Chapter 1

I do not own the Hunger Games (even though I'd love to!). The story starts out a little slow, but it's just to set the scene. Plot twists in the works! Without further ado, Happy Hunger Games! Oh, and may the odds be ever in your favor...

"Violet, get up! It's reaping day, and you have a lot to do," my mother yelled, throwing back my ratty quilt.

My eyes opened tiredly to complete darkness. Dawn had not broken yet. Groaning, I stumbled out of bed, and lit a candle on my bedside table. Still in my nightgown, I pulled on my boots and snatched up the bucket in the corner of my room. I dragged the metal wash bin into Raina's room. I lit a fire downstairs and boiled the water I retrieved from the pump outside before dumping it into the metal basin.

I shook her gently. "Raina, get up. You have to get washed up. It's reaping day," I whispered through the dark.

Like usual, she ignored me. I sighed. Until she decided to get up, I couldn't wash up myself. Mother forbade it. I always had to bathe after Raina; in the already filthy, tepid bath water.

Trying to occupy myself until I was able to get ready, I returned to my room, an abnormally large closet that my adoptive parents crammed a bed, a bedside table, and a mirror into. I fell back onto my bed, clutching my sock monkey that I had ever since I could remember.

Today was the reaping. My first reaping ever. The first reaping in 26 years. The 76th Annual Hunger Games.

I let out a big breath. It was the talk of District 12 all month. I heard snippets of horror stories of the blood and gore that were the games. And of course people rehashed the legend of the Mockingjay and the huge revolt against the Capitol.

Peeta and Katniss Mellark were idols again. The Mockingjay, her doting husband, and their beautiful children were once again the subject of much conversation. In the week after the announcement, no one stirred from the Victor's Village. No movement, no sound, no nothing. I could only imagine the tragedy that plagued the star-crossed lovers and their loyal mentor. They didn't want to acknowledge the inevitable. Their worst nightmares were returning, but this time it wouldn't threaten destroy them. The Capitol's wrath would be brought down on their children. That was even worse.

But the question still burned in everyone's minds, how could the greatest rebellion in Panem history be erased by a few raging Capitolists and traitorous peacekeepers? How could all that hard work be reduced to a fleeting moment?

No one ever anticipated the overthrow of the newly established Capitol. It all happened so suddenly. One day President Paylor was discussing fundraising opportunities to raise money for orphanages, and the next a new man, Danagon Lockhard, was introducing himself as the new president. He announced that the districts would once again be electrically fenced off, there would be no hunting, peacekeepers would be brought back into the districts, and lastly, the most horrifying detail, that the Hunger Games would commence.

But I wasn't scared. Well, at least not as much as others. Chances were I wouldn't get picked. Now the Mellarks had reason for concern. Both Maeve and Ryder were of reaping age and rumor had it that the Capitol wanted to show strength and revenge against them for overthrowing them 26 years ago. Chances were that the drawing was going to be rigged and both their children would be chosen to battle to death. I felt bad, but hey, at least it wasn't me.

"Violet! Get in the tub! You're going to make us late!" Raina yelled snootily from her room.

I pulled myself up in bed, rolling my eyes. It wasn't me who was going to make us late.

I tossed my sock monkey to the side and headed to her room. Like usual she was gone to get her hair done by Mother which I had to give her credit for. At least she gave me privacy to bathe.

I stripped down to nothing and reluctantly dipped into the murky water. I was always slightly grossed out by the thought of bathing in Raina's dirty bath water. I quickly scrubbed away the dirt and grime of District 12, making sure that not a patch of dirt remained on my pale skin. I worked the soap through my dirty-blonde waves so later I could style my hair nicely. Once finished, I dried my hair and body and returned to my bedroom to get dressed. I was taken aback when I saw Mother waiting in the doorway for me. I gripped the towel around me tighter.

She handed a light blue dress, black flats, and a blue ribbon to me. "These are Raina's. Make sure you don't get anything on them," she said, before disappearing down the hallway.

I nodded my head even though she was gone and entered my room. After closing the door, I dropped the towel, put on my undergarments, and slipped on the blue dress. I ran my hands over the soft, cotton material, looking at myself in the mirror.

It was simple, but very pretty. It had a scoop neck with buttons leading up from the torso, and the material gathered at the smallest part of my waist. It flowed down, creating a beautiful shape and ended just above my knees. The light blue also brought out the bluish hue of my grey eyes.

Moving onto my hair, I brushed back the front two sections of my hair and tied them back in a bow. I toyed with the damp strands until the waves fell just right.

I slid on the black shoes that were a little too big for my feet, but would have to do. My boots wouldn't match the dress, and I didn't want Mother to think I was ungrateful.

I peered at myself in the mirror. I was always a pretty girl, not beautiful, but my most unattractive quality was my weight. Due to the lack of food in District 12 and my parents being poor, food was scarce in our house. I didn't look like a walking skeleton, but my bones stuck out in places they shouldn't, and my ribs could be felt through my skin.

Noticing my cheeks were a little pale, I pinched them gently, increasing the blood flow to the area. Very quickly they flushed to my desirable color.

I stood looking the mirror for a few more moments before I heard my mother's voice again.

"Come on, Violet! Raina's ready to go! You're going to be late!" she called up the stairs.

"Coming!" I shouted, making my way through the hallway. I hurried down the stairs where Raina stood in a cream colored dress with her black hair in a sophisticated bun. She was one year older than me, but looked like she could be well into her twenties.

Raina tapped her foot impatiently. "Are you ready now?" she whined.

I touched the waves of my hair, making sure none of them were displaced. "Yes. Let's go," I answered.

Mother had tears in her eyes as she grabbed Raina and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you."

Father pulled her into a warm embrace and whispered some inaudible words. I stood awkwardly behind, rubbing my left arm.

Raina wiped away the tears that filled her brown eyes and promptly left without another word.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, wish me luck," I said.

Mother cleared her throat. "Good luck, Violet. You have chores to do when you get home."

Nodding my head, my eyes shifted to Father. "Look after your sister," he stated gruffly.

I gave a small smile and waved goodbye as I left the house. Swarms of children, preteens and teenagers alike, walked along the dirt roads of District 12. All were dressed in their best clothes and were creepily silent. They're movements were zombielike. I followed the stream of people, recognizing some of them from my classes.

I peered around at the district. A deep sorrow hung heavily in the fog. The only sound that could be heard was the sobs and sniffles of parents as they sent their children off to the slaughterhouse. Some lingered in the doorways to see their children off, others couldn't watch without completely losing it so they hid inside their houses with the blinds drawn. My parents were neither of these types. It didn't bother me though.

The unfamiliar peacekeepers strode around the streets, wary of any signs of rebellion or anything suspicious. They carried large guns, causing all of us to be on edge. No one wanted to do anything to upset them. One last hug that was a little too long or one last kiss that was a little too loving could send them into a frenzy. Or so we were told.

My thoughts were suddenly broken into when I came to a peacekeeper who sat at a small table. I looked around and realized there was a whole line of them, tending to other potential tributes too. Before I could ask what was going on, he yanked my arm and pricked my finger with a small needle. I didn't squeal like others, but then again I had felt much worse pain. After a few moments, he waved me on.

I continued toward the Hall of Justice building where groups of my fellow classmates were standing before the stage. I wandered over to the side where the girls were kept and pushed my way to where the other 16 year-olds were standing. Peacekeepers stood guard around the perimeter of the square, diminishing any hope of escaping the reaping unseen.

I wrung my hands in front of me, growing tired of waiting. When was this going to start? Daylight was burning, and I had a lot to do when I got home. I looked around the stage.

Peeta and Katniss Mellark held hands, staring out at the sea of faces, wishing they could do something to stop it all. The years that passed had been kind to them. Even though they were both in their early 40s, they could have easily passed as a couple in their 30s. Haymitch Abernathy who stood to their right, for once, actually appeared sober. He didn't sway on his feet or yell out vulgar phrases, but rather, silently, watched Effie Trinket click her way up to the microphone center stage. Her hair was a cotton candy blue, her eye shadow was a bright green, and she sported some ridiculously over-the-top electric blue dress.

She waited there patiently as a video of the history of Panem and the Hunger Games played before us. It mentioned traitorous rebels that brainwashed the districts and overthrew the loving Capitol. Now the Capitol had regained its power and was set to take care of the Districts, but had to restart the Hunger Games, which were still a great honor, to punish those who brought Panem to its lowest point.

We all stood silently, unimpressed. We knew they were lies. Nothing more, nothing less. We all turned our attention to Effie who tapped the microphone. Even though she worked for the Capitol, we knew that she was one of us now, but still had to keep up the charade. She had to make them think she was one of them. We didn't mind though. If it kept her alive, it was worth it.

Effie forced a smile onto her face. "Here we are again! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor," she sang. Her eyes wandered over to Katniss and Peeta, her smile faltering a second. She moved over to the glass ball on her left. "Ladies first."

She dipped her hand into the ball, stirring around before plucking a slip out of the others. Effie teetered back over to the microphone, a nervous smile playing across her lips. I watched Katniss' grip on Peeta's hand tighten. He planted a reassuring kiss on her cheek.

The crowd drew in a deep breath in anticipation. I played with one of my waves, bored.

"And the girl tribute from District 12 is…"