Part 1: The Tributes
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Tyson's warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. He must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our Father, Poseidon. Of course, he did. This is the day of the reaping.
I prop myself up on one elbow. There's enough light in the bedroom to see them. My little brother, Tyson, curled up on her side, cocooned in my Father's body, their cheeks pressed together. In sleep, my Father looks younger, still worn but not so beaten-down. Tyson's face is as fresh as a…well Cyclops. My Father was very handsome once, too. Or so they tell me.
Sitting at Tyson's knees, guarding him is the world's ugliest cat Gabe. Mashed-in nose walks like he is drunk on milk and eyes the colour of pure hatred. Why Tyson named him that I don't know but behind his back I like to call him Smelly Gabe. He hates me. Or at least distrusts me. I tried to drown him once but that did not work out, so in the end with Tyson's begging and crying I couldn't say no.
I swing my legs off the bed and slide into my hunting boots. Supple leather what was molded to my feet. I put on the rest of the gear and take Tyson's gift to me, hippocampus cheese, put it into my pocket and slip out side to the forest.
Our part of District 12, nicknamed the Seam, is usually crawling out with coal miners heading out for the morning shift at this hour. Men and women of all ages are hungry, tired, hurt and covered in coal dust that will never come off. Doors are some-what locked or at least closed as well as the stutters that are missing pieces. Finally I get to the "electric" fence, in theory; it is a high chain-link fences with the works all meant to keep us out and whatever animals that is in the Forest from coming in. If you hear a hum that means the electricity is on if not it is off. Right now it is quite as a mouse, so I'm good thus I crawl under.
As soon as I'm in the trees, I retrieve my sword (I know in the real hunger games it is a bow and arrow but he uses a sword). Inside the woods the animals roam freely with no paths to follow so I have to use the instincts Artemis, my Mom showed me (sorry Sally!). She died when I was 11 in a coal mine explosion, that was her part-time job, working in the mines. 5 years later I still wake up screaming her name for her to run.
Even though hunting or being in the woods is illegal and will cause me and my family lots of trouble with the Peacekeepers, I am the supporter of my family. Due to Tyson being too young and my Dad being very depressed since Mom died. After a good day of hunting the meat is split between my hunting partner, my family and the Hob, the black market of district 12. Then I see my hunting partner Rachel Dare, "hey Seaweed brain" she said. Now my name is not Seaweed Brain, it's a nick name….anyways that probably my cue. Hello my name is Percy Jackson.