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Hey everyone this is my new fanfiction! I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my friend Ashleigh for encouraging me to finish it and correcting mistakes that I undoubtedly typed! Please review and I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not in any way own the characters in Hunger Games, but it is on my wish list to be able to claim the Hunger Games as my own... Oh well :)

Chapter 1:

Birds sung their beautiful melodies all around me, each one different from the other and some seemed further away than the rest. The sounds calmed and relaxed me from the thoughts I had been having. It also made me focus on my surroundings. It made me focus on the things in front of me. My targets. I set them up so many years ago to practise my aiming and precision.
I looked at the first target which was small bag of flour with the red 'x' to mark the spot I need to hit. I let all sounds and thoughts become blocked as I lifted my bow in place. As silently as possible, I reached behind me and felt the soft texture of the feathers that help balance the wood beneath it. I picked out an arrow using the guidance of its familiar texture and lifted it. I then carefully placed it on my bow and drew the string back. As quick as I could, I let go of the string and watched as the arrow soared through the air. Closing my eyes, I heard the beat of it hitting its target. I then turned around and keeping my eyes closed, I repeated this process, getting faster and faster, until I had ran out of arrows.

Looking around, the enclosed green area I saw arrows sticking out of my targets perfectly. The tips of the arrows exactly where the two red lines of the 'x's meet together. I smirked. It had taken me years to become this good, but I had finally mastered this skill to the degree I wanted and I wanted perfection.
My thoughts were disturbed by a slight crunch of leaves on my left hand side. Knowing I had no arrows, I dropped my bow and moved my hands towards my hidden accessory. I grabbed the handle of this 'accessory' and chucked it at the area I heard the sound. I heard the swoosh of the accessory flying through the air and then the clunk of it hitting something. I turned around and noticed my hidden jewel a.k.a my knife, embedded into the trunk of a tree and only a centimetre away from the target I had aimed for. I had to admit it wasn't bad considering I hadn't focused on the new target.
"Damn it Katniss, a little warning when you are still in your 'I will kill anything that makes a sound' moment! You do like testing my dodging skills don't you?" The owner of the crunch of leaves said. I recognised his voice immediately. Gale; The person who had taught me how to use a bow and aim properly. I came out of my defence position. "Sorry, but you should have worked out by now that when I'm in this wood, that is all I am ever doing: I am in my 'kill mode'." I replied back, slightly annoyed that he had made me lose my concentration.

He pulled out the knife from where it stuck out and started walking towards me carefully. He knew that I was dangerous if I was annoyed. "Look you told me to fetch you when it was time and have a guess what? It's time."
I stopped the sarcasm I was about to throw back at him and replied shortly, "Okay." I then started to move around, pulling out arrows as I went. Gale joined in and we finished our work quickly. Once we had collected them all I placed them into the quiver and hid my weapons in the tangled roots of an ancient tree.
I and Gale then walked slowly and silently through the maze of trees. From the silence, I could tell that Gale had something troubling him, the way that he kept frowning: every time he glanced at me, he frowned, that's how I knew. It was slightly unnerving, so once we had gotten to the clearing that separated the fence from the forest, I held my hand up to stop him.
Once he had stilled, I asked him what was wrong. He studied me and looked as if he didn't want to answer, so instead he asked me a question. "It isn't this year, is it?" He asked hopefully, his eyes pleading with me to not go. Luckily, I wasn't going anywhere for another year.
"No it isn't. I won't go until I am totally ready for it, and I'm not." I paused, thinking about how accurately I hit my targets. "I need to become what they call perfection to get the most sponsors and win." I spat out the 'they' with hatred, thinking about the worst moment of my life.

Gale snapped me out of my hateful thoughts by placing his hand gently on my shoulder. He was looking at me with eyes that said he understood. Unfortunately though, he doesn't understand what it's like to see someone you know die in a game with thousands watching for fun. He doesn't understand what it's like to see the relative you loved the most murdered. He just doesn't understand! Nobody does…
I broke free of Gale's hold on me and stormed to the fence. I checked to make sure there was no buzzing sound before ducking under it. That's where we live: we are surrounded by an electric fence to supposedly keep the animals out. What it actually did though was keep us trapped, unable to escape from the hardships of living in Panem. Unable to escape like District 13 did.
Panem is what used to be known as North America, or at least that is what we were taught at school. It is made up of twelve districts and each district creates different things: District 1 makes luxury items; District 2 manufactures weapons; District 3 makes electronic products; District 4 fishes; District 5's industry is power; District 6 makes transportation; District 7's industry is lumber; District 8 produces all clothing; District 9 produces grain; District 10 has livestock; District 11 is agriculture; and finally District 12, my home, is where the coal mining happens. These districts are basically the slaves for the Capitol. Everything that we create or make is shipped off for the 'finest' people Panem which in coincidence, are the people of the Capitol. Weird isn't it?

In Panem though there did used to be a District 13, which mined graphite. However, this was in the dark days when all the districts rebelled so when the Capitol took control again they supposedly destroyed District 13 to show the rest of us who was in control. If I'm honest though, I believe District 13 to still be working and I do have proof: whenever they show District 13, they always show the same video where the District's on fire. I know this is the same footage because of the Mockingjay. A Mockingjay is a bird that was born from a Jabberjay (a mutation from the capitol that recorded spoken language in the Dark Days – they were used to gain information) and a Mockingbird. The Mockingjay on the video though, always flew in the corner of the tape. This means that the Capitol hasn't been back to District 13 in almost 75 years (The end of the Dark Days) because there is no new footage. So this must mean that there is something there? Something or someone there to stop the Capitol.
Of course, if District 13 is still functioning, then they are ignoring the other Districts suffering, especially when it is viewed across the whole of Panem. This viewing of our suffering is called the Hunger Games. It was set up after the Dark Days to show that the Capitol always will have control. The Hunger Games are when every year, a girl and boy between the ages of 12-18 years old are selected from each district to basically fight to the death and the last person surviving is called the Victor who is then watched and always under the control of Capitol.

This is what happened to my relative. My brother, Samuel. He was 'reaped' (picked) out of the many boys in our district and because he was fed better than three quarters of our District (The Seam, where most people lived was where poverty was at its worst) because we were 'Townies', he did extremely well considering our District usually were the worst; They were the worst because we didn't eat enough and because we didn't train for the Hunger Games. Unfortunately though, he died. He died on the sixth day. Well actually to be exact, he was murdered brutally by a Career (District 1, 2 and 4 are careers because they prepare for the games and think it's an honour to be in them – they also are the ones who win it the most because even though it not supposed to happen, they train for it in special schools). I watched him die on the screen and I was helpless. I was useless and couldn't help him.
Thinking about my brother, a tear dropped from my eye and trailed down my cheek. This awakened me from my thoughts, so I blearily noticed that I was in my room at home. My feet had somehow managed to lead me here without me knowing. I heard my mother shouting (as per usual), so I hurriedly changed my clothes into something my mother would consider for an occasion like this. An occasion commonly known as a reaping for the Hunger Games. It is the day when a boy and girl from my District are sent to their deaths.
I came downstairs, meeting my brothers halfway. I followed them to the kitchen where my mother was waiting. My mother and father were there sitting down. My father smiled to me, while my mother glared.

"Katniss, is this what you call an acceptable look to be going into town for?" She looked me up and down, "I said is it Katniss Mellark?"
I didn't have the energy to argue with my mother so I sighed. "Sorry Mother." I apologised. I ducked my head to show her respect. Once I had ducked my head I watched as she scraped her chair back and stood up quickly. I knew that if you showed her subservience, then you would be disregarded. That was how loving my mother was: you get punished or ignored.
"Unfortunately child, we have no time to change, but I will punish you when we are home. We can't have our family looking like scoundrels all the time!" She then turned on her heel and walked out of the house.
Once my mother was out of the way, my father came up to me. "You look beautiful, Catnip." He smiled at me, kissed my forehead and left. I smiled happily at my father and followed him outside.
Once I had followed him to where the justice building was, my smile dropped, as did those of the children around me. It was a big open slab of concrete, which every child lined up in their age group, while the adults crowded around the outside. I was led to the sixteen year olds area. I looked around and found Gale in the eighteens group. This would be the last time Gale will be illegible for participating in the Hunger Games, and I know that his chances of actually being in them were high because of the amount of slips he has to his name. He had about 50 slips with his name on in the bowl for boys both due to his age and the tressare, while I had a measly amount of 5 slips in the girls bowl.

I looked away, when I heard the clicking noise of what only can be Effie. She was on the stage, in-between two big glass bowls. She was standing near a microphone and was smiling to her 'audience'. Effie Trinket is a Capitol escort. She is the one who collects the reaped people from District 12 and sends them to the Capitol to gain supporters for the Hunger Games.
"Welcome, welcome District 12 to another fantastic Hunger Games!" Effie exclaimed into the microphone with her annoying Capitol accent. "Now children, we have been blessed with yet another extraordinary video from our dearly beloved Capitol!" She smiled then turned to the screens, watching a film that basically said that the Districts were in the wrong and the Hunger Games is to teach us a lesson. I rolled my eyes at the video because it was the same every year: we were wrong; it's our fault, blah, blah, blah. Instead I watched Effie who was watching the screen intently and murmuring what the film said as if she remembered it word for word. This was what every Capitol citizen was like: brainwashed into thinking that the Hunger Games in which 24 children fighting to the death, were right.
Once the film had finished, Effie turned back towards her 'audience' and announced that it was time to pick the lucky winners. She then raised her hand dramatically and swirled her hand around the girls bow, hesitating before she dived her hand into the mountain of paper slips, each one with a 12-18 year old girls name on it, before picking just one. She slowly opened the slip and spoke clearly and loudly into the microphone the name of the 'lucky' person.

"Primrose Everdeen!" I froze. My mind spaced out into a memory: I watched her skipping to her brother waving a piece of paper which I could only assume was a grade from her teachers. A good grade too from her bubbly attitude and smiling face. That time was only last week! She was only twelve! She couldn't fight to save her life. This was unfair.
I unfroze, when I heard a familiar voice shout. "Prim! No! Prim!" Primrose's brother screamed franticly, trying to get to his sister who was slowly walking to the stage. He was held back by two peacemakers (people who uphold the law). I watched as he tried to get them to release him by moving about erratically and carelessly. His face was what made me turn away though: he had a look of pure agony and desperation.

Knowing I couldn't look at him anymore without feeling sick, I turned to Primrose, who was as pale as ghost. Even from the distance that I was away from her, I could see the distinct tremors that were escaping her body. Her face though was neutral, but I could tell that she was holding in her sobs for when she was away from the camera. I watched as she made her way to a peacemaker that was near me. Once the peacemaker had taken her arm I heard her small whimper. Only one escaped her mouth, but it was distinct and made me realise something: she was too young, too beautiful, too innocent and too small to die. Looking at her reminded me of when I was younger and had no care in the world. Thinking about this I watched as she started to make her way to the podium. I thought of one more thing before I made a decision: it was Peeta's face when her name was called. It reminded me of when I heard my brother's name come out of Effie's mouth and how much I wanted someone to volunteer. Thinking through this, I started to run to Primrose.
As I ran I noticed Gale shaking his head at me, trying to stop me from what I was about to do. I ignored him. I ran to Primrose, grabbing her shoulder lightly as I approached her and spoke very clearly. "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!"
Once I had spoken, everyone was in silence, but then soon broke into chatter. They were all staring at me funny. This was because it was the first time in years since someone had volunteered their life for someone else's. I ignored the people and knelt down to Primrose's height. "Have a happy and safe life Primrose Everdeen. " I said quietly, then I smiled and walked forward onto the stage.

Once I was on stage, I ducked my head so that I wouldn't feel the crowd staring at me. Also it was so then I wouldn't see the blue eyes of the boy who made me run. It didn't mean though that I didn't feel it: I could feel the intensity of his stare without even looking. I felt like I should try to meet his eyes, but I couldn't. I still couldn't fully understand how he made me feel like volunteering. I noticed there was still chatter taking place and that Effie hadn't quietened them down yet. I was curious because from I've saw of Effie, she likes control. My curiosity took over so I looked up to where Effie was. She was there, openly staring at me wide eyes. She blinked out of her obvious zoning out and I stared her in the eye hard, trying to show that I just wanted her to hurry this up. She composed herself again and twirled around to the microphone.

She coughed into the microphone to hush the crowd of whispering people. Once there was silence, she spoke. "Now isn't this exciting! A volunteer! Now dear, what's your name?" She smiled at me widely, showing all her white teeth to me. Her smile seemed too big and her teeth were actually gleaming in the light, making me squint. To be honest, her whole face was making me squint because how outrageous and over the top it was 'made up'. It seemed the latest fashion in the Capitol was the colour pink: Her lips were coated with a bright dark pink that were outlined with a lighter pink. Her eyelids were white near the tear duct and slowly blended diagonally through many pinks until it reached a light purple near the crease in her eye. Her eyelashes though were in a world of their own – they were small light pink feathers near the tear duct and the feathers gradually got larger until it reached the end of her eye. She looked in my opinion alien like, but I know that this style is what most of the Capitol women would be like. I also know that some people are even worse than Effie Trinket and had done things to their body that would turn me a sickly pale colour just thinking about it. Capitol citizens were 'unique' to say the least.
After my analysis I answered Effie's question. "Katniss Mellark." I spoke into the microphone, my voice sounding quite confident.
"Well Katniss I wish you good luck." Effie smiled, and then turned back to the microphone. "Well that was thrilling! This is going to be an interesting Hunger Games because of Katniss Mellark, the girl who volunteered!" She giggled childishly and continued. "So onto the next gender!" She then turned and placed her hand into the boy's glass bowl that contained thousands of names. A moment of dread filled within me thinking of the people I held dearly that were boys. There were my one brother and Gale; both though were in their last year of participating in the reaping. Still it made me nervous because I didn't want any of them to die and I especially don't want to be the one to kill them. I couldn't handle that: I could kill strangers, but someone I knew would be too difficult. Another name came to mind when I thought about someone who I didn't want to die – Peeta. I quickly pushed that thought from my mind, not understanding why I had thought it.

Effie picked a slip at random, much quicker than she had the females, and opened it. She glanced at the name and her eyes widened slightly, before speaking with a quiet, wavering voice that was so unlike the one she used for the girls tribute.

"Peeta Everdeen!"