~Hey guys! This is my first story so no flaming. I'm hoping for the best! If you do find errors though, please point them out to me in reviews or PMs. I do not want those overlooked. Thanks for reading! Enjoy! :D~
The sun is rising, a flame in the sky. My eyes fly open. I slowly crawl out of my bed and tip-toe to the desk chair where my hunting clothes are, being careful not to to wake the slumbering dragon, also known as my sister. After slipping on the dark green jeans, brown t-shirt, and socks, I grabbed my dark green jean jacket and brown combat boots. I crept out of the bedroom and down the stairs. I paused a moment to pull on my boots and jacket, then jogged out the door, my dog tags clinking against each other.
My name? Tara. Tara Witherspoon. My message to you? Don't underestimate me. Not like you can. A lot of people say that it's hard to. From what I hear, everything about me is menacing. My stocky, muscular, five-foot-eight frame could easily take a grown man down. My piercing green eyes can give looks that could make you wither into dust. My short black hair completes me, barely covering the nape of my neck.
Your probably thinking I'm cocky and bratty with the way I'm talking about myself. You wanna see cocky and bratty? Go find my twin sister. She's a feminine version of me, with a curvy body, long, wavy, black locks and soft, green eyes. She thinks she owns everything. The boys, the popularity the personality, the clothes, everyone's attention...everything. She practically does. Am I jealous? Actually, I quite enjoy not being the center of attention. I prefer my simple life, thank you.
My family and I live in District 12. We used to live in District 7. Why Dad chose to move to the worst district in Panem still remains a mystery. Here in the coal mining district, we live in the Seam, which is the worst part. Our house is even smaller than the one in D7. My days consist of school and hunting in the woods outside the fence, which is where I am headed now. I trade game and plants for things like grain and fabric.
A red sun fills the east. Then it hits me. Today's Reaping Day. My heart drops and so do my shoulders. Today, two tributes, male and female, from all twelve districts, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are chosen for the Capitol's entertainment, known as the Hunger Games. They are sent to an arena to fight to the end. Twenty-four go in. Only one comes out. The district that the victor is from gets a supply of food. Presidents Snow started the Games seventy-four years ago to keep the districts in check after the rebellion.
My sigh is heavy when I think about the glass bowls that hold the little slips of paper. Thirty-two of those slips have my name printed on them. The female tribute for this year's games just might be me. If its one thing I'm afraid of is this.
I straighten. Now is definitely not the time to be weak. I have to be brave. I will be brave no matter what.
A smile makes its way onto my face. With a newfound confidence, I pick up my pace.
I am ready for whatever comes.
And when the time comes,
Don't underestimate me.