Still Alive : A Hunger Games Fanfic
By Clovelyliz
Chapter 1
I threw my knife at the moving dummy in front of me, a grin spread across my face; bulls eye I thought as a hand landed on my shoulder. I grabbed the hand and spun around – it was a self-defence technique that the academy had taught all of its students.
I heard a small scream from the owner; I looked up to see my stepbrother – Abyss Araxie. "Hey Squirt, Reaping is in 2 hours – go home and make yourself pretty" He spoke as I whined; "I'm not going to that reaping, it's not worth the time." I responded as I continued to throw knives at the now motionless dummies. "Look Nevis, I respect your decisions in every way; but the peacekeepers are going to do rounds around the district. IF you don't go, you will be forced to go." Abyss explained as I rolled my eyes and took a deep sigh. "Fine, I'm going." I threw my last knife and walked to our residence.
Houses in District 4, if not all; most were placed above the water. Fishing was our industry and living on top of water always provided an easier get away whenever my mom was driving me crazy. "I'm home" I spoke, I didn't shout – my mom had the ears of a fish, she can hear a lot of sounds around her. "Good, take a shower and get dressed, I left a dress on your bed. Wear that and only that, I don't want you walking out of this house in your usual outfits." She nagged as I ran up to take a shower. It smelled of lilacs – just like it always does. I never really liked taking a shower since I could always swim, but today was the reaping, and if ever I do get reaped; I would want to look presentable.
People in District 4 always somehow dress the same way, if not in working clothes – clothes that are blue or any shade of colour that water could possess. I happen to have an Aquamarine dress on my bed. I never liked wearing dresses, they take away a fighters image. I sighed and put on the dress, I had no choice any way and once all this was over – I can take it off and get my life on with.
"Squirt! Hurry, Lorelai just arrived" Abyss yelled from the first floor and I put on my shoes and went down. "And you're excited about Lorelai, why?" I asked him as he laughed, "When she arrives – the reaping starts without further ado even if it's too early." He excitedly said as I laughed at him. "I'll catch up with the two of you – go ahead" My mother spoke as me and Abyss headed to the town square where the reaping happens every year. "So, how many times is your name in today?" He asked me as I looked up at him, "4 times, why?" I replied; I just turned 15 the month before the reaping, and now my name is in that jar 4 times, Lucky me. "And how about you?" I asked him as he let out a chuckle "Seven times – it's the last year that I'll be eligible to be a tribute." He spoke in a rather, calm tone. He never speaks like that unless it was something serious. "What if you get reaped?" I asked him as we reached the lines. "I'll fight, win maybe – but I'll try my best" He replied as the line moved on faster than expected.
"Next." The peacekeeper spoke as I gave her my hand; it was the same process every year. A bit of blood is taken and processed to make slips of paper with our names on it. "Go." The peacekeeper spoke as I headed to my age group. Volunteering is normal here, but for some reason – there's a pattern between volunteering and getting reaped. Two tributes volunteered last year, and now they get reaped this year. I looked around for my brother who was at the group just beside mine. We gave each other nods as a rather hyper lady stepped to the stage. "Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!" She shouted, Lorelai's like this every year – always the happy escort with so much to say. "Before we get over with the reaping, I have brought a special clip with me from the Capitol!" She announced as a clip regarding The Hunger Games played on the screen. It's not that I haven't heard the story before, I always have – it was part of training school when I was entered there at 6. I rolled my eyes and looked at the other potential tributes, they all looked bored. I would look bored too, but – for some reason, my heart kept beating – I didn't know why; I wasn't nervous or scared at all. The clip ended and beside Lorelai was two bowls, one was blue and the other was green. "For some change, let's start with the boys" Lorelai announced as I looked up at the people on the stage, the mayor was there, and so were the mentors: Finnick Odair and Mags were present; it was no surprise for me that Annie Cresta was missing – she does have a condition after all.
I looked at Abyss who had his finger crossed, he's been waiting to be reaped since he was eligible to do so – and this year, might be his year. Lorelai put her hand inside the bowl and quickly pulled it out. In her hand was the slip that contained the name of the male tribute, she placed herself in front of the microphone and slowly opened the paper; "Triton Morgane!" Lorelai announced as I quickly turned to Abyss who had a hurt expression on his face. Triton wasted no time at all to get to the stage; he was already walking when his first name was announced. His black hair shined as the sun hit it. Triton wasn't much that I would have to admit. The occasional dagger and whip, but compared to the other boys that I see training – he only had charm and wits. "Now for the girls" Lorelai announced as Triton took his place on the stage.
"Nevis Araxie!" Lorelai announced as I heard whines from the girls around me. Oh crap! I thought as I was pushed to the center. "Come on now girl. Get up here." She spoke as I was pushed again, this time by peacekeepers. I got on the stage and looked at the crowd, especially at Abyss and my mother. "May I present to you, your tributes for the 74th Annual Hunger Games!" Lorelai happily shouted as the mayor stood up and walked to us. "Shake hands the both of you" He spoke as Triton turned towards me and offered out his hand. I looked at the mayor who had a reassuring smile on his face; I took Triton's hand and shook it. "Now come on" Lorelai spoke as we were taken inside the Justice Building.
"In one hour you'll be saying good-bye to your family, get ready" Lorelai spoke with a smile as I was left inside the room, it was a rather luxurious room – I'll give the Mayor credits because of that. I saw baskets that held my mark; I made them and sold them to the mayor. Little did I know that I'd be seeing them on my last day in District 4. The door opened to reveal my brother and mother who quickly hugged me. "Stay Alive" Was the first thing my brother told me, "There's 24 of us in that arena Abyss, one of us will only survive" I replied, "and that will be you" he replied as I looked at my grief-stricken mother. "It's going to be okay mom, it will be" I reassured her as I gave her a hug. "Come out of that arena alive okay?" She told me as I nodded. "There's a good chance that Mags would be your mentor, listen to her. She can weave a basket that even water can't pass through – you'll need that" Abyss told me. "I know that you should be the one here Abyss, I don't deserve it" I told him as he gave a small laugh. "Well, the token that mom's going to give you will be your reminder of us" Abyss spoke as mother took out a blue necklace. It had a one blue charm on it, it reminded me of my sister when we were young. She put the necklace on me and hugged me, "If you see your sister, tell her that I'm –"My mother spoke as a peacekeeper entered the room. "Times up!" He spoke as he gave a forceful tug on my mom and brother. "Stay Alive Nevis!" I heard Abyss say as the door slammed shut.
I sat on the couch and looked aimlessly at the door, surprisingly – it revealed my stepfather, the mayor. "I don't think that I should congratulate you" he spoke, his voice deep. "But, I would like to wish you the best of luck." He continued as I looked at him, "That's quite thoughtful, thank you" I whispered as he smiled, "I know I haven't been actually a good stepfather to you Nevis, this is the least I can do before you leave" He spoke, I didn't know whether I should get mad at him or just laugh. He walked to me and opened his palm, it revealed a blue pearl – I looked at the necklace that my mother gave me, "I'm only allowed to bring one token." I spoke before he chuckled and took off the necklace. "No one said you needed to have less charms" He returned the necklace on my neck and smiled. I stood up and hugged him, "Thank you" I whispered; my grip getting tighter. "Bring pride to our district Nevis." He spoke as he broke our hug, "It's been a while since we had a tribute who wields a trident" My stepfather spoke before the door burst open to reveal Lorelai. "Time to go Nevis!" She clapped as I looked at my father and nodded. Good Luck he whispered as I was escorted to the car where Triton was already seated and ready to go.
Okay, so - please doe go easy on me as this is my first Hunger Games fanfiction and I've only started to familiarize myself with the terminologies. Constructive Criticism is welcomed but please don't flame me.
May the odds be on in your favor!
-Clovelyliz