So this is my first attempt at a Hunger Games fic. Just to point out, I'm British so certain words are spelled differently. I own nothing except the names and whatnot.
The freezing wind is whipping at my face, my ears stinging and my cheeks are comfortably numb. My mouth is hanging open, finding it hard to catch my breath in the cold air, I wet my lips with what little saliva I have left on my tongue, though I know this will only succeed in allowing the wind to leave my lips chapped. I'm running away from something. I am several hundred feet in front, when my footing falters and I am captured.
I jolt up in my bed, rubbing the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. The bedroom is dark, it's still night time. My little sister, Marney is asleep across from me with her head buried in the crook of Aunt Ronnie's neck, her raven hair is shining softly in the moonlight, she takes after our mother. Our parents are no longer alive, it's just me, Marney, my older brother Jensen and Aunt Ronnie.
I pull on a jacket and make my way onto the tiny porch at the front of the house. Jensen and I sit here at night, we never really say much, we both just like the company I guess. He tries to avoid meeting new people and I... Well I just don't have the time!
In a few hours the sun will be up, and the streets will be filled with the inhabitants of District 12, today is the Reaping. Jensen and Marney are not eligible for the Hunger Games as they are aged 20 and 11. I however, am 17 years old, and the past 2 years I have claimed tesserae, which means that today my name will be in that daunting glass bowl, 29 times. The odds are not particularly in my favour.
We spent our free hours eating together, praying my name wouldn't be called today, and all too soon it was time to walk into the crowd, and line up for the reaping.
Effie Trinket steps onto the stage and clears her throat. She's wearing blue today, a pleasant change to her usual pink.
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever, in your favour" she trills, she steps aside and shows us all a video of the dark days, as they do every year, explaining how an uprising caused District 13 to be obliterated. I always did wonder why they used the same footage of District 13 every year, are they really too lazy to send a hovercraft over there for some updated coverage?
"As always, ladies first" I hear Effie giggle down the microphone, I stiffen automatically. Don't worry Aivana, you've gotten away with it for 5 years, Jensen never got called once! I tell myself.
Effie walks over to the glass bowl and reaches deep, swirling her hand around as if she is about to pull out a prize. Then saunters back over to the microphone and slowly unwraps the little square of paper. She clears her throat once more and plasters a smile on her face.
"Aivana Hind" my blood runs cold, I feel the colour drain from my face. Everything seems to have slowed down as everyone parts to make a pathway for me. I shake myself, clearing my head and drag my feet up to the stage. Effie grabs my elbow and helps me the rest of the way. She looks expectantly out at the crowd, after last year being the first volunteer I guess she expects it to happen again, but no one will. No one really knows me.
"And now for the gentleman that will join our lovely lady!" she hurries over to the second bowl and quickly pulls out a slip, not making a show of it like with the girls.
"Christian Merron" she smiles sweetly as the crowd parts again, revealing a tall boy, I watch him carefully as he draws closer. His dark hair falls just above his shoulders in an unruly way, framing his slim face and dark eyes.
He stands beside me and Effie tells us to shake hands, we do eventually. And then we are sweeped away, awaiting the goodbyes from our families.
As soon as the door shuts I am alone. All that I can think of right now is who will feed the family? Jensen and Marney are not able to purchase tesserae, Aunt Ronnie is too crazy to understand the need for food. I'm panicking now. The door bursts open and I am enveloped in a tight hug, from both of my siblings.
"You'll be fine Aiv" Jensen whispers.
"You can do it, you're clever" Marney cries into my shoulder.
"I'm going to try my best, that's all I can do, right? Just promise me you'll be okay! Tell Ronnie to help!" I pull both of them tighter to me.
"We'll find a way" Jensen looks me in the eyes and smiles tearfully.
We hug for a few more moments before they are wrenched from my arms and I am screaming goodbyes through the door though they've already gone.
I sit silently, waiting for something. I don't know what exactly, but waiting for something.
Short one to start off with, let me know what you think!