It has been three years since the rebellion failed. Our Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen, is dead, and the 78th Hunger Game sis coming soon. Tomorrow's reaping day. Every year, I'm afraid I'll be picked. My name's Amelia Fredrick. I'm a blind fifteen-year-old. I live in District 12, the former home of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. After the rebellion failed, the district was rebuilt as a reminder to everyone of it. I thought I was safe, since my first year to be reaped was the third Quarter Quell, and the rebellion followed. These Games shouldn't still be around. But they are, and every year I have nightmares of what could happen to me.
Being blind, I've never had the chance to observe what happens in the Games. The only way how I can see things is through the vibrations in the ground. But since the Games are shown on a screen, I can't see it.
There are only four in my family: my father, James Fredrick, my mother, Anna, and my three-year-old brother, Thomas. I go to a special needs school. I only have one friend there, Melinda Patterson. She's handicapped, though. Her house in District 3 had been burned down some five years ago. A brick had landed on her legs and broken them. I hadn't known her then. My original home was in District 5. That was another thing with District 12 being rebuilt. Families from each district had to move here. My father volunteered, forcing the rest of us to come along.
We were currently eating dinner at our table. It wasn't a big meal. Just a slice of bread and a small serving of rice for each person. Working in the coal mines, my dad doesn't earn nearly as much money as he did in District 5. And since my mom had to take care of Thomas, she never looked for a new job. But since he's now three, she said a few days ago she would try to find a job.
"Anna, dear, are you sure you want to do that?" My father had asked.
"Yes. I'm sure." She replied.
"Who will watch over Thomas?" He asked
"I can!" I blurt out. They turn to me, and I can feel shock and horror coming from them.
"You're blind!" My mom protested.
"And you have school," my dad adds.
I understood the school part. But what did being blind have to do with anything? My mother knows I can see without actually seeing things. Why must it be so hard?
My parents had decided on paying a babysitter instead. I was slightly upset, but I got over it.
"Amelia!" My dad calls, snapping me back into reality. "How was school today?"
"Oh, fine!" I reply. Then I remember something. "Melinda invited me to a sleepover at her place tomorrow. Can I go?" If we both survive the reaping, I add silently.
"Who else will be there?" My mom asks.
"No one else. Just me and Melinda," I inform her.
"Alright. I don't see any problem with that," my dad says. Before anyone else can say anything, the TV automatically powers on. That's always bothered me about this place. Back in 5, we could turn it on when we wanted to, on our own. But the Capitol likes to make themselves clear and heard around all of Panem, so all TVs in District 12 are automatically turned on when there's an announcement.
"Greetings, all of Panem!" President Snow says. I turn in the direction of the sound, even though I can't see him. "The 78th Hunger Games is just around the corner. As many of you know, it's been three years since the second rebellion, led by your Mockingjay, Katniss Everdeen, failed. Since then, myself and m advisors have been working out a new plan for these Hunger Games. Finally, we have figured out a new addition: the two tributes from each district will be loved ones, whether it be friends or family." I raise my eyebrows in confusion. Thomas is too young to be part of the Games, and my parents are too old. So how will this new addition work? As if in answer, President Snow continues: "Some of you may not have siblings that are old enough, or friends of a different gender. We figured that out by saying that we will look into your history of who you have talked to at school or in the square, or whatever, and find a solution for you." What?! That makes no sense! And besides, there's no boy that I've ever talked to. Except...
I remember Troy Waterfern. He's a sixteen-year-old boy who lived here many years ago, but moved to District 1. When this district was rebuilt, his family decided to return. I met him while walking back from school one day. He followed me back home, which was a ten-minute walk. In that time, we talked about ourselves: our personal life and interests. I left out the fact that I was blind, in case he would leave the moment I told him, but I accidentally tripped over a small coal pile, and he was confused as to why I didn't see it, so I told him. He didn't disregard me like I though, and thankfully he didn't hold my hand like I was a toddler. I haven't talked to him since, but he's the only one that I've talked to.
I almost cry at the realization that if I get reaped tomorrow, he'll be thrown into it with me, and I may have to kill him.
A/N: So, this is the first chapter. I hope you like it. Tell me what you think of the new addition to the rules, or the chapter overall, or both. :) And, in case you didn't get it or don't know, I took the idea for the special way that Amelia can see from Avatar: The Last Airbender. It's called seismic sense... Please Review! Reviews are what inspire me to write. :)