I do not own Hunger Games, it belongs to its rightful owner. I do however take credit for the design of the characters in this story.
When they called my name I was both relieved and frightened. My siblings were safe for another year. But, I was no longer safe. The crowd parted to let me approach the stage, I stood petrified until my brother gave me a small push. I walked toward the platform in shock. Out of all the people how could it be me? Why me?
At 16, I knew the odds were against me. I'd applied for quite a few tesserae since my older brother was no longer eligible. I'd thought this reaping would be just like any other, I'd feel bad for the boy and girl chosen but I wouldn't volunteer to take their spot. No one here ever volunteers, no one wanted to die. But this year it was no one volunteering for me, it was me climbing the steps on to the stage and taking a seat.
I was barely paying attention when they called the boy who would share my unlucky fate. Clarence Grey. I recognized the name but couldn't put a face to it, until I looked that is. He was in my school. A grade ahead of me. I almost hoped someone would take his place. He'd been so close to making it out safe, there was only 2 weeks until his 18th birthday. No one came forward of course.
The rest of the afternoon went by in a blur, going home, my sister's sobs, my fathers distressed behavior. I tried to soothe them saying I'd be ok, I was strong, we lived in the lumber district, so I was in shape. But we all knew against the careers my strength was nothing. I wanted this to just be a bad dream. I'd wake up and everything would be fine, but that wasn't the case. My sister clung to me. She was so small, my dad, brother, and I all worked but we barely made enough to scrape past.
Having lost my mom two years ago in a fire that had been caused by lightning hitting the cut lumber, she was one of the 10 people who died that day. Since then I'd raised my sister, my brother and dad working long hours to bring in as much money as possible. My mom had owned a little shop in town that had fallen into disuse after her death so we sold it to another shop owner who'd been looking to expand since we had needed the money.
I dismissed myself to go to my bed, I shared my room with my sister and my father and brother shared a room. I crawled into bed and fell asleep with nightmares close behind. Nightmares of the days to come, nightmares of my impending demise.
First story I've put up on here, feel free to tell me what you think. I know its short, most other chapters will be much longer. Will update as soon as possible.