.Chapter One.
Sometimes first impressions can, well, give someone the wrong impression. And, to be honest, I'm not very good at first impressions. I always end up intimidating anyone I have interest in befriending. I guess that's what happens if you've always been taught that the only way to succeed in life is with brutal force. And it's hard to live in a family where the topic remains always: the Hunger Games.
Cato Hartley first won the Hunger Games when he was fourteen. From then on, he went to establish the Academy, where he trained teenagers who would then volunteer for the games once properly prepared, earning riches and glory for our district. At first the Academy was kept secret, but eventually every child in District 2 was vying for a spot in this exclusive school. My parents included. My mother; victor of the 43rd games, and my father, who never competed but always longed to call a house in Victors Village his own.
I was pretty much born wielding a sword. My father enrolled all of us in the Academy; Carter, Lily, and I. Carter won the 72nd games. I'm supposed to win these games. And Lily was meant to win the 78th.
"Cato, focus, you aren't focusing!" Briar calls out to me. I fall to the ground and pant before standing up again. The simulation is over. Briar glares at me from beneath his glasses as I jog in place in front of him.
"58 point 2 seconds! Is this some kind of a joke?! Your brother always completed the simulations in less than forty seconds."
"It was a harder one. The tree was at least 50 feet tall, and you know I'm not very good at climbing them in the first place."
"And what could have happened if another tribute was chasing you? I'm sure Carter would know that climbing a tree is vital in survival skills. And a sword won't save you if that tribute had a bow. Your brother ended a boy's life with a bow. If only you had half as much sense as he did, if only…" I begin to walk away before he finishes that sentence. I could never amount to anything Carter did. He won the games in six days. Killed almost half of all the tributes, and did it all alone. I am supposed to admire him. Look up to him. Be proud of him. But how I am to do any of this after what he did to her. To the only girl I'd ever loved. To Areda.
Briar follows me only to remind me that tomorrow I must volunteer. It is my last year. That I will bring shame to my family if I don't. All of this I am already aware of. I will win the games. I will please my family. And finally all of the pressure will go away. I just won't win the way that Carter did.