There were fourteen districts in a country called Panem. Going from the richest to the poorest. From wealth and power to rundown and starvation.
In each district they have something important to the Capitol, the most powerful place to live. What no one knows is District Fourteen, the most populated district, may be the poorest but there is a twist. It's stronger than the Capitol itself. They are trained to be soldiers, doctors, weapon designers. There are kids around, but they are trained to hunt and gather. They have order and people love to live there more than the Capitol itself.
District Fourteen was created out of the ashes of District Thirteen and is on the other side of District Twelve. Furthest away from the Capitol.
People believe that District Thirteen was destroyed but because District Thirteen and Fourteen are neighbours District Fourteen knows that it was destroyed but it's now back, without the Capitol knowing too much. District Fourteen helped build it.
There are tunnels under the ground so District Thirteen and Fourteen are connected, but the Capitol doesn't know that, and they plan to keep it that way.
The war seventy-four years or so ago was a rebellion. It killed thousands and District Thirteen was bombed and destroyed, turning it into rubble. In exchange for losing the war, the districts put up two children, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, to be entered in a battle for survival, called, The Hunger Games. The winner gets endless amount of food for their family and gets moved into Victors Village. Every twenty-five years, is the Quarter Quell, every year it's a twist. You don't know what will happen.
A family, all skin and bone work around their home before school and work. The only daughter, Alex Russo is fifteen and her little brother, Max is twelve. Their older brother, Justin is eighteen. Their mother, Theresa and their father Jerry are worried and all of them have a bad feeling about this year's Reaping.
The Reaping happens during school hours tomorrow but there is no school.
Running into their school the three Russo kids immediately head to their classes.
"Alright class," Alex's teacher begins to speak after the bell, "Tomorrow is Reaping Day, so all teachers in the school are going to show the previous games."
Gulping, Alex begins to watch the screen.
The next afternoon, the three Russo children are dressed in their typical Reaping clothes. As Theresa gets Alex's hair all nice and pretty, she also helps Alex into her dress. Hugging her mother tightly, Alex sniffles.
In the heart of District Fourteen, Alex stands in her age group. Looking at Max, he has tears streaming down his face. As their host walks onto the stage, the Reaping begins. After the video of the rebellion, it's time to pick the tributes. He always picks the guys first.
"The male tribute is…" The man speaks, "Max Russo." As Max walks out of his group, Justin volunteers, taking Max's place.
"NO!" Max screams hugging Justin tightly. Stepping out of her group, Alex picks Max up and rushes him over to their parents.
"The female tribute is…" The man takes a breath, "Alex Russo." Widening her eyes Alex turns as the Peacekeepers grab her arms and takes her to the stage. Getting taken into the Justice Building, Alex curls into a ball on her chair, crying. Hearing the door open, Alex wipes her eyes as Max runs in with Theresa.
"You and Justin have to win." Max whimpers.
"We will do everything we can." Alex agrees. Hugging Max tightly, Alex looks at her mother.
"This is yours." Getting passed a bracelet, Alex looks at it to see a Mockingjay flying.
"What does it mean?" Alex wonders.
"It means you are not a piece of the Capitol or the Games." Theresa answers as she slips it onto Alex's wrist, "Justin has one too."
"Time is up." A Peacekeeper speaks opening the door. Hugging Theresa and Max tightly, they leave as Jerry walks in.
"Justin will protect you." Jerry whispers as the door closes.
"He's my brother. It's his job to protect me." Alex jokes gently. Jerry gives her a half smile.
"He will make an alliance with you. So you have to stay close to the Cornucopia for him to find you."
"Okay." Alex nods. Giving her father a hug, Jerry hugs her tightly.
"Make sure you and Justin come home."
"I love you."
"I love you too." As the door opens, Jerry walks out after kissing Alex's forehead.
On the train, Justin and Alex sit together knowing they have no mentor. They are on their own.
As they arrive to the Capitol, they both looks out the window looking at the Capitol.
"Our district is better." Alex comments making Justin chuckle. Waving at the crowd, they climb off the train and get taken to the Training Centre to get cleaned up and meet their stylist. The siblings know they are in trouble. After meeting the woman, Alex and Justin don't bother to remember her name or pay any attention to her.
As the Tribute Parade arrives that night, Alex spots the girl from District Twelve.
"Don't fall for her." Justin whispers to his sister. Her family and friends know she is a lesbian.
"But, she's hot." Alex whispers back.
"And might try to kill you."
"Good point." Looking away from the brunette, Alex sighs.
During the Tribute Parade, Alex and Justin takes each other's hand and lifts them up proudly saying they are proud to be from District Fourteen. Soon, the tributes from District Twelve do the same.
During training, Alex and Justin do everything they can to 'learn' the weapons even though they already know. Building a fire and snares, along with knot tying, they know how to already.
While making her snares as Justin is doing camouflage, the girl from District Twelve joins her as the guy joins Justin.
"So you're from Fourteen?" The girl asks.
"I am." Alex nods, "You're from Twelve."
"I'm Katniss."
"Alex." Looking at Katniss, the two of them stare at each other before looking away. Watching Katniss make her snare, it's different and weaker than her's, "You can build the snare stronger and to get more animals."
Katniss looks at Alex in surprise, "How?"
"Like this." Showing Katniss what to do, Katniss watches closely.
"How do you know this?"
"My mom and dad."
The next day is showing your skills to the Gamemakers. When it is Alex's turn, Alex heads in to find no one paying attention and talking. Seeing an arrow and an apple pinned to the wall, Alex knows it's someone from District Twelve. Looking at the weapons around her, Alex picks up her favourite weapon, a trident and a sword.
Introducing herself, Alex starts to show her skills and her strengths.
Leaving the room, Alex stops at Justin and tells him what she picked before leaving. When Justin meets her at the elevator, they head up to their floor and sit down on the couch to watch their scores. Alex ends up getting a nine and Justin gets a nine as well.
That night is the interviews.
"So Alex, are you a hunter or a gatherer?" Caesar asks the young girl.
"Gatherer for sure. I hate fighting." Alex admits.
"So you won't kill anyone?"
"If it came down to it, I would, but it doesn't mean I like it."
"Why is your last name the same as Justin from your district?"
"We're siblings. He's my older brother."
"What about Max?"
"Younger brother."
"So it's sibling against sibling."
"I'm not going to kill my brother." Alex narrows her eyes furiously.
"But you may have to."
"I rather get killed by another person than kill my brother."
When it is Justin's turn, he says the exact same thing.
The next morning is the day to enter the arena. Sitting in the hovercraft, the Peacekeeper enters a tracker into her arm. It all becomes real to Alex, this is it. The fight to the death, literally.
Looking at her brother, Alex and Justin are both pale. Looking to Katniss, she is shaking. Looking to the twelve-year-old next to her, Alex bites her lip. The girl has tears in her eyes and looks like she will cry any minute. Gently taking her hand, the girl looks at her.
"You'll be okay." Alex whispers, "Run as fast as you can to get out of the bloodbath."
"I want to go home." The girl whispers sniffling.
"I know. I do to." Climbing off the hovercraft together, the girl keeps her hand in Alex's. Walking far behind the other tributes, Alex and the girl stop before they get separated, "Rue, my brother and I are going to protect each other, feel free to join us at any time. We won't hurt you."
"Okay, Alex." Rue wraps her arms around Alex, making the other girl to hug her back. Kissing her hair, Alex squats down and kisses her cheek.
"Stay close to the Cornucopia and Justin and I will find you."
"Thank you."
Getting separated by the Peacekeepers, Rue clings onto Alex like a lifeline. Holding onto Rue just as tightly. The second that they part, Rue screams Alex's name and tears spill down her cheeks.
Entering the arena, Alex stares at Rue and Justin. When the clock hits zero, Alex jumps off the platform and grabs a bag. Noticing Rue is frozen, Alex tackles her to the ground just as a knife is thrown. Getting up, Alex grabs Rue's hand tightly and they take off into the woods.
Spotting Justin a little ahead, he stops hearing his little sister's soft voice calling his name. Stopping to catch their breaths, Alex gets Rue to climb onto her back as Justin takes Alex's bag.
"Let's move." Justin whispers before letting Alex lead, running with Rue on her back. Deep in the woods, they stop to hunt and find water. Finding they are at a lake, they drink some water and opens her's and Justin's bags to find two bottles. Filling them, Justin whispers he is going to go back to get weapons, Alex nods knowing Justin will be just fine, but it doesn't stop her fear.
Slipping the bags on, Alex gets Rue to climb the tree so they are out of sight. Making a fire, Alex doesn't set it but it's also a sign for Justin to know they are close by.
Sitting on the thick branch together, Rue sits between Alex's legs holding onto her tightly.
"You're okay." Alex whispers holding Rue to her.
Two hours later, Alex watches below them and spots Justin carrying a bow and arrows, a sword and two spears, along with another bag on his back.
"Alex? Rue?" Justin calls softly.
"Up here." Alex answers in a whisper making Justin look up. Climbing down together, Rue and Alex get pulled into a hug, relieved that Justin is okay.
"Pick your weapon." Justin sets the weapons down. Picking up the bow and arrows, Alex slips them on Rue.
"You don't have to use them." Alex says stroking Rue's hair soothing her, "We'll do all the work."
"Thank you." Rue releases her worried, shaky breath. Picking up the sword, Justin takes the spears.
"Let's hunt." Justin smiles, "For food." Nodding the three of them begin to hunt. Catching some fish from the lake, they set their fire and begin to cook. Eating their food, they stay by the fire as night falls.
In the middle of the night, Justin keeps watch. Hearing a tree branch snap, Justin kicks Alex's foot, waking her and Rue. Ready to fight, Alex gets Rue behind her as the Careers appear. Getting a knife thrown at her, Alex ducks, before charging at Glimmer, from District One.
Cutting her throat, Glimmer collapses. Justin throws his spear, hitting Marvel, from District One, in the chest. As Cato and Clove take off with Peeta into the night, Alex and Justin killed their first kills.
Cleaning their weapons in the lake's water, Alex and Justin sit back down at their fire, putting it out. Taking Rue's hand, Alex and Justin move just as the hovercraft arrives to take Glimmer's and Marvel's dead bodies.
Making a bed out of leaves, they lay down pulling out their two blankets and put their weapons next to them. Lying on her back, Alex feels Rue cuddle up to her and hugs her tightly. Holding her, Alex kisses her forehead before closing her eyes.
As morning dawns, Alex stays awake with Rue as Justin sleeps a little longer. Eating their breakfast and drinking water, Rue leans against Alex still scared of Justin. Rue admits she trusts Alex. Alex saved her and risked her life to save her, more than once.
Hearing movement, Alex kicks Justin's foot waking him. Taking cover, Alex has the bow and arrow set and ready. Luckily they are on the other side of the thick bush and shielded from all sides.
Spotting Katniss, Alex doesn't let her guard down. Seeing the a tribute from District Four and Five corner Katniss, Alex stands and fires the arrow at the guy from four as Justin kills the guy from five. Hearing the two cannon fires, Alex and Justin corner Katniss.
"Give me your bag." Justin orders. Nodding, Katniss removes it off her back and Justin digs through as Alex puts her sword to Katniss' throat.
"Do you have any weapons?" Alex asks narrowing her eyes.
"No." Katniss whispers shaking.
"Clear." Justin states passing Katniss her bag back. Alex drops her sword as Justin grabs the spear and arrow.
"Why didn't you kill me?" Katniss asks looking at Alex.
"We aren't killers unless we have to." Alex answers.
"Why did you save me?"
Alex sighs putting her sword away before walking over to the still hidden Rue.
"Follow us." Justin signals. Confused, Katniss joins them in their hiding place. Alex spots Katniss' Mockingjay pin.
"A Mockingjay." Alex whispers making Katniss look at her. Looking down at her bracelet, Alex looks back to Katniss remembering what Theresa said. It means you are not a piece of the Capitol or the Games, "Where did you get your pin? How did you get it?"
"I gave it to my sister and she gave it back to me. It's for protection." Katniss answers, "My friend gave it to me."
"We have to move." Justin interrupts. Looking at him, Alex realizes that Rue and Justin packed their bags. Slipping their bags on, Alex takes Rue's hand.
"You can join us." Alex offers, "If you think about killing us, we will kill you first."
Taking off in a run, Katniss follows hoping she is making the right move.
At the river, they freeze seeing the two Careers, Clove and Cato with Peeta. Taking cover, Katniss slips in the mud and falls into the river. Quickly trading weapons with Rue, Alex gets ready and aims at Cato. Waiting for Cato to get closer, Katniss struggles to get out, but the mud is too slippery. As Cato comes into her range, Alex fires hitting Cato in the forehead. Setting another arrow, Alex fires at Clove hitting her in the back of the head as she throws a knife in her direction. Struggling not to scream, Alex looks down to see the knife sticking in her stomach. Collapsing, Rue gasps and immediately gets to work.
Pulling out the knife, Rue sighs in relief noticing it isn't deep enough to kill Alex. Covering the wound with the sleeve of her coat, Justin helps Katniss out of the river as Peeta takes off.
"Will she be okay?" Justin asks as tears fall.
"It's not deep enough to kill her." Rue informs him, "But we need to clean it and stop the bleeding."
Hearing dinging, the three tributes look up to see a ball and a parachute coming to them. Catching it, Justin passes it to Rue because it says eleven on it.
Opening it Rue finds a container and a note. Nice work, Kid. You deserve this. –A.
Opening the container it is medicine and on the lid says, Help Alex. –A.
Getting Katniss to clean the wound, Rue applies a little to the wound making Alex hiss and open her eyes.
"You'll be okay." Justin whispers moving Alex's head into his lap.
