-Year of the 42nd Hunger Games-
How could this happen? How did it end up like this? Me. Adrian Wolf, 16 years of age. On my way to the Capitol to participate in the 42nd hunger games.
Dark brown hair blocks my watery vision, as I sit here, curled up in a ball. This will be a journey I may never return from. I may never get to see district 7 again. District 7. Just the though brings on a fresh batch of tears. What will my family do? Mum, she would be crying no doubt. Dad will be trying to comfort her. But little Tay, 6 years old, helpless to do anything. I can imagine her fear as she tries to get her head around the whole situation.
Sitting over from me is Marley Birch. She is this years district 7 female tribute. 18 years of age with curly blonde hair and reddened blue eyes. She is just staring blankly ahead. She doesn't even flinch when the doors open and the two district 7 mentors come in.
Celia Flynn, winner of the 23rd. She is looking at Marley as if she has already given up on her. I have watched Celia's games. She joined the careers and killed them all in there sleep. Her snake like eyes scan Marley, looking for any flaws, at this point even I can there are many. She takes a seat on a chair separate to the two couches Marley and I were placed on.
Tyler Valor won a later games. The 11th or something like that. I cant remember how he won, but he must be strong. His hair is already graying and his eyes look worn. He has brought back 2 victors, Celia being one of them. He takes a seat across from me and smiles warmly at me.
"So first off. I am Tyler and this is Celia" Tyler says, gesturing to himself and then Celia.
"I can introduce myself old man" Celia spits back.
"Oh please be quiet child" Tyler says. This shuts Celia up straight away and I cant help the little smile that is forming on my lips. "Anyway, would you like to be trained together or alone?" he asks.
I look to Marley who has changed her glance to me. We sit there for a minute or two just staring into each others eyes. It is like she is sending me a signal saying it will be best to train apart. "Apart" I mutter.
"Okay, now that is cleared up, lets move on" Celia says, seemingly bored. Why did they choose her for a mentor? I feel sorry for Marley. She gets up, gestures Marley to do the same and then walks out with Marley in tow. I turn to Tyler and wipe the tears on my sleeve.
"Don't worry son. I have brought back two kids and I am willing to do it a third time" he says as he pats my shoulder. This comforts me the tiniest bit, but I still feel hurt. "Well come on then. Tell me what you can do."
What I can do? I can't do anything. I didn't drop out of school like many others do. I didn't work in the lumber yard, there is nothing...but I cant say nothing. I cant seem useless. "I can use an axe" I lie. I don't look at him, but out the window.
"That's good. There will most definitely be an axe in the arena. What about your other skills?" he asks.
Now this I don't have to lie about. I have some other skills, "I can run" I mutter.
"Run?" he questions.
"Yeh. I am actually the fastest in the school. I always won in sports when it came down to running" I reply.
"Well, I guess it is something" Tyler says as his hand flies to his chin like he is thinking, "here is what you have to do. Keep the whole running thing a secret. Work on traps in training and survival skills. Maybe work with a knife or something just in case you run into another tribute. But mainly stick to traps, it could be your only way out" he says. I see hope rise in his eyes and it rises my hopes too.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the recap of the reapings for the forty-second hunger games" Ceasar Flickerman's face shows up on the screen. Tyler and I have joined up with Celia and Marley to watch the reapings.
Tyler told me to look for any flaws in the tributes I see. Look for things I can use against them in the arena. The district 1 seal shows and their reaping replays. The two tributes are brutes. The boy, Carvo, though skinny, has a sly look about him. He is 17 and looks dangerous with his gleaming yellow eyes. The girl, Asila, is a giant. She has clear muscles and has short, spiky black hair. Her emerald eyes look bloodthirsty. At one point she looks to the camera and sends a spine chilling glare down the camera lens. My hopes of winning are quickly dwindling.
The pair from district 2 are your average career. They seem like they will do anything to win, even if that means killing each other. I don't quite catch the girls name, but I spot my first flaw. She has anger problems. I can tell this because she punched one girl and dragged another down onto the floor just so she can volunteer. The boy, Caden, has bulging muscles and icy blue eyes.
The rest go on. 3 don't offer up much. 4 has a little boy, Asher, who cried all the way up to the stage. I thought district 4 was a career district, but nobody volunteers for him. The girl, Ariel, is a career for sure. She looks trained and her beauty is bewitching with her flowing red hair and beautiful sea green eyes. She is sure to get a lot of sponsors.
The boy from 5 is not much, but the girl actually volunteers. Her name is Lumia. She is 15 years old, but is as tall as a 17 year old. She has blonde hair put up in a bun with light gray eyes. She volunteers for a little 13 year old girl. They resembled each other so it gets me thinking they are related, sisters maybe. 6 don't give much. Two 14 year olds. Then it is my reaping. I have been dreading this. I start to feel sick, but I force myself through it and watch.
Marley is first. She walks up to the stage quietly and emotionless, much like she is now. She is just sitting staring at the television. Then my name is called. I watch my trembling self stumble to the stage. Look at me...nobody is going to wanna sponsor me.
When it switches to district 8, I feel my stomach ease a little. These two are not much either. A 18 year old skinny guy called Andre and a 17 year old girl called Alice. District 9 surprise me. The boy is 18 and he volunteers with a smile on his face. He is scary to look at. Sleek black hair, pale skin and pale gray eyes. The girl is only 14 and walks with a limp.
District 10 makes interests me. The boy, Carlos, is 16. He seems fit and doesn't seem scared to have been reaped. The girl is 16 too. I don't catch her name, but I do catch a flaw. She is trusting and gullible. Their escort tells her everything is going to be fine and she beams like she believes it.
The girl from 11 makes me feel sad. She is only 12 and is holding a small reg doll. She drops it when walking up to the stage. She tries to go back screaming, 'Aggie, please come with me Aggie'. I am guessing her doll is called Aggie. The boy, a 17 year old, picks up Aggie on the way and passes it back to the girl. It will be upsetting to see that girl die.
12 don't offer up much. They have only have 1 victor. He won before the careers were formed. He hasn't managed to bring anybody home. It must be hard for him having to get use to all these kids, yet they end up dead.
After 12 have finished, Tyler says its time for dinner, but I pass. I go to my assigned room and collapse on the king sized bed. I feel fresh tears come on as I think about my slim chances. If I do what tyler said and work on traps, then maybe I can win. Doubtful, but could happen.
I close my eyes and let my body relax. Today has been long and I need rest for tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be paraded in front of Panem. 'Will I get sponsors?' is my last thought before sleep pulls me under.
A/N: So, here is the first chapter or my first fan fiction. I hope you enjoyed it. Updates will be every Wednesday. Leave a review and tell me what you think. What I can improve on. I apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes.
