Hunger Games Fan Fiction.

Chapter one

I looked around me. Our house just behind me, my sister prim asleep with my mum. Her mangled cat buttercup at her feet. All inside, dreading the day to come. It's early. The only people who are about are the miners, on their way to the mines. Their coal dust coated faces and clothes that are always dirty because there is no point cleaning them. Walking to their death every day. I make my way towards the fence, layered in my father's old hunting jacket and boots. When I breathe out it causes a light mist to appear for a few seconds, then disappear just as fast. I pause for a second, listening out for a light humming that would tell me the fence is electrified. It never is but out of habit I always check. There is no electricity in District 12. And when there is, it's for an hour at most. Wriggling under the fence, I started going into the woods. Retrieving my bow from a dying tree trunk, my arrows from underneath a log. I climbed over rocks and headed for my favorite nook in the rocks. On my way there, I spotted a deer. My first deer of the year. I loaded my bow and raised it up to the direction of the animal. Before I could shoot I wandered off. I followed it deeper into the woods. Carefully aiming pebbles at trees and using them to get the deer to move into shot. Raising my bow again I was about to shoot, when the deer ran off at the sound of someone else's voice.

"Damn you Gale! I could have had that one."

"And what were you planning to do with a deer catnip?"

"I was going to sell it."

"What today? With all the peacekeepers?"

"I would have sold it, to peacekeepers. Like you haven't sold to peacekeepers?"

"Yes, but not today."

"Doesn't matter what day it is gale, I will always need to hunt to survive."

We headed towards our spot. The nook in the rocks that we sit in everyday. Talking of impossible things. It's easy to loose track of time there. The views are so good, I could stare at them all day. Gale pulled his game bag off his shoulder and opened it up. He reached in an revealed two cheese buns, my favorite.

"Oh my God Gale! Are these real?"

"Yeah, baked fresh this morning, cost me a pigeon."

I broke one open. Taking in their smell. They were still warm. We picked berries and found some weeds to add some extra to the rolls, then tucked into our feast.

"Happy Hunger Games."

"And may the odds be ever in your favor."

We said in our mock Capitol accents. It's the choice we have to make. Weep and lie in terror of it or laugh about the Hunger Games. Laughing's easier. For us anyway. For a while we chatted about trades we have made and how our families are. Avoiding the subject of the reaping today. But it's getting on and we need to be back in time to prepare for the reaping.

"Gale, how many times has your name be entered in the reaping?"

"forty four, the odds won't be in my favor today."

I made a small almost snort noise but I felt sorry for him at the same time. He is right, and with those odds, it's likely he will be reaped. Before we split up our stuff from the woods, ready to trade at the Hob, we make a pact like we always do. If one of us is chosen to be a tribute for the Hunger Games, the other promises to take care of and feed their family. Walking back home we pass houses full of starving worrying families, preparing for the reaping. As we reach the Hob we part briefly so Gale can go to the Butcher's while I begin to sell our stock. I buy a few of our basic needs and buy one of greasy sae's meals, as Hob traders we help each other out, I shoot the meat, she makes a stew of it. So I like to know how my meat is being used. I meet up with Gale again and we head off. At the point of the path where we have to part, I give him a quick hug. He accepts it and then breaks off to go home. When I get back Prim is already dressed. I wash and mum tells me she laid something out for me. I scowl at her but thank her anyway. I should forgive her, but I can't. What she did could have killed us. Me and Prim. I won't let it happen again. She had laid out one of her old dresses. I allowed her to braid my hair before we left, heading to the town square. The peacekeepers were all over the town, children were already signing in, finding their place in the roped off areas. We had to sign in but prim started panicking.

"I- I don't want to"

"shh Prim, Prim listen to me OK? It's going to be fine, they need a bit of blood that's all OK it's just a little prick. Prim, Prim it's going to be OK. Remember your name is only in there once, there is no chance they will pick you."

"But you didn't say..."

"I know, I know but I didn't want you to worry. Now come on we need to go."

I lead her back into the crowd off children. We both signed in. I saw Prim wince at the needle. I suppose the reaping could be seen as good in a way. It does help the Capitol keep an idea of the population, but that's it. I'm guided to my age group's roped off area. Looking through the crowd to spot Prim. I see Gale first. He looks calm but I know he will be worried. Ah I see Prim standing next to some of her school friends. She's OK.

"Welcome Welcome" I hear come from a microphone as Effie Trinket steps us to welcome us to the seventy fourth annual Hunger Games district twelve reaping. The video of Panem's past comes up on the big screens. Talking of the great war that lead to the Hunger Games and destruction of district 13. When it ends Effie starts up again.

"I Just love that! Now time to pick our district 12 tributes! As usual, ladies first." she digs her hand around inside a giant glass bowl filled with tiny slips of paper with each girl's name on it. She whips one out and opens it up.

"Primrose Everdeen"

my heart stopped.