Welcome to the 70th Annual Hunger Games
Chapter 2
Bright's point of view
I stare out of the window as District Two whizzes by. The male from my district is young, I'm pretty sure it's his first Games. He's weak looking too and I've seen no sign of intelligence from him yet. He's no match for me, nor any of the other twenty-two tributes I've seen so far. I've already made up my mind that I'll not work with him, but I'll have to help him at some point I suppose. If he's in trouble and I don't help, there'll be no point in my returning; the people of District Three will hate me if I let someone die so early on when I could have helped.
As he sits eating a bright red roll and staring at a chandelier like it's one of District One's diamonds that has just fallen into his lap, I watch him. His name is Bolt and is relatively nondescript with short black hair and bright brown eyes. He notices me staring, analysing, and smiles at me, flashing the gap in his teeth that makes him look even more childish than his tiny stature. I don't know why he's smiling at me, only one of us can survive this thing, and we both know it'll be me. I almost feel sorry for him. Almost. He returns to his roll, greedily wolfing it down. I glance at the mirror, my forest green eyes cold and calculating as I stare at myself, my gaze so bitter it almost scare myself. All the while, a chant buzzes around and around my mind: I must win the games, I must win the games.
The TV by the large glass window – which makes up the centre of the carriage - flickers into life and I think back over those who stand out to me as threats as they appear on the TV as yet more coverage of the Reaping's.
There was the fearsome boy from District One who eagerly volunteered to participate; the girl by his side as they stand rigid on the stage - her brown eyes glint in the light, she'll get loads of sponsors, she's quite beautiful.
Next, the fairly thin but ominous boy from District Two, who smiled calmly as he approached the stage; the deranged looking girl from the same District – she's a career I suspect, but looks mentally unstable enough to kill all her team members in their sleep. Then Bolt and I are drawn. I shake slightly as I ascend the steps.
I glance away from the screen, disgusted at the sight of my own momentary weakness. I cannot afford to lose and being weak is not an option. I return my gaze to the screen in time to see the District Four tributes disappearing of the stage. Both careers, I think to myself. Next appears the odd pair from five. The boy appears as if he doesn't care but the girl freaks out and has to be dragged onto the stage. She's lucky she wasn't shot. She whimpers as she is asked her name "Nadine," she says between sobs.
The District Six tributes and the girl from District Seven are not worthy of mentioning really, but the boy from Seven whom is broad shouldered and massive will be a difficult one, I'm sure. His green eyes shine like the computer chips my parents work with but I see both fear and confidence hinted there.
There are several children around my age and younger, but none seem very notable. The only other tribute who stands out is the boy from District Eleven who's name, I think is Gladius. Tall, and of African origin and has blue eyes which is very unusual. He appears strong, but rather friendly. If anyone, he would be a good ally as I know the careers won't accept me, having seen neither my strength nor my intelligence. Not that I'd have them, anyway.
That's it Gladius I shall use you as my ally and with your help I shall be the victor of the games.