"Ladies and gentleman!" President Greene announced to the expectant crowd in the Capitol.
"This Hunger Games is a very special one." The audience cheers. The president is a short man, with a pinstripe suit.
"When the games were established, it was decreed that every 25 years, the games would change dramatically. These games are known as Quarter Quells!"
"And here today, we pick an extra challenge this year's tributes will have to face. To commemorate 25 years since the crushing of the rebellion!" The crowd cheers yet again. The president drew a piece of paper out of a small, black box.
"This year, for the very first quarter quell…" He pauses for tension "… to remind the districts that we are all family, and that families must make sacrifices, the tributes will be reaped from the pool of family members between the ages of 12 and 18… of existing victors!" The crowd goes wild.
Oh crap.
Camellia Harrington sat on her knees directly in front of the television.
"Oh my god. Cam…" her mother tries to console her "I won't let them take her." She gritted through her sobs.
"There's no volunteering for this one Mom." Jerod said flatly. Their mother sniveled.
"I-I know." Camellia was still in shock. How? She was supposed to be safe. They told her she was going to be safe!
"H-how? How is that possible? Can they do that?!" she babbled "Jerod won two years ago! How can they-"
"They can." Jerod says solemnly. He is a tall, slender boy with shaggy, brown hair, and hazel eyes. "It's a Quarter Quell, they are supposed to change things like that"
Jerod used to be exuberant. He used to be kind and funny. The games changed him. He's been cold and morbid since he came out of the arena. It makes Cam wonder if she could win, if it'd be worth it?
Cam's POV
The reaping is today. It's not like it will be a big surprise or anything. There is only one girl and one boy who fits President Greene's standards.
The boy is Isaac Peterka. He is a son of a fisherman, just like all the other boys in District 4. He is strong, but kind and gentile. Too kind and gentile.
I gather my dress and my token, a locket with Mom, Dad and Jerod's pictures. We don't like to talk about Dad much. It's too painful. He was killed by the Capitol for attempting to start another rebellion against the Capitol. I keep him in my locket to remember his strength.
It's a rainy day, and a tent has been set up over the square. The reaper, a frilly blonde lady with globs of makeup on, starts to speak in a traditional Capitol accent.
"As we all know, this year marks a very special anniversary in Panem history. 25 years ago, the Capitol smothered the rebellion of the districts! We hold an annual Hunger Games to remind the districts of their sins."
Blah blah blah. Same speech every year. Just get on with it!
"In this Quarter Quell, the tributes will be chosen from the pool of eligible tributes from victors' families!" She says all of this with fake exuberance "Well, let's not delay any further! As always, ladies first!" She looks into the bowl with only one piece of paper in it. She picks it up and unfolds it.
"Camellia Harrington!" My mother and Jerod stand in the back, my older brother trying to console my mother. I smile inside. I know he'll take care of her once I die. The reaper clears her throat. "Camellia Harrington!" Oh, right. I climb onto the stage. Isaac follows me.
"No need to say my name, I know it's me."
She picks it up anyway.
"Isaac Peterka!"
I can see his family in the crowd crying. We are whisked away into the capitol building. I get one last look at my family before the door shut.
I am so dead.
Author's Note: This is my first fanfic. And it's been really fun! Give me feedback and Constructivecriticism.