A.N: Hi! I decided to make a hunger games fan fiction to honour the upcoming Hunger Games movie (fangirl squell!)
I also decided I wanted to do something a bit differant sooo I decided to do it about a career tribute. I mean if you think about it they have it harder than everyone knowing that they have to take part in the hunger games because their parents the people who are supposed to love and protect them put them forward before they could decide for themselves.
I'm realli sorry the first chapter or two are quite short because their just introductary chapters to get to know Thistle and her life in. and to introduce the twist of the quarter quell.
Anyways please tell me if you like it and I will always have a chapter or two in advance so expect regular updates XD.
ENJOY!
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Chapter 1.
I am walking home from training, my sweaty hair sticking to my forehead when I suddenly hear the Capital theme ringing through the streets and the excited whispering of the citizens of district 2, a large TV screen on one of the building blinks to life to show the smiling face of Caesar with his ridiculous green and white hair covering his lightly creased eyes.
"Hello citizens of Panem, this year is a very big year!" His voice bellows, "This year is our 100th Hunger Games and that means that not only is a Quarter Quell but it's also our first ever century anniversary of the games. So this game is going to be a very special game!"
He gives one last smile before the camera pans away from his face and locks onto the sickening smile of President Stalin as he walks towards the podium, you can see a the blurred shape of a boy in a white suit standing behind him holding a wooden box.
As President Stalin takes his place behind the podium his eyes lock onto the camera and it really feels as if he is staring at you, as if he knows what is going to happen and knows you won't like it one bit.
But that's a stupid thing to think; no one knows what's going to happen until they open the envelope, besides nothing in that card could possibly make my situation worse, you see unlike people in other districts I know I'm going into the games because I was chosen before I was even born, chosen by my parents.
I'm jealous of the other districts because even though they might not have plenty of food or electricity like me, but at least they have hope, at least they know their parents love them, at leasttheyweren't conceived for the purpose of being a tribute in the games and bringing their family glory. Yeah no matter what the other districts think life as a career wasn't easy.
The voice of President Stalin brings me back to my senses as he talks about why the games are necessary, about how in the dark days we rebelled and now we are paying for it, about the laws of the game and then go on to list what happened in the previous Quarter Quells.
"On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it."
I smile sadly as I realise that in a way I had already gone through that. However unlike the past tributes I was chosen a long time ago so I'm ready for the upcoming Games.
"On the fiftieth anniversary," the president continues his smile widening impossibly, "as a reminder that two rebels died for each Capitol citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes."
Well I hope they don't that this year, after all this is my year and 47 is a lot of people to kill but then again a lot of them would be studs and wouldn't really be any real competition.
"On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes were be reaped from their existing pool of victors."
I remember my mother talking about that year, apparently it was a particularly interesting game since the year before there were two victors after a couple of tributes from district 12 who pretended they were in love manipulated the Capitals audience had to go back in for the 75th games.
We learn about the girl, Katniss, in school, she had been a savage and tried to provoke another rebellion, and the boy, Peeta, who pretended to love her and even claimed she was pregnant. Katniss had been killed along with Peeta in the 75th games meaning that luckily the rebellion never occurred.
At least that's what they say at school, secretly I think she sounds amazing challenging the Capital like that but I would never tell anyone that.
"And now we honour our fourth Quarter Quell," says the president. The little boy in white steps forward, holding out the box as he opens the lid. Stalin takes out the envelope clearly labelled with a big 100.
He runs his finger under the flap and pulls out a small square of paper. Without hesitation, he reads, "On the one-hundredth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that they committed a terrible act of betrayal against the capital, the male and female tributes will be reaped and then a friend or family member of the same sex will be chosen and they must fight to the death. The winner will be the tribute for the Hunger Game."
I admit I am a little taken back by this, I have been ready to go into the games but I was not ready for that. I'm not worried that I'm not going to get into the games as planned, no I am one of the best fighters my district has ever seen, according to my current trainers, however I am extremely worried as to who out of the few of my friends they're going to choose for me to kill since I have no siblings.
I think about this as I continue back home. After a while I decide it doesn't matter who they chose, I have plenty of friends who hang out with me because I was likely to win one of the Hunger Games but none of them are real friends that I trust. To be honest I'm not close to anyone apart from Spark but he's a boy so I won't have to fight him.
Arriving back home I am greeted by my parents and a large serving of Gammon. Smiling at them as thanks for the meal I start to eat the succulent meat. I am so engrossed in the delicious meat after a very long and stressful day of training that I don't notice my father standing close behind me.
"Thistle." I hear him say from behind me.
"Yes." I answer as I turn away from my meat with annoyance.
"You saw the announcement today, didn't you?" He says his voice tight and measured as he peers down at me. Of course he would want to talk to me about the games; since when did we talk about anything else.
"Yes." I answer before turning back to my meat. I don't want to talk to them, all they would offer is tactics and I don't want that at the moment. All I want is to eat my food and pretend I don't have to kill someone I know and maybe even like.
"Thistle, look at me." He says sounding slightly impatient.
"What?" I ask turning around and glaring at him to make sure he knows I didn't want to talk. Not that will make a difference.
"You need to know that this doesn't change anything and you mustn't let this distract you from your goal. You are still going to volunteer, even if that means killing one of your classmates."
I frown at that, they're my parents aren't they at least supposed to act like they care. I want to tell them to leave me alone and tell them I don't want to kill anyone let alone a friend. But I can't.
"I know that." I say instead. It's not like I have a choice, I was born to kill, I spent my life training to kill, and I'm damned good at it too.
"Good." My mother says as she smiled overly sweetly down at me, "because we would hate for you to lose focus. Now back to your food, you want to be nice and strong, after all it's almost your big day!"
I return her smile just as sweetly, angry that they don't care, not that I expected anything else. However she is right about one thing.
It isalmost my big day.