Before the reaping
The rain splatters down on my window like an ongoing waterfall as I lay uncomfortably on my worn out bed. There is nothing to be heard apart from the sound of the gushing water as it makes its way down my rooftop. The weather isn't the worst I've seen it, but it also isn't the best. Dark clouds fill the sky like a shadow of the night. The once bright and powerful sun has slipped away into a world unknown to the eye. Mist can be seen in the distance, clouding over mountains and small villages, suffocating them, closing them off from the rest of society. A bird happily glides past the villages, in and out of the mist, rising high above everyone else showing off its authority. I catch myself in a trance as I listen to the sound of this young bird as it calls for his mother. The wind picks up ever so slightly but it's enough to throw this bird off course as he spirals off into the wrong direction never to be seen again. A game of cat and mouse is all this world is. We're constantly being chased by our own fears; they thrive off the thought of making us uncomfortable. Many times I've been caught out by these demons, they capture me, they take me in my dreams and force me to believe things that aren't actually real. Nightmares are the causes of most of my problems…most of everybody's problems. We are brought up believing in things we shouldn't be. As humans we suck up all the information we are given and become melodramatic to the whole situation. We only have fears because we choose to believe that these things will harm us, we copy one another like a flock of sheep. We follow our masters. At the end of the day, we're just clones of one another trying to fit into a world which doesn't truly accept us. I am Katniss Everdeen, and this is my story.
After the reaping
''You overreact so much Primrose. I've told you a million times, I'm not going for long; I'll be home before you know it. Take good care of Mother and never be afraid to ask Gale for help if need be. I am leaving my bow and arrows under my bed…I've taught you how to use them, you do remember right? If anything bad is to happen, I want you to take the bows and go hide in the cabin in the middle of the woods. I know we aren't allowed outside of the district, especially not into the forbidden area, but it's your best chance of surviving if anything happens here. We knew that this year the games were going to be different; we all knew that I had no chance of not being reaped. Since I pulled off that stunt in the forbidden area, the President didn't want me executed, he wanted me thrown into the arena to show people that traitors will always be found out and demolished. I will never regret hunting in the woods; it helped our family to survive these harsh conditions, especially since Father was taken.'' I hug Prim close to me, breathing in her scent for what it most likely the last time. Her tears drip down my top as she clings to me for dear life.
''But I don't want you to go, you were only doing what was right! This isn't fair. We were starving.'' I mutter small words into her ear to calm her down. My face is emotionless. I've learnt not to show any weaknesses, it's what the Capitol wants to see from me. I will not be another thing they can control.
''I love you little Duck'' Prim is ripped from my arms and taken away from me for what could be the last time. I take a deep breath and walk towards the window thinking about the reaping. President Snow had visited me a few days before the reaping; he told me that I would be picked no matter what happens. Of course I knew this would happen, that's the price I have to pay for hunting in the forbidden area. How was I to know that on that certain day, they were surveying the woods?
''Katniss, it's time to go'' A voice breaks me out of my deep thoughts. Taking one last look outside the old wooden window, I stroll towards Haymitch.
''Show the capitol what you're made of'' he whispers to me before leading me towards Peeta who's nervously fiddling with his fingers. His blond hair is covering his eyes, there's no doubt in my mind that he's been crying.
''Let's get this show on the road shall we?'' I say in a mocking voice. Act like you don't care, act like this is just another day in the life of Katniss, don't give up. I keep reminding myself.
''Follow me'' a stern voice says from behind me. We form a single line before following the male. I keep getting flashbacks of the reaping. President Snow had told me that if I do not get reaped for some strange reason, I was to volunteer or my whole family would be slaughtered. Madge was one lucky girl considering I had to volunteer.
On the train
''How are you not upset by all of this?'' Peeta walks into the room I'm in on the train and sits down quietly with both hands covering his face.
''I am upset, but I knew this was going to happen. Don't show the Capitol that you're affected, it'll anger them, and they want a good show. I'll give them a good show, but I will not let them see my weaker side'' He nods slightly; a confused look washes across his face.
''I suppose you're right. Besides, one of us comes out and we both know that it won't be any of the weaker tributes. I guess it's time I started to get my head focused.'' I smirk at him. Peeta has always been in my class in school, we've never really spoken but he seems okay. I take a bite from the apple I've been carrying with me for the last hour. It's sour yet sweet at the same time…the irony; it sounds a lot like me.
''Have you seen the replay of the reaping's yet? I'm about to go see who our competition is.'' I shake my head before standing and walking out to the main room to see the reaping's with Peeta.
''Sit down the both of you and watch please. Don't speak or interrupt, we can talk about it all later'' Haymitch orders. Peeta and I sit down on the same couch together and glue our eyes on the screen in front of us. I won't tell any of the people in this room what I think about each individual tribute that is for me to know.
''Wow.'' Haymitch hits Peeta for talking as soon as the tribute from District 1 comes on. She is the definition of a whore. I continue to watch the screen, holding back any emotions I feel towards the tributes that are in front of me. Only when the district 2 male comes on the screen do my eyes widen. He is absolutely gorgeous. I don't normally fall for any boy, especially not one like him. He knows he's good looking; he's from District 2 for Christ sakes. I can feel my heart beat faster than ever before. His eyes are a piercing blue, the type that could freeze you to your spot. He is most definitely a tribute I will stay away from. God knows what mind games he can play with me and all of the other female tributes.
''Typical man whore'' Peeta yet again gets a punch to the arm for speaking. This boy will not last very long unless he changes. I sigh before looking back to the screen, however, my mind isn't really focussing anymore, I keep thinking of that boy, Cato I think his name was.
''Right, now that we've seen every tribute, I would like you to tell me what you think. Peeta, considering you couldn't keep that mouth of yours shut, I expect a very detailed opinion on every tribute from you'' This is Peeta's cue to start blabbing on about nonsense which Haymitch won't take into consideration.
''Well, where to begin…'' I blank out as soon as he starts talking. My mind is elsewhere. I wonder what he's like in person, are his eyes really that blue? Mm, I bet he has a nice- I cut myself off from my own thoughts because of where they are heading. Katniss don't let a boy you've never met get to you. He knows what he's doing, this is his good area; he's a charmer.
''Anything you'd like to add Katniss?'' I merely shake my head before gazing back out the window of the train.
''Good, so here's the deal, I make you allies with the careers. I don't know how yet, but we're all aware of both of your strengths, especially you Katniss. Word has already spread between the tributes about why you volunteered…we all know the reason behind it. You'll be the most popular tribute trust me. Everyone will want you on their team.'' Inwardly I gasp, but on the outside I just smirk to myself.
''Sounds about right'' I'm not usually so big headed and sarcastic, but right now, I'm not aiming to please anyone on this train. Peeta sits awkwardly next to me as Haymitch continues to talk about me. I don't really like people speaking about me but at least this stops him from asking me questions on the other tributes since I blanked out after District 2. However, I do remember the boy from District 11, he is also a tribute I'll probably steer clear of, or maybe try and make allies with.
''Go to your rooms, we'll be arriving in the Capitol tomorrow and I want you both ready to show everyone who you are and why you're so important.'' Peeta and I walk away towards our cabins without a word said between us. As soon as I slam the door shut, I crawl under the covers of my bed and prepare myself for a sleepless night.
This is my new story! I hope you like it so far. I know I've skipped out the reaping, but don't worry…later on I'll explain it in more detail. Yes the characters will probably be very different to how they are in the actual Hunger Games, but it is FanFiction and these are all my ideas. Thankyou.