Chapter 1
I wake up to a loud crash and screams that follow shortly after . Another building must've collapsed. Which is not uncommon here, especially since it is almost hurricane season. People know the buildings are condemned but they go there anyways. After all where else would you go in the lower level of District 4.
While people in Panem probably think the citizens of District 4 are living it up with there big houses and extravagant fish. That is not the case. There are three levels in District 4 upper, middle, and lower.
The upper level citizens have as much money as the victors and their houses are slightly bigger.
The middle level is where most of the population resides. They work in shops or as fishermen. They have decent sized houses. They don't have to worry about money much and don't worry about getting something to eat.
The lower level is where people put their names in for tesserae. It's because people can't find work. People don't want to hire or even talk to people from this part of the District. I don't know why but, it doesn't make things easy. Food is hard to come by here and so is shelter.
I am from the lower level of District 4.
There aren't many houses here and most of the buildings are usually condemned. The structures are too dangerous to be in. This part of the District is the remains of District 4 from the dark days. People don't want to be reminded of that so they avoid it.I don't know how people ended up here. I'm not one to ask. It's easy to run out of money or lose your job. Besides it's not like I have many people to ask.
Luckily my sister and I have a house or as I like to call it a shack. It has a kitchen, a bathroom and a main room with a fire place. At least we have a roof over our head. That is more than most people who live in the lower level can say.
Our parents died two years ago in a hurricane. My sister and I had trouble coming up with money. Our parents weren't poor. For the standards of the lower level. They didn't have enough money that would last us for the rest of our lives. That isn't reality though. I don't think most people inherent enough money that can last a lifetime.
We couldn't really find jobs. People don't hire you unless you are twenty. I don't know why. I had to put my name in to take tesserae to make sure my sister and I could have something to eat.
I did this when my parents were alive also. They didn't want my sisters name in there anymore times than it had to be. When they died she was nineteen. She couldn't sign up for tesserae when we really needed it.
It doesn't matter anymore because she is twenty-one now and has a job. She has a better job than most people in the lower level have. She is a butcher at the fish market. She mostly cleans the fish carcasses. She gets paid minimum wage which is more than most citizens from the lower level can say. We usually don't have to worry about getting food.
"Dylan." My sister tells me gently
"What?" I say slightly annoyed. I did just wake up to the sounds of people screaming.
"It's almost time." She says sadly
It's almost time for the reaping of the 62nd Hunger Games. I'm 18 and my is only supposed to be in there six times but, it is in there thirty-three times. The odds are not exactly in my favor. I am unaware of how many times the average citizen from District 4 has there name in. It is common knowledge that the people who are better off would not need extra food. Even if it was to try and get their named called it would be stupid because you could just volunteer.
District Four is considered a career District. This is simply because more people volunteer here. The citizens here are given more opportunities than other Districts. While people in District 1 and 2 love the Hunger Games as much as Capitol citizens that is not the case with people from District 4. People here don't usually like the Hunger Games. The only people who do are people from the upper level. They are the minority of the District. None the less we are seen as killing machines. People don't stop and realize that we don't have volunteers every year. In the past two years we haven't had one.
"Don't worry after this it will be over." My sister says.
"Emily, I'm going to worry."
She smiles "Well, fine. Worry, get it out of your system. Just come back here when it's over."
"Okay. Are you going to be here?"
"Probably not. After the reaping the butcher's is still open. I will probably be working late. I put in an overtime work order. The prices for food usually rise this time of year. Making a cushion won't hurt." She smiles.
"Especially since we can't get the tesserae next year." I say
"Don't worry about that now." Emily smiles
She looks to the clock.
"We should start heading down. It's an hour walk to the square." She tells me
"Too bad we don't live in a different level, it is only a mere twenty minute walk."
"Well, we don't." she says slightly annoyed. "Complaining about this won't change anything."
"People think this place is like poor Districts." I say
"It could be. We would never know though." She says.
We head to the town square and I get checked in. I head over to the section where all of the eighteen year old boys are.
After a few minutes our escort Julius comes out.
Julius is wearing a suit that is bright blue and has black sparkles outlining it. There is a glare coming off of it from the sun. To match his outfit he has blue hair and blue and black makeup to complete the look.
We get shown the propaganda film that explains this happens because people tried to rebel 62 years ago. They wanted their freedom. Everyone still wants their freedom but because of the Hunger Games we are too afraid to do anything.
The video is over and they introduce the victors.
First is Mags an older woman. Her hair is a perfect mixture of gray and white. Next is James he has a strong build. He has hair that is black as coal and his eyes match. He is pale almost as if he is sick. The last victor is a woman. Marina she is tan, has dark brown hair, and green eyes. She has scars all over her body because of the acid rain the gamemakers used in the arena. That is why she won because she didn't get severally hurt like unlike the other tributes.
"Alright now let's see who will be competing this year." Julius says ecstatically
"As always ladies first." He says
He reaches his hand far into the bowl and finally finds one he is satisfied with.
"Elena Stark." He says. A girl from the thirteen section goes out.
Great dead girl walking. I think to myself.
I'm hoping someone will want to volunteer. She gets to the stage and I notice Marina's face looks as if all the blood has drained out of it. Maybe that is her daughter.
"How does it feel Elena to be representing District 4 this year?" Julius asks
"Great." She says softly. I think she knows she will die.
"Now to the boys." Julius says
He goes over to the glass bowl and picks the first piece of paper that touches his hand.
Let's get this over with. I think.
I'm not really worried. I know my odds, and they aren't in my favor.
"Dylan Watt." Julius says.
I wish I could say I was surprised but, I'm not. My name was in there more than the usual citizen. I'm not even angry. I think with my name in there so many times it's surprising it didn't get called sooner.
I walk to the stage and my face isn't holding an expression because I don't care.
"So Mr. Watt how does it feel to be the male tribute representing District 4 for the 62nd Hunger Games?"
"I don't know. I do know I just want them to start." I say in a dead pan voice. I sound almost bored. It's because I don't care. I know I'm going to die. Why bother pretending when I know what will happen. Most people will think this is some power trip. That is not the case. I just don't care.
I don't think the odds are in my favor. I don't know how to use a weapon and I'm not strong because I'm usually starving. I am smart. I know things about nature. How to set fires. Which is an essential survival skill but I don't think that will help much. You need to be good at something physical not just mental.
