So first of all I don't own the hunger games. This is my first fan fiction story so it's probably going to be a little rough any advice or helpful criticism would be greatly appreciated.
My name is Zoey Anne Nightshade I was a tribute in the 74th annual Hunger Games and this is my story of love, betrayal, bloodlust, and courage.
The day before the reapings take place in District 9.
Every year since I was twelve, time has felt warped on the day of the Reaping. I let the minutes fly out of my hands and don't realize it. What seems like a short while is much, much longer. Entrapped in my own mind, I am clutched by my thoughts. I worry for many things at the present. Tomorrow the reapings for the 74th annual Hunger Games will take place. I worry that my older brother Stark who is the only family I have left who has his name entered at least forty times will get drawn to be a tribute. I worry for myself only a small amount, but more than anything I worry for Emerson Andrew Ludwig. He is my best friend the only person in this world I can really rely on. If I lost him to the capitol I don't know what I would do with myself. I would lose all hold on reality and slip away I just know it. At least if my name is drawn my parents won't have to watch me get killed on live television since my mother died giving birth to me seventeen years ago and my father died in a hunting accident when I was fifteen and Stark was sixteen. And ever since then we have been living with Emerson and his family which includes his twin brother Damien, his twelve year old sister Erica and his mother and father June, and Andrew.
"Zoey get up we can't be late again!" Emerson calls from outside my room that I share with his sister. "And what if I'm not in the mood for school today," I holler back at him. I hear the door open and turn over and pull the blankets over my head. In a split moment I'm being pulled out of bed and onto the floor. "I don't think so you're not leaving me alone at the prison called school so get ready," Emerson looks at me with that cocky grin of his that makes all the girls melt. I get up and push him out the door get changed brush my hair and head downstairs.
By the time I get to the kitchen everyone, but Emerson has already left to start their day. "It's about time you got down here." All I do is glare at him and shake my head. "Hey are you alright I didn't hurt you pulling you out of bed did I?" Emerson asks with concern in his voice. He only acts like this with me. Both of us know we don't have to act tough, or put on a fake facade when were together. With him I feel completely at ease which helps with mornings like these. "I'm fine just worried for tomorrow is all," I answer. "Look don't worry okay I promise that no one that we care about will get selected as tribute. Besides I would never let the capitol take you away from me," He tells me this as he drapes his arm around me and gives me a hug. We leave and walk to school to meet up with the rest of our group which includes: Damien Ludwig, my brother Stark, Aaric Cohen, Griffin Maddox, Auralee Mercer, and Zane Hurst.
The school day goes by in a blur. The day consists of everyone talking about the games and who may volunteer as a tribute. Everyone knows that District 9 hasn't won the games in twenty years. The last victor was Caleb Hale who won back when he was eighteen. When the final bell rings Emerson and I walk to our meeting place in the woods that line the out skirts of our town. This is the place where we can just sit and practice shooting bows. Here in District 9 most of the older kids can to some extent use a bow and arrow some better than others. My father taught me how to use a bow, fight hand to hand combat, and I have amazing talent using a whip. My father always worried about Stark, or I getting drawn as tributes, so he trained us, so that way if we ever had to go to the games we would at least stand a small chance of survival. Emerson is the only person alive that knows I can be deadly with a whip, but I have never seen anyone use one in the Games, so there would be a small chance of me being able to get my hands on one. Once were in the woods I take my bow that is hidden in the hallow of a tree and take a few practice shots. I don't have a terrible shot, but I'm not the best. I shoot an arrow into a tree and just stare at it for a moment. I think to myself would I ever be able to strike down another human being. As I ponder this thought I feel tears well up in my eyes. I feel Emerson pull me to him and embrace me. "Please Zoey don't worry I can't stand to see you this upset. You're not going to get drawn," Emerson tries to soothe me, but it's not working. "Emerson my name is in that draw 38 times... But that's not my biggest concern. I worry for Stark, Damien, Erica, and you," my voice trails off. Emerson says nothing. He can promise that none of us will get drawn all he wants, but he knows that he can't guarantee anything. We sit there in the woods embraced in a hug for hours in silence. I try to enjoy this moment as much as I possibly can. Once the sun starts to set we walk back home, and I immediately go to my room I feel exhausted for some reason and need as much strength as I can get for tomorrow.
