AN: Sorry for the short first chapter. The next ones will be longer, I swear!
Chapter 1
The Reading Of The Card
Head Gamemaker Scorpia Greenbow's POV
A hundred and seventy-five years. Since the Dark Days. Since the Hunger games were started. That's how long we've been killing children for our own entertainment. A hundred years ago the people tried to stop us. They were crushed. Seven years ago I became head Gamemaker . And since then the citizens of the Capitol have never been happier. The Games have only gotten more interesting with me in charge. I hate to sound smug, but it's true. I've brought fresh ideas and concepts to the stuffy control rooms of the Games, new ways to keep the hungry beast that is our city satisfied. The Capitol will hate to see me go. However, Head Gamemakers can only stay in office for seven years, so this will be my last Games. Then I can retire comfortably and live in a secluded mansion somewhere and everyone will move on to the next Head and forget I ever existed. Unless, of course, I do something completely unforgettable. I plan on it. My final Games will be remembered forever. They will be like nothing they have ever seen, before or since. It's already arranged with our current President, Melias Crowe. I'm surprised that after 175 years, the Districts still haven't figured out that the Quarter Quells are decided on by the Head Gamemaker in charge of that year. The President just has veto power, and the other envelopes are empty props. Speaking of which, I need to head over to the Coliseum where the announcements are made. It's almost time for the Reading, when my genius idea will be announced to the world.
Isaac Vida, District 5 citizen's POV
I hate Quarter Quells. The bloodthirsty Capitol just keeps on thinking of new ways to kill children, and they make us watch it all. It's bad enough that they take innocent (well, mostly) kids from their Districts and murder them on live TV, but forcing us to watch. And now they're going to tell us what brand-new, 'innovative' way they're going to slaughter us. I force my eyes back to the screen. Our sickly-looking president is now reaching into the Deathbox, as I like to call it. Those envelopes aren't fooling me. Paper 175 years old would have been dust long ago, at least the paper we have now. Before Panem paper apparently could last for hundreds of years, but not here. Once again, I have to force myself to look back at the screen, have to make myself pay attention. He's reading it, and he actually looks worse than usual.
"For the 7th Quarter Quell, as a reminder to the rebels that in both rebellions the Capitol was an unstoppable force, the tributes in this year's games will not be allowed to kill each other. Nor will there be any ordinary mutts."
What? "That makes no sense," I grumble. First, it's the freaking Hunger Games! They're SUPPOSED to kill each other! And second, what does that have to do with the Capitol 'being an unstoppable force?' Oh. He's not done.
"Instead, 7 unstoppable predators will be released into the arena. The last tribute standing will be crowned Victor! Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour! Oh, and there are no volunteers allowed."
Glad I'm 20 and not eligible for the Games anymore. That would absolutely suck for anyone unfortunate to be in that arena and I would have no chance of getting out… someone's at my door. They're banging on it, loudly and I can only think of one explanation. Peacekeepers. Somehow they must have found out about that little 'thing' I have under my bed. The door smashes in with a strangely satisfying noise and within moments I'm surrounded by them.
"Isaac Vida, you are under arrest for possession of illegal artifacts."
One of them swings a fist at me and everything goes black.
Hope you enjoyed! More to come!