AN:

This is my first FanFiction.
Hope you enjoy reading this!

The platforms rise and I am immediately blinded by the golden gleam of the horn shaped cornucopia. I shade my eyes quickly, however the shine off the cornucopia fades slowly. I then get an icy shot of the bitter wind. I end up pulling the hood of my jacket up and it stops my hair from flicking around.

White. Everywhere, it covers everything. It sparkles on the ground where the green grass should be, the large trees that surround us, but it doesn't cover the cornucopia. Snowflakes hit me rapidly and the wind freezes me to the core, even if I do have the waterproof jacket on.

I notice that the only thing not covered in the thin blanket of snow is the cornucopia. Untouched and waiting to be raided by twelve to eighteen year olds. One of these weapons is most likely to be the cause of my slaughter.

A large open stretch of ground is concealed by the snow and the cornucopia is centered in the middle, with supplies and weapons scattered around and in it. Just sixty seconds, these sixty seconds are precious, yet painfully slow.

Being in District Four I have a good knowledge of edible plants and I have a good skill with each weapon I see in the cornucopia, except that machete that continues to grab my attention. I have wielded one before, but it feels unbalanced in my hands. Spears, throwing knives and a bow and arrow. I can use all of them well. Especially throwing knives. But all of these weapons are in the cornucopia. Even if I am fast, I just cannot risk it. I don't even have the guts to go in and fight. The thought right now makes me feel sick.

The wind is so fast and strong that it feels like it'll blow me off into the mines.

Just stay on. You'll get your legs blown off.

I'm such a coward. I wish someone volunteered for me. I have a brother and he is twelve. Of course I didn't expect him to volunteer, but I have friends.

Couldn't one of them volunteered?

What and die for me?

I sigh under the wind. Don't listen to the voices in my head. It's just too tempting to make a dash into that glorious stash of weaponry. I can easily grab a good weapon. But I'm not up to dying today, make that any day in fact. I will probably end up being that one tribute with a sharp rock for protection.

My heart sinks and beats fast. Just aim for the supplies. A rucksack. What one is the closest?

My eyes scan round the field and the wind picks up, but the snow stops. My heart gets heavier as the countdown ticks down. Thirty-five seconds.

A dagger? Can I at least spot that. The snow covers the supplies so its hard to spot supplies. I can use a dagger in close combat. No, I should get a rucksack. My eyes wonder around fast, trying to spot something. There.

I see a navy rucksack, the colours match what I am wearing. Next to the rucksack is a dagger, resting upon it. The colour of the blade's handle must be metallic bronze as it glows on each side. The tip is extremely sharp. It would do well to protect me.

I get ready to make a run for it. Twenty seconds.

My eyes keep trailing back to the cornucopia. I don't know if its because of the colour or if its because of the vast majority of weapons that are inside. When I see the machete in there I cant help but think of the boy from One training with it. And right now I see his eyes planted firmly on it. Him and the girl from One are certainly in a team. I saw them in training being close. They're going to be the Career group. I would never go with them. Too aggressive and brutal. I think I got on their bad side too when I turned them down when they asked if I wanted to be with them. I still have the boy from District Twos disappointed and angry face.

I hope Wren from my District isn't with them. Maybe if he is with them they will feel less keen on killing me. We haven't discussed our plans with each other. I only discussed them with our mentor, Mags. I was close with our escort Aqua. She must been in her early twenties, but with plastic surgery, I wouldn't be surprised if she was older.

Need to stay on focus. Ten small seconds left.

Don't want to die in the bloodbath. The bag and the dagger. I repeat it in my head.

I look around at the faces of my opponents. None of their eyes seem to be on what I want. Maybe they see a better price. Maybe that want to run away into the deep forest.

My bag looks big. It looks like it has a fair amount of supplies in. matches to make a fire. A small sleeping bag rolled up inside. That little bit of food.

Deep breath. Five seconds. My fingers go all numb. I have no gloves. Run for the bag and then run into the forest for as far as I can go.

I stand rigidly on the tiny platform, getting ready to sprint and wait for the three seconds to pass. Twenty-three other tributes surrounding me on the identical platforms prepared to dash and kill. I feel the blood lust in the air.

Then the gong sounds.

And I run for my life.

Thanks for reading. I'm going to make a start on Chapter Two and put it up as fast as I can.

I've been so nervous about posting this...

Reviews are much appreciated!

Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you.