Hey people! So I was wondering today… how did Panem begin? We all know that there was some huge apocalyptic event that changed the world forever, but what exactly was that? And thus, this story was created! I really hope you guys enjoy it! Without further ado, here's chapter one! By the way, reviews are very much appreciated :)


Not Just a Rumor…


You would think I have it all. I mean, I've got the hot girlfriend, the great grades, the rich parents, the athletic ability. But still, I feel like I'm not satisfied. Do I really care about those things? Do they really matter?

With that being said, my first year of high school really sucks so far, and it's only November! Every day just seems to pass me by, not really meaning anything, but just kind of existing. My life is wasting away and I'm living it completely numb.

I don't normally have these thoughts. I try to stay optimistic and be grateful for what I've got, but when you're enduring one of Mrs. Fletcher's boring lectures, you have nothing else to think about.

"And so," my History teacher drones on. "The Persian War began. The Greeks were on the losing side for quite a while. There was absolutely no hope for them. Luckily, a few won battles put the odds in the Greeks favor. Has anyone heard of the Battle of Marathon?"

Dear God, shoot me.

"Pst," Bradley whispers. I glance over my shoulder and to my left where my best friend, Bradley Cuinn, sits. When Mrs. Fletcher turns to write something on the board, he tosses me a folded piece of paper. In pink highlighter, the front says 'From Vicky'. I look past Bradley where Vicky sits, waving and batting her eyes.

You might've guessed, but Vicky - er, Veronica - is my girlfriend. We started dating a little over a year ago, but to be honest, I'm just not feeling the same way about her. I mean, she can be really… obnoxious. And rude. And a complete jerk to others. I've thought about ending things with her, butt hat would send my reputation down the drain. She's on the cheerleading squad, vice president of the Freshman class, and captain of the field hockey team. I'm the richest guy in school and play for the basketball and ice hockey teams. We're the perfect match.

I unfold the note and read the disgusting pink writing.

Hey Cutie,

My parents are out of town until Thursday. I was thinking, with no one else bothering us, maybe you'd want to come over? We could have loads of fun, if you know what I mean. Nod once for 'yes', or shake your head if you can't make it.

Love, Vicky.

I resist the urge to puke. It seems like the only thing Vicky's been wanting to do lately is make out. And believe it or not, last month she hinted towards having… you know… the 's' word. I really do think she's crazy. I mean, I'm fifteen and she's fourteen! We shouldn't even be thinking about that.

I bite my lip. I know Vicky's going to want an answer by the end of the period. I consider shaking my head, but then what? She'd get all bitchy and demand why I can't come and then I'd have to make up a lame excuse.

Vicky flips her strawberry blonder hair out of her face and stares seductively at me with her shimmering blue eyes. I try to remind myself that I'm lucky to have such a hot girlfriend and nod. She smiles sweetly and mouths 'See you tonight'.

I run my fingers through my dark brown hair. It's shaggy and has grown over my face lately, but I don't feel like getting it cut. Besides, I hear it makes me look hotter. Though I wish you could see my sea-green eyes underneath it. At my school, green eyes are considered weird, so I naturally want to stick out and show them off.

Mrs. Fletcher turns back around and tells us some more details about how the Greeks turned around their battle with the Persians. I'm getting so bored, I consider stabbing myself with my pencil until I bleed to death.

Suddenly, the TV in the corner of the classroom flickers on. I see our principal sitting at his large office desk clear his throat and begin to talk.

"Good afternoon students, teachers, and faculty," he says. "We are sorry to interrupt your daily classes, but we have been instructed to air the following news report in every classroom. We ask that you please pay attention and we apologize for the inconvenience."

The image changes to a news lady standing in front of one of those weather report green screen things. She fidgets nervously, but talks with stability. She gestures to the image on the screen that shows a normal European town with dark clouds looming over it.

"…At first the clouds were thought to be just a storm passing by, but no rain has fallen and no lightning has struck. And no storm has ever covered and area as large as Japan to Spain in all of history. No problems have been recorded yet, but we ask everyone to stay on your toes and check back here on Channel 3 News for more updates."

We must've been checking in towards the end of the broadcast because the next thing show is an anchorman talking about sports. The image cuts off and the TV turns itself off. Mrs. Fletcher begins to continue her lecturing, but thankfully, the bell rings.

I gather my books and shove them in my schoolbag. I sling the strap over my right shoulder, shove my pencil in my jeans' pocket, and hurry out the door. I head towards my locker to get the rest of my things and go home.

About halfway down the hall, Bradley catches up to me.

"Hey! Blake!" he shouts. I pause just long enough for him to get ext to me, then continue walking. "What'd you think about that news broadcast?" he asks.

I shrug as we turn the corner, entering the hallway with my locker. "I don't know. Seems kind of creepy, why?"

"I think it's a load of shit. They're making it seem like the world is ending or something. It's probably just some weird trick of nature or something."

We end up at my locker and I begin to spin the lock, entering my combination. "It seems totally realistic to me. I mean, clouds from Japan all the way to Spain? That's, like, the entire continents of Asia, Europe, and probably most of Africa. Not to mention Australia and parts of Antarctica."

"Whatever, I think it'll pass," Bradley says as I open my locker and switch out some books. I grab my dark green hoodie and put it on. "Oh yeah, I ran into Cooper. He says practice is cancelled tonight."

I close my locker and ask, "Why?"

"Apparently coach's wife is having her baby. He has to stay wit her."

"Oh, cool. I've been waiting for a day off."

"Me too. I've gotta get going. Have fun with Vicky tonight." He winks and runs off down the hallway.

I roll my eyes and go the opposite direction. I'm almost to the stairs that lead to the first floor when I see her at her locker. Sapphire Williams. Her auburn hair falls in waves over her shoulders. Like me, she's got green eyes and pale skin. A few weeks ago she got her braces taken off and I haven't stopped staring at her since.

We've never talked. It sounds creepy, but I sometimes follow her to the library during my lunch period to see what she's doing. Normally she's reading some ancient history book or something on Shakespeare. I've tried taking interests in some subjects she likes, but they're all to difficult. I can't understand half the words Shakespeare mentions and history bores me. I watched her during our school's fall musical last week and even came to the two showings that were meant for parents. I guess you could say I've got a crush on her.

But there's Vicky. I can't go around cheating on her. It's wrong even thinking about this. But Sapphire is so… different. The rest of this school is so obsessed with money and sports that they never take the time to recognize the other things. Sapphire does whatever she feels like, no matter what anyone thinks of it. Most kids think she's weird, but I think she's beautiful.

She closes her locker and I realize I've been staring at her. I start walking again and nod to her as she passes. She smiles and walks away. That's the closest we'll ever get to talking. Nod and smile.


It starts to drizzle on my walk home which is odd since the sky was clear today. I don't mind it. The rain is relaxing to me. I could sit out here all day, but I'm worried the water will seep through my schoolbag and soak my books, so I jog the rest of the way home.

I get to the gate of my family's estate and ring the buzzer. When our attendant comes to answer it, I say, "It's Blake." He presses a button and the gates slowly open, closing as son as I'm inside.

I run to the door and push it open. As expected, my mother is there immediately, setting up a line of towels that go up our main staircase and to my bedroom.

"I just did the floors," she says. "I don't want you getting them soaked. Go get changed and bring me down your wet clothes. I'll wash them for you."

"Alright."

"You know, if you called me, I would've came to pick you up. You didn't have to walk in the rain."

"It's fine, mom. I like the rain."

"Whatever you say."

I walk across the towels and up our grand staircase. The chandelier above flickers when there's a flash of lightning, but it remains on. I hurry and get to my room.

Throwing my schoolbag on my bed, I slide open my closet and grab a black T-shirt and a dark pair of jeans. I slip out of my soggy clothes and leave them outside my door for my mother.

It's already 4'o'clock when I finally begin my homework. I've got three pages of geometry to finish and an English report due next Friday. Neither of which are even started.

I sit on my bed and get to work, finishing the math by 4:30. I groan when I realize I should begin researching for my English report. I stand too use my computer, but just then, the power goes out.

A sigh of relief escapes my lips and I fall back on my bed. I guess the English essay can

Wait. My mother comes running in with candles and flashlights, scattering them around the room so I'm not completely in the dark. I thank her as she leaves.

I don't really know what to do with my time. I lay against my pillow and just… think.

I'm getting rather sick of the world we live in. Everyone's getting so obsessed with fame lately. It's all about the money and popularity and being the first to do everything. It's not even just the teenagers either. Adults are just as bad.

Sometimes I wish we could just start over and build a society from scratch. One without error. Without selfish people. Maybe filled with people like Sapphire That would be nice.


I don't know when it happened, but sometime I drifted off to sleep. I'm awakened by the vibrating of my phone. I pick it up and realize that Vicky's been calling for the past twenty minutes. It's already 7:30.

Not really caring anymore, I toss my phone across the room. I didn't want to come over in the first place. I'll just tell her I got grounded and couldn't make it.

My stomach growls, but I'm too tired to go downstairs and get some food. I drift off again.


My alarm goes off at 5:30. The storm seems to have stopped, but it still looks exceptionally darker outside. I peer out my curtains and see that a thick layer of dark clouds is rolling in.

My heart stops for a second, but I calm down. Those clouds look just like the ones on the news broadcast yesterday. Maybe they were right to warn us.

Relax, Blake. It's just a rumor. Weird things happen all the time. Besides, what kind of harm could some stupid clouds do?

Little did I know that the very clouds I was looking at would change the world forever.