Chapter 1

The bell tolls 11 times. I decided I would let myself sleep in today as everyone else in District 5 is. If I'm still here for tomorrow I can make up for it. The sun shines brightly which is the exact opposite of today. Reaping Day. I need to get myself "prettied up" but I hate doing it. No one's here to help me; no one has for so long.

I think back to my family; the memories are so fresh yet fading are the small important details. My mom and dad both had dark red hair and emerald green eyes. My brother took after them, but I got caramel coloured hair and aqua eyes. People used to tell me how beautiful I was, but now I'm just a shadow of the girl they knew; smiles never grace my face. I have no reason to smile now for the most part. My parents were killed in a fire 9 years ago; I was just 7. I'm sure the Capitol caused it, the fire I mean. My father was a rebellion leader back during the Dark Days. He escaped capture and settled here, in District 5, safe from the Capitiol. After years of searching they finally found him and gave him a choice: Tell us everything you know and remember of the Rebellion or terrible things will occur. He refused knowing that either way he would get tortured for treason. So on that fateful rainy day, our house was set on fire. All of us were sleeping, it was just 2 in the morning, when we felt the heat. I shot up and out of bed over to my brother, Carrick, whom I shared the room with. I shook him awake and we scrambled downstairs to our mom and dad. My mom was helping my dad out of bed, for his leg had been crippled in the war. They both yelled at us to keep going so I did what they said, but I could tell that this was not a normal fire. It burned too quickly and grew too fast and I could see that it had a purplish tinge. A Capitol fire. Engineered to burn down a house like ours in less than 7 minutes. I shoved my brother out of the door just as the doorway collapsed on me, separating us. I could feel the heat as I tried to wriggle my way out and Carrick pulled on my legs. The fire was gaining on me; I could feel it starting to singe my hair. Finally with one good shove, I pulled myself out and turned around for any sign of my parents. I cried out for them but got no reply. Carrick tugged on my hand and we ran to the cobbled streets watching as the fire ate up the last bit of the house. I did nothing; I just stared. I could not do anything. I slumped to the ground and sobs began to rack my body. Carrick was so confused, not knowing what was going on and why I was so sad, so he just awkwardly patted my back and reassured me that it would be okay. I couldn't do it. I couldn't explain to him that he would never see his parents again, I was so lost. We sat there together until people started waking up and coming to our aid. We were pretty well known in town, and by the time the sun had risen almost everyone was there. They called up firefighters and paramedics to dig through the debris of our home. They found our parents collapsed on the floor of their rooms; the official cause of death: smoke inhalation. They looked through our house but they didn't find much: a charred picture of the four of us, a gold locket, a matching gold bracelet, and a braided leather bracelet. The locket and gold bracelet were burned so they were a black colour and the inscription of my mother's name, Cheryl, was a white colour. The picture inside of her mother nothing more than dust. I tied the leather bracelet around Carrick's wrist, folded and shoved the picture inside the locket and put that on along with the bracelet. People offered their worthless words of condolence, but not a single one of my mother's or father's friends offered to take us in. I guess 2 more mouths to feed is too much; can't blame them. We were automatically sent to the orphanage. Since we were one of the last kids to come we had to stay at the facility until a family came along. Carrick hadn't suffered a single injury and I was grateful, but unfortunately the fire had burned off most of my hair only leaving a bit on the top that was already starting to fall off. I got stared at a lot by people, but there was nothing I could do about it, so usually I just wore a scarf around it. Slowly my hair began to grow back only it had been leeched of all colour. Where my hair used to be caramel coloured, now it was white. Also I got a burn mark on the back of my neck creating what acted like a groove where my necklace fit perfectly. The orphanage: Where we only got enough food to survive and our clothes were at a bare minimum. Carrick and I kept each other happy, most of the time just playing games to whittle away the time til' our next meal. Then winter hit. It was an exceptionally cold one. It snowed all the time and temperatures were practically unbearable. We did the best we could do keep warm; sitting by the fire and wrapping ourselves in whatever we could find until finally Carrick couldn't take it. One day, I found him keeled over by the fireplace. I rushed to his side and swept his dark red hair out of his eyes and closed his emerald green eyes. I stroked his hair and cried until I had no more water left in me. Paramedics came and did whatever they could. His official cause of death was hypothermia. They untied the leather bracelet and handed it to me. I looked and it with water threatening to flow again. With as much resolve as I had, I tied it around my wrist and stared at it until someone carried me away. In the day and weeks to follow, I felt like I had lost the will to live. It hadn't even been a year since the fire that killed our parents. He was just 5, and now I'm all alone at age 8. Eventually they did find me a home. The lady was actually really sweet, but the man was a drunken abuser. Sick of everything, I grabbed my few belongings and fled. I didn't make it far before the Peacekeepers found me. They're pretty lenient in our District. The less work the better. So they proposed a deal. Since me leaving would result in more paperwork and going back to the orphanage, they said that as long as I didn't break the law and don't get complaints from other citizens I could do whatever I want. I translated that into don't get caught. To survive I hunted in the forest just beyond the fence which is conveniently broken in many places. It makes it easy to get in and out and is a good source of food. No one sees me and if they do they turn a blind eye, I guess. I still go to school even though the Peacekeepers won't make me. I think it would be good so when I grow up, I know what to do for our District's trade, Power. I also don't know what else I would do during the day, I mean one person can only hunt for so long. If my hunting isn't profitable enough, I pickpocket. I know it's not good but I usually prey on the wealthier people. It doesn't happen too often though, mostyly during the winter. Since it's just me and hunting is what I usually do when I get back from school, I sell some of my game and buy clothes and other things.

I must get ready soon because in two and a half hours we all have to gather in the square. Right now, I stay in a very sheltered part of a prairie type area that leads into the forest. It has tall grasses so the probability of someone seeing me is 1 in a million; it hides me and it doesn't hurt that no one's looking for me. I throw off my sleeping clothes and pull on a pair of black leggings, a brown tunic, and soft brown leather boots. I tie my hair into a ponytail and pack my reaping clothes into a bag. I run to the forest and make my way to the clearing I've hidden away. If anyone (or anything) saw it they wouldn't notice it. I step in and take a deep breath of Mother Nature. In this clearing there is a bubbling stream which I wash up in and drink from for the most part. There is also a berry bush which is nice to snack from in the summer, a medicinal plant which is good for cuts and burns, and some nuts in the trees. The bark on the trees is a good medicinal thing too and you can eat it. Plus the trees give off sap. The clearing is sheltered by trees and my other camouflaging. I quickly bath in the stream and pull on my reaping outfit. I spent a whole weekend's worth of game to buy it since it is required to dress very nicely. If you disobey, you get whipped severely. My outfit consists of a midnight black top with gold sequins adorning the edges of it. To match I got a gold sequin skirt to match and black "gladiator" sandals. I braid 2 strands of my hair and tie it back, almost like a wreath around my head. Then I put on my mother's golden bracelet and locket. I look through a gap I left in the trees to find I still have 1 hour 45 minutes left. Plenty of time. I quickly eat some of my dried jerky and wash my face and clean my teeth. I paint my nails a midnight black and but on black mascara. I gently apply golden eyeliner which I accidentally pick-pocketed along with the mascara and the nail polish. Now believe it or not, I used to be somewhat a girly girl back when my mom was still around to baby me. I then put on some clear lip gloss which I bought on my birthday after I saw one of my father's old friends who gave me money for a fox pelt. Then I tighten the gold studs that I haven't take off of my ears since the fire.

I step through the clearing and out into the forest. I walk back to my resting place and deposit all of my stuff. I glance up at the clock, 45 minutes left. I have enough time to enjoy my walk to the town's square even if I am jumpy and nervous. I take out tesserae every year to ensure I don't starve, like if there's a bad winter. I have more slips that about every girl in this district. Luck is definitely not on my side, but when has it ever been.

20 minutes later I'm in the square and signing myself in. I write 'Aaliyah' and nothing more. Thanks to a concussion I got when I fell out of a tree and banged my head on a rock, I can't remember much up until 3 years ago, I don't even remember my last name. Sure there are people who remember, but whenever I approach them they walk in the other direction. The only things I remember vividly are my early memories of my family and my orphan years. I quickly walk to the 16 year-olds section and stand at the edge. I hear all the girls begin to whisper about me. In District 5, everyone is okay financially, and is a little bit snooty because of that. They all look a little bit nicer than me since I'm already a bit scruffy from being in the forest. My caramel coloured hair and aqua eyes marked me as an odd one out contrasting with everyone else's dark red hair and green eyes, but now with my white hair and scar under my eye from a broken beer bottle (courtesy of my foster dad) I'm even weirder. I'm lean, muscular and stand at about 5' 8" whereas everyone else is on the short side and a little plump. I shift uncomfortably on foot to foot trying not to think about what they're saying. As the bell rings twice our mayor, Mayor Nolletti, gives his speech about how Panem rose up out of the ashes of North America and resulted in the Capitol and its surrounding 13 districts. Then the Dark Days and the horrors, twelve defeated and the thirteenth obliterated. Then there came the Treaty of Treason that presented us with laws to maintain peace and as a constant reminder, the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games, where two tributes from each district, a boy and a girl ages 12-18, must fight to the death. It's disgusting how they make it celebratory by parading us around the Capitol and having interviews. Mayor Nolletti finishes his speech and reads off our victors names. There have already been 4, but all except for one have died. One died from the hallucinations, another died after she committed suicide, and the other just forgot to feed himself. When he's finished he hands it off to our escort, an orange 32 year old, Annatelle Shrone. Her wavy shoulder-length vibrant pink hair stands out in contrast to her dyed orange skin. She wears light makeup that matches her sea blue dress and shoes.

"Oh, how exciting! Shall we pick the female tribute now?" There are mumbles from the crowd which is enough to spur her on. With a flourish, she sticks her hand in and produces one slip.

"Deirdre Vanderbilt! Are you here?" Oof, I let out a breath I've unconsciously been holding. I look to see who the unlucky owner of the name is only to see a 12 year old trying to detach herself from 2 younger siblings who barely could be 6. I can hear what I guess to be her parents strangled cries emanating from the back of the crowd. The girl, Deirdre, was trying so hard herself not to cry, and with one final tug she got free and shakily walked up to the stage. She stood there shaking like a leaf; her family sobbing in the background. I couldn't take it. Suddenly, I got to thinking. I have nothing to lose; no family, no friends. I want to do something to make a difference if only it be to one person.

"Any volunteers?" This is it.

"Going once!" It is now or never.

"Going twice!" Can I do this?

"I volunteer," I say timidly. Humph. I guess I can do it. Since I was standing at the edge it is easy to make it up to the stage. Deirdre looks at me shocked, eyes wide, but thankfulness, evident. People start to whisper because volunteering is a rarity, and also because it's me. I bet most of them don't even know my name. As she walks off the stage she grasps my hand and gives it a tight squeeze. It surprises me, but it's also very touching.

"Oh, that's fantastic! Let's hear it for some district love!" I hear maybe one or two people clapping, but as soon as they realize it's just them they quickly stop. "Okay. Now what's your name, sweetie?"

I clear my throat and with as much determination as I can muster I reply, "Aaliyah."

"Hmm, that's nice sweetie, but what about your last name?"

What a dreaded moment. I shuffle my feet and mumble, "I don't have one."

"How is that possible…" She doesn't finish her sentence seeing the fiery look in my eyes. I don't need her asking anymore questions.

"Okay, let's move onto the boys, shall we?" She waddles over to the boys Reaping ball and presents us with one slip.

"Chase Gregory!" I recognize the name, probably from school. A boy with tousled brown hair and chocolate brown eyes begins to walk up from the 16 year olds section. He doesn't show any signs of nervousness but he isn't exactly jumping for joy either. He steps up to the stage and Annatelle calls for any volunteers. No one steps up. I'm not sure if he has family, but I don't hear any cries so maybe they're optimistic. As Mayor Nolletti reads off the Treaty of Treason I take a closer look at Chase and realize I've seen him elsewhere besides school. He is one of the only people I've seen hunt in the forest besides me. People are very wary and maybe show up once or twice, but never come back again. Chase is someone who I see a lot. He has a bow like me, but I think I'm better. I have snares put out, but his are way superior to mine. I use knives too, whereas he doesn't, and I'd like to say that I'm quite good. The Mayor finishes speaking and gestures for us to shake hands. I feel his calloused hands clasp my smooth ones as we look into each other's eyes.