last is the handsome lady killer Finnick Odair. He's only 19 years old. You would think he would be best known for being the youngest victor ever, winning at only 14, but that is not the case. He is more known for his good looks and relationships he has with woman. I must admit he is nice to look at with his strong build, golden hair, and glistening green eyes but there is something about his attitude that makes him off putting. He has the aura of being better than everyone else.
People clap and cheer after once the mayor is finished. Now it is time to introduce our escort, the person who is supposed to help guide our tributes while in the Capitol.
Libra Allis is our escort. It's a middle aged man with snow white hair, shiny black nails, unnaturally pale skin, and yellowish colored eyes. He reminds me more of a cartoon than a human.
Libra walks out onto the stage wearing leather pants, a shimmery white t-shirt, and tall black clogs.
"Hellooooo District 4." His voice chirps. He has a big smile plastered on his face. "And a Happy Hunger Games!"
"Happy Hunger Games." A few people say from the crowd.
Like I said, some people enjoy the Hunger Games.
"Now, shall we start?" He smiles. He looks like a cat when he does. "As always the ladies go first."
Luna reaches out for my hand which I take.
It's a big District. I think to myself.
His hand seems to take forever going into the shiny glass orb. He picks a piece of paper and lifts up the sticker.
He smiles when he sees the name.
"Annie Cresta!" He shouts.
Shit. I think to myself.
Luna lets go of my hand so I can walk to the stage.
Someone might volunteer. I think as I walk to the stage calmly. Everyone in Panem is watching this right now. Stay calm Annie.
"Hello dearie." Libra says. He smells like cigarettes and something synthetic.
"Hi." I say into the microphone.
"How does it feel to be up here to represent your District?" He says with a smile.
Terriffed… hoping someone will volunteer. Is what I want to say.
"Honored." I say. I can tell it comes across as a lie.
"I bet it does, but before you can officially be our tribute we must ask." He says and then looks towards the crowd. "Are there any volunteers."
Someone say something. I think to myself.
"Anyone?" Libra says. He sounds as disappointed as I feel. Although I'm sure he isn't feeling terror.
"Okay then congratulants Annie Cresta. You are this years District 4 female tribute. May the odds be ever in your favor." He says and pulls me back so I am not standing in his way.
"Now time for the boys." He says with a smile.
What the hell am I going to do now? I think to myself. I've attended the training school for a semester, but I'm not a skilled killer.
If the arena is water based you might have a shot. I think to myself.
"Shake hands." I hear and snap out of it.
I didn't hear his name but the boy across from me is probably sixteen or seventeen. I can tell from his body posture that he also didn't volunteer. He is shaking like a leaf and the smile doesn't meet his eyes.
"One more round of applause from the tributes of the 70th Hunger Games for Distirct 4."
While Libra escorts across the stage I catch a glimpse of all the victors, now my mentors, faces. Mags looks concerned. Oscar looks bored… almost disappointed. Finnick has a confused expression on his face.
Great I've got a Capitol werido, elderly woman, someone who clearly wanted voltuneers, and a handom guy who looks confused. These are the people who are going to help keep me alive.
I sigh deeply.
"Why me?" I whisper to myself as I am taken to the Justice Building.