Prologue:
Capitol- 66th Hunger Games
Three weeks. That's how long it has been since they put me into these deadly "games". I remember the Reaping like it was yesterday. I dressed for the day, knowing how it usually went for District 12, then filed out to the main square and checked in. Once in the boys' side of the square, I watched as the same boring routine played out….the overeager Effie Trinket "welcoming" us to our own potential death sentence, the video reminding us why we have the Hunger Games, and then….the Reaping itself. As always, it was ladies first. The girl called hadn't been well known to anyone...not even in the Seam. I had breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that the girl of my dreams was safe this year. However, that relief had been replaced by dread when I heard the boy name called out.
"Daniel Eddison," Effie had said.
I had frozen in place, forcing the peacekeepers to pull me out and take me up. I remember the look on the faces of everyone who knows me: My closest friends, my neighbors, my love...all of them were in shock when I took my place next to Effie and the girl tribute. That seems like a lifetime ago, now, as I stand at the edge of the woods, starting at the Cornucopia. Before me were the other two of the three remaining tributes, both Careers and sizing each other up for their final showdown. Soon, the boy from Two attacks the boy from Four, giving the crowd something to cheer for, after days of everyone dodging each other. It has become clear to me, now, that these boys have completely forgotten about me, as they swipe knives and throw punches at each other. I seize the opportunity and begin to sneak up on them as they fight, using their focus on being the last one standing to my advantage. Finally, the boy from District 2 has the upper hand, fatally wounding his opponent. As the boy from District 4 falls, he spots me behind his killer and gives a faint smile.
"What are you smiling about?" the formerly triumphant boy asks.
I give him an answer in the form of a knife through his back and into his heart. As he begins to fall, he turns and realizes that he had made a fatal error. Suddenly, he laughs, puzzling me.
"You played like a Career, kid," he says. "You deserve to go home."
He begins to say more, but is stopped as his heart finally gives up. He and his last victim die beside one another as their cannons fire. I'm still getting over my shock as the hovercraft comes to collect me.
Post Hunger Games
I can't believe it. I, fifteen year old Daniel Eddison from District 12, have just won the 66th annual Hunger Games. The first from my district in 16 years. It was still setting in as I went through the post Games clean up. It had barely begun to set in as I have my interview with Caesar Flickerman and it's still setting in as I return home. As the train arrives at the station, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and see my mentor Haymitch Abernathy, the only other living victor from the district, smiling at me.
"You did good, kid," he says. "Better than my expectations."
I smile.
"I hope you intend to keep that promise you made before the Games," I reply. "I'm holding you to it."
Haymitch just smiles as we exit the train.
Hello everyone and welcome to my newest Hunger Games fanfic. I've been away from writing in this section of the site for months and I decided that it was time to return, take down a few old stories, and bring in a brand new one. This story will take place mostly from the perspective of the OC that I've created for it, but will have a few bits from other people's perspectives (all such instances will be noted, when they take place). That's all, for now. Have a great day!