All My Luck

A/N: This is a one-shot set in the first Hunger Games. The President is an ancestor of President Snow. This one-shot is for the forum made by SneverusSnapers. Enjoy!

P.S. I don't own anything except a few pieces of lint.

My name is Heath Darkwood. I am 17 years old. I live in what is now called District 12. The coal district. Where the most casualties were found because of the war that tore my world to pieces. I at first thought me and my family were lucky, surviving the war. Now, the meaning of that word has disappeared, like coal burning in a hearth.

The shattered remains of buildings long destroyed loom over the newly erected town square, where one President Snow is speaking.

"It is to my great displeasure to announce the first Hunger Games, where we will be putting your children against each other to fight to the death." He continued.

"This is punishment for those of you who fought against the mighty Capitol. The casualties have been counted, and it seems that 200 Hunger Games will have to be held to fix the debt you animals have caused." President Snow all but growled.

He went on and on like this, and with each word, murmurs and curses were heard through the crowded town square. I looked above the heads of those younger than me, and I spot my little sister, Caroline, where she is trembling at this news with all the 12 year olds. I am supposed to be the pillar of strength she leans on, the symbol of safety. But all I can do is stand here and watch everything shatter.

"Let the great honor of the Reaping begin." Snow said, his voice ringing out. He is sentencing one girl to death, and I pray it won't be her. He reaches into the glass bowl, and withdraws a single slip of paper.

"Caroline Darkwood." I stare at her, tears streaming down my face, creating tracks in the the dirt that is matted on my cheeks. Caroline, sweet, innocent Caroline is being forced to kill. And there is nothing to do for her. She shakily gets up, and a boy trips her while she's walking.

President Snow tuts at this disregard of respect, while Caroline sits in the offered chair, shaking like a leaf and sobbing silently. All I wish is that I could help her, in any way possible. I got what I wished for, in the worst way possible.

When he reaches into the male bowl, he withdraws another peace of paper. Caroline gasps as he reads my name out loud. That was when my life ended. Only one of us would survive this, and I hoped it wasn't going to be me.

I heard my mother screaming in the crowd, but I couldn't discern her words. Reporters swarmed us as we walked with Snow, chanting sorrowful words at how Caroline and I are related. I spoke to Caroline only the moment before we got the chance for goodbyes for the rest of the family.

"That's all our luck, isn't it?" Caroline's wet grin got me through the heartbreak that was our final goodbyes.

My mother's final words to the both of us was painful, horrid, loving, and only four letters long.

Luck.