Disclaimer: I don't own Hunger Games.


I stand in the down town square in a roped off section filled with other 15 year olds. The air smells like seaweed baking dry in the hot District Four sun. I haven't been this nervous since the Rebellion. My name is Megan Melaleuca and I'm in the reaping for the first ever Hunger Games.

I only have four slips of paper in the drawing so my chances of being picked are slim, but it's still possible. The mayor is reading the history of Panem. I wonder if he'll do this every year. I can only hope I live long enough to find out. Dying is one of my biggest fears, ever since my little sister died. She was stung by a box jelly fish, she was only four years old and her little body didn't stand a chance. I've done everything I can to make sure that if I get picked I'll come home. I've been training since I found out about the Hunger Games but I'm powerless against the reaping. If I'm picked there's no telling who I could be thrown in the arena with.

A lady from the Capitol steps up to the reaping ball and gives a cheerful, "Ladies first!" before sticking her hand into the glass ball holding the slips of paper. I watch her read it and I know what it says before she even opens her mouth. One thing I forgot to mention: I can read minds. I don't know if it's a common occurrence or not because I've never told anybody. One thing I do know is that that piece of paper she's holding has my name on it and I'm going into the arena. I can hear the thoughts of the girls around me when she calls my name. They're relieved. No one wants to volunteer for the first year.

I walk up to the stage and climb the steps, grateful that my legs don't shake. The capitol lady, whose name I learn is Jewel Rivers (She actually narrates her life in her head, in third person), asks for volunteers and when there evidently aren't any, she walks over and draws a name from the boys' glass ball. I pick the name out of her head as her eyes skim across the two words on the paper, Jared Bryam. He makes his way to the stage and all the kids in his seventeen year old age group part immediately for him to pass. No volunteers for him either.

Once he's on the stage, the mayor begins to read the Treaty of Treason and I really don't see any reason to listen to it so I delve into Jared's mind. I really shouldn't since what he's thinking is probably personal but I've always been a really nosy person. Oh great, he's thinking about his girl friend. She broke up with him last week for Gill Michaels. Not that I'm judging or anything but she definitely gets around if you know what I mean. She doesn't deserve him. He's fantasizing now that if he can win the games and come back he'll also win her heart. I pull myself out of his mind because I'm starting to feel a little sick. For some reason, couples really skeeve me out and I have no desire to watch him suck face with that girl in his mind.

The mayor finishes his reading and I shake hands with my fellow tribute before we're lead into the Justice Building. I'm told we're allowed visitors before we leave and then I'm left in a room by myself. My mom and dad come in soon. My mother is clutching a silver cross that hangs around her neck and she has tears in her eyes. My dad looks tortured. I don't listen in on their thoughts. I can't stand their heartbreak.

"Do you want me to come home?" I ask.

"Of course we do, sweetheart." My dad says as he pulls me into a bear hug. I sneak a glance at my mom.

"Even if I have to kill someone?" I ask tentatively. My dad releases me and I step close to my mom and hug her.

"Just come home. We'll love you no matter what." My dad joins our embrace and for a moment we just hold each other.

"I love you guys more than anything." I whisper. A peace keeper comes in to take them away and I'm left sitting on the threadbare couch again trying not to cry. The door opens and I'm faced with the clique I sit with at school. I call them my friends but we aren't really that close. I never even bother to read their minds. All they think about is themselves. They all hug me and tell me they want me to come home. I let them know I'll try my best and then they leave when they realize they don't know what else to say.

Craig is next to visit me. He lives in the concrete cottage next to mine. Our fathers fish together. He's been ignoring me recently for this blond he has a crush on.

"Did you come to say goodbye?" I ask. He stares at me so I dip into his mind. Maryanne had rejected him, he's going to miss me, now he's all alone, my eyes are so green, these are the thoughts running through his head. Sorry dear, I'm not second best.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be able to find someone else." I say half to be encouraging but it sounds bitter. This is probably not the best time to go all jealous and catty on him but I can't resist. His eyes are flickering between confusion and sadness, then he hugs me close.

"Come home." He whispers in my ear as he slips something into my hand.

"Okay." I whisper back. I just let him hold me. This could be the last time I'll feel the warmth of a friend's arms around me. We stay like that until the guard drags him out, they come back for me five minutes later and I'm taken to a car that will drive us to the train. Once in the car I open the hand that's still clutching Craig's gift. It's a copper chain necklace, with a seahorse charm hanging from it. I can feel a sad smile on my face as I slip it over my head.


I'm going to add more chapters. This is just the first one. Please Review so I know if you guys like it or dislike it and what I can do to make other chapters better.