The First Annual Hunger Games 1

Amiliegh was not amused.

The uprising had failed. The odds had not been in the districts' favors, apparently.

The Capitol had won. District 13 had been completely destroyed. And now they had a new president who was a complete and total idiot.

He was young, reckless, and stupid. Ever since his father, President Winter, died from a wound in the uprising, he'd have to take his place. President Snow, unlike his father, was not a fair leader. He'd may the lives of the people absolute hell for the past few years of his rain, and now he was gathering everybody for an 'important announcement'.

Stupid boy…his hair was body blonde, his eyes were cruel and merciless, and he still had teenage acne wearing off. He was too cruel, but his voice was still high and nerdy from his childhood.

She hated every inch of his too-sanitary skin.

"Welcome, welcome," he purred on the big screen as she stood among her fellow District 12 mates, "as you all know, there was recently an uprising among your Districts in which the Capitol has one. In punishment, my personal advisers and I have devised a game."

Game? She thought with recoil at his smile. It was a smile that was a snake's, one that told you he was the one who thought of this thing.

"Each year from now forth, each District will give us two tribute, one male and the other female, between the ages of 12 and 18. These lucky tributes will compete in the Hunger Games, where they will fight to the death. The last tribute standing will return home in star condition, and their District will receive food and glory for the remainder of the time. Then the whole process will start again."

Amilieght was repulsed. The Hunger Games? Merciless and cruel is what it was….it was truly the Capitol's symbol of power. Their way of saying, "If you rebel again, we'll not just kill you, we'll kill your children, too."

"And the best part…" he chuckled, "is that you all get to watch on live TV throughout the course of the Games. It's mandatory, so nobody has to miss all the action. Happy Hunger Games…and may all odds be ever in your child's favor."

Even when the screen cut off, she could hear his laughter. Terror was written across everyone else's faces, and she was sure hers looked the same.

She wouldn't have a chance of going…far from it, actually. She was sixty two years of age, after all. But her daughter's children…

Junerose was twelve.

Carsonlie was fourteen.

There was no doubt that this Hunger Games was going to bring a new level hell upon Panem.