The 11th Hunger Games!
CHAPTER 1
Hey guys! This is my first fan fiction, so I hope you really like it! I'll try to update every few days, if not sooner. The first few chapters will come up within a day or two of each other, so… yea. Please review and enjoy! As obsessed as I am, I do not own the Hunger Games.
I am Marianna Domens. I am 15-years-old. I am from District 4. It has begun.
Today is the day of the reaping. I spent the last few hours with my best friend Ema, fishing for oysters. I figured that if I get picked today, then I should probably stock up on food for my family, since I'm now the main supporter. Father is at home, in bed after breaking his back; Mother often has migraines that keep her inside for days.
Now we head to the reaping. As I separate from Ema- me heading over to the 15-year-old group and her to the 14s- I think to myself the same thing I always do. I won't be picked. I can't be picked. I can't make my frail parents go through this. Again.
I used to have a sister, Iata. She had just turned twelve and was selected to be a tribute- a sacrifice- in the 7th official Hunger Games. Iata never made it past the initial bloodbath. My parents were in a state of sorrow, and that was when my mother started suffering from migraines and nightmares. She would wake up screaming bloody murder for many months afterward. I was only ten years old.
Now I'm snapped back to reality as our district representative, Nellie Armart, announces the tributes for this year.
"And may the odds," Nellie began, tapping her long nails on the female ball, "be EVER in your favor!"
With that, Nellie stuck her hand into the glass ball and pulled out a name, a flurry of white coming up with her.
Nellie cleared her throat. "Marianna Domens!"
It takes me a minute to realize that my name was called. My face turns white as I'm escorted up to the stage; my long blond hair blowing in the wind behind me. I heard nothing but the soft sound of my boots and my heavy breath.
"Now for the boys." Nellie started, drawing a name out of the boy's ball. "Volan Micruit!"
A tall, lanky boy with short black hair was taken from the male 13-year-old group. He seemed awfully familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on it.
"Thank you all for coming!" Nellie screeched cheerfully.
Volan and I were then escorted to the main building in town's square. I dreaded this moment; my mother would be a nervous wreck and I wouldn't even be able to see my father. I glanced over at Volan and saw that his calm posterior had vanished now that we were away from the cameras. He looked like a very frightened 13-year-old boy.
Suddenly, my mother came rushing through the door. She pounced on my; getting my nice sea green dress, which matched my eyes, all wet.
"You're gonna win and come home. You hear me! YOU HEAR ME!" my mother practically screamed at me.
The guards took my mother's arms and dragged her away. She cried my name like there was no tomorrow.
Next, came in Ema. That's where I knew Volan from- Ema was in love with him since the fourth grade. Sometimes he was all she talks about.
"I wonder if Volan would like me better if I cut my hair short." Ema asked me only a week ago.
Was it really a week ago that we could talk about something as silly and inconsequential as a haircut? It feels like a lifetime has passed.
I wondered how Ema felt, now that her best friend and crush were going into the arena together. Only one, if not neither, of us would come out.
Ema pressed something round into my palm and closed my hand. I glanced at her quizzically before opening my hand. Tears came to my eyes when I saw it. It's thee blue seashell bracelet that Ema and I made back in the third grade. Actually, we had two, but mine fell off one day in the water.
"Oh, Em," I said, beginning to cry.
Ema wiped the tear off my face. "Win for me, okay Mari" she said gently.
I nodded silently.
"Oh, and say hi to Volan for me." With that, Ema was escorted out the door. Now that I was alone, I began crying freely. Or at least, I thought I was alone. I heard footsteps, but I just buried my head into my arms and ignored whoever it was.
