This is a story my friend and I have been working on together as a way to fight writers block. It takes place in Panem, but includes many different characters and settings from some of our favorite movies, TV shows, and books. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1 – Taylor
Taylor's mind was racing as she wove her fingers through her hair, braiding it back out of her face. She couldn't decide how today's reaping would go. The same thoughts flickered through her mind that had since President Snow had announced the first Quarter Quell.
She had just returned home from a hard day of training by the docks, sweat still beading on her forehead from her run, but her parents were not interested in how her day had gone like usual, but were glued to tele-projector in their living room.
Her younger brother, Avery, was playing with a piece of string, working on his knots and not paying any attention to what was going on around him, like usual. Her sister, Logan, was sitting at the table in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water, her eyes fixed on the projector as well.
"What's going on?" Taylor asked, getting a glass of water for herself.
"Important message from the Capitol." Logan responded under her breath without looking up from the screen where the Capitol logo was turning in circles in a hypnotic way.
Taylor took a seat beside her and waited with the rest of her family. She was sure that this message had to do with the twenty fifth anniversary of the games that were happening this year, just as sure that President Snow wore a wig.
The President of Panem stood at a podium overlooking the Capitol when the screen cleared. His unnaturally thick black hair had been combed back and gelled and his skin looked buffed and shiny just like all the people of the Capitol.
"In honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games and as a reminder to our districts that the Hunger Games are their faults, the male and female tributes will be voted on by the districts themselves. We look forward to celebrating with you." And with those words and a roaring cheer growing from within the Capitol and through our tele-projector, the screen went blank, leaving all the districts speechless.
"Could you braid my hair once you finish yours?" Logan asks, holding a pale ribbon in her hands. Taylor could only tell by the vibrating movement of the end of her ribbon that her hands were shaking in nervous excitement. She got this way at every reaping.
"Sure thing." Taylor said, reaching the end of the strand. She had braided the front of her hair and let the braid lay loose by her ear, "Just a normal braid?" Taylor asked as Logan crouched in front of her.
"Yes, please." Her voice calm as she held the ribbon up for me to use to tie off once Taylor finished.
"You wearing your new dress?" Taylor asked tying the ribbon in a bow and letting the braid fall to her back. She nods, "You're nervous you're not going to be picked, aren't you?" Taylor took in a breath and nodded.
She had been working towards entering the games when she reached her last year, knowing she had a strong chance of winning, but President Snows announcement ruined her whole plan. Her fate was in the hands of the people, and if they did not think she was strong enough they would surely choose someone else. And what if they used this as an opportunity to get rid of people they didn't like… her chances would be ruined. She did not have another year after this.
"You ready to go?" The two jittery girls' dad asks, clasping a hand on her shoulder. Taylor nod, keeping her lips shut. The future winner of the first quarter quell should not be nervous.
Logan and Taylor walked together towards the square together, keeping their heads held high. Taylor was afraid that looking in the eyes of those around her would convey her fear, turning their vote towards someone more worthy.
Unlike the normal check in, for the Quarter Quell everyone was required to cast their vote for who they wanted to send into the games. The peacekeepers had numerous large tablets that catalogued each eligible citizen, divided by age and gender. Each were restricted to thirty seconds each to choose, or your own name was put in along with a random name from the opposite genders. This helped to keep the line moving. For the adults, their closest related eligible child would be entered when their time was up.
Taylor voted for herself within five seconds of her allotted time and spent the last few seconds deciding which guy to vote for. She was having second thoughts about who she wanted to travel with her, someone strong, as an ally? Or someone weak to help her get closer to her goal of becoming the twenty-fifth victory? She voted for her friend Dalton, knowing he would make a decent ally, but also keep her from being so nervous the whole time.
She gave Logan a hug before moving into the section for eighteen year old girls and waited patiently for the votes to come in. It was not long before District Four's Capitol escort, Flux Scrymgeour, took the stage, giving the crowd an excited cheer. "Welcome, welcome! Today we celebrate the twenty-fifth Hunger Games, the first Quarter Quell!"
Taylor had always enjoyed watching Flux on reaping day. He had this sparkle in his eye as he spoke, his lips were always pulled into a genuine smile, and his hair was always dyed a different shade of blue, probably in honor of the seas of the district. This year it was a pale teal color.
Mayor Vipointe took to the stage, making a speech that no one paid attention to, and introduced District Fours victors. District Four had heralded three victors within the past twenty four years. All were males, the youngest had won two years ago and had been one of Taylor's good friends, Newt. But apparently victors were too good to socialize with trainees, and she rarely spoke to him now.
"Before we discover who will be representing us in this years games, we have a word from the Capitol." Flux said, pointing towards the screens on either side of the stage. Taylor knew the whole video by heart, having heard it every year since she was a child. She could not help but smile when one of her friends beside her was mumbling the words beside her.
Her favorite part came on the screen, where the video showed the fake victors being crowned by President Snow. Taylor wanted that crown. She needed it to sit by her bed as a reminder of her hard work and her success.
Her hands were starting to shake as the video came to a close and Flux clapped his hands together, "Now! For the results."
Two gold envelopes sat on the tables where the large glass bowls that held the names usually sat. Flux made a show of picking up the first envelope, picking up a knife from the table to slice the top open, and pulling a out a crisp white card. Taylor had not taken a breath the whole time.
"Our female tribute for the first Quarter Quell is … Miss …" Flux had this awful habit of adding pauses for dramatic effect … a habit that Taylor wanted to strangle him for right now, "Taylor McGinnis! Come up here dear! Give her an applause."
Her heart had stopped and her knees almost failed her but that was not for long. She was beaming and walking as fast as she could towards the stage. The crowd was a mix of cheers and silence. Not everyone in District Four was in support of the trainees, some even disgusted by Taylor's joy as she stood next to Flux on stage, smiling down at her sister and family mixed into the crowd.
"And now, for the boys." Flux said, plucking up the second gold envelope. The clean slice through the paper made Taylor's stomach lurch as she braced meeting her future opponent. "Our male tribute for the first Quarter Quell is… Mr… Landon Hammack."
Landon was an acquaintance of Taylor's. Someone she saw often, spoke to occasionally, but rarely hung out with. As he reached the stage, Landon winked in Taylor's direction as she mentally sighed.
"And may the odds be ever in your favor!" Flux announced putting his tan hands on both their shoulders, showing off his tributes to District Four, to the Capitol, and to all of Panem.