THE 55th ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES

The Pre-Games:

I've begun the brand new story and sequel to my last story, The 54th Hunger Games! If you've not already read that story, I highly suggest you do, since it will give you a good idea of the characters who were featured last story and you can relate to them more. I had a couple of requests for this story, so here it is! This one is hopefully going to be better than last one, but then again thinking of original names and backstories is harder to do when you thought of 24 ones last time and can't copy off other stories.

Enjoy!


Terry Marney, District 8:

I step into the exclusive District 8 living quarters. There's been so much chat about this from my escort that I really thought it would be amazing. I was wrong. It's spectacular.

Being a resident of the poorest part of District 8 for all these years, I've never even laid eyes upon such luxury. How spoiled the Capitol people are, this being the norm. Poverty is non-existent in this dictatorial place.

The bed is a silky-soft with sky blue pillows which are like putting your head on a fluffy cloud. The TV is in HD, two letters completely foreign to me. It's like seeing through a looking glass. Everything so clear and perfect. The showers have an array of buttons that control temperature, scent, shampoo type, everything you can imagine. The gigantic menu using voice control, so you simply speak into the microphone and fresh, hot food is delivered within a minute.

I sit there, still not quite over the fact that this is all mine for the next few days. At least I have luxury before my murder.

Roberta Kirt, District 8:

Terry seems pretty overwhelmed by this. Yeah sure, I'm excited and shocked by this sudden luxurious life change, but all I can think about is that this is the last room I will ever sleep in. The Games are just around the corner and the carnage will begin. I'll be caught up in the bloodbath, fighting to keep my life. The ruthless Careers will most likely eliminate me when I least expect it.

I sit down on my bed and turn on the TV, where Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith are doing a recap of last year. They talk about the arena and show some bird's-eye view over it. I remember watching it. All the tributes split into the different areas, and the Careers all split up to kill the remaining tributes in the different sections, only for them to return to camp and start fighting. Then they show coverage of the bloodbath, where eight died. Then the fight between Michael from 6 and Johansen from 2. Michael won and was crowned victor. Then there is an interview with head Gamemaker, Orlando Trence, where Caesar asks various questions about the tributes of this year, and how well they will do in the Games. The recap of the reapings comes next, and there's me there, being reaped and walking up onto the stage. I turn off the TV before I get too intimidated by the other tributes.

Tonight are the chariot rides. Last year, the District 8 tributes were dressed as mosaics. Hopefully we get better costumes this time around.

Ron Harris, District 12:

Of course, I'm in the stereotypical coal-miners outfit. The audience won't be too impressed. The point of the chariot rides is for the sponsors to get a glimpse at the tributes, hoping to see ones which might be scope for sponsorship.

The horses begin to trot forwards, and all I can do is smile, wave and ignore the probable eye-rolls and groans of our suits.

We're last to emerge, as usual. The sound of the cheering crowd surprisingly stays at a consistent volume as we canter past, waving at the crowds, hoping for some sponsors to see the light and begin raising funds to sponsor us.

Eleanor Ellis, District 12:

The tributes at the front are beginning to circle round the podium where President Snow stands. His face has a menacing expression, but it quickly changes to happy and smiley when his speech comes. The horses seem to know when to stop; probably after many years of doing this same routine over and over.

Snow drones on about our "sacrifice" and "bravery" when most of us didn't even choose to be here. So there was no "sacrifice" and very little "bravery".

These Games are going to be good. These Games, I'm going to make my district proud.

These Games, I'm going to win.