Author's Note: This merely a very brief introductory chapter in order to introduce just a few of the changes in Panem over the years. Our main characters will make an appearance starting with Chapter 1...
The Prologue
All across the nation of Panem television screens were blaring. An official broadcast from the Capitol. Those who were decreed to view them didn't dare contest the law and this time it was no exception. Certainly to the unaccustomed eye it didn't seem like much, but all was changed once a single woman came on screen. She was unmistakably from the Capitol, as her lavish hairstyle and colourful clothing indicated. "Hellooooooo, Panem!" She beamed before flashing a smile at the cameras. This managed to reveal a set of teeth inlaid with tiny precious stones, just the latest of Capitol trends.
"This is the year I'm sure everybody has just been waiting for! Twenty-five years since our last Quarter Quell have come and gone. Yes folks, it's that time again. By decree of our wonderful President Lucia Snow we present you the 100th Annual Hunger Games, and thus the fourth Quarter Quell!" Almost immediately upon making her declaration the Capitol woman was drowned out by frantic applause from the Capitol audiences. Even after a century their love for the annual televised death match remained strong. "So ready to see what this year's Quarter Quell will be? I'm shaking in my boots just anticipating the perfect moment!" The woman continued before shoving her hand inside the glass bowl that was situated in front of her.
The very moment that most of Panem had found themselves dreading for a quarter century was now rearing its ugly head once again. Clearly the regular sadism of the games wasn't enough for the delicate and desperate regime and that was made clearer as the woman read out the latest rule change. "For this year's Quarter Quell one tribute will be drawn from a random pool of all eligible tributes! But that's not all, folks! Our lucky tribute must then select their own district partner from any of those of the opposite gender who are eligible." Almost immediately the announcement had the audiences once again going wild before the woman once again proceeded to silence them.
"Why do we do this you ask? To remind all of Panem that war pits brother against brother. That is a mistake we must never repeat again. Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem forever." The woman continued, this time with a surprisingly calm demeanour. At that, the broadcast ended and all across the nation of Panem television screens flickered off. Reaping Day. It was bound to be much, much different this time around.