Fight For me

Chapter 1:

"Thank you," said a very tired Dean Winchester. He had been up since before the dawn. It was Sunday and that meant it was his last chance to get good deals at the Hob. He placed the goods he had just purchased in a small bag. That was the last of the money, and he had to hope and pray that there was enough food to last until he could shoot down some more game.

Dean left the Hob and walked down the busy streets. Sunday was the one day of the week that the mine workers had off, so the town was filled with people trying to take care of any responsibilities that didn't involve coal. Dean lived in the Seam, which could be described as the ghetto part of District 12. The homes were falling apart almost as bad as the people. Shops barely kept their business, except for the pharmacy. Sickness spread like wildfire due to cramped spaces and poor living conditions.

Opening the front door quietly, Dean stepped inside his home. The walls were moldy and the floor creaked with each step. Dean's father, John Winchester, closed the door behind Dean after Dean stepped out of the way. John locked the door and pulled the curtain across the window, making it darker in the house.

"You're late," he said taking the bag of goods from Dean. He walked over to the table, sat down, and carefully took out the contents from the bag and began to sort through it. "I thought I told you to be back before the streets got busy. You smell like forest."

Dean pulled out a chair and started to help his father sort through his purchases. "There was good game this morning," he said quietly. "I knew we'd need more food this week."

John pinched the bridge of his nose, "And you think full stomachs are more important than safety? If anyone in this town finds out what you do and where you go, they'll—"

"I know what they'll do. I'm careful. I just want to make sure that Sammy's fed and you don't have to do any extra work." Dean kept his head down. He hated the disapproving tone in his father's voice, but he knew it was coming. He didn't get home in time like he was supposed to.

Dean was often teased by the other boys his age around town. They told him he wasn't a man. There he was, 20 years old, he wasn't working, and his father still disciplined him like a child. No one knew why Dean didn't work in the mines. No one knew how protective he was of his little brother. No one knew Sam came first. John was going to force Dean to work, but Dean begged and pleaded. Sam was only 16. He could still be hurt on his own. Anything could happen in the Seam, especially if you walked the streets alone. John bitterly agreed, but under many circumstances. If Dean wanted to protect Sam, then he would take care of Sam. It was Dean's responsibility to walk Sam to and from school, to take him where he needed to go, and to make sure he was as healthy as someone could be in District 12. He was responsible for shopping, cooking, cleaning, and making sure the house didn't fall to the ground.

The silence in the house was broken by the sound of a door creaking open. Sam stepped out of his room and yawned. Dean felt a smile creep onto his lips when he saw Sam. "Morning, Sammy."

"Morning, Dean, morning, dad," said Sam as he walked into the kitchen. "Need any help?" Dean and John both scooted away so Sam could sit down. That was a yes. Sam took a seat and started helping put things away now that everything was sorted through. There were basic items: stale bread, a few vegetables, yarn, etc. Dean only shopped once a week, so even though to them it seemed like a lot, it wasn't. He knew they'd run out as soon as Sunday crept around again.

"Let me know when you get hungry, Sammy," said Dean. "I made a deal down at the Hob. We can eat there today."

Sam looked taken aback. "How did you manage that? I know you spent all the money on what we needed." Dean simply winked at Sam. Sam stared clueless, but just shrugged his shoulder and continued putting things away.

Neither John nor Sam knew, but Dean had to do much more than he had originally bargained for to take care of their home. This time of year was the hardest. In their country, Panem, every year two children were selected for the Hunger Games. One girl and one boy from each district were sent to fight to the death in an arena. The Capitol had made this sick game as punishment for the rebellion in the previous years. During the time of year that the Hunger Games took place everyone was forced to treat it like a holiday. Supplies ran short, and the districts were heavily guarded. Normally, Dean could just go into the forest outside the district and get more food, but with so many peacekeepers around, it wasn't safe.

Dean spent a long time trying to figure out how to keep Sam taken care of and out of the hunger games, so eventually he made a deal. He knew the woman that was in charge of putting the names of the children in the bowl to be drawn for the reaping. He also knew that she had a particular interest in him. She was young, and she was single. Each year she would take out one of Sam's slips of paper, in exchange for Dean sleeping with her. In the earlier years, Sam signed up to have his name put in several more times to get food, so Dean knew this was the only way to keep him safe. Over time Dean found that there were a lot of young women that were willing to make these kinds of deals. All of them were in their mid-twenties and they were lonely. Dean felt sick to his stomach thinking about what he had to do, but if it meant Sam was okay, it was worth it.

Days passed, and the most dreaded morning of the year finally arrived. Dean awoke early as usual, but today, there was nowhere to go. There was no work, there was no school. It was the day of the reaping. Later in the afternoon, one boy and one girl would be selected to be placed in the Capitol's hands.

Dean stepped out of bed and started to get ready for the day. He put on this only pair of jeans that weren't ripped, and his one nice dress shirt. It was ridiculous, getting dressed up for this occasion. But it was required. It made him sick.

He turned when he heard his door open. Sam stood in the doorway dressed and ready for the day, but his grey tie was messed up. "Dean, could you help me please?"

Dean smiled and walked over to Sam. "Everything's going to be fine, Sammy," he said as he fixed the tie. He could sense Sam's uneasiness.

"Easy for you to say…" Sam mumbled. "You can't be chosen." Sam wasn't wrong. Only children ages 12-18 were eligible for the Hunger Games.

"Nothing will happen to you, Sammy," said Dean as he finished fixing the tie and patted Sam on the back.

John, Dean, and Sam all walked to the town square together for the reaping. Every resident in District 12 was required to attend. Peacekeepers walked the streets, checking for people that were hiding. Unless you were at deaths door, you'd be shot on sight for hiding from the day's events.

Sullen faces bobbed up and down the streets as the time drew closer. John headed straight to an area reserved for people that were too old to be reaped and would just be watching. Dean would follow after he made sure Sam got to his spot.

"Hand," said the peacekeeper at the table that was set up for signing in. Sam brought his left hand forward and flinched slightly at having his index finger pricked. The peacekeeper pressed his bleeding finger to a piece of paper and scanned it. "Sam Winchester" appeared on the scanner screen. "Go on."

Sam turned to Dean nervously. Dean smiled at Sam, knowing he'd be fine. Sam's name had been taken out plenty of times. Dean placed his hand on Sam's shoulder. "It'll be fine. I'll see you after." Sam nodded his head and walked over to the male section marked "16". Dean waited for Sam to get into place and then he joined his father in the crowd.

Panem's anthem blasted from speakers and grabbed everyone's attention. On the big screen in the middle of the square, a video began to play. The same one was displayed every year. It was all about why the Hunger Games was made and how it worked. Everyone could recite the video word for word if they really tried. The screen faded to black.

A woman stepped up to a microphone and tapped it to make sure it was working properly. "Welcome! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this year's District 12 reaping ceremony! My name is Effie Trinket, and I am," she paused and cleared her throat, "honored to be here." Dean rolled his eyes. Effie's words were as ridiculous as her outfit. "Now as a reminder to everyone, this year is a quarter quell!" Everyone remained silent. A quart quell took place every 25 years, and it meant that a special rule was added to the games to make it even more sick and twisted.

A box was brought out. It was filled with paper slips that each had a different new rule for the year. Effie would reach in and pull one out at random. She reached in the box and yanked out a paper slip. As she unfolded it, everyone held their breath. "Ooo!" she beamed. "How exciting! This year, the age of eligible tributes will range from age 12 to age 21!" Dean's heart raced. This event was rigged! They wouldn't have names of everyone from 19-21 unless they knew that rule would be picked! How could they put little kids up against people that old? They barely had a chance against 16 year old kids! This was sick and wrong!

Effie practically jumped about the new rule as she reached into the glass bowl that had the girl's names. Dean blocked out every noise. He was infuriated at how the system worked. It was disgusting, vile. Effie reached into the glass bowl that had the boy's names and pulled out a paper slip. "This year's male tribute is, Sam Winchester." In that instant, Dean felt his whole world collapse. What? No. No! That wasn't possible! Sam's name couldn't be in there more than 5 times out of thousands of papers! It wasn't possible! He scanned the crowd frantically for Sam until he saw his brother being escorted to the stage by peacekeepers. Dean went to run but John grabbed his arm. Dean shoved his father away and ran after Sam. "Sammy!" he screamed. Two peacekeepers stopped him just as Sam turned around. "Sammy, no!" Dean wailed. "I VOLUNTEER!" he screeched. He pushed the peacekeepers away and ran to his brother. Looking up at Effie he repeated his words, "I volunteer!"

"Dean, no!" shouted Sam. Dean walked right past Sam and walked up onto the stage. He stood tall beside the redhead that was the female tribute. John was already dragging Sam away, but Sam fought against his father. "No! DEAN! NO!" he screamed and struggled against John, but John was stronger. Dean looked at his brother and fought back tears.

Despite the small amount of chaos, Effie kept calm and collected. She brought the microphone to Dean, "We have a volunteer! What is your name?"

Dean felt a single tear roll down his cheek as he watched his brother overcome with hysteria. "Dean Winchester."

"Ah," sighed Effie, "that must have been your brother." Dean nodded his head yes. "Let's have a round of applause for Dean Winchester!" The crowd gave pathetic applause, not because no one cared enough to clap, but because they knew it wasn't worth celebrating. There was a good chance Dean wouldn't be coming back home.

Dean paced back and forth in the small room he was staying in. He was to wait in this room for any visitors, then, he'd be escorted to the train to be taken to the Capitol. His heart hammered in his chest. How would his father take care of Sam on his own? How would Sam be okay without someone to walk him to school, someone to make sure there's food on the table? Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the door to the room opening. Sam walked in and hugged Dean tightly as he burst into tears. Dean hugged back and fought against his own grief. "Shh, Sammy it's okay."

"Why, Dean?" asked Sam as tears rolled down his face. "You're my brother! I can't let you do this!" Dean wiped away tears from Sam's eyes.

"And I can't let you die in there, Sammy. I love you too much little brother. Now listen to me. You go to the Hob and talk to Tricia. She'll take care of you. Tell her you're my brother. Dad taught you to make traps. A few rabbits should be enough, but keep some to eat, okay?" Sam nodded and listened carefully to Dean's instructions.

"Dad taught us both how to hunt and how to fight when were young; maybe you can use those skills. Maybe…you can-"

The door flung open and a peacekeeper started taking Sam away, "Let's go, times up."

Dean quickly hugged Sam one last time. "I love you, Sammy!" he yelled unable to fight back the tears any longer.

"I-!" Sam was cut off by the door slamming shut. The door that cut off the last words Dean might ever hear from his baby brother. Dean sank down into a chair. Just when he was about to break, the door opened up again. He looked up to see his father.

"Dad," he said surprised. He didn't think his father would visit him.

"I can't believe you did this!" shouted John. Dean stood up and for the first time in his life, snapped back at his father.

"I had no choice! If you hadn't had Sam sign up for so much fucking tesserae he wouldn't have gotten reaped! I worked so hard to get his name out of that bowl! I SOLD MYSELF TO PEOPLE TO KEEP HIM SAFE BECAUSE OF YOU!" Dean screamed. He didn't care what the peacekeepers heard. He was dead anyway. "You better take care of him! Because if I find out anything happens to my little brother, I will rise from my grave and drag you back down with me! TAKE CARE OF SAM FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!"

John narrowed his eyes at Dean. "I'll take care of Sam. Try not to get too banged up in there. And remember what I taught you." And with that, John left the room, leaving Dean to break down. Dean sank to the floor and cursed the world. How could a world be so cruel? Now he had to wipe away his tears before the cameras came. In that moment, he became determined. He would return home. He would come back to Sam. No matter what the costs, he would be the winner of the 50th annual Hunger Games.

Hey guys! Thanks so much for reading! For those of you that follow my other work, don't shoot me. I have writers block on my other work, but I got inspiration to write this fic! So please bear with me! I hope you enjoyed. Be sure to leave a review telling me your thoughts, and check out my other stories if you haven't already. Alright thanks! Bye bye~