District One Reaping:
ZROYA MARKS'S POV
I wake up.
You're a coward. My voice says. There's a voice in my head that tells me what to and what not to do.
"Shut up!" I scream at it. "SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!"
You are a failure.
"Stop it!" I scream, clasping my hands to my ears. My straight, inky black, elbow-length hair flies around and I curl up on my bed.
"Zroya," my twelve-year old sister calls. "You, like, need to get down here."
I roll my eyes.
You couldn't live without her. You're a coward and a failure. Your parents don't want you to win. You'll die immediately.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" I scream. My sister scampers up.
"Zroya, are you all right? Do you want me to call mom?" Valerie asks, painting her fingernails. She's so girly and she makes me want to barf.
"No. I don't need mom," I snap at her. Valerie narrows her eyes and stomps down the stairs.
I get dressed in a tight, crimson red, strapless dress with a black belt. I add a pair of inch-high, black heels.
You're a girly, frilly princess, just like your sister.
"Good morning," my mom says. She is a past Victor, so she's been training me for these Games since I could walk. My dad trains Careers.
"Hey," I answer.
You'll die.
You'll die painfully.
"NO, I WON'T!" I scream. My mom drops her frying pan in her surprise.
"Zroya, do you need me to get the doctor again?"
"No!" I scream. "No!"
My mom's rushing out the door and I can't say anything because the voice continues to torture me.
AT THE REAPING...
"Jamie Lame!" our escort calls out. Not me. A small 12-year old girl begins to tremble.
"I VOLUNTEER!" I shout. This is my last year eligible and I want to make my parents proud.
Gasps emanate from the audience.
"I'm Zroya Marks," I say. I smile smugly and shoot an intimidating, frightening look into the camera.
You're going to die.
"NO, I'M NOT!" I scream suddenly.
You're a weakling. That girl has better chances than you do.
"SHUT UP!" I say.
You have no chance.
"I WILL WIN THE HUNGER GAMES!" I scream.
KALE MORGAN
"Wake up," a voice says. I open one eye to find my little brother, Chase. He's thirteen. Many people say he's exactly like me, but I don't really see the resemblance. We sort of look alike, with our short, messy black hair, but mine spikes up in the front. I have dark blue, almost navy, colored eyes. Chase has light blue eyes. I'm muscular, but Chase isn't.
"What is it?" I say groggily. "What time is it?"
"I don't know," Chase answers. "But Jenna told me she has a surprise for us downstairs."
Jenna is our ten-year old little sister. She's the sweetest kid you'll ever meet. Everyone in the district adores her.
"Okay," I mumble. We trip down the stairs together. The room is dark, when…
"SURPRISE!"
The lights go on and Jenna rushes toward us, her hair flying out behind her. She hugs us tightly and I smile.
"I hope you'll stay safe," Sam says. Sam is my girlfriend. She has light blonde hair. She has a green eye and a brown eye and fair skin.
"You too," I answer, kissing her.
"Ooooh!" Jenna croons. Sam laughs and I wink at them.
"Happy Hunger Games," Sam whispers quietly.
AT THE REAPING...
"I WILL WIN THE HUNGER GAMES!" A girl named Zroya Marks screams. She seems to be a schizophrenic because she keeps talking to herself.
"Alright! Now for our male tribute!" the escort calls out. She fishes for a name and clears her throat. "Chase Morgan!"
No. Not Chase, my younger brother. Impossible. It can't be Chase!
Chase's face is white and his eyes are wide. He shoots a scared, pained glance at me.
"I VOLUNTEER!" I squeak. I clear my throat and try to shut off my emotions. I hope I look calm, because my heart is racing inside.
"Wonderful!" the escort smiles brightly. "And what's your name?"
"Kale Morgan," I say, glancing at my best friend, Zach. His dark brown eyes are wide with fear. I then look at Sam. She's horrified, her hands to her mouth.
"No!" she whispers. I give her a single, antagonized look and walk up to the stage.
I'm sorry, Zach. I'm sorry, Sam. I had to save my brother.