These words that line these page

All tell stories of where we've been

We've come so far, but the journey repeats

Because ignorance isn't always bliss,

And the past isn't always defeated

The Narrator

I should start by saying this is not a happy tale. Often, I've caught myself with tears welling up as I write down the monstrosities that took place in our once great nation, but stories are meant to be told, and so here I am to write it all down.

Humankind has documented their struggles for years. We've seen it from the events like the Civil War, which was a tragic time in American History, to the World Wars.

But I'm here to tell you that things got so much worse.

As humans we allow history to repeat itself, and if this narration can bring an end to this awful cycle, then it has done its purpose. If it were to get out that I was writing this down, I could get whipped and hanged. But in my opinion, the purpose behind this far outweighs the risk. I believe that in my heart of hearts, I will take whatever punishment they can throw at me, as long as people remember.

It's only been a year since everything changed. The United States was a country where people would come to for a fresh start. Chasing the American dream was a phrase that coined itself into time forever, or so it seemed.

The downfall of America happened with a single President. I, as a quiet bystander, watched this all unfold with horror. It all started four years ago with a woman, who in her heart, thought she was doing good. She was passionate about her country, and she wanted nothing more than to make it great. I do believe that. But somewhere deep inside that woman knew, to make an impact you had to make the tough choices. This woman was a monster, and she knew she was a monster. She was a monster seeking justice for her country.

But what started off as a pure intention instead turned to bloodlust, and a desire of power like no other President had ever shown in the history of the country. Her name was Ophelia Veyne. She was the 4th female President the United States had ever seen. She won her election based on vowing to crack down on crime and to get kids back into the seats of the schools. She preached of prison reform and border control. The American people were convinced that Ophelia Veyne was all talk.

I'm here to tell you that she was, but that doesn't mean that she was inactive.

You see, politicians often lie. Ophelia Veyne prided herself on the fact that she held true to everything she said she would. She completed her task to the best of her abilities, and though her ideals were barbaric at best, we did see improvements in places like our prisons and our juvenile detention centers, but it wasn't until the fourth year of her presidency that we, the nation, found out why. That's when that story ends, and the new one begins.

But I'm jumping ahead of myself. This start of this story takes place three years before where I'm writing this currently. I must warn you again; this story is not a happy tale. Though there may be happy moments, and times of great glee, there will also be truly disheartening moments.

I'm going to tell you the story of 24 young prisoners who were forced to fight until one was left standing. I'm going to tell you a story of a President who fell from greatness and into a web of lies that outshined anything she could have possibly done to recover from it. I'm going to tell you the story of a girl who sought to do the impossible. I'm going to tell you about the death of a nation.

I, your narrator, promise that everything I'm going to speak of in this narration happened. I swear by the great nation that I know and love, The United States, that I will be as open and detail oriented as my mind allows me to remember.

I believe that this story is one for the history books, and I'm terribly sad that I have to be the one to write it down. I'm going to bring us back to the end, of what looks like the end, but is only beginning. Because though this story is about Ophelia, it's directly affected by an outspoken little girl who rose to a challenge she knew she couldn't possibly face alone.

The little girl I'm speaking of is Tahan Jacobs, the first official winner of Hunger Games.

Well, first of all, I want to say thank you to RedRoses1000. She wrote the first Home of the Brave, and because she challenged us to write our versions at the end of her story, here I am! It's a fanfic of a fanfic!

For those that are confused, the last President of the United States, Ophelia Veyne, was tired of the country being "ruined" by teen crime. She decided that it was best to teach the bad kids a lesson. So she came up with the idea of the Hunger Games! It was obviously a secret, because the nation couldn't know quite yet. My story takes off right after the first one. So you'll be subbing me a criminal! Message me if you've any questions!

Tahan was my tribute in the games, and when Rose summarized she placed as the Victor. I was a little bummed not to see her written out all the way, so I decided to do so myself!

The form is on my profile. Keep in mind that there are no careers, no Panem, no anything yet. This story is taking place in America. Also, your tributes are criminals, so make sure that they are realistic crimes for a 12-18-year-old to do!

Keep it classy,

Caleb