No Matter The Cost Remembering Pays Off.
Eighteen year old Rachel knew that when her twelve year old brother, Chase, was chosen for the 26th Hunger Games, she had to go in with him. Seconds after District Eight's female tribute said her name, Rachel volunteered. The white faced girl nodded appreciatively as peacekeepers escorted her down. The jubilant escort was thrilled to see that there was a brother sister team this year. "What a treat!" No one in the audience agreed. They were silent.
On the way to the Capitol, Rachel made her brother agree that they would run. Grab what was in front of them and run. Never look back. He cried and cried as Rachel told him that she would kill herself when they made it to the final two. Her brother asked her why. Why was she thinking of every possibility? Why did she have things planned down to a second? Why did she want it this way? Rachel just walked away and stayed in her room until the train arrived.
But she knew why. Ten years ago, their eighteen year old big brother, who Chase had never known of, had been reaped along with his girlfriend. No one volunteered. When Rachel went to go visit him in the Justice Building, he told her that she should always look out for those she loved. No matter the cost. He told her that Chase was going to be her responsibility now. She had to look out for him because that's what big brothers and sisters have to do. Rachel made that promise a week into the Games. When her brother's face was mulled away by an axe. Rachel would be ready. No matter the cost.
So Rachel had been planning in case of this day for ten years now. Praying the day wouldn't come. But her family had never been on good sides with the odds. So up her brother went. Rachel didn't think about the effect it would have on anyone. Especially not her parents.
All three of their children, sacrifices to the Hunger Games.
When the Games start, Chase and Rachel do exactly as planned. They run. But what Chase didn't realize was that his sister had been picked off with a spear. But he kept running. He was terrified. Chase didn't stop until he saw the Capitol seal and anthem that night. When he saw his sisters name, all he could do was run. He ran until there were only two left. Most forgot about him. Lost count. But not everyone.
Of course, with three left, not much action was going on. The gamemakers finally turned their attention to Chase while the girl from District twelve and the boy from Two were looking for each other.
The gamemakers sent mutations, fires, storms, floods, and bombs to Chase. Somehow, he kept running. But what got him was the first use of a jabberjay in an arena. The scream was his sisters.
By the time Chase died, the other two were lying on the ground from their fighting. Both of them heard the cannon sound. But the boy from Two had forgotten about Chase. The girl from Twelve had remembered. She won with a final stab to the boys heart.
And that is how District Twelve got it's first victor.