Second Update: Just so everyone knows, I don't need more tributes. Thanks for reading. If story-alerted people get this as a new chapter, this is the only adjustment. No need to read the chapter again unless you feel like it.
Chapter One: A Surprise
A bell resounded throughout District 11. Thousands of hands wiped sweat from their brows, glad to be done with the day's work. Families began regrouping in the fields as an announcement poured from the speaker.
"All citizens of District Eleven: There will be an obligatory event in the city courtyard this evening at eight-thirty. A representative from each family must attend. Failure to be present will result in punishment. Again, eight-thirty is the designated time. Thank you."
Nobody questioned this; of course, it was the Capitol's doing. Many did wonder what the meeting would be about. No doubt, it was something to do with the Hunger Games, which were only a month away. Maybe another tesserae sign-up?
xXxXxXx
The Peacekeeper looked down at the grubby people from the podium. Could they not wash up a bit beforehand? He shook his head. Just get this over with and you can go home, he thought to himself.
"A-hem," the stocky man said into the microphone. "I don't assume that any of you know what is happening. I wasn't sure about it until now, either."
The crowd stayed silent, wanting only to return to their families and possibly to a morsel of food. The Peacekeeper bit his lower lip and continued, "Well, the Capitol has recently sent a letter to each district, giving us information about a contest of sorts. I will read it to you now."
He looked up at the gathered men and women. They stared back blankly, causing the newly-appointed man to pull at his clothes uncomfortably. After clearing his throat again, he read aloud: "To the citizens of District Eleven:
"After much decision-making, we at the Capitol have decided to allow further participation in out Hunger Games." Groans and sighs escaped the mouths of every person present. "Looking back at past events, it was noticed that many arena designs have become repetitive in some way. Fortunately, a solution for this predicament was solved quickly, and that is the reason for our announcement.
"For this Sixty-Eighth Hunger Games, an adult district citizen has the opportunity to send in an arena design. Our current Gamemakers will review each one, pick the most creative, and use it for this year's Games. In addition the designer of this arena will become a Gamemaker for the celebration this year, and their family will be out of the reaping for three generations."
Gasps of astonishment. Was it true? Family safety in exchange for a landscape draft? It was unbelievable. Excited gazes caught each other.
"That is all." The Peacekeeper then stated that President Snow had his signature on the paper, along with that of the Head Gamemaker. "You are free to go."
A loud clamor broke out in the courtyard as the people hurried home to inform their families of the possibility of safety. No more reapings, even for just three generations of family, was incredible.
All across the districts, similar excitement was spreading. Everyone wanted the privilege. They would do everything to get it.
xXxXxXx
Tap, tap, tap…
Rey Caskur flicked the pen against the desk, searching his mind for ideas. He had three children: one son and two daughters, the two eldest of which were currently eligible for the reaping. He had to win the contest, had to save his family. But what would be original enough?
He shook his head and leaned back so that the wooden chair creaked. Think, he commanded himself. Think of the fairytales Gram used to tell. The tales from before Panem, before the previous countries fell…
And it came to him. His sister's favorite story. The one about the enormous building that held hundreds of activities, the one that held fun for all ages. He began scribbling on the scratch paper, the arena idea forming in his head.
He didn't recognize that the fairytale setting would be the last thing twenty-three innocent children saw before their deaths. He didn't think about how the historic land of fun would become a forever-remembered land of death.
Desperation. Oh, what it will drive people to do…
A/N: Well, that's my first chapter. Like a prologue, yes, but I had to set the scene.
This will be a Hunger Games story told from third-person. The catch: you will see through the eyes of a Gamemaker as well as from the perspective of the tributes. That way, the victor will be unknown until the very end.
Of course, you will submit a few. Here is the form:
Name:
Age:
Gender:
District:
Personality: (be descriptive. If it takes up less than a paragraph, I won't accept it)
Strengths: (no less than two, no more than four)
Weaknesses: (must equal the amount of strengths)
Family: (who do they live with? I don't want everyone to be orphans)
Strategy: (what will they do in the Games?)
Appearance: (what they look like. Must include eye color, hair color/length, skin tone, body size, height, etc.)
Other: (anything else important)
Do your best to be original. I will only accept the ones that are the most exceptional out of them all. Remember that not everyone in the Games will be strong, smart, a survivalist, etc. Most are simply scrawny kids. No Mary Sues/Gary Stus will be accepted (i.e. a perfect personality, intensely dramatic past, has all aspects of a perfect Hunger Games contestant for no apparent reason, etc. I will inform you if I find your character to be a Sue/Stu.) All submissions must be by PM; inform me of the character submission through a review, if you don't mind. Good luck to all.
~I.D.