A/N - This is my very first fanfiction ever! I'm making this story with one of my closest friends named Lily. I've been reading Hunger Games fanfic for a long time and I guess it was just a matter of time before I made my own! Enjoy the first chapter to my story "Dangerous Incentive".

Chapter 1: Bold Choices

Today's the day that decides my life. I either die in some twisted game so kindly created by the cruel, tyrannical, government that rules us, or climb out of the arena alive and save my siblings and I from the people that shouldn't have the right to be called our "Parents".

It's almost time for the reaping so I start putting on my "reaping costume", as I like to put it. We have to get all dressed up to be show monkeys for the Capitol, it's ridiculous. I'm buttoning up the rest of my shirt when I receive a smack on the head from my lovely father.

"Fix your collar, boy. You look ridiculous." He says with the slight twinge of annoyance in his voice.

I shoot him a glare as he walks away, and adjust the collar like I'm told.

"Kaikaikaikai!"

I chuckle softly at the high pitched voices of my younger twin siblings; Kellan and Makayla.

"After I come back, I promise we can play okay?" I tell them after they invite me to play.

"Kaiiiiiiii, where are you goingggg?"

"I have to go do something but I'll be back soon okay Makellan?"

They giggle as they hear me say the nickname I came up for them due to their similar names and them being twins. They always manage to bring a smile to my face no matter what and today is no exception as their laughter fills the air with happiness and joy.

I leave our house to pick up the bread I was ordered to get from the bakery. It's significantly less busy in town, as most people are at home getting ready for the reaping in one way or another. Anyways, I make it to the bakery quickly, and walk inside where I'm greeted by Mrs. Anderson. She owns the bakery here in 4 and has always been a nice lady.

"Hello, Kai." She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. She's not as cheerful as normally is, considering what today is. "You look sharp."

"Thank you," I quietly respond "Uh, just the usual, please."

Mrs. Anderson nods, retrieving the green tinted bread that's a staple in our district.

We exchange the bread and money, and she looks me right in the eyes.

"Best of luck, today."

There is no luck when it comes to this practice. I know she's aware of that, too.

"Thank you." I tell her anyways. She gives me a knowing look, and I turn around, heading straight home.

"Got the bread." I tell my Dad when I walk inside. He doesn't thank me, he never does. Hell, he just adopts that annoyed look he always gets when he looks at me.

I set the bread down on the counter, and realize it should be about time to start heading down to the town square.

"We should get going" My mother suggests before I have to say anything, "It's almost reaping time." My father looks over at the simple clock we have hanging on the wall and agrees.

"Good idea."

My parents are somewhat nonchalant when it comes to the reaping. My Dad has told me time and time again that even if I was reaped, somebody would volunteer in my place so a "weakling" wouldn't represent us, and ultimately disappoint our district. My Mom just agrees with whatever he says.

Long story short, my parents have no faith in me whatsoever.

With that we leave, we being my parents, siblings and I, and start our walk to the town square. It's not terribly far, but with Kellan and Makayla only being 6, they eventually fall behind, causing my Dad to snap at them.

"If you two don't hurry up, I swear-"

"Can we stay home pleaseeeee." Makayla begs with that cute little pout she always uses.

"We wanna play with Kai!" Kellan adds

Dad glares at them, his face becoming red.

"No! And I don't wanna hear another word from you two."

Please just cooperate, guys, I silently think to myself.

We continue walking, but Kellan and Makayla don't budge. They're only 6 and they don't know any better but my Dad doesn't care. He has a very short fuse, so he walks right up to the twins, and smacks them both in the face with unnecessary force.

They immediately burst into tears, making me heart drop. He starts to pull his arm back for another blow, but before he can hurt them anymore, I'm running back to them.

"Dad, stop it, please."

"Shut up, Kai, stay out of it. You're not the parent, I AM."

Anger runs through my veins at his words.

"Well you sure as hell don't act like one."

I grab Kellan and Makayla by their hands, and start walking faster than before towards the town square before he can react. He had this look of almost murderous rage on his face after I'd said that... It was a terrible choice but it felt so good to say that

I don't say anything as we continue walking. We're getting closer to the square now, and I spot the large crowd.

Kellan and Makayla's tears have subsided, so they're just sniffling at this point. By now we're just standing in the back of the crowd. Kids ages 12-18 are already going to their designated areas. Which I should be going to as well...

I kneel down to their eye level.

"I'm sorry about that... One day it'll be different. Things will be better.

But for now..."

I look back at the roped off areas.

"I have to go to my group, alright?"

They nod

"Promise?" Makayla asks.

I bite my lip, wondering if what I'm saying is a lie.

"I promise."

Kellan and Makayla smile at that.

I give them a hug, before standing up to go to my group.

But not before a hand grips onto my shoulder, preventing me from leaving just yet...

"We're going to have a talk later, understand?" my mother asks with a dark tone to her voice.

I narrow my eyes at her, and walk off without saying a word.

I scoot into the rest of the 18 year olds but make sure to stay near the opening, and survey the crowd. It's quite a mix. Some kids are pale faced, and shaking with nerves, while others reek of arrogance.

It's hot out by the time all is said and done. It's usually not too bothersome since we're usually afforded the opportunity to cool off at the beach here in 4. Perks of living here I guess. I'm standing with the 18's, waiting for the reaping to officially begin. We don't have to wait long though, and before we know it, our escort is up on the stage ready to reap the 2 children that are to participate in this years games.

Her name is Veridie Agapios and I silently laugh at her name. What kind if name is that? Her bright blue hair and her dress has enough fish stenciled and colored on it that her dress could be mistaken for an aquarium doesn't help her case either. I don't hate her though, nor do I like her. She matters about as much to me as the children from the district's chosen to go into the Hunger Games do to the Capitol. The thought of what I'm preparing myself to do makes my head swim a bit but not enough to make me change my mind.

Our mayor speaks up first with the Treaty of Treason, which I'm sure everyone tunes out if my own experience is anything to go by. Soon after, Veridie begins with what I'm sure is a mandatory speech, smile, and wave of her hand. After she finishes her speech, she walks over to the girls bowl as is customary in most district's (excluding 1 and 2 as they hold a race of some sort and whoever reaches the stage first is declared the tribute for that years games.)

The girl called is someone that I actually recognise as being in the same grade as me in school. Her name is Sirina Odele. Shame, she's very intelligent and quite popular. Veridie calls for volunteers and as it is more often than not, no volunteers come forward to take Sirina's place. I feel my nerves acting up as I realize what is going to happen in the next few seconds. I start to shake just a bit but tell myself that what I'm about to do will help both the poor kid that's about to be reaped, as well as my siblings Makellan.

I think of the name and smile. This calms me down enough to focus on what I need to do because in that exact same moment the boy is reaped and the call for volunteers is made. With every single ounce of confidence I can muster, I step out of my section and yell, "I volunteer!"

The surprised mutters and what not ripple through the crowds the way waves ripple through the ocean. And then I hear the anger. Angry shouts burst through the square, and for a second I don't understand why everyone is so angry before I look at the boy that was reaped for this year's game. "Oh shit." I mutter to myself. The boy, if you could call him that considering he's built like a truck and therefore resembles a man more than anything, is Poseidon.

I don't know really know anything about him, much less his last name. The only thing I do know is that he was planning on volunteering for this year's games. After this revelation, everything clicks into place, the man standing on the stage and the angry shouts I received after volunteering. I vaguely recall rumors that tell about the school Jock and his intentions on going to the games this year. As I make my way to the stage, he looks at me and simply says, "Fuck. Off." I hear a man that I assume to be Poseidon's father telling me to to get back into my row and let a real man go to the games.

I ignore it all though and climb the stairs. I'm greeted with Poseidon blocking my way and telling me there's no way in hell I'm taking his place. Looking him dead in the eyes, I tell him, "I volunteered in your place and since I did, you have no say in whether or not I can take your place or not. It's decided. Now get off the stage." He gives me an absolutely poisonous look and starts after me, as do the Peacekeepers but more so to stop Poseidon from doing anything stupid.

He walks off the stage with one last glance at me as I stand there smirking. "Well that was interesting now wasn't it," Veridie says, "Your name honey?" I look at her and tell her my name.

"Kai Mizuko."

"Well then, nice to meet you both! Shake hands you two!" Sirina and I give one firm shake before turning back to the crowds. I look out into the sea of people and spot my siblings looking up at me, confused. Next to them are my parents, standing there smiling, no doubt thinking about my death in the arena.

Well sucks for them because I plan on coming back in one piece. And when I do, they won't be getting anything from me. To conclude the reaping, Veridie looks at the people of my district and with her irritating Capitol voice announces, "District 4, your tributes for the 59th annual Hunger Games!"

A/N So if anyone actually reads this… what'd you think!? I'm really excited and happy with how it came out and I hope you enjoyed reading it! I don't exactly expect a review or anything but if you'd like to let me know how I did I'd appreciate it! :D Thanks for reading and I hope you stick around because this ride is only just beginning! Thanks!