A/N Hello there! This is my first time writing fan fiction for the Hunger Games, so I hope you like it.

Enjoy!

Chapter One – Unfavorable Odds

The Royal Games, the most sacred, most dangerous tradition in all of Panem. It was how the most worthy of us was chosen. It was how our monarch chose their suitor.

Only those who were between the ages of 18 and 25 were selected to compete and only those who were of the opposite sex of our monarch. The champion was the only one qualified enough to produce an heir. It was how our nation has kept a strong leader all these years. It was how we have kept peace.

The only catch was the other competitors . . . don't survive.

This year, our monarch is at a suitable age to begin producing an heir. He has decreed that the 74th Royal Games be held.

Each of the twelve districts of Panem are to select one competitor to enter the games. The districts choose their competitor by holding their own games. Of course, the benefit is that no one dies in the district games.

"Katniss, did you put on that dress? Are you almost ready? We can't be late."

I looked in the mirror with a frown. I regarded myself in the dress I put on, turning this way and that. It was colored deep blue and came down to just above my knees, with a neckline that dipped almost enough to make me uncomfortable. I despised dresses, but I had to admit, this one complemented me pretty well.

"I'm ready, mother. Why is it so important that I wear this thing?" I said as I opened the door to my mother tapping her foot with her hands on her hips. She looked at me a moment and clasped her hands together at what she saw.

"Oh Katniss you should dress like this more often. You look so much more ladylike in this than in those pants and button downs."

"Mother, pants and shirts are easier to work in all day or have you forgotten that's what I do with my time, which is why I question wearing this. Do you want me to be appealing?"

"Of course, don't be ridiculous Katniss. I wish for you to always look this beautiful. I don't understand why you're causing such a fuss," Mother said with a huff as she tidied me.

Frustrated, I slapped her hands away. "Do you wish for me to be chosen? Do you wish for me to leave? Who will work? How will you and Prim survive?"

"Katniss! It would be a great honor to yourself and this family if you were to be the King's suitor. Just think of how much better our life would be."

"And what of the chances of me winning? Our district hasn't won since ten rulers ago! Would you rather risk me dying only for a tiny slimmer of hope at royalty?"

"Yes," she said quietly.

I looked at my mother in shock, speechless.

"There has to be more to life than this, Katniss. We deserve better. Don't you want that for us, to at least try."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me," I said coolly.

"Katniss-"

"Save it. We don't want to be late." I brushed past her and grabbed my jacket on my way out the door.

I walked out onto our shabby porch, wrapping my coat around me as I took a couple deep breaths of cool air.

"Smells like we'll be getting snow soon."

I jumped in surprise, turning to see my sister hanging from the roof of the porch.

"Jesus Prim. You know I hate when you do that." Her response was a soft giggle.

"Now, get down before the roof caves in on top of me."

Prim swung right side up and jumped down from her perch.

"You don't have to do what she said, you know. We're doing pretty ok."

I sighed and shook my head a little to organize my thoughts.

"I know, Prim, but I'm going to try. I want that for you, I do."

"But you said it yourself, Kat. The odds aren't that favorable. I'd rather you alive and poor than dead and poorer."

"Hey, there's no telling I'll even get selected at all. There are plenty of other girls, right?"

Prim only shook her head at my poor attempt at being optimistic. She and I both know.

I am at the top of my class.

I am one of the hardest workers.

I am of age.

I am female.

The odds were not in my favor.

A/N A little short, but I wanted to put out a teaser. Things will be fleshed out more next chapter, I promise.

Until next time!