First Quarter Quell Chapter 1: Unfortunate, a hunger games fanfic

When I was smaller, my mother would always caress me when I cried. The tragic days full of sorrow and loss make my heart ache. My worst memory of all occurred when I was not able to understand that we are all born to die.

"Mommy," I cried. I couldn't find her anywhere, no matter where I looked. I heard echoes of screams bouncing off the walls.

"You stupid kid!" my older brother screamed. "She's gone!"

I know this can't be true. My mom was here two minutes ago. Where could she have gone?

"She's dead!"

I wailed and sobbed. "No, no, no, no!"

My brother scooped me up and ran with me in his arms. I don't know what happened after that, because I blacked out, or I just merely cannot remember.

My brother is the only protection available, now. Mom? Dead. Dad? Left our family for a younger woman with no children. Sister? Died at age 3. Life is just filled with disappointment, eh?

I cried in a pool of tears with my brother stroking strands of hair off of my rosy face, sore and red from sobbing for what seemed to be days. We had just watched the Public Service Announcement (PSA) with President White picking the sick, cruel twist to Panem's very first Quarter Quell. 25 years since the Dark Days. It's hard to get through my mind.

25 years of torturing children. 575 children dead. The lucky 25 remain. There's something different about all the Victor's since they had said goodbye to their District compared to when they returned, shaken with fear and experiencing cold blood rushes and the slowing of the heart.

The symptoms of depression and a broken heart.

The sick twist of the very first Quell is that each tribute will be voted upon. Yes, voted. Betrayed by your neighbors and closest friends who are full of selfish thoughts. How could you possibly send one of your closest friends, or even a part of your family, to an arena to fight to the death, when the odds of them returning are 1 out of 24. Take a moment to think about that. Would you send your love to this doom?

Here's an even sicker twist– would you send your love to this doom if it meant your safety is promised?

We both know that at least 70% of people answered yes to that question in their heads but mouthed the word no.

Much easier said than done.

THE REAPING

The District 2 escort is Hathen Fickle.

"Ladies first," she grinned a mile wide smile. She read a single piece of paper with the most voted female, and she looked up at the crowd.

"Iris Varshney."

I stood there in shock after hearing that I was voted for most. Of course, I know everyone hates me but geez. I wonder who, specifically, each individual, voted for me. Voted for my death to be on live television.

"How fun," I murmur with disgust. I just can't wait to die! (Yeah, right.)

"Now for the boys!" she exclaims.

"Asher Varshney."

Could it be? Had Hathen really reaped both me and my brother? Only one of us can make it out alive. Tears rolled down my face and Asher's was red and gray- the way he always looks when he's sad, or overly excited. This is why our parents named him Asher.

We both know which of those he is, now. One thing comes to mind- Asher has to win. I mean, what good am I? I'm just a small 16 year old with no muscle. I'm not even helpful at my District's specialty: masonry. In other words, stonework. But Asher has a lot of muscle and he has quite the knack for stonework. Also, he's quite the charmer, at least that's what the girls at school say. He is two years older than me, 18, as well. See- what good am I?

When me and Asher are taken to the Justice Building to say our goodbyes, no one comes. See, this explains it. Everyone hates us. We're just those two annoying teenagers that everyone hates because we steal food to live off of. We're your average thieves, yet no one has the heart to rat us out.

Until now.

THE TRAIN

When me and Asher get on the train, we were forced to eat a large dinner, but neither of us bothered. We weren't exactly in the mood to eat this food made by Capitol scum. We're not used to eating much, since we live off of scraps and anything we can get our hands on.

I go into my train cabin, my bedroom, and I find a fine, silky red outfit. I guess it's to sleep in...? I put on the silky dress and slippers and I hear a knock on my door.

"Iris?" Asher called. "Iris are you in there? I really suggest you eat. We don't want to be hungry if we're preparing to die," he joked. I didn't find it that funny.

Asher barges into my cabin and sits on the edge of my bed.

"Hey, I," he greeted me.

"I'm not in the mood, Ash," I responded.

"Please just eat something. For the first time in our lives we have a feast of free, available food and you're going to waste your chance?"

He had a point.

"Fine," I sigh.

We walk down to the dining room to find Hathen and our mentors, Kale Dysart and Jader Macleod dining on the finest foods we've ever seen with our eyes in person. There was a delicious looking stew with tomatoes, noodles, and beef in it with a spicy aftertaste, a casserole with tuna and mushroom in it, a fine and fresh roasted turkey, and mashed potatoes.

"I could get used to this," Asher commented as he licked his lips.

I laughed at his remark and took one serving of each delicacy, according to the Capitol, which is more like 4 servings to me, and sat down between Jader and Asher.

"So," I began, "what years did you win, Jader and Kale?"

"The 18th," said Jader. Jader looked like he was 30, but he was still in very good shape.

"The 23rd," Kale said. She was young and obviously in a perfect looking shape. I remember watching her on tv in the 23rd Games when I was 14. She won when she was in the final four, by setting the whole arena on fire, except for the top of the Cornucopia, where she stood. She was crowned Victor after the final opponent died in the fire when it was 3 hours after it was set. Surprisingly, no one found out that the only safe place was on top of the Cornucopia. She was 15 when she won, making her 17 now. Wow, she's younger than Asher and she's a victor.

I can't wait to see how this year turns out.

I ponder upon the same question for the rest of dinner–

What's it like to die?

My mind tells me that I'll know soon enough.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Just as a heads up, if you liked it, please follow the story, because I will be uploading at least one new chapter a day, if possible.