The 72nd Hunger Games: Jackson Carver

by domgk115

Jackson Carver is living a lie. His friends Katniss and Gale have no idea the true story behind his life before district 12.He was the son of two legendary Hunger Games Victors however after his sisters death in the games, and his parents treating it as if she was expendable Jack was determined to forge his own destiny not what his parents wanted. The 72nd Games change everything.

1. Chapter 1

72nd Hunger Games.

Jackson Carver, 17 years old, District 12.

"Come on, stay still. Make this easy for me." I mumbled to myself.

The spear was in my hand, cocked back ready to launch. The water rippled a crystal blue and the fish was in clear sight. I had been doing this for three years now, every single day I would get a fish, rabbit, squirrel, a bird if I could sneak up on it. Today would be no different. The butcher had a liking for fish, which was scarce in district 12. We weren't living in district 4.

Finally, it stopped moving and almost seemed to look up at me. I tossed the spear into the river with as much force as I could muster. The metallic spear was sticking out of the water now. I pulled out and saw the size of the fish. It was a good size and I'd get a good price for it. I took out my knife and managed to lace some rope through it and attached it to the net I had hanging on a tree.

I managed four today, and all of them were a good size so it would get me a lot of stuff I needed. I needed some more soap, which I had been saving up furs, plants and other bits for, for a while now. Soap was an expensive commodity in district 12, it was weird I was never used to not having soap before. However, I learned since being here, that with enough nerve and determination anything was possible.

I looked up at the sun, I had gotten good at learning how to read the time with the sun. It was still very early, I had a lot to do before the reaping today. I needed to get to the Hobb before it closed, then I had to bring the fish to the butcher, then get dressed for the reaping.

Reaping day.

It brought back nightmares every year.

"She was sloppy, you won't make that mistake."

I pulled my necklace out from underneath my shirt. I rarely opened the locket that was attached to the gold chain. I did when I couldn't sleep, when I was deathly sick with a fever for a week, every single day on my journey.

And most importantly every single reaping day. My hand shook as I put unlocked it and opened it. I took in a shaky breath looking at it.

Maryann.

I miss you more and more with every passing day big sister. I would have given anything in that moment, to have her mess up my hair, smile and call me 'little brother' again. She would be twenty this year. Probably married, maybe have a kid, I remembered having to punch so many of my old friends for saying my big sister was 'hot'. Long blonde hair, eyes as blue as the water in the river that was in front of me now.

The picture I remember exactly when it was taken, what we were doing… what we were about to do and what was going to happen only a week later.

The tears welled up. I didn't want to end up like her. It was my greatest fear and it was brought out every reaping day.

"I miss you so much…" I said under my breath, looking at the picture.

Her arm was around me, a huge smile on my face at the time. She smiled at the camera with her gleaming smile and bright blue eyes. I looked so happy then, and innocent. I looked at my long blonde hair, I remembered how cool I used to think that was. I ran my fingers through my hair now, it wasn't buzzed off, but it wasn't nearly as long as it used to be.

I heard rustling in the bushes. I grabbed the spear that I had leaned up against the tree quickly, spun it effortlessly in my hands to a throwing position and took aim towards the bushes. I heard a voice that stopped me before I could launch my spear and kill whatever or whoever was moving.

"Jack? Is that you?" The female voice said.

"Of course, it's him Katnip, who else twirls a spear like that." A deep male one said.

My heart stopped racing. I recognized the voices. Out into the clearing stepped Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne. The three of us hunted together on occasions and traded with each other often. Katniss's mother and younger sister Prim had saved my life. After my journey when I was dying of a fever, Katniss found me in the woods and helped me back to her mothers. She and Prim had healed me and after that Katniss and I became friends. She showed me how to get outside the fence, and the best places to hunt.

I felt terrible that I had never told her the truth. She would hate me for what I was if I told her.

Soon I met Gale as well, and since we've all been helping each other to survive.

I lowered my spear and placed it against the tree. "God, you guys scared me. You almost had a spear in your gut Katniss."

She pulled her game bag off her shoulder. "Well, not before you'd have had an arrow in your neck." She said smiling grimly.

I smiled back at her, she had a very sarcastic sense of humor much like I did.

"So, how's your luck been today?" Gale asked me.

I pulled over my net to show them. "Pretty good with the fish. My traps didn't get anything though. I think I'm still messing up with that one devils tongue knot you showed me." I told him.

Gale nodded. He was only sixteen, but he had the demeanor of a fully-grown man. Having to take care of his family like he did must have done that to him. I was lucky, I wasn't in the same boat as Katniss and Gale. They had family and siblings to take care of, and they were even younger then I was. Katniss only being 14, Gale only 16. I was only one person. It was much easier to take care of and provide for just yourself.

"Don't worry I'll show you again tomorrow. Show him what we got Katnip." He asked her.

"Presenting our prized catch of the day." She said opening her game bag to see a dead owl.

I nodded my head, Katniss sighed. "It's a good size, but it's all we got. It'll be a hungry reaping day." She said.

I didn't even think twice. I pulled off two of the fish I had and tossed them into the game bag.

Soap could wait. Nobody deserved to be hungry on reaping day. And I knew that Katniss or Gale would have done the same for me.

Katniss began to speak like she was going to protest, but Gale stopped her. I knew Katniss didn't like taking handouts often.

"Thank you, Jack. Why don't you stop over? You know how fond my mom is of you." Gale said.

Katniss finished closing the game bag again. She looked up with a grim smile. "Yeah, stop by my place to. Prim's been asking for you." She said.

I smiled and nodded my head. It felt good to have such good friends. I used to have them, however they were in the past, and would probably have me turned into peacekeepers.

"I'll stop by yeah I'd love to see them. After the reaping-. "I started.

We were quiet. It was stupid of me to bring it up. One thing Mary used to always tell me was that I had no filter between my head and my mouth sometimes.

We looked at the ground and at each other silently. "How many times are you guys name in?"

"Enough." Gale said quietly, answering for both of them.

I shuddered. The thought of losing Gale or Katniss… just like I did Maryann, it was impossible to think of.

I picked up my stuff eventually and they did the same. Together we silently made our way back to the fence around the district and climbed back through. I stashed my spear, one of the two things I brought with me on my journey where Katniss stashed her bow. We walked together to the town center. Silently we all looked at each other.

"I gotta get to the butcher with the fish. I'll be sure to stop by later both of you." I told them both, forcing a grim smile.

The two-nodded back to me. Gale said his goodbyes and headed back towards his house, leaving Katniss and me.

She sighed, something she did a lot. She pushed a strand of dark hair out of her face. "I'll see you later Jack, good luck." She said giving me a quick hug.

I sighed, just like she did. "Same you Katniss. Good luck."

She forced a smile again and turned to leave. "Happy Hunger Games." She said ironically.

"And may the odds, be ever in your favor." I said back to her with mock enthusiasm.

She chuckled dryly and walked away. I took a deep breath and started walking deeper into the town square towards the butcher's shop. Katniss had no idea, Gale had no idea. Just how the Hunger Games, were the one thing I feared most in this world.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Come on Mr. Alessi please." I pleaded with the butcher.

The large man crossed his arms together and sighed. "I don't know Jack, you know I like you, but I don't know if I should be dealing like this on a reaping day. Besides you usually bring more." He told me.

"I know I usually do, but I had to be careful with so many extra peacekeepers. If I carried around a bag filled with a lot of fish it would've been suspicious. Look, have I ever given you a cheap deal or not delivered when I promised Mr. Alessi?" I asked the man.

He shook his head. "No, you always keep your word and deliver you're right."

I nodded and smiled. "Exactly, and I promise if you give me the deal today I'll pay twice as much for it next week. Please Mr. Alessi I haven't had meat in weeks." I pleaded.

It was true, I had been eating fish, edible plants, and potatoes for the last few weeks. I was craving some rabbit or venison. I had given my fish to Katniss and Gale, but even if I hadn't given it to them I would have to barter still. Mr. Alessi was one of the few shops keeps who wouldn't toss me out on my butt just for walking in. He was a large man with blonde hair, light blue eyes and a bushy mustache above his lip. I had been doing business with him for a few months now, as soon as I figured out he had a fondness for fish.

He nodded again. "Alright then Jack you got yourself a deal." He said holding out his hand.

I smiled and shook it. "Thank you so much Mr. Alessi. You won't regret it I promise." I said to him.

He gave me a smile and waved his hand. "Don't worry about it Jack. I have to help my younger son get ready for the reaping. I'll have my daughter get your cuts." He told me.

I tilted my head at him. "I didn't know you had kids Mr. Alessi." I said as I pulled my fish out of my game bag.

Mr. Alessi wrapped up the fish. "Yeah, they're at school during the weekday morning when you're usually here. Brianna and Duncan, Brianna's 17 Duncan just turned 12." He told me.

My only real friends in the district were Katniss, Gale and their families. It felt good getting to know more people. Back before, I was known basically everywhere because of my parents. It was a large adjustment, but I had gotten used to it.

Mr. Alessi continued. "Haven't you ever seen them at school?" He asked.

I froze up. I didn't want to appear suspicious, so I gave a semi-true answer. "Um no, I… my parents died when I was little. I never got signed up for it." I said solemnly.

Mr. Alessi nodded with a grim look. "Aye, I'm sorry kid. The world's a grim place nowadays. Lost my wife a few years back myself. You're a good kid Jack, my shops always open for you. Good luck at the reaping today." He said holding his hand out.

I almost forgot what genuine kindness was. The people of district 12 were mostly good to me. The district as a whole was a safe haven for me. I regret a lot of things in my life but getting on that train that day wasn't one of them.

I shook his hand. "Thanks Mr. Alessi. Good luck to you and your family too." I told him.

He smiled and turned. "Brianna! Can you come out here and get some venison cuts for me." He shouted to the back before heading through the door.

"I'll be right there!" I heard a girl's voice yell.

I waited in the lobby of the store for Mr. Alessi's daughter. I remember exactly the moment. I could tell you what she was wearing, the way she had her hair, what perfume she was wearing, the color of her eyes, the complexion of her face. A light sky-blue dress, with her hair all let down, perfectly straight and gorgeously blonde, she had on a lavender scented perfume, and her bright crystal blue eyes sparkled with her matching dress.

I had never seen a girl more beautiful in my entire life.

I don't know how long I stared at her. However, she snapped me back into reality.

"Um, hello? Are you Jack, my dad said you needed venison cuts?" She asked me.

I shook myself back into reality. She was looking at me from behind the counter, with what I guessed where the venison was I had just got.

"Uh, yes, yes! That's me, Jackson Carver at your service my lady!" I said, holding my hand out, sounding like a complete idiot.

However, I must not have sounded as stupid as I thought, because she laughed. It was an infectious laugh that would brighten up the smile of anyone who heard it.

She shook my hand. "Haha, well it's very nice to meet you Jackson Carver. Brianna Alessi. So, my dad tells me you're the one to thank for the fish?"

I nodded my head a mile a minute. "Yeah, I trade with your dad a lot." I told her.

Really? I told myself, great line their Jack.

She smiled at me, and it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life. "Well I should be thanking you then. I love fish, sometimes I wish I lived in district 4." She told me.

"No, you don't trust me." I whispered under my breath, remembering my one vacation.

"What was that?" she asked.

"Nothing! I was just saying yeah, the beaches there sound amazing." I told her.

We both laughed a little, and then silence came around. I was trying to think of something clever and funny to say. I hadn't talked to a girl I thought was really attractive in years. And I wasn't very good at it back then either.

Thankfully she broke the silence. "So, how come I'm just meeting you now? I know just about everyone at school, I've never seen you there?" She asked me.

I tensed up. I felt bad lying, however I did the same with Mr. Alessi, and had been to Katniss and Gale for years. "My parents… they died when I was younger a fever took them both. I've been on my own for a while, I never had anyone to sign me up for school." I told her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't know… I… I lost my mom a few years ago. My poor dad nearly drank himself to death, I know it's not as bad as your situation but I kinda know how you feel." She told me.

I thought about my family. I thought about them very little other then Maryann, and she was dead. Did my parents look for me? If they did how long was it before they gave up? Did they think I was dead now? I didn't know the answer to any of these questions. However, hearing the story from Brianna, and thinking about my friends and their families, and all of that combined with it being reaping day made me think of these things.

I shook my head. "You don't have to apologize you had no way of knowing. I… I'm glad I met you, you seem really nice, and smart and pretty." I said rambling before I could stop myself.

Maryann was right about their being no filter in my head and mouth. I know my face was red, and the tips of my ears were hot. I was about to duck out of the shop when she smiled, back at me, and I knew I couldn't leave then.

"Well… thank you. The same to you, maybe… you could come around the shop more when I'm here. I'd love to talk more, you're really-."

"Brianna!" A younger voice said from the back.

Out of the door ran a younger boy. It was Mr. Alessi's son I was guessing. He looked like I did when I was twelve. Tossed blonde hair, different eyes colors, his were blue mine were green. He was wearing basically the same outfit me and almost every other boy from district 12 would be wearing today. A white cotton button up shirt, with black slacks.

The young boy was walking around without shoes however. "Brianna have you seen my shoes?" He asked.

Brianna sighed and smiled. "Duncan, I told you not to walk around the shop without shoes! It's such a dirty floor. And you left them under the kitchen table last night remember?" She told him.

He nodded his head and turned over to me. "Who are you?" He asked.

Before I could answer Brianna did. "That is Jack, he's the one who brings us the fish." She told him.

He nodded his head and looked at me again. "Oh, wow awesome, thanks so much I love fish. The ones you bring are always so good! Thanks again." He said.

I managed a laugh and smiled. "You're welcome, and what's your name buddy?" I asked him.

"My names Duncan. So how do you get the fish? Do you catch them with a pole, where do you fish at?" he asked starting to fire off questions.

Brianna laughed and stopped him. "Easy Duncan, I'm sure Jack had to go get ready. Maybe he'll come back and see us again tomorrow?" She said looking at me with a smile.

The smile almost made me faint. I nodded. "Of course, I'll come back tomorrow and tell you all about how I catch the fish how's that sound?" I asked him.

"Awesome! I can't wait, I wanna be able to hunt and catch fish on day, it would be so cool! I gotta go find my shoes, it was nice meeting you Jack!" He said excitedly before retreating back into the door behind the counter.

I smiled. He reminded me so much of myself when I was younger. Full of energy, barley able to stand still, always wanting to do stuff. Happy.

I looked back at Brianna and smiled at her. "He seems like a really good kid." I told her.

She nodded. "Yeah, he really is. Always looking for an adventure or to learn how to do new things." She said.

She turned back to me. "So, I need to finish getting ready too, and make sure Duncan finds his shoes." She said chuckling with what seemed like slight nervousness.

I nodded my head a mile a minute. "Yes! Of course, I'll come, maybe you can tell me about school and stuff like that." I said trying to sound as cool as possible.

She smiled with a small laughed and nodded her head. "Okay, great I… I'll see you tomorrow then Jack. Good luck today." She said walking back through the door.

I remembered stepping out the door that day and letting out a huge breath. My heart was beating in my chest a mile a minute. That first conversation I had with Brianna Alessi, would be in my mind the rest of my life.

The happiness I was feeling at that moment however, quickly turned when I looked at the town square. The peacekeepers were setting up the stage for the reaping.

The one day of the year that I was truly scared.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

I met with Katniss on my way to the square. I had all traded for a few more things in the Hobb after my visit to the butcher. I had it all in my shack in the seam now. It was an old rundown metal shack that nobody seemed to know was there. It kept me dry, warm when I had a fire going, and was near Katniss's house in-case I ever needed her mothers healing skills. If not for Katniss and her mother I would have probably been executed upon arrival, or worse they would figure out my past.

After saving my life from the fever I had, her mother obviously needed to think on her toes. She said I was the son of one of the other miners who died in the mine explosion years ago. I told them my name, and after that I was registered. If I was discovered as an unregistered I would have more then likely been executed.

My legs tightened and stiffened as I got closer to the center of town, Katniss must have noticed.

"Jack are you okay?" She asked as we got to the point we had to depart.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I'm as okay as you can be on a reaping day." I told her.

She nodded seeming to be satisfied with my answer. "Alright, good luck Jack. I'll see you later tonight." She said going to join the line with the girls.

My heart lifted, but only slightly when I saw Brianna wave over to me. I forced a smile and waved back. I said my heart lifted only slightly.

I had my finger pricked and was ushered into the section for 17-year-old boys. My heart wouldn't stop beating out of control. I felt my insides turn into mush, my head was racing. I held my locket on my necklace through my shirt.

Maryann.

"She was sloppy, you won't make that mistake."

No, I wouldn't make that mistake. I would never have the chance to make that mistake. 6 slips of paper. Only 6 slips of paper had the name Jackson Carver written on them. 6 names out of hundreds, it wouldn't happen. It wouldn't be me. I had no extra slips in the bowl, I would never dare too. Poor Katniss, poor Gale, younger then me both of them, and both of them more then likely ten times as brave. They voluntarily put had more slips in the bowl just to get more grain for their families.

I wished I could be as brave as the two of them. However, I had no family, not anymore. Maryann was my family, and she was dead. I had nothing else anymore, except the life I was living now. I wasn't going to let it be taken away for the enjoyment of the capital.

I saw Effie Trinket walk to the microphone and belt out in a loud squeaky voice. She spoke but I barley heard. I was looking up at the sky. I had been through three reapings by myself now counting this one. I was still haunted by the memory of the last one I spent at home.

"I proudly volunteer as tribute!"

"Yeah! You go Maryann!"

The still remember the interviewer question.

"Do you think your sister will win?"

"Of course, my sister will win! She's going to win now, I'll win in a few years. Our whole family will be victors just you watch."

How naive I was then. How stupid, brainwashed, and blind I was.

The video presentation of the treaty of treason was next. I could still recite it word for word, but I didn't dare. I was disgusted that I could recite it in that way. It had been three years and I was still disgusted with myself for being what I used to be. It would never go away, the shame of what I've said and did in the past.

I looked into the sky and tried to see Maryann's face. I didn't dare take out my locket, I didn't want to cry at that moment. I must have been staring longer then I thought, because my legs almost gave out when I heard Effie's voice.

"Now that we have that all over, time for the main event. As usual, we will pick the ladies first!" She said clacking in her heels over to the reaping bowl.

Not Katniss, please not her.

Effie reached her hand inside, twirled it around and emerged with a single white piece of paper. Her pink heels clacked along the stage back to the microphone. She fumbled with the slip of paper before finally getting it open.

It wasn't Katniss.

"Brianna Alessi!" She yelled.

The color drained from my face. I almost got sick all over the shoes of the kid next to me. Not her, she didn't deserve it. Nobody deserved it, but her least of all. My heart felt like an explosion had gone off throughout my body.

The Alessi's were an amazing family, I didn't dare look to find Mr. Alessi, or little Duncan in the crowd. Duncan, I had an idea of how the poor kid was feeling. My family was torn apart or corrupted by the Games, it tore me apart inside seeing such a good family ripped apart like this. I heard a wail from behind the crowd, I recognized the butchers voice.

Finally, I looked over at Brianna walking up to the stage. To her credit, she did what she could to not appear rattled. Her blue dress had small drips of mud on the bottom, but she still looked more beautiful than any girl I had ever seen. She had a black ribbon tied around her neck she must have put on after I left. She looked forward with a steely determination. She pulled the ribbon up off her neck and tied her hair into a ponytail with it.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. She had a determined look in her eyes. She seemed strong. Perhaps she may have a chance.

The time seemed to start again when she was finally on stage. "Well darling you are a pretty one! Now, for the boys." Effie said happily, clacking over to the next bowl.

My heart began to race again. Now it had a chance to be me. I was a few seconds away from my legs falling out from under me, when Effie grabbed the second slip of paper.

I looked up at the sky, my hand went to the locket. I gripped it so hard my fingers began to turn white. I listened intently to Effie's voice.

I wish I had not been listening.

"For the boys… Duncan Alessi." Effie said, seeing the connection in her head.

My head shot up to the stage. Brianna's tough demeanor broke, her attempt to appear calm broke.

"NO, NO DUNCAN!" She yelled from the stage, frozen in her place.

"NO, I WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!" I heard a scream from the background.

I pushed my way to the center and saw young Duncan walk into the center. His face was frozen. He fixed his blonde hair with his hand and slowly began walking up towards the stage. It was at this moment that my entire life froze in place.

I saw the look on Duncan's face, and in his eyes I saw myself. 15 years old, my sister had just had her head bashed in, so badly I couldn't recognize her face when her body came home. I looked behind the crowd, and saw Mr. Alessi they needed three peacekeepers to keep the man restrained.

The Alessi's, a family I had just met. Mr. Alessi, a man who was always kind to me and had just opened his home to me hours earlier. Brianna, the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen in my life, also one of the sweetest. Little Duncan, who looking at in that moment, I saw myself placing the rose on the coffin my sister was buried in. I remembered I had to sneak my way back to it to spend more time with her.

At that moment I felt all my fear leave me. It was replace by a burning rage, and anger. No, I wouldn't let Brianna or Duncan end up like I had. Haunted for the rest of their lives by losing a sibling. I was not going to sit there, and let this family be torn apart. I looked back up at Brianna who was screaming her head off, trying to come down from the stage to reach her brother. I looked back and saw Mr. Alessi, a peacekeeper with a taser was coming over to help restrain him.

Finally I looked back at Duncan. The poor boys courage had failed him. He stopped in front of the stage, and two peacekeepers came and grabbed his arms. I couldn't let this continue any longer.

My mouth yelled out before I could think anymore. No filter.

"STOP, EVERYBODY STOP PLEASE!" I yelled running into the middle between the large corral of boys and girls.

Everyone fell silent, and before I knew it all eyes were on me. Every man, women, child peacekeeper, and capitol official were staring at me now.

I said the words that had haunted me for years, words that my parents always said would be one of the most glorious, gratifying moments in my entire life. I never wanted to say them, but I had to now.

"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!"

I'll see you sooner then I thought Maryann.

A/N: Hello everyone, before I say anything I want to say how amazing it feels to finally be active again on this site. I've been gone for a long time I know, and some of you probably hate me for it but I hope you can forgive me. I was so busy with trying to save my grades and get into college, that I lost my writing spark for a while.

However now I'm almost done my first year at college, I'm going for an English degree in hopes of becoming a teacher. So, after a year or so, two really crazy girlfriends and almost a whole two semesters later, domgk115 is finally back!

Please try to understand how much work I was under, I hope you can forgive me! Those of you wondering about the other stories on my profile, please be patient soon I will be releasing more chapters for them as well! As for now however, I hope you enjoyed my first chapter of this story!

This was an idea I've been tossing around for a while after a recent re-reading/watching of the Hunger Games. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!

Most of you can probably assume Jack's backstory, however if you haven't you will find out most of the story next chapter! I hope you like how he was developed, how I involved Katniss and Gale, and the Alessi's! Other than Brianna they won't play a huge role right now, but in future books without a doubt they will! I know it was only a small sample of them this episode, however I hope I interested you enough to look forward to learning more about them!

So what are your first impressions? Raw thoughts? Any predictions? Has my grammar gotten any better?lol probably not but I've been working on it hard in college classes!

So I hope that you guys enjoyed this, and I hope that you're looking forward to a second chapter! Thank you so much for reading, please review, it means so much to me, thank you so much!