"Stop." I say, calmly, swinging my sword by my side. The soft glow of the evening sun is reflected on the tips of the waves, the fine grains of sand are pale and perfect. It's a beautiful evening. But I am not here to laugh.
The gang of careers turns at the sound of my voice. I can see the fear, evident in their eyes. Fear of me. Fear of what I can do.
The young girl takes this opportunity to run, whimpering with pain at her many cuts and bruises.
"Magnolia." says Kaelyn, coldly. A tall, muscular seventeen year old, Kaelyn towers over me. But I am not the one whose eyes are filled with terror.
"What's your excuse this time?" I reply, icily. He growls.
"She cheeked me." he grunts
"Oh really?" I ask, coolly. His companions nod vigorously. I snort. "Whatever she said, she was probably just being honest." I decide, with a sweet smile. Kaelyn glares at me. Unfortunately for him, looks can't kill. But my sword can.
Before he knows what's happening, I push off the sandy ground, flipping over his head and landing behind him. He gazes around himself, stupidly, and I hook my muscled arm around his neck. My sword edge finds his throat, and I smile, my breath warm on his neck.
"Next time you want a fight, Kaelyn," I whisper, "I'm ready and waiting."
And with that, I release him, striding off down the beach, my blonde curls rippling in the sea breeze. I cut a striking figure, clad in brown leather, with tanned, muscled arms and a pretty, heart-shaped face. But my brown eyes, usually so soft, are hard with anger. Because this time, Kaelyn has gone too far.
I sit with my father, my only living family, as the television flickers to life.
President Snow. Elected last month. Ready to announce the Quarter Quell.
"In honour of the first Quarter Quell," begins the young President, clearing his blood-scented throat, "The tributes shall not be picked at random in a public reaping. They shall be elected by their fellows.
And as the power is cut, and as the television flickers and dies, my blood turns icy cold. Because I know who the careers will vote for. After all those times I taunted them, stopped them from scaring young children and torturing those who resisted, who else would they vote for? What better way to get rid of me? Yes, I know who will be District 4's female tribute in these Games.
Me.