A/N: Mockingjay AU. The rebellion failed when Peeta was "accidentally" killed by the Capitol and a distraught Katniss committed suicide. Team Chessie was a group of teenage rebels who... well, read and find out.
My name is Marlyn Cresta.
I am the current leader of Team Chessie, a small resistance group formed of like-minded District Four tribute-age children who joined Kasha, Katrina, and Alara to help overthrow the Capitol's presence here in Four.
The rebels fought bravely, and we had secured most of the districts when District 13 attempted a jailbreak of a high-security Capitol prison. Peeta Mellark, one of the victors of the 74th Hunger Games, was "accidentally" killed in the confusion. Katniss Everdeen, the Mockingjay, the symbol of our rebellion, was utterly heartbroken when she heard the news, and in a senseless moment of grief she took her own life. It all went downhill from there. Most of the rebels lost heart once they saw that their Mockingjay was dead. The Capitol took advantage of this to send in droves of Peacekeepers.
By that time, we had no leader. Kasha was found by the Peacekeepers and executed before the Quarter Quell even happened, and during the rebellion Katrina was caught in a bombing of District 13's soldiers' headquarters. Alara backed out once she realized all leadership now fell to her, not wanting to be the sole target of the Capitol. None of us know where she fled. Amila, the oldest of us and probably the most responsible, refused the responsibility. So I took command.
Unfortunately, our little rebel force has been divided lately. A large group has begun to emerge, one that fiercely opposes all my decisions. I could barely retain order long enough to give the last, emergency command that we all knew was the last defense against complete eradication: the distress action that spreads us all out over the districts. One boy and one girl to a district, ensuring that if one of us is reaped the other can volunteer and protect them.
But of course, our near-perfectly laid plan had to be foiled by President Snow and Capitol cruelty. When the Capitol had a firm grip on the districts once again, Snow announced that from now on, the Hunger Games would have a new rule. The old practice of allowing a tribute to volunteer would be abandoned. It's all too obvious now, as I stare up at the ceiling of my bedroom. No volunteers allowed, one boy and girl from our team in each district; how could we not be the tributes?
I came to this conclusion earlier today and now I can't sleep. I close my eyes and horrible images spring to mind. Chase, his throat slit, fruitlessly trying to staunch the flow of blood as he gasps desperately for air. The Mad Hawk in a mad rage, slaughtering everything in sight, whether it's her friend Karyn or enemy Jasper.
Tomorrow is the reaping.
Tomorrow, I just know all twenty-four of us will be on our way to the Capitol and then to our deaths.