In the distant horizon the sun was beginning to rise, it rays radiating heat, the dark sky beginning to turn back into its normal shade of light blue. The beautiful sight was common to the eyes of the future tribute of District One, Hari Emeralds. His dirty blonde hair glistened in the sun, his blue eyes open and aware of his surroundings. He was taking his usual morning jog; training for what would be the 64th Annual Hunger Games. Yes, he and a lucky female tribute had won the qualifying rounds and managed to get a spot into the Games. At only sixteen he could be one of the youngest career tributes to win, of course this sprouted some jealousy in between the eighteen year olds who were expecting to get a spot, since it was obviously their last year.
Hari made a left on an empty street, its dark alleyways lonesome and empty, only the sound of his footsteps and of his heavy breathing bouncing against the walls could be heard, resonating an echo through the narrow streets. He rarely took this route home, since it was shorter and he enjoyed jogging every morning, but today was a special day, today was the day of the reaping. He needed to get home quickly and shower in order to be broadcasted to the people of the Capitol, today was his time to shine. Hari's parents had worked in a jewelry shop down in the glorious center of District 1. The Emeralds family had always been the best jewelry makers and tailors that ever existed in the District, and Hari had worked there since he could remember, but people only noticed him for the fact that he was a good tailor. He wanted more glory and fame, but mostly he wanted to step out from the shadow of the family. That is why he had gotten into training and had worked very hard to earn a spot in this year's Games and there was nobody that was going to stop him.
Finally he was out of the shadows of the alleyways and out into the thriving area of District One. Usually this street would be busy every morning with bakers and butchers beginning the day's work and for those who worked at the District's center they would begin to make their journey through the chilly morning, but today was Reaping day and the streets remained calmed, yet an aura of celebration could be felt, for the Reapings in District One were taken very seriously. Here the boys and girls dressed their best and all walked to the ceremonial Reaping that took place in the city square. There all the twelve year olds would watch as an older male or female would take the stage, a feeling of pride and admiration welling up in their eyes and beaming out of their facial expressions, today one of those twelve year olds would look at Hari.
It wasn't long till Hari Emeralds reached the entrance of his home or, as he'd rather say a mansion. He entered a code into some sort of keypad and the outer steel gates opened to reveal a stone path that lead to the main entrance of the house. The intricate stones had been delicately placed, one stone having a certain type of jewel in its center, each and everyone fabricated by a member of the family. Hari finally reached the entrance of the house, the mahogany doors, vibrant in color stood proudly, the golden handles turning effortlessly to reveal the inside of the beautiful palace. Inside a huge entrance hall awaited with marble tiles. Hari passed quickly through the hall and up the double staircase that was covered in a plush red carpet. He reached the second floor that lead to his room and entered it to find his reaping outfit, neatly lying on top of the silk sheets of his bed. It wasn't long before Hari had stripped down and entered the shower.
Steam began to rise and fill the bathroom as the hot and humid water came in contact with Hari's skin, but it didn't take long before the water was shut off and Hari was drying his muscular body with a towel, its soft texture going through his short blonde hair and face, until finally his entire body was dried. Hari exited the bathroom and rushed quickly to put on his Reaping outfit as he heard the sound of his mom's voice from below, "Reaping begins in twenty minutes, hurry up Hari you're going to be late!" rapidly Hari placed the black dress shirt on and black matching pants. He ran towards the closet door and found an entire selection of ties, knowing that any of the ties would match well with his outfit, he chose the one of his favorite color, red, "Hari 10 minutes, c'mon it's getting late!"
"Coming mom!" Hari shouted, his deep voice shaking as he ran towards the bathroom, "I'll be there in a second" he entered the bathroom again, the steam beginning to disappear from the large mirror that stood in front of him, droplets of water racing down the soft glass. He quickly opened a cabinet and took out some hair gel. He placed some of it on his hands and ran it through the front of his hair spiking it up, "There" he said satisfied.
Hari exited his room and ran down the stairs, slipping on the marble floor as his socks came in contact with the surface. In a matter of seconds Hari found himself sitting on the floor, a dull pain emitting from his behind. He looked up to find his mother, Cynthia holding the hand of Hari's little sister, Glitter, a large smirk prominently showing from ear to ear. Hari smiled back as he stood up and rushed to get his shoes. He finally put them on and as he exited the door he glanced back at the large house, "Don't worry I'll be right back" he whispered and with that he closed the doors and headed towards the ceremonial Reapings.
The line outside of the Justice Building was long with happy, exited teenagers waiting to hear this year´s District 1 Reaping announcement. Hari entered the male file as his twelve-year old sister entered the female, "I'll see you in the Justice Building" whispered his mom in Hari's ears. Hari smiled and watched his mother fade into the large crowd of people. Finally he was first in line a peacekeeper sat on a chair, in his hand some sort of device, "Next!" he said, Hari stepped forward and stretched out his hand, a slight prickling sensation sent chills down his back.
Hari Emeralds (16)
District 1
Hari joined the group of sixteen-year-old males just as the Capitol escort was beginning to make his exuberant entrance on the cement stage, "Welcome, welcome, welcome!" his capitol accent obviously showing, "welcome to the district one reaping for the sixty-fourth annual Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor," the crowd calmly clapped and the escort continued, "Now before we pick our male and female tributes that will be representing district one in the Hunger Games, let's watch a video that is curtsey of the Capitol!" the escort clapped cheerfully and motioned for the video to start, it was the video about the Dark Days and how the Capitol took over, the boring stuff that nobody liked.
Finally the video concluded and the escort grabbed the microphone again, making a static sound, the crowd made a distorted face, "Now let's get on to the main event" the escort stepped back and let the crowd cheer and clap and finally he came close to the microphone, "Alright as always, ladies first" Hari watched as the escort slid his hand into the ball and pulled out a piece of paper, he walked back to the microphone and spoke again, "District One's female tribute for this year is… Asu-"
"I volunteer as tribute!" as always the strong female voice rang throughout the square and the young female began to male her way up the stone steps, her Chestnut brown hair hanging down her back in a braid, the gorgeous tan making her aquamarine eyes stand out. She finally reached the top and the escort walked towards her.
"My dear what is your name?" a question that is popularly asked in the Reapings of District 1.
"Hi," she said, a sweet voice with a hint of venom escaped her mouth, "my name is Paris Trufant and I am here to become this year's victor for District 1!" The crowd burst into applause and the people cheered her on.
"Beautiful," the escort said moving away from the girl and walking towards the Reaping bowl for the boys, the audience quieting down again in suspense, "this year's male tribute representing District 1 is…" the crowd anticipated the moment, "Tr…"
"I volunteer as tribute!" Hari shouts and confidently he begins to walk out from the sea of boys into the stone steps that lead to the stage.
"What is your name?" the Capitol escort asks.
"Hi, my name is Hari Emerald and I am here to win these year's games for District One!" the crowd burst into applause and Hari confidently turned around to face the quite beautiful girl that stood in front of him. He kindly smiled at her and shook her hand; the girl smiled back and did the same.
"Ladies and gentleman" the Capitol escort said, "these year's District One tributes!" the crowd kept clapping until finally both tributes had disappeared behind the doors of the Justice Building.
The goodbyes and tears of the family are soon forgotten as the excitement of getting to experience the Capitol takes over. Hari finds himself for the first time in a sort of moving box with wheels, that he couldn't even afford with the high amount of riches that he and his family possessed. Finally they arrived at the train station and are mounted onto a hovering train. Hari looks back and even though he is leaving behind his family and friends, there are six words resonating in his head, now is my time to shine.
Well guys there you go. The first chapter has been published. Please don't hesitate to comment on what I can improve and if you guys want me to write in first person instead of third and in present instead of past, please just tell me.
I am also going to start doing something at the start of the training process which is doing polls from my readers and from those that submitted tributes. Which means I will ask you what character you like best and those two characters will be saved from the bloodbath.
Remember if you want to implement something new into my story, don't hesitate to say!
