The 100th Hunger Games
My name is Aisling Willow. I am from District 4, the district with the Atlantic sea.
I am 15 years old and I live alone with my father, who I call by his first name, Lee. I can't remember my mother. One day when I was two, she went out to do the fishing, as her and my father would swap places every week. One of them would look after me, the other would fish. And one the day she went out... the storm started. I don't think she's dead. Missing, of course. But not dead. I still hold onto that, thirteen years later.
It was the 14th of April today, a month before the reaping of the 100th Hunger Games. The day when they'd announce the Quarter Quell Special.
On the 25th, they had the citizens of the district vote for the tributes going in. On the 50th they had double the amount, rather than 24 tributes, they had 48. On the 75th, tributes would be picked form the existing Victors. That year the Hunger Games had apparently ended. But no. Even after president snow had died and the Rebels had taken over, the Hunger Games continued.
Just District 12 doesn't participate. I hate Katniss Everdeen, that survivor. Just because she fought against the capitol, doesn't make her on OUR side. And what's the point, if just her district gets to stay out of the Games. You think she'd help district four even, with her friendship with Finnick Odair. Nope, not even district 11 got to stay out, even after her crying on live television for Rue.
I was sitting on the beach, weaving a net, waiting for my father to get home from fishing. Every now and again, I'd look up at the ocean. My thoughts kept wondered if Panem was the only place in the world, if there was something beyond that water...
"Aisling girl, I'm back!" I heard my father's voice shout. His boat, Astera, was sailing closer to the pier.
I smiled and ran to him, my strawberry- blonde hair flying behind me in the wind. I hugged him, and said "I missed you, Lee."
"Well, I'm here now, aren't I?" he said, hugging me too.
I drew back. "You're just in time for the Quarter Quell announcement," I said more seriously.
Her face hardened. He tied up the rope of the boat to the pier and got out. "Well, let's get going then."
Our house was just on the border of the beach. It was a rackety old thing, but I love how cozy it was inside. It was filled with rugs my mother would weave before she disappeared. I love sitting on them.
Lee dropped his catch on the kitchen counter and went to sit by me in front of the television.
The Capital Anthem played, and on the set-up stage, grinning, was President Paylor.
The anthem ended, and she started talking about the previous Quarter Quells. I notice she leaves out the ending of the 75th one.
"Also we'd like to remind you, that it's not just a Quarter Quell, it's a Century quell as well," she laughs "So it should be extra special." I want to punch her through the screen.
A girl with black curls and a sparkly toothy smile, in a white dress, hands President Paylor a box with envelopes. He takes one out labeled 100. Then she opens it.
"On the 100th anniversary, and the first Century Quell, as a reminder that even though some people that have survived the reaping as a teenager, participating in The Hunger Games are not going to be a reaping for children from 12 to 18, but for all grown-up citizens from 19 to 48," said Paylor clearly, a smug grin on her face.
Excited whispering filled the hall from the Capitol residents.
Paylor smiled at the camera one last time, and says "May the odds be ever in your favor."
Then our television goes black as the electricity gets switched off again.
I couldn't think straight. Quite honestly. You'd think nothing could be more atrocious than all the previous Quells, but taking adults? That is just beyond cruel. Taking children's parent's and letting them kill each other... How could any child experience something like this? It would be compulsory for everyone to watch, including the sons and the daughters. How could anyone let this happen?
I gasped, all of a sudden.
"Lee, lee," I murmured, feeling tears in my eyes. "How old are you?"
He stared at me, and blinked "Aisling... Don't worry, I'm 52."
Relief passed through me. He wouldn't get entered.
That night, and the ones that followed in the month, I slept well. But the fact that someone's parents would get reaped totally saddened me.
Until, a bigger worry came.
^I had this idea and I needed to do it! I hope you liked it.
By the way, I don't reaaaaally hate Katniss, I adore her! But the character, Aisling doesn't.
And I added romance in it... dont worry, coming up next chapter...Du...Dun...DUUUUNN.