The First Quarter Quell

District 11

"As you all know I'm sure, today is the reaping for the 25th Hunger Games," Janessa Bauble, the escort for District 11, drawls. Because of her accent there is an odd pause between each word and emphasis on every word, making the words sound odd and clipped.

"And- It –Certainly- Will- Be -A –Remarkable- One-Too," she continues," May-I-Please-Draw-Your-Attention-To-The-Screen."

I do not look to the screen immediately as she says, but scan the crowd at first, watching people's confused faces.

The familiar white text shows up on the screen.

25 Years Ago The Capitol Overcame The Rebellion

To Commemorate This Event We Will Be Having The First Ever Quarter Quell

The video cuts to a video of Caesar Templesmith, this year he has gone with silver, his hair shines along with his eyelids and lips, which all look like they've been dipped in a thick layer of liquid silver. It makes him look very robot-like.

"Hey Folks! Since this is the first ever Quarter Quell, I'm here to do some explaining. You see long ago, when the Hunger Games were first being planned, the Gamemakers decided every 25 years, the games would have a special twist. He smiles brilliantly, his shining lips spread wide.

"And this year's twist is," he pauses before pulling out a yellow envelope, then begins to read from the card.

"This year tribute from each district will not be reaped, but elected. All district citizens will vote for a girl and boy tribute to compete. You have one hour. Good Luck and may the odds be ever in your favor."

The crowd is quiet. A couple woman sob. I can't help but smile, imagining the uproar in districts like one and two.

When all is quiet again, Janessa speaks.

"Well-Isn't-That-Exciting! Because-Of-The-Large-Population-Here-In-District-11, We-Will-Have-Two-Hours-To-Vote."

Our Mayor, dark, tall, and handsome, comes to the stage. He looks nervous.

Probably doesn't want to upset anyone, I think, remembering his two daughters, he doesn't want people to vote for them out of spite.

"Let's just give everyone some time to think, and then anyone who has a point or suggestion will be able to speak." He pauses to look at the huge clock that is now on the screen. He begins to say something but else but gives up.

A thought hits me, I could volunteer. It's not like I haven't pictured myself in the games before, but this time, I think about it seriously, not to win, but to save someone else.

I'm an orphan so it's not like I have to worry about my family. My parents were rebels from District 13. They managed to hide in District 11 after the war ended, but were eventually found by the Capitol. They did get the last laugh however, in the form of a baby girl, a last survivor of sorts, from District 13. Because that's me, the survivor. Orphans almost never survive because there's no extra food to give, but I'm smart.

My brain kicks into high gear and my thoughts come quickly, rapid and jumbled.

I could really do it, volunteer to go, go into the hunger games, I won't kill anyone, and I'll try to save anyone I can, and then, then I'll die, but not murdered brutally and hastily by a Neanderthal from District 2, but on my own terms. I imagine the scene, I walk slowly out of my hiding spot, into the view of a fellow contestant so they'll have to show it, say calmly and quietly, For District 13, then kill myself, most likely with poison, I hate the idea of bleeding to death, I want it to be fast.

I smile then look around. Everyone looks so conflicted and worried, just another extra push for me to do what I've planned.

I walk up to edge of the stage.

"Excuse me," I ask Jenessa, "Could I borrow that microphone for a minute?"

She smiles and hands it to me. Could I have seen sympathy in her adorned eyes? I shake it off.

I take a deep breath.

"Um, Hello? I know he said we'd talk later but I want to say something."

"My name is Skylar Langdon. I would like you all to vote for me as the tribute. I have no family. Having me go saves everyone else a lifetime of grief."

The cameras are all on me. I'm probably being broadcast to all of District 11, maybe even all of Panem.

I hate public speaking. I want to say more, but my mind seems to stop working.

"Once again, Skylar Landon."

I hand Janessa the microphone back and head back into the crowd, meeting every eye I can.

Author's Note

Her parents left District 13 because they saw it wasn't going to be any better and hated the idea of being controlled so much. She doesn't know that though because she never got a chance to talk to them after they died.