All rights of the Hunger Games go to Suzanne Collins.
This is my first time writing a story and I would appreciate any comments (as long as they aren't mean). I hope you enjoy!-G
Waiting in the Justice Building after having your name drawn for The Hunger Games was the scariest feeling in the world, Imogen Picket had decided. While she had only been in there for nearly a minute, but it felt like hours; long excruciating hours.
The door to her waiting room opened violently and her father and younger brother rushed in. She stood up and wrapped her father in a tight hug clutching on to his shirt. She knew there was a possibility this would be the last time she would see her family.
She was pleased that at least she knew there was a strong possibility this would be the last time; there are times where you don't know when that it is. Like with her mother.
"Immy, oh honey. I am so sorry," he mumbled. She could feel his tears drip onto her face. She wanted to speak, so badly she wanted to reassure the both of them, but it seemed as if she were frozen in time. Her father had never been an emotional person, especially after he mother died. He usually closed himself off, and she was scared to see him so open like this.
She managed to look down at her brother and felt a huge lump in her throat. He was only eleven, and since their mother's passing she had taken on the role of being his mom. And here she was, off to get killed.
Pulling away from her father she walked over to her brother and squeezed him tight. She cringed when he started to sob into her shirt.
"Kacem, don't worry about me, okay?" She answered finding some courage, although her voice was weak and shaking. She was holding back tears. "You don't worry for a minute. Keep up in school, and be good for dad."
"Immy, I don't want you to go." She felt her heart crack and finally let a tear slip out.
"I don't want to go either, buddy. We don't have a choice."
"Darling, you must be strong." Her head shot up to her father, who was now looking much more intense, his usual self. "You must train hard; take any advice they give you."
"I promise, I will papa." He rushed towards me and took me and my brother into a final group hug.
Two Peacekeepers opened the doors and grabbed my brother and father.
"Can we have more time? No, plea- "she was cut off by her brother screaming. He was screaming her name, begging her to stay. That was the last thing she heard before the door closed. The last thing she assumed she would hear from her brother.
When they parted, she was alone; all that accompanied her was her thoughts. She desperately tried to think of good things, but her mind plagued her with what she must face. Remembering the good was no use, especially if it is soon to be torn. Any pleasant thoughts she had were infested by the future.
The door opened once more and she stood up from her chair. Looking at her was her best friend, and her District partner's older brother, who was 19. His once neat blonde hair seemed to have been messed up and his eyes, which were usually a soft brown were extremely red. She could tell he visited his brother already.
"Denneck," she gasped racing towards him. He met her and squeezed his arms around her.
"It's your brother Denneck, it's me and your brother. We can't both win. I'm so sorry." She was crying extremely hard now, her shield falling.
"I know Immy," he answered. His voice was soft and soothing though she could hear the fear. He was going to lose somebody important to him, maybe two people.
"I know you can't promise anything, just… just protect him as long as you can, please, that's all I'm asking," he said. She looked up at him and nodded. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek and she could feel his tears rolling onto her face.
"Your father passed this to me before they let me in," he said, handing her a bronze locket. Fresh tears formed in her eyes. It was her mother's locket that had recorded herself singing a song. She squeezed it tight.
"My tribute token," she spoke softly. "Please, take care of Kacem. I know it isn't your place, but he needs someone to help him. Dad isn't that person," she said quietly.
"I'll do my best, Im. I promise." The door flew open and a peacekeeper grabbed Denneck.
"I believe in you, just fight. I believe in you!" he hollered before the door was shut. She took in a deep shaky breath. She put the locket over her head and smiled sadly. Everyone she loved had came to see her, even her mother was here.
She was about to open the locket when a peacekeeper opened the door.
"Time for the train," he muttered grabbing her arm and pulling her forward. She reluctantly complied and allowed herself to be drug forward by him.
As she stepped through the doors, her partner for the games was already there. He was young, only thirteen, and she could tell how scared he was. She bit her lip, trying to stop thinking about the similarities between him and Dennick.
"You okay, Rhett?" she asked deciding to sit next to him on the couch. He threw his arms around her and started bawling, much to her surprise. She patted his bleach blonde and let him cry. She wanted to cry for him as well. He was young, and that made his chances of getting out even more scarce.
"This is what I've got?" Both of their heads shot up, their eyes open wide. Standing in front of them was a nearly 70-year-old man with gray hair and an extremely bushy mustache. He was missing his left leg from the knee down. "A couple of sooks? Just great, glad we received Districts 8's finest bunch." She felt Rhett shake under her arm.
"He's scared, can you blame him?" she shot back, squeezing his shoulder.
"No. You both should be. Your tears aren't going to help you, though, time to stop feeling and start thinking." The man walked towards them and Rhett finally detached himself from her side, wiping his eyes frantically.
"My name Woof Nickles. I'm one of your mentors. Cecelia Liste is the other. She's-" he waved towards a door behind in him, "in there. Tell me your names, age, and possible advantages. You first," he finished, pointing towards Rhett.
"Rhett Whiter, I'm thirteen. I don't know about skills, though, I'm small? That can help, right?" Woof rolled his eyes and scoffed at him.
"I'm Imogen Pickett, I'm seventeen. I am an okay cook, good with traps, and okay with a spear. Never on humans before, and only from close up..." she trailed off biting her lip.
Woof nodded his head and looked behind him for a moment. "That's something I guess. Where do you set traps? Not much wildlife around District 8, unless.."
"A few miles back from the Twine's River, there's the fence, I don't think they have electricity on it. Maybe the factories take up too much energy? I don't really know. I think District 7 is on the other side. There's' a few trees, nothing big, some just bushes. But there's always animals there. I slip under the fence, set some traps and spear anything running around. There's a pond there, too. I spear fish," she finished.
"That takes guts kid, but don't tell Ezri none of that, you hear me? She would turn you into the Capital in a heartbeat if it meant she'd get any kind of reward," he told her. She felt her stomach sink and she shook her head.
"I need both you to stand up now," he demanded grabbing their arms and pulling upwards. "And Cecelia, where the hell is she? Cecelia!" he hollered out walking towards the door.
The door opened and a lady she can only assume being Cecelia walked out. She was tall with graying hair but had to be around 30. She was extremely skinny and her pale skin was washed out by her black hair. Her eyes scared Imogen; they were an extremely dark brown and had extremely large bags underneath them.
"You called?" Cecelia drawled out in an un-entertained voice.
"Yeah, you take the girl, just going to test them out a little," he answered. The two tributes shared a curious look.
"Girl, take your hair out of the ponytail. Jacket off, both of you," she commanded and they both followed her instructions. Cecelia took a stance in front of Immy and Woof in front of Rhett.
"She looks cute enough, needs some work mind you- "
"And although he's young, he's cute, could pull heart strings you know-"
"And what about muscle, yeah? Let's see- " Immy let out a squeak as Cecelia started squeezing around her biceps, thighs, and calves. She also fingered her curly, honey blonde hair which reached just past her chest.
"Cute freckles," Cecelia added making Immy blush: her entire face was covered in freckles, making her look younger than 17.
"I'm not squeezing you," Woof said bluntly to Rhett, making him smile slightly. "Okay, both of you. Sit down now.
"We need to have a talk. And you better not cry this time," he said. "You're going to have a long 2 weeks before you're in the arena. You're going to have a prep team, the escort and mentors helping you out. But your personality, your attitude is up to you. Your training is up to you, your score is up to you. Our District's escort is Ezri Lansdowne, as you know, and it is crucial you listen to her. She knows all about the Capitol and what they want.
"We'll get more into training once that comes up, but first we're going to prep you for your arrival. That's going to be the Capitol's first time seeing you in person, you must make a good impression. There's a bathroom down the hall, make yourselves nice. Impress them."
With that, both mentors left the kids in their own compartment. They sat in silence for quite some time before the Rhett broke the silence.
"Do you reckon we're close?"
"I don't know, kid. I really don't know." His cheeks turned red and he looked away. "Do you want to look around the train?" She asked him gently. He stood up and stretched himself out. They went through the first door into the new compartment and their jaws dropped in awe.
It was by far the fanciest room they had ever seen and the most food they had ever seen at once as well. She felt her stomach rumble; she couldn't remember the last time she had had a full meal.
They both marveled around just looking at the items in the room. There were fascinating plants everywhere, something they had never really seen before District 8 was all factories and there was barely any area for wildlife.
Everything was properly placed to make it appealing to the eye. There were cabinets holding plates, bowls, and other things of fine artistry. She reached her hand out to touch the texture.
"Nice, aren't they? Straight from the Capitol of course!" Ezri said as she walked into the room. Her presence was commanding, she looked totally alien to them. Her skin was a lavender color and her black hair was so curly it had to take up at least a foot of space width wise.
"Is this what the Capitol is like then?" Immy directed towards her curiously.
"Oh dear, the Capitol is an entire rose. That there is just one petal. And the food, oh it looks delicious, doesn't it? Bread from 9, fish from 4, meat from 10 and fruits from 11. Both of you will have the time of your lives while you are here."
Immy instantly paled; that statement appalled her. "You do know why we are here, don't you? This isn't a sweet visit. There's a high chance neither of us is going home to our families."
Ezri had an apologetic smile on her face. "I know. But it's all in the spirit of the games; The Hunger Games keeps Panem strong as a nation. You should be proud to die for your country." Immy's jaw dropped at that statement. How could someone even say that statement seriously?
"So none of the past deaths meant anything to you? I would gladly let you take my place, then. Except, the other tributes would probably attack you thinking you're a mut," Immy said with as much strength as she could muster. Ezri's smile was vile.
"That bite to you is going to kill you. You could do to learn some manners if you want any of my help," she said in a thick Capitol accident. "You are nothing but a silly child." She glanced at Immy's hands. "Am I angering you, because I think you might want to hold that knife a little less tight," she stated before walking away.
Immy quickly dropped the object she was holding to see her hand covered in blood. She hadn't noticed she was holding it so firmly. An avox rushed forward to bandage it up.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, Rhett," she muttered apologetically. She rubbed the spot on her hand where the avox placed the bandage. "Come on, let's grab some food," she insisted picking up a plate for him.
"You were right, though," he responded to her. "It wasn't right for her to talk like that." Immy smiled and gave him a wide grin.
"Thanks, kid. We have to be careful, though, once there are cameras on us we won't be able to talk that no more. You've gotta bite your tongue, even if you want to scream. Soon, we gotta show them that it will be an honor to die."
"I'll keep that in mind. And stop calling me kid! I'm not a kid, I'm thirteen." For the first time since she arrived on the train, she felt true fear. She ran a hand through
"We're both still kids, Rhett. All 24 of us."
"We're nearly here now," Cecelia stated while looking out of the window. "We will discuss tributes, allies, and tactics once you are settled in. When getting off the train, crowds of people will be waiting to see you. You will just walk to a car, and from there we go to the training center. The most important rule is to smile, got it?" She finished with an endearing look.
Although there were many buildings in District 8, none of them compared to what she was seeing of the Capitol. They were extravagant, and she could see beautiful mountains in the background that made the city seem even more beautiful. Immy looked over at Rhett and he seemed just as awed.
As they drew nearer the people awaiting them became clearer. They all looked strange and out of place, but she knew it would be them who would be out of place soon enough. They looked so eager and Immy felt a pang of nerves hit her stomach.
Rhett walked closer to a window and as the train slowed he began to wave at all the faces staring back at him.
"Come on, Imogen, come wave!" Rhett yelled excitedly, and she hesitantly walked towards the window and smiled along with him.
"Get ready to go now, all they want is a good show. Give it to them," Cecelia warned both of them.
They stood up from their spot and stumbled as the train finally came to a stop. They walked towards the door and she put an arm around him.
"Ready?" she asked him.
"I think I have to be," he responded. She laughed and gave his shoulder a squeeze, and just like that the door opened. There were ropes and lines of peacekeepers holding back the civilians who were trying to get the best look at each of the,
Neither of them had ever experienced this much appreciation; they were celebrities and all for being unlucky. Rhett wore a wide, goofy grin while Immy had a bashful smile. She could tell they were loving their brother/sister relationship. Her arm around him was caring, yet protective.
They were ushered into a long car, followed by Woof, Cecelia, and Ezri.
"Not too bad, both of you. We can make this work," Woof told them. There were no replies.
"You don't speak much, do ya? The both of you? Can't be scared to talk, your life is going to depend on talking soon," he finished. He let out a heavy sigh when there were no answers again.
The rest of the ride was quiet, nobody dared to speak. Rhett was the only one who seemed to be alive as he took in every inch of that Capitol, something Immy admired. Her thoughts were too heavy at the moment. She was rather horrified, that wasn't like her at all. The silence scared her.
Her eyes fell on the largest building in the city that they seemed to be approaching. Soon enough, they were parked outside of the building and there were more peacekeepers there to escort them forward.
"First, you're going to meet with your stylist team. Don't question them, and be polite, no matter what they say or do. We won't see you until after the Tribute Parade. This is the first time you're going to be shown off, make them like you. Good luck," Cecelia said, leading them to the elevator. Ezri followed them into it, Immy assuming she was to show them the way.
"What do we do in the parade?" Rhett directed toward Ezri. She positively beamed, feeling extremely useful.
"They're going to dress you up in something representing your district, usually something to do with fabric, and then you go on a chariot. The entire area will be packed with Capitol Elites. You smile, you wave, you win their hearts."
As the elevator came to a stop Immy felt a hand push lightly on her back, getting her to move forward.
"Okay, it's time for me to go. Just walk forward to where it says 'District 8', people will rush you in. Have fun!" Immy was certain that this was going to be far from fun.
Once they reached their area the two doors opened instantly. 4 people walked out of each door and grabbed their respective tribute before closing the door.
Immy found herself in front of four strangers who were a little more strange than the average person she met. The fear on her face was obvious.
"We're your stylist team," the only male in the room said. His fingernails were extremely long and they were flashing different colors around the room. He lacked eyebrows and had very neat black hair combed behind his ear. He had a flower tattoo on the side of his head. Immy looked at a wall to avoid gaping at them.
"I will be your nail stylist- my name is Beauregard," he continued.
"Amalyse," the girl with pink hair said. Her eyelashes were lengthy; she seemed to always be blinking. "I will oversee waxing." Immy was not quite sure what that was.
"My name is Iso, I will be in charge of your hair. Thank goodness that it is so beautiful." She seemed to draw out every 's' much longer than needed making Immy cringe. Iso's hair was down to her bottom and possessed many different colors from top to bottom.
"And I am Eni Arima, I am your fashion designer. I am going to be going now, but you are in good hands. I just needed to see my tribute before I added the finishing touches to your costume," her bright blue eyes were radiant. Immy couldn't take her eyes off of her, no matter how hard she tried. Her stylist finally broke the eye contact and left the room.
"Okay," Amalyse said. "Strip."