I flick my wrist and let the knife leave my hand. It soars through the air, spinning multiple times before hitting the target in the center.
"The reaping is going to start in a few hours. You better go get ready if you wanna be on time."
The voice startles me for a moment until I realize who it is. I turn around to see Breckin smiling at me. Returning the grin, I make my way over to the bullseye and pull my knives out.
"Whatever," I place the weapons back on the rack and walk past Breckin.
"You're gonna win the games, ya know," he looks me straight in the eyes.
"I know," I shrug and brush a few auburn hairs out of my face.
"You aren't really known for your modesty, are you?"
I chuckle a little and exit the room to go get ready.
The sun is just rising as I walk along the gravel road. My ponytail swings back and forth with each step I take. I wear a teal dress with long sleeves that stops at mid-thigh.
The gong in the town square goes off, telling all of District 4 that the reaping is about to start.
I stand in the crowd of thousands of other teenagers. Only two of us will be off to the Capitol today, and I know one of them will be me.
Our escort, Sephora Lanson, claps her hands together, leans into the microphone, and smiles, "Hello my little children! Are you ready to see who will bravely be representing District 4 in the 74th Annual Hunger Games?"
Some of the crowd cheers along with her, but others glare up at her. I am one of the latter. To be honest, I can't stand the way that Capitol people dress, act, and speak, but I can't wait until I can volunteer.
I look at Sephora. Her hair is dyed a dark shade of blue and styled in some sort of beehive on top of her head. The dress she wears matches her hair color exactly, and it is practically covered in sparkles.
She continues after the crowd dies down, "Let's start with the ladies!"
Sephora parades over to the clear glass bowl, her heels clacking against the concrete stage. She lowers a plump, purple hand into the bowl and swirls her hand around, trying to find the perfect tribute. Too bad I'll be volunteering. She finally grabs a slip and marches back to the microphone.
"And the female tribute is," Sephora unfolds the paper, "Marren Walt-"
"I volunteer!" I interject, shooting my left hand into the air.
I approach the stage with a wicked grin on my face. The girls in my section leave me a path to the stage, obviously frightened.
"Wonderful! It looks like we have a volunteer! What is your name, darling?" Sephora beams at me.
"Cora Ives." My words are full of confidence as a smirk crosses my face.
"And how old are you, my dear?"
"17 years old."
"Lovely! Now let's head to the gentlemen's bowl!"
Sephora makes her way over to the bowl, and she pulls out a slip.
"Our next tribute is," she pauses for effect as she opens the paper, "Jackson Kauai!"
A small boy, maybe 12, timidly stumbles out from the crowd. He's pathetic, with tears streaming down his face. I am almost embarrassed to have him as a district partner.
"Your such a darling!" Sephora looks down at him and ruffles his brown curls.
"Okay! Shake hands, you two!"
I reluctantly reach my hand out to him, and we shake hands. I don't stop glaring at him the whole time. I can tell he fears me.
My nails tap against the hand rest on the red sofa in the Justice Building as I wait impatiently for my visitors.
I think about my strategy. Go in and kill them all. Simple enough.
My first visitor is Breckin. He grins at me. "Your first impression was great! Even I was kinda scared of you."
I chuckle, "You should be scared."
His smile fades, "Yeah. Just be careful, and kick some District 2 butt for me." Tears form in Breckin's eyes. Just last year, his brother was killed in the finale by the boy from District Two. Crimson Larek was his name, I think. I remember it like it was yesterday.
"Definitely."
Just then, a peacekeeper comes in and pulls my best friend away from me.
A few minutes later, the wooden door bursts open again, and my whole family comes rushing in. I hug my twin baby brothers and tell them that I'll see them in a few weeks.
My mother approaches me with tear stained cheeks and wide eyes. "Why would you volunteer for something like this?"
"I had to, Mother. I've trained my whole life, and honestly, it's what I wanted to do."
She shakes her head in disapproval. "I just can't believe that in a few days I'll be seeing my innocent little daughter killing children."
"You think I'm innocent? I would think about that again if I were you." The last sentence comes out in nothing more than a whisper. She takes the silence as a chance to wipe her new fallen tears and leave the room with my brothers.
My dad takes a seat next to me and stares straight into my eyes. "Be strong in there. Don't trust anyone. Expect the unexpected. And do whatever it takes to stay alive. Just make your father proud."
"Of course, Dad. But this isn't goodbye."
"I know. You most certainly will be coming back to District 4." He smiles and leaves the room.
He's right. I will stop at nothing to bring pride to District 4. I will stop at nothing to come home.
hayhayhay! I love this character and I was thinking of how I could use her. I was looking through the profile I made for her and realized that her personality is very similar to Cato's, and of course, that gave me an idea ;) the next chapter will be the tribute parade and the first interaction with Cato YAYAYAYAYAYAY! Please review... But NO FLAMES! thanks guys :)