Chapter 1 A Pin, Arrows and Bread Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins does. I don't own the characters either, same thing goes for Romeo and Juliet, and Phantom of the Opera... First fanfic, read and review please.
I wake up from my slumber, and notice my surroundings. I'm in the woods that I know and love, by the rock that has become a solstice. My bow and quiver is next to me, and my canteen is next to it. I know what day it is, It's reaping day in district 12, where I live. It is illegal to hunt or be outside my district, but we need to feed ourselves, my family, that is. Prim, my sister, long blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, looks like our mother, whereas I, take after our father, who died five years ago. I have raven colored hair with brown streaks, kept in a braid down my left shoulder, and grey eyes the color of mist after a rainy morning.
I am Katniss Everdeen, 16 years old, who knows the woods I hunt in. I can hit any target with my bow, right through the eyes. I can also throw knives, sword fight, and throw spears. I also am fast. I can run for great distances, for periods of time. Their are many things that I can't do, including baking, painting, or lie.
But I can sing. I remember a song I sung to a boy, a year ago today. It wasn't to him, exactly, but to my father. I collect my things and stand, looking at the meadow. I feel compelled to sing, which I do.
You were once my one companion
You were all that mattered
You were once a friend and father
Then my world was shattered
Wishing you were somehow here again Wishing you were somehow near Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed
Somehow you would be here
I feel someone walk towards me, the footsteps are so easy to hear, yet I go on,
Wishing I could hear your voice again
Knowing that I never would Dreaming of you won't help me to do
All that you dreamed I could Passing bells and sculpted angels Cold and monumental seem, for you the wrong companions
You were warm and gentle
Stronger, I finish: Too many years fighting back tears
Why can't the past just die?
Wishing you were somehow here again Knowing we must say, "Goodbye"
Try to forgive, teach me to live Give me the strength to try
No more memories, no more silent tears
No more gazing across the wasted years
Help me say, "Goodbye" Help me say, "Goodbye"
His arms wrap around me, strong and comforting. I feel safe. "Peeta?" I whisper, relieved. " You're so beautiful, Katniss." He says. After a moment, he moves to his pocket. "What are you giving me? You know how much I hate surprises!" I say, joking.
He stares at me, and clasps my hands. Peeta's eyes are so blue, deep pools of... I can't word it. His hair, blonde, falls in curly locks on his face. "Katniss, It's just a pin, it reminds me of you."
I look at the most exquisite pin, a mockingjay, of course. In gold, grabbing an arrow surrounded by a circle. Mockingjays are half mutations of the Capitol, the government of Panem. They replicate sounds, and were never supposed to exist. A miracle, I guess, like Peeta winning last years games.
District 12 never wins, and for victors, we have him and Haymitch. Peeta had to kill others in an arena to the death, one boy and one girl from each district. I was already dating Peeta at that point, after he saved me, gave me bread when we were going to die.
Peeta knew that I was spacing out by then, mesmerized. He secures the pin over my heart. "Thank you." I say. He only nods, and motions me to walk back. As we walk silently, I hide my bow and quiver in a log and a hollow tree trunk. He kisses me, and I go under the fence. It is supposed to be electrocuted, however 12 doesn't ever have power. We walk to his place in Victor Village, where I take a bath and change in peace.
Wrapped in a towel, I decide what to wear. I pick a light blue dress that falls to my knees, change into it, and fasten my pin. I then put on respectable shoes, and run down the stairs. Kissing Peeta, I tell him that I'll be back after the reaping and go to leave.
"Wait!" He says, stressed, " I have to mentor...and if-" I interrupt, "I won't be picked! I'll be back, like..." "Always." He finishes. We stare at each other for a minute, as I braid my hair, I give a reassuring glance to him, and leave.
I walk to the square, where I meet my sister, Prim. She grins, trying to not think what everyone is thinking. "Katniss!" She says. "Tuck in your tail, little duck," pointing to her blouse. " don't worry, everything will be okay." I say. She does what I say, and then laughs.
So innocent, if she's picked... I wonder... At the square, I don't watch Effie, or the tasks at hand, or at Haymitch diving off the stage, I think of Prim. I know I will volunteer for her, for anything, to keep her safe, yet Peeta would die. He needs me, as I need him. I lose thought. I stare at Gale, who only frowns at me when our eyes meet. Grudges never go away, never for Gale, or the Capitol. That is when Effie Trinket goes to the girl,s reaping ball, saying, "ladies first!"
To my horror she says the only name I never wanted to hear.
"Primrose Everdeen!"