Loki Braveheart , District 1 Male
I wake up to the sound of quiet sobbing. I sit up and look around worriedly,
"Nari?" I call out.
My younger sister peers around my bedroom door, tears streaming down her face.
"What's wrong?" I say as kindly as possible seeing as I've just been woken up early. Nari drops her head and looks at the floor, her messy blonde pigtails covering her face.
"What if I get reaped Loki? I'm not strong and brave like you; I would never survive the Hunger Games!"
I had forgotten, the reaping was today. The reaping which sent two of us from each district to fight to our death; and I was partly the reason for it. I fought in the rebellion which is mostly the reason for the cruel invention of the Hunger Games. Nari covered her face with her hands and started sobbing again. She was right, she was only thirteen, and she would never survive the games. She wasn't used to fighting or violence like I was; and I didn't want her experiencing it either.
"It will be ok" I promised; and I meant it.
I would never let my little sister; the only thing I've ever loved truly into those disgusting games, even if it cost me my own life.
I climb out of bed and walk to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and run my hand through my long platinum blonde hair. I have shining blue eyes and tanned skin and I have to admit, I am very good looking. I freshen up and then walk back to my room. On my bed lays my reaping outfit, I put on the smart black trousers and dark blue dress shirt which my Mother has laid out for me. The shirt clings to my body and highlights my muscles. I put on some smart black shoes and walk downstairs. My family are all sitting at our large kitchen table. My Mother and Father sit side by side and opposite them is Nari. I sit down next to Nari and put some toast on my plate. We all sit in silence until my Father speaks up,
"So... today's the day; right?" Nari and I both nod.
"Are you worried?" My Mother says quietly.
Ever since the rebellion she acts very nervous and doesn't speak much. Nari lets out a slight whimper and I just shrug.
"I've only got this year that I can be reaped and then I will turn 19 and I won't have to worry".
"You're so lucky" Nari says with an almost jealous look on her face.
My father then says "Well we better leave for the reaping; we don't want to be late!" We all walk out of the house towards the town square.
Mercy Breen District 1 Female
I run through the streets of District 1. "Griffin... GRIFFIN!" I call out my brother's name but I can't seem to reach him. The faster I run the further away he gets. "Stop Griffin stop!" He never does. I suddenly stop as I watch his face change into a look of terror. A man from the capitol stands before him; pointing a gun at his head. "Please don't shoot" Griffin whispers. I scream but they don't seem to hear me. "NO STOP!" It's too late; the man pulls the trigger, shooting a bullet through my brother's head. Griffin collapses to the floor in a heap and I am left to watch.
I wake up with sweat dripping down my face and soaking my clothes. I curl up under the covers and start to cry. I have the same dream every night; but the problem is this dream was once real. I really did have to watch my brother die; and it was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. This reoccurring nightmare haunts my dreams, reminding me my brother was murdered. He had been in the rebellion fighting for certain rights, and the horrible capitol took him away from me. I had supported the capitol throughout the war but now I despise them.
I climb out of bed and go to the bathroom to shower. Once I'm done I walk back to my room where a light purple dress has been left on my bed. I remember; the reaping is today. I put on the dress which falls to my knees and I also put on some silver flats. I walk to my mirror and brush my elbow length, light blonde hair. I tie my hair into two pig tails and put some eye liner on to highlight my green eyes. The purple dress makes my lightly tanned skin look almost golden, and I have to say; I look rather nice. I look at the time, I've only got ten minutes till the reaping, and being late is unacceptable. I call out goodbye to my parents.
"I'll see you after the reaping" I rush out of the door towards the town square.
Loki Braveheart , District 1 Male
We reach the square and I hug my parents and Nari.
"You'll be fine" I say reassuringly.
I head over to the eighteen year olds section and start talking to some friends. In what seems like seconds a woman from the capitol with dark blue hair and dyed light blue skin walks up onto the stage. I always wonder why they want to look so ridiculous. Her high pitched voice echoes through the square.
"Welcome District 1 to the first annual reaping for the Hunger Games!"
The crowd stays silent except for a few murmurs from the crowd. She then shows us a clip of images of the rebellion and a message from the president.
"Now we must pick the brave male and female who will represent District 1; Ladies first!"
She walks over to a large glass bowl and puts her hand in and mixes the cards which decide some ones fate. She then picks one and walks back over to the microphone.
"Mercy Breen"
A gasp comes from the crowd and a few cries from the female section; this girl must have been popular. Then suddenly I realise. Breen. The name sounds familiar. I miss the girl walking up to the stage but when I see her I know where I recognise her. The same blonde hair and green eyes of my old friend who I had fought with in the rebellion. Griffin. I remember seeing Mercy at his funeral. I remember her eyes looking dark and full of sorrow. I'm awoken from the memory as the escort is about to read the male tributes name out.
"Loki Braveheart".
No. This can't be happening. Not me. I'm frozen in shock but then I realise there are probably many cameras filming me so I make myself look big and strong and march up to the stage.
"No Loki you can't go!" Nari's cries disrupt the silence.
"Please, don't go!"
I carry on walking and don't look back. I reach the stage and give one of the cameras a daring look.
"Any volunteers" The escort asks.
No-one speaks. Of course not, why would they volunteer for an eighteen year old or even the actual games.
"Well... I guess we have our tributes Mercy Breen and Loki Braveheart".
I shake Mercy's hand, but give her a reassuring smile; we don't have to be enemies yet.
Mercy Breen District 1 Female
I reach the square and run over to the 17 year olds section. I hug all my friends and tell them they'll be alright, even though I could never be sure. It turns out I've missed the beginning speech but I'm not bothered.
"Ladies first" our strange looking escort announces.
I realise I'm shaking. Please don't be me, please don't be me.
"Mercy Breen"
I hear my parents' gasps and the friends around me's cries. I slowly walk up to the stage still shaking. What will happen in the arena? Do I even stand a chance? I feel tears starting to prick in my eyes but I stop them. I can't look weak. I reach the stage and the escort asks for volunteers. Like I guessed no-one does. Who'd volunteer for the games? She then announces the male tribute.
"Loki Braveheart"
When he reaches the stage as well I recognise him. He was Griffins friend. I know he's not really as tough as people think, I've seen him with his sister. He obviously loves her more than anything. I remember him at Griffins funeral too; he seemed really upset to see his friend go. The escort then announces,
"Well... I guess we have our tributes Mercy Breen and Loki Braveheart".
Loki shakes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. I give a small smile back and we walk to the justice building where my parents must say goodbye to another child.
I walk into a room in the justice building. It suits our district well. Very luxury. Its styled slightly like our living room at home. I sit on one of the plush seats and wait for my parents. They both burst through the door. My Mother's crying and my Father's got a solemn look on his face. Just how he looked at Griffins funeral. They both wrap their arms around me and we stand hugging each other in silence. My Father takes a silver ring off his finger and presses it in my hand.
"It was your brothers" he says.
I smile at him.
"Thanks Dad".
He carries on, "Now listen, I don't know what's in that arena but I do know you're capable of winning. You're fast and strong. You're smart enough to know how to survive. You can do this."
"It's time to go" A peacekeeper says.
I hug them one last time and they walk out the door, and this time I see my dad has tears in his eyes. I slide the ring on my finger. They won't be losing another child again.
Loki Braveheart, District 1 Male
I sit waiting for my family in the justice building. Nari and my parents walk through the door. Nari runs at me and I crouch down and hug her.
"You can't go" She whispers.
"I have too" I reply. "And listen, I need you to be brave for me ok?"
"Ok" she whimpers.
I let go of her and hug my parent's goodbye. They give me a golden pocket watch as my token. It must be a family airloom; made of pure gold apparently. We all stand hugging until the peacekeeper tells them they need to leave. Nari hugs me one more time.
"Good luck Loki, I love you"
"I love you too Nari, and remember, be brave for me"
She smiles and runs to catch up with my parents. I sit down and cry for the last time before I go into the games; I will have to leave everything I love behind me to stay strong.
