DISCLAIMER: Okay. So, I do not own the Hunger Games or any of the things in their world. I may create a few creatures, but some of them still are Suzanne Collins creations! Most of the characters are mine, seeing as it was placed about 60 years before the 74th Hunger Games! =D
Chapter One: The Reaping
I stood in front of my mirror, my mouth in a tight line. My hands weaved through my long, blonde hair, wondering what I should do with it. My mother had said she could help me but I told her that Duma, my little brother, probably needed it more. I decide to tie it into a messy, low hung pony tail as I usually did. My eyes wander my appearance. A dark blue dress with a two thin straps, hanging off of my pale shoulders. Dark blue eyes, almost the same color as the dress, framed with dark lashes. A small, round face. The thick, light pink lips are pulled into a forced smile. Today really wasn't the best of days. The Reaping, the day of the year where 24 children will be forced into the Hunger Games, a fight to the death for their District to have food. I sigh.
I put on some black flats my mother has put out for me. They fit loosely, as they were hers and I was still a few inches shorter than her and a few sizes too small too, in all of the areas. My height. My weight. I sigh. Nothing better than feeling down on yourself of the worst day of the year. My blue eyes scan the hall as I head for the stairs. I can hear Duma mumbling from downstairs about how long I'm taking. "I'm coming, I'm coming." I mumble as I descent the stairs. My face lights up when my eyes connect with his. Duma grumbles, knowing that I'm a lost cause when I'm with him. I look him over. A simple black shirt, paired with dark pants and shoes. "Erosea." He whispers, reaching for me.
I fall instantly into his arms. He kisses my cheek. "Wolfee." I mumble back. Duma makes a noise of disgust, obviously hating our sudden glimpses of affection towards each other. Wolfee's hands run down my back, tangling in my neat, blonde hair. I smack his hand away. "Don't mess up my hair. You know if I get chosen, I want to look fabulous!" I laugh, pushing away from him and doing a quick spin. His eyes follow my every movement. "You look beautiful, as always." He says, kissing me lightly on the cheek though his eyes hold a deep hurt at my words. I curse myself.
"Come on. Mom already left, saying she needed to pick a few things up before the Reaping starts." Duma grabs my arms, pushing his blonde hair, the exact same shade as mine, out of his eyes. Dark eyes stare out at me. He got his eyes from my mother, while I got mine from my father. My father. I sigh. I try not to think about him much.
Running. I was running. This is one of my most vivid memories of The Time Before. "Run! Keep running!" My mothers voice. Of course it was her voice. Her hand is clamped over my small, three year old one. "Daddy! Where's daddy?" I scream, tears steaming down my face. "Erosea, he'll catch up! We need to hurry!" She holds one hand over her expanding belly. Wolfe runs beside me, the same fear that is deep in my heart, face and eyes mimicked on his.
I shake my head. Wolfee looks at me with concern and I hold up my hand, smiling. "I'm okay." I say. He knows for a fact that sometimes I get lost in my thoughts, falling into a state that some people call 'daydreaming'. It's far from it. Usually, daydreaming is a nice, pleasant things kids do to get lost at school. Not this. Not me. Sometimes, it even happened with things I had never seen before. But sure enough, I did eventually. Visions. I would never tell anyone but Duma, Wolfee or my mother.
We walk out of the house, my hand in Wolfee's, Duma's inpatient whispers as we walk. He always seemed to be impatient, never walking fast enough, never finishing fast enough. It must be him finally growing into his fourteen year old body. I sigh. It was always fun having a younger brother, especially when your seventeen and in love.
I had known Wolfee since before I could remember. He had always been there for me, been my best friend. He even ran through the horrible fires with us. After he was orphaned in it and we came to District 12, he had been adopted by my mother. As a child, I saw him as my best friend and my brother, but as we grew I saw him as so much more. My lover. My soul mate. The one person I could be true with and feel loved, other than my mother and Duma of course. I sighed, leaning into his shoulder as we walked.
We made it quickly to the District Square. The mayor sat on a luxurious seat at the front, Analex Flyfern sitting next to him. Her light blue eyes stared out at the crowd. She was from the Capitol, here to escort the two unlucky children to the Games. To their death. We had only won one Games so far, the winner being someone I knew amazingly well. Wolfee kissed me lightly on my cheek before walking up to the stage and took his seat next to her. He waved lightly at me and I wave back. He had seen some horrible things in the Games last year, but he stayed strong because her had only killed two people, both of which were about to kill him. He was a strong fighter, and it was a shame there was no one to realize that to sponsor him. He won, though, coming back into my waiting arms.
I can't help but stare at Analex. Her skin is completely white, something obviously genetically created by the Capitol. She looks so off next to Wolfee's dark hair, eyes and complexion. Her eyes are, too, white, though there is a filmy blue underneath. Almost making her look like she is blind, though it is so obvious she isn't. Long, dark blue hair cascades down her back in perfect ringlets, her dark blue dress (the same color might I add) long against her legs. A slit up the side of the dress reveals her white thigh. It makes me shiver. She looks as if she was dead, only if it wasn't for that damn, giant smile that is planted on her face.
Mayor Penie walks onto the stage and takes the microphone in his large, dark hands. In all of District 12, he has the darkest complexion, some people call him 'African' which doesn't make sense to me. They tried to explain what Africa was, saying it was a far away land with harsh, hot weather and a lot of droughts. I had never heard of this place in any of my readings, though, so it is hard to admit that it really does exist. All I know is that Mayor Penie has dark skin, black hair and dark eyes. Someone would say that him and Wolfee look the same, though Wolfee's eyes are no where as dark, as well as his skin. His skin is a warm tan, almost a golden brown, while Mayor Penie's is a dark chocolate color. I can see Wolfee's eyes from here as I go to stand with the seventeen year old's. His face seem dark and wary. He knows that my name is in the bowl 5 times, which isn't that bad since he is under my mothers custody and he is now completely rich, I don't have to sign up for the tessera, which is enough grain and oil for one year for one person and would enter my name in the bowl again.
The Mayor begins his speech, starting off with how Panem, our country, came to be. The disasters, the droughts, the storms and the fires. The seas coming to swallow most of the land. The brutal wars that came afterwards for the little that remain. I sigh. Then he begins about the rebellion to the Capitol and how horrible it was. I know too well. It had happened only 14 years ago, the same amount of years the Hunger Games had begun. And the same number of years that my father died.
We all lived in District 13. Well, Me, Wolfee, My mother and my father. Duma had yet to be born. My father was a very known war hero in the Rebellion. One of the main ones, actually. So, it was obvious why he was the first to die. They said it was an accident, but my mother knew better than to believe it. She was ready when the fires came, and when they started she grabbed up what she could fit on Wolfee's, mine and her back and ran, her belly swollen because of the baby that grew inside of her. I hate myself for asking for my father all of the time, knowing how hurt my mother was.
After the speech is over, Analex comes to the mic. "Hello everyone! Happy Hunger Games!" She says, her voice unnaturally high. Like a child, though clear and beautiful, like a bell. Some other Capitol creation. "I am happy to be here, once more, along with the handsome and brave Wolfee Brushin." She says, gesturing to Wolfee who looks at the crowd sullenly, then nods slightly and waves. His eyes land on mine and I give him a reassuring half smile. His hands run through his dark hair, making Analex giggle. He stops, laughing with her.
"Guys first, this time." She says, her white eyes on Wolfee. I can almost feel the desire pouring off of her. I resist a growl.
Blood covering my hands. That's all I can see as I look at the ground. White, too. Everything around me is cold so I grip the jacket that is draped over my arms. I try to coax a fire. Someone whispers. I can't hear what they say so I look over. Blue eyes bore into mine. "It's not going to work." He says. I know him. Drake. He's in my grade and class.
I shake myself out of a vision. Why was I with Drake? And where was I? A mountain looked down on me, I remember. There were no mountains like that near District 12. Not like that one, at least. Drake! Why was I with him! I had never even said a word to him in class other than asking for a pencil once. I can't believe it.
Analex reaches around in the bowl, moving her hands through the white paper. She grabs one, finally, pulling it out to read it. She smiles at the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, our Male Tribute to the 14th Annual Hunger Games is Drake Tunes!"
I feel like I'm going to faint. I know who's the next Female Tribute is. I grab onto a girl next to be for support. She wails in protest until she looks at my face that has broken out in a deep sweat that beads across my face. I am the next tribute.
I don't even need to listen to know it's my name. Erosea Kingly. Wolfee calls out in protest. I look into his eyes. No one will volunteer. I know it. The vision. Cold. Winter. Snow. I guess I know what to expect now. An unfair advantage, if you tell me. I laugh mentally, though I am terrified.
Analex smiles, gesturing for me to shake Drake's hand. I do, though my stare is blank. I look up to see Wolfee standing next to me, his eyes hard, his jaw set. "It's okay. I'll be okay." I whisper to him. He doesn't look convinced.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, your District 12 Tributes! Let the odds be ever in your favor!" She yells, walking off the stage. We are ushers after her, Wolfee's hand grasps tightly on mine.