My name is Ember Coal. I was a tribute in the 74th Annual Hunger Games. This is the story of how I was outsmarted by the same berries that defied the capitol.
My stomach growls for the 100th time this hour. Starvation is now a real possibility. I always figured that the Careers of that Fire Girl would be the end of me, but I didn't really think of starvation. I stumble blindly through the forest foliage until all I can manage is to just collapse. The lives of many flashes before my eyes; Lockhart, my district partner whose leg was snapped the second he stepped off his plate by the psychotic district 2 tribute so he would be easy pickings, my mother who lost her life to my father after he got drunk one night and stabbed her repeatedly in front of my young, 7yr old eyes, my father, who died at my hands in my wild rampage after he murdered my mother and the District 10 tribute who died right in front of my eyes to the hands of the District 1 boy. I feel my body slowly drifting into nothingness when the heavy crunch of broken leaves awakens me from near death. I hear her-fire girl- and lover boy arguing. She wants him to stay and forage some berries while she hunts. Perfect. It gives me the chance to steal some food while lover boys not looking. I approach in a fox-like manner and peek into the clearing. I see him searching nearby bushes when I see the pile of berries and cheese on the grass. Without hesitation I dart forward and steal a small amount of berries and cheese. I'm just vanishing into the bushes when Fire Girl emerges. Within minutes of her arrival they start arguing again. She's realised that some berries and cheese are missing from the pile. I smile gleefully at myself and decide to reward myself with a berry. I press the berry into my mouth and bite down on its soft, juicy flesh. The juice trickles down my throat and I realise the curse I've set upon myself. If only I paid more attention at the edible plants station, but during the time I did spend there, I remember the instructor telling me about a poisonous berry named nightlock that's juice is so toxic you'll be dead before it hits your stomach. My eyes widen in shock as I realise what I've done but in that moment I fly like the mockingjays into the unknown.