The 42nd annual Hunger Games.
She could feel her heart beating wildly, fighting to get out of her chest. The bright lights danced in front of her eyes as she swallowed, but the hard lump stuck hard in her throat. She blinked as her vision adjusted, but all she could see was a dark forest, seemingly stretching on forever.
40
Looking around, she saw the terrified faces of the other competitors. Some were determined and had that look on their faces, the "I'll-win-at-any-cost" look. Those were the ones that scared her. Like Zander, the tribute from district 10. Then there were those who were lost, all hope crushed, the ones still hoping this was just some dream that they could wake up from, safe and warm in their beds. She shivered. "I hope I don't look like that," she thought.
30
Her body tensed, ready to run. In a way, she'd been training for this moment since she was born. In district 7, you were taught to fight at an early age. Every person in her district had prepared in case they were chosen, training since they were seven.
20
She had entered this knowing she would lose. No one was a match against those from tributes 1,2 and 4- they won almost always. But maybe, just maybe she could give her life for a worthwhile cause- was anyone here worth protecting? She looked around at the other tributes. Mariana, Ian, Amber, Karl, and more whose names she couldn't remember. Their faces all blurred together as the tears she'd been holding back threatened to invade her eyes. She shook her head. Not now.
10
She looked for the other boy from her district. Fernando. She didn't really know him that well, but as he caught her stare he smiled at her. She tried to smile back, but her face was frozen.
0
She ran. Faster than she'd ever run before. She was aiming to get one of those backpack thingies then sprint towards the forest. Unfortunately another tribute, Kelly, had the same idea. Kelly suddenly toppled backwards though, as a spear went straight into her heart from behind. She fell to her knees, eyes wild and staring with confusion. They pleaded for safety. But there was nothing the girl could do, as she stood and watched.
"Help me," Kelly whispered.
She shuddered, then became still. Somewhere in the distance, a cannon fired. The girl was frozen though- she'd seen the light go out of Kelly's eyes, the soul leave her. No amount of training could have prepared her for this.
She grabbed the backpack and ran.
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