Hello! This is my first story and I'm not completely sure how this works...
I wrote this over the summer so it IS complete, there are no real 'chapters' so I separate the story in occasionally awkward places.
DISCLAIMER ALERT! I don't own the Hunger Games, Katniss, Peeta, Prim, or any of the characters mentioned in this book otherwise. Suzanne Collins does! If I did I'd have a lot more money :D
NARRATOR'S VIEW- THE INTRODUCTION
Let's explore something different- what if Coin hadn't been killed and Snow was, and they went through with the Capitol children's Hunger Games? Throughout this story, I'll be switching off people's views. Let's start with Katniss's view during the decision.
KATNISS'S VIEW- THE DECISION
"It's agreed, then?" Everybody nods. "All right, then. We'll use the arena they made for this year- I assume you all realized they make the arenas ahead of time?" President Coin's eyes find mine. I nod, pretending it doesn't bother me. I am Katniss Everdeen, I am the Mockingjay. Nothing bothers me. Right?
Besides, the Capitol is about to get a slap in the face.
NARRATOR'S VIEW- THE REAPINGS
We're onto the reapings. President Coin divided the Capitol into twelve sections, as the thirteenth never participated in the Games. Here are the reapings. Since you'll get bored if I show you all twenty-four tribute's thoughts during the reaping, I'm just going to do one person from each section. Don't worry, you'll get a chance to see into everybody's minds farther into the story.
JENNA'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION ELEVEN
The Capitol, where I live, has been divided into twelve sections. Mock districts. All my life, I have been entertained by watching twenty four kids fight to the death. But now the districts have fought back and rule over the Capitol. They have decided that Capitol kids are going to be in the Games now. Just this one year. Then they will be over. But still, today is reaping day and I know that I have a chance to get picked. When the woman from District 13 reaches into the pool of girls' names, I hold my breath.
"Jenna McLaien!" No! I have been chosen to represent the girls in the Games. My house was part of section eleven so I am representing the 'eleventh district' of the Capitol. I slowly walk onstage. You could hear a pin drop when the woman from 13, Essa Farhen, asks for volunteers. She calls up Jonathan Crissie, a twelve year old, who is quickly replaced by his huge eighteen year old brother, Ed. I make a mental note to try and ally with him. Essa grabs our hands and says, "May I present to you, the tributes of Section 11!"
EVEREST'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION TWO
I am part of Section 2 of the Capitol. I feel my rage build up inside of me. I don't hear the name they call, but I quickly volunteer. I hear a few snickers. The woman from thirteen asks my name and I tell her- "Everest Ashton." Her mouth opens slightly from the surprise.
"You volunteered for yourself?" She questions. I can feel my cheeks going red. But she doesn't wait for an answer, she just sighs and reaches into the girls' ball. The woman reads, "Ella Grenald?" Ella is seventeen, I believe, and I know her only because she's my girlfriend's best friend. This is going to be awesome.
ALLY'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION FOUR
"No!" The sound escapes from my lips. I run onstage as silent tears run down my cheeks and soak my neck. Nobody volunteers. I shake hands with the boy tribute, Kay Marshton, while the man from 13 who did the reaping says, "I present to you, the tributes of section four of the Capitol, Kay Marshton and Ally Jenise!" But a thought occurs to me. I wipe away my tears. I am going to die in these games. And my secret will die with me, safe and protected forever.
JOSEPH'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION EIGHT
"Joseph Timbermann?" Calls Emelia Derst, the woman from 13 who does the reapings. I silently walk up. I shake hands with the girl from section eight, Lilah Joan Pemp. Lilah Joan mouths something to me that I don't understand. I do a slight shake of my head, but I don't think she notices. Only as we're walking into the fake Justice Building and we are separated I realize what she was mouthing.
"We're dead."
FAE'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION THREE
My family is one of the first to gather in the square, though people are quick to arrive. Even though these Capitol games are a one year thing, everybody is still nervous, the younger kids looking relieved, because there is no chance of them ever getting picked, because they are not in the age range this year. I clutch my younger brother. His twelfth birthday is today, but District 13 did not overlook that. He is still in the reaping bowl. The man from thirteen, -who everybody nicknamed The Egg the one time we saw him before, for no good reason at all- explains why we are here, because of a choice some people from 13 made, even though we all know very well. He takes a minute to decide whether to pick from the girls' or boys' bowl first. He eventually decides on the boys' and calls out, "Wayne Winters." I am so flooded with relief that it's not my brother that I almost miss them calling out my name.
"Fae Cressedan."
STEWART'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION TWELVE
"Stewart Honder." I walk to the stage with strange, almost robotic steps. Then Carla Jenner is called and loud sobs and screams envelop the crowd. Guards from District 13 pull a girl from the audience. She pulls against them and screams and sobs. But her effort is not enough and they hold her onstage where she just breaks down and cries. We are instructed to shake hands, but it's more like putting my hand in a river, because she has just wiped her tears on her hand. Carla is still young, almost fourteen years old, and the size of a nine year old. I feel a flash of pity for her and then a huge splash of pity for myself. But I push it to the back of my mind. If I'm going to die, who cares about my feelings?
MARI'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION ONE
I fluff my boa. When I get to be on television, I have to look good. The woman from 13 whose name slipped my mind says, "And now the ladies." She pulls out a piece of paper but before she can say the name I volunteer.
"What is your name, love?" She asks me.
"Mari Kestinson." I reply, acting just as fake-sweet as she is. She nods approval and calls to Jim Ferring. We shake hands and head into the fake Justice Building of Section 1.
GORDON'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION NINE
I'm still having trouble grasping the concept of the Capitol going into the Hunger Games. I mean, isn't that for the Districts? But I've been told numerous times by my mother that the Districts took over. I asked my dad why I didn't understand. He said it was because of my so-called mental illness. That makes sense. I don't understand all that much about anything. I'm eighteen, but people tell me I act like a kid. I tell them I don't understand.
I am at the reaping and when they call my name, Gordon Merel, I don't understand, as usual. But I'm pushed up onstage and then I realize I had been picked as a tribute. I daydream for a minute and suddenly I see a girl is on stage with me, Pearl Fernson. She's about two years younger than me. When she was too young to realize how weird I am, we were friends. But as soon as she hit five years old she abandoned me. I've always admired her- not liked her, though. Just admired her. We shake hands and I see the cold look in Pearl's eyes. Our old friendship will be no protection from her. Pearl wants to kill me just as much as the other tributes will.
BETHIE'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION SIX
I clutch my twin sisters' hand. "Oh, Bethie.." Erna whispers to me. My real name is Beth, but everybody calls me Bethie. Erna was called up. Without thinking, I volunteer for her. She is not only my twin sister, she is also my best friend.
"What's your name?" The lady asks.
"Beth Bernson." I say.
"She was your sister, then?" Asks the lady. I confirm it in a nod. She calls up an Evan Roth, who I've never met. We shake hands and go inside the building that everybody is supposed to pretend is the Justice Building. I hold my head high and even smile a bit for the cameras. I might die, but at least I'll take somebody, anybody down with me.
VERNON'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION TEN
"Vernon, uh, Ja-lo-pai-eh?" I walk up to the stage and sigh.
"It's pronounced Hah-leh-pai-eh." Everybody gets my last name, Jailopayeh, wrong. The woman shrugs and calls up Maya Pennam. We shake hands. I know I know her, but I can't remember from what.
Then I realize. This girl is not Maya Pennam. This girl is her sister. Why didn't she just volunteer? Now she has to pretend to be Maya. Then I realize the only possible reason. And a memory surfaces. Maya was very sick. She must have died. But why couldn't they tell anybody? I have no idea.
NATALIA'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION SEVEN
I can't be picked.
I just can't. It's not possible. The odds are so against it. I'm only twelve years old and I'm the granddaughter of the former President. I am Natalia Snow, I lived in the President's Mansion. My father, my grandfather's son, is still very wealthy. I did not sign up for tesserae. There is only one slip of paper in that huge clear circular pot that says Natalia Snow. The boys are called first- Onan Piper. Oh, yeah. He's some gamemaker's kid. Former gamemaker, I should say, as now that's people from District 3, Technology. And then they call out a name to represent the girls. It's Natalia Snow.
I see black and fall to the ground.
DIESEL'S VIEW- THE REAPING OF SECTION FIVE
"Emely Gert?" The man from 13 calls. No! Emely is my sister. And then-
"I volunteer!' Shouts Emely's old babysitter, Clara Lawson. Clara always loved Emely. Then it's the boys' turn.
"Diesel Gert."
What? It can't be. It can't, it just can't be. I have been called up as tribute. I walk up to the stage, flanked by soldiers from 13. I shake hands with Clara. We look into each other's eyes. I see real regret in Clara's eyes. She doesn't want to kill me. She doesn't want to kill anyone. Neither do I. But it's not our choice to make. Let the 76th annual Hunger Games begin!
Well, I hope you liked it! Please review!