Prologue
"I don't know how to tell you this." I stare into the Caesar Flickerman's eyes for a moment then turn and give the same piercing stare to the camera. I know everybody is watching me at this exact moment. With my ice blue eyes, so full of sadness and need and hate, no one can look away from their television. Even the most teary eyed or angry about what I did in the arena are watching.
"Tell us what?" Caesar says when I take too long.
"I loved her." I mutter, casting my eyes down at the precise moment, that one moment that makes everyone gasp. I stand up, pull out a knife and stab myself in the chest. This is how the 1st Hunger Games ends; this is how it all ends.
With the death of Mallorin Pitchman, the first victor of the Hunger Games.
The Beginning
I walk down the street and fix my coat so that the moist air won't cause me to sweat. Why did they choose today for the reaping? The idea that I have to stand in a field next to the ocean and wait for them to call two names, is bogas to me. District four is for fishing, not playing games for the Capitol's entertainment.
Mother tells me not to say things like this. Why shouldn't I? I ask. The war is over, we learned our lesson. We are being submissive. What is the point of the Hunger Games. Mother looks me dead in the eye every time and says do you even care that two children your age are going to die? I laugh at her. I pretend I don't care.
But I do care. I care a lot. It terrifies me. But if I let anyone know that, if I let myself know that, then I will fall apart. I pretend that the imminent death of 23 children doesn't bother me.
A month ago they announced the Hunger Games to prepare us for them.
"We will go to each district!" The strange pink woman on the screen tells us, "We will choose one boy and one girl for the honor of becoming the first Tributes! These tributes will be put in an arena and will fight until the death to remind the rebels that we are not to be messed with." She giggles, "Hugs and kisses from the Capitol, this is Marian signing off!"
Marian is actually the woman standing on stage as our representative. We sign in, again, and then are led away to our consecutive age and gender biased corals. I am seventeen and a boy so I am shoved in the line unceremoniously by a peacekeeper, unlike the seventeen year old girls.
"Happy Hunger Games!" Marian starts her speech. It's long and drawn out so I don't even try to keep up. I stare at the sky, blue and cloudless as always. Turquois like the sea. Storm in probably coming in. My attention is drawn to the television screen above her head as she turns around to watch. My breath catches in my throat as horrifying images flash up there of the war and I start to hyperventilate when I see my father. He was a very well-known soldier in the resistance. The only reason I'm alive, is because I was taken in by my Godmother when they went off to fight. I collapse when I see the bomb obliterate the camp my father is stationed at.
How did they get that footage? The video continues for a while then images come up of District 13 and the bombings then the ruin. I am picked up, smacked and shoved back in spot where my stepbrother catches me and holds me up. Cory and I are the oldest in the family of six. I hate seeing my step siblings in the corals, but we can't defy the capitol anymore.
Many of us have trained for this. Some of us are already fit from the effort during the war. Others are just fit from work or just being fit. I'm fit but small for my age. A lot of girls love me, something about the strong, dark mysterious type. I have blonde hair, bleached from the sun, piercing blue eyes, and tan skin, but I am small compared to the others.
"Now, we choose one boy and one girl. As is customary, Ladies first." Marian announces. Where is that customary? I wonder. Not here. Here girls are treated the same as guys, most of the time. I mean we do have class, but Ladies first.
"Need some help?" The mayor asks Marian. She can't seem to reach the girl's names. She nods and he lifts her tiny form by the waist and she squeaks. Finally she gets a name.
"Amelia Mercer! Where is Amelia Mercer? Come on up, dear." I am relieved it isn't one of my step-siblings, but dread fills me anyway. I really like Amelia. She is so sweet and her blonde curls just knock me through a loop. She always says she loves how I look like a wolf about to pounce. I've never seen a real wolf, but I take it as a compliment. I close my eyes and pray quietly to myself.
"Now to the boys!" Marian announces. She digs around but there is no need for her to have help this time. The names fill this bowl and she doesn't have to dig far. Please no, no, no. I think as I hear her unfolding the paper by the microphone. I am sweating really bad and I know I have gone pale. If Cory wasn't holding me up, I would be on the ground again.
"Who is it?" Someone shouts. I hear the peacekeepers noisily move over to him and remove him from the area. I can't open my eyes.
"Rude." Marian huffs before taking a deep breath, "The male tribute of District Four is Mallorin Pitchman!" She says delightfully. I know the camera is on me. I try to stay calm and I nod to Cory to let me go. I can't look up yet. We discuss it quietly before he lets me go. I walk out into the alley and start towards the stage and then pass out.