Trapped. That's what we were. No matter how hard we tried or how far we ran, we could never escape. Our freedom was all that we wanted, but it was unattainable. I sighed and sat up. I could dream of a far off place where we weren't forced into brutal labour, harsh conditions and extreme poverty, but such a place couldn't exist with rulers like ours. The Reaping was a prime example of this. The Reaping for the 43rd annual Hunger Games was today and I couldn't get my mind off of it. What if I was picked? I was only 14, how could I beat the Careers? What of my sister? She was 17, but even smaller than I. She couldn't escape the wrath of the other tributes. This wasn't fair. I slammed my fist into the beige wall. Crumbs from the ceiling rained down on me. Our house really needed improvements. Living in District 11 sucked. We worked all day and returned to a cold, dreary home with limited electricity and no heating. If only I could escape, I know everything would be better.
"Son? Come down here, we need to get ready for the Reaping!"
I snorted with disgust. My father would try to sugarcoat this wretched day, but I wouldn't fall for it. I'd had an extreme hate for the Capitol since I was old enough to understand the Games, but my hatred deepened after the Games last year. My best friend Griff had been chosen as a tribute last year. The arena had been freezing cold, and many tributes died of hypothermia. However, coming from a district that usually has no heating in the houses, he was smart enough to find shelter and keep warm with fire. I had high hopes for his return when he made the final six. It looked like District 11 might have a victor, seeing as our female tribute, Tilly Warkin, was still alive, but freezing cold. On the fifth day of the games, the Gamemakers transformed the arena into a blazing jungle with intense heat. Tilly climbed a tree to hide from other tributes. She was stung several times by tracker jackers and subsequently went mad. Griff ran by the crazed girl, and in her madness, Tilly whipped a knife at him. The cannon sounded moments later. I cried that night for hours and hours. Killed by a tribute from his own district? He was so close. After killing Griff, Tilly went on to win the games, only to form a drug addiction after getting back home. No one had seen from her in years, as she usually just stayed in her home. I vowed to get my revenge on the Capitol after that day. I would do anything to get revenge, even if it meant putting myself in danger first.