The pain was unbearable. My body couldn't decide whether it was better to be awake or unconscious. But it didn't matter either way, I was dead. Paralyzed by the searing pain emitting from my chest and left arm, I was gasping for breath. Oh God, oh God, oh God... It can't end like this, not when I've come so far... Then everything went black.
The 68th Hunger Games reaping had begun. Thousands of us, from the ages of 12-18 had come to the town square to await our fate. Would we be picked to fight to the death for the amusement of those insane, pretentious freaks, or worse; be forced back into slavery?
I was never one to abide by the rules. I hated being bossed around by people who had no respect for me, so I had no respect for them. But there was nothing I could do. Plenty of tributes have tried to rebel against the Capitol, all awaiting similar fates. Families were tortured and destroyed because of tributes standing up for what they believe in. Hijackings, torture and being used as a symbol that rebellion will not be tolerated are also part of the package.
My fire to rebel had been thoroughly doused after those fucking "Peacekeepers" killed my entire family in front of me. Life here sucks, spending long, hot days in the pastures for not even enough pay for food, so I planned to escape the District with my relatives and start fresh. Needless to say, we got caught right after getting through the fence. We were so close! The Peacekeepers made a scene of executing my mom, dad, even my little brother. All while I watched. I wanted them to kill me right then and there along with my family, whom I miserably failed. I didn't deserve to live, so that's why they kept me alive. My will died alongside my family that day. I spent hours upon hours thinking of different ways to kill myself with the measly contents of my cell. That's exactly what they wanted, but I didn't care anymore. But I was still a teenager, so I was sent off to the reaping.
"Soren Dupointe."
My mind was racing, even though the world stood still. Thousands of my peers stood staring at me as I tried to comprehend what was happening. I was reaped. My name was drawn and I was being sent into the Hunger Games arena to fight for my life, killing other people, just like me, to stay alive. For what? I had no one and nothing. As I slowly walked towards the stage, horror and relief washed through me. Time to die, like you wanted.