Ok so this had been the first fanfic I wrote, and I'm finally posting it on here (: let me know what you think of it! I know it's not fantastic since it was the first story I wrote, but I hope you like it!
Chapter 1:
I lift my arms above my head, ready to bring the ax down on my target. I can feel the pure power pulsing through my arms in anticipation for what would happen next, waiting for the swoosh of the ax through the air, the thud on contact. This was the moment I had been waiting for all my life.
My name is Lauren Knight. I live in District 7, the lumber district, in the country of Panem. I have always had a fascination for the hunger games, wanting to know what is like to feel the pure power that comes with being in the arena filled with weapons, with the only way out being victory over 21 others. So I've been training for as long as I can remember. My brothers don't understand my perspective about the games, and Kendall always jokes that I should be in one of the career districts.
I live in the wealthier area of District 7, because my family has been merchants for years. But it is just myself, my brother Kendall, and my adopted brother James. My father died when I was only three so I don't really remember him. But my mom died only two years ago, when I was 14. It was hard for my brothers and I, losing both parents and having to run a shop all by ourselves. Luckily, James was over the age of 18 and able to run the shop, or we would have been sent to the community home.
I am out back, practicing cutting with an ax. I want to be prepared for if I'm ever in the games, which I will be one day. Being from the lumber district has its advantages; no one finds it odd to be cutting wood. But only a handful of people know that I'm really training: my brothers, my best friend Alessandra and her siblings, and of course, my boyfriend Chris.
James and Kendall were getting ready to close up the shop, because it's my favorite day of the year: Reaping Day. For Kendall, this is his last year in the reaping because he is 18. But being 16, I still have two more years left myself after today. Two more years for a chance to be in the games.
"Lauren, it's time to start getting ready!" I turned towards the shop to see James standing in the doorway.
"C'mon James, just ten more minutes!" I am practically begging him to let me continue practicing.
"No because ten minutes will turn into another hour and we don't have enough time. Besides, I think you're perfectly prepared for the games if you're picked."
"Ugh, fine, mother" I jokingly say, sticking my tongue out at him. Honestly, ever since my mother's death, James has been acting like such a motherly figure. Defeated, I walk into the house to take a bath and put on my nicest dress. It really is a shame that we only get to wear nice dresses on Reaping Day. I really like getting dressed up all fancy.
I'm pulling my hair into my signature high ponytail as I see my brother Kendall walk in. "Hey Kendall, how are you feeling? You excited about the reaping?"
"I'm just glad that it's my last year. I don't know why you get so excited about possibly having to go into an arena with 21 other kids to fight to the death," he says as he sits on my bed.
"Hey, just be glad it's not 23 other kids like it used to be." It was almost 50 years ago that there were 12 districts. But then there was another rebellion with Katniss Everdeen as the Mockingjay. The Capital regained control and defeated the rebels. But not before destroying District 12. So now, for the 124th Hunger Games, there will only be 22 tributes.
"There are still kids in there that you have to fight to the death," he says with a sigh. He looks at my face and sees my look of determination, and knows this argument is useless. "Whatever, let's just head down to the Town Square."
We head downstairs and I see my best friend Alessandra waiting with her younger siblings, Dorian and Rosalinda. Dorian is fourteen and Rosalinda is only twelve. Today is her first reaping. One look at Alessandra's face and I can tell that she is absolutely petrified for her sister, that she will be pick for the female tribute, and she won't be able to volunteer for Rosalinda since she just turned 19.
We leave to go wait for the tributes to be announced and I walk next to Alessandra. "Don't worry about her, she'll be fine. She's about as safe as she can get in the reaping since her name's only in once."
"I know, but I'm just worried that the odds will not be in our favor and she'll get picked and I won't be able to save her from being killed." I can see that this is clearly tearing apart Alessandra, she loves her sister so much.
I'm about to comfort her, but I hear my name being called. I turn and see Chris and a big smile lights up my face. I run up to him and give him a big hug. "Hey, there's my future victor," he says. He knows I want to be in the games, and supports me even though he's worried about me. That's one of the things I love about him, he always supports my decisions and doesn't try to change my mind.
We have a short conversation but it's time to start the reaping, so we're forced to separate. I go stand by the other 16 year old girls to wait.
The mayor comes on the stage and starts giving a speech about the Dark Days and blah blah blah. I really don't think anyone actually listens to him. Well, maybe our over-energetic escort, Cresselia does. She's wearing the same hot pink suit as always. Next to here is District 7's only living victor, Stefan. He looked extremely bored about being there, like he does every year.
Cresselia is now at the front of the stage and is ready to pick the female tribute. I glance at the ball, thinking of all the slips that have the name Lauren Knight on them, hoping I'll be picked. Then she reaches in and says a name that is not mine, but someone else who I wish it wasn't. Rosalinda Diamond.
