2
Artemis Glen
District 7
Warning: Errors and cursing. That is all. I KNOW I have many errors- I am working on that.
Artemis Glen is the daughter of a Peacekeeper and lives better than most people in District 7. She has a loving father and two younger siblings. Her mother died when she was young, but she isn't really affected by that.
What did impact her life, however, was the sudden, expected, reaping and death of her older brother Jaden. It affected her life in more ways than one. She had to suddenly step up and take care of her family. Her mother was gone and now so was Jaden. She was only ten, but she made do. She became strong and fearless. Just like Jaden would have wanted.
…
Artemis loved Jaden. He was the center of her world. He was kind and gentle, but strong and handsome. She loved her older brother. When she had to watch his death, she was traumatized. There was blood everywhere…
…"Jaden! Run, brother run from the monster!"
Jaden tore through the woods, the sharp, low hanging branches cutting through his clothes as he tried to escape the District Two boy. He knew it was a hopeless case, but he was not going down without a fight. He turns to the boy, his mace ready for attack.
The fight was brutal, but in the end, it was Jaden left on the ground, mauled, bloody and beaten to death.
Artemis' screams could be heard all the way to the Capitol. It took a whole two hours to stop her from screaming. Even then, she still wasn't calm. She broke dishes and cried until she made herself sick.
Artemis didn't stop crying for weeks.
She locked herself away. She wouldn't speak or eat. She wanted to die. She wanted to kill everyone….she wanted to destroy the Capitol…President Western would pay for causing her such pain. She swore it, she would make him suffer. She would watch him die. One day, she would start a revolution…a rebellion. It would spread like a virus. It would be viral…taking over all the districts until it reached the Capitol.
…
Artemis still believes that. She holds fast to that dream. President Western deserved to die. He deserved to suffer just as everyone else had. She wanted to cause him pain- she wanted him to-
"Artsy, when is breakfast ready? You're slipping!"
Artemis whirls around to face her little brother, Azan, and slams his breakfast on the table.
"Eat." She commands.
He quickly obeys, rolling his eyes at her mock harshness. He gulps down the eggs. "Meeka says she won't get up this morning, unless you stay home from the Reapings."
Artemis growls in annoyance and marches up the stairs, shouting "Meeka!"
She goes into her baby sister's room. She is only seven, but acts like she is seventy. She is strong and determined, but worst of all she looks like Jaden. Artemis has to stop herself from resenting her baby sister. It isn't her fault.
Meeka glares at Artemis as she comes into her room that she shares with ten-year-old Azan. She is sitting up on her bed, arms folded and face twisted into a pout. Her shaggy brown hair covers her light grey eyes so much like Jaden's.
Artemis regains control. "Get up, Meeks."
"No." Meeka is small, but determined. Even at this age, she knows about the Hunger Games and what they do. She hates them almost as much as Artemis does. Artemis is proud of her hatred for the capitol, but not this morning.
"No games, today, Meeka!" Artemis walks over to Meeka and tries to pick her up. "Get up!"
Meeka slaps Artemis' hands away. "No!"
Artemis could almost cry at her little sister's strength. She is so proud. But this is getting to be ridiculous…
"Meeka, please stop playing around, come down stairs and eat so we can leave!"
Meeka's glare intensifies. "No, Artemis. I won't let you go." Her strong face almost drops as she starts to feel the emotions. She quickly hides under the covers.
Artemis melts.
She walks over to Meeka, who is currently a ball under the covers. She sits on the bed and rubs what she thinks is her little sister's back.
"Go away!" Meeka voice is muffled, but Artemis knows she is crying.
"I'm sorry, Meeks," Artemis says, lying on the bed beside the little girl. "I wish I didn't have to go, but its law and Papa is a Peacekeeper."
"Break the law!" Meeka counters. Her head pops up and she looks so much like Artemis' older brother, Artemis resists the urge to hit her. Her big, grey eyes are teary and her hair is all over her head. She looks hauntingly cute. Artemis despises it.
She turns hard again. "Get up, Meeka. We have to go." Artemis turns to leave. At the door, Meeka shocks with a question.
"Artsy, do you love me?"
Artemis' breath catches in her throat and for a second she can't breathe, let alone think.
…
"Yes, I love you, you idiot." Jaden is smiling at Artemis, ruffling her unruly, dark red hair. He kisses her forehead and swats his baby sister on her back. "I will always love you, Artemis."
…
"GET UP! GODDAMNIT, GET THE HELL OUT!" Artemis can't control herself any longer. She roughly grabs Meeka by her arm and yanks her from her bed. She shoves her in the direction of the door. "GO INTO THE KITCHEN, NOW! GET OUT! GO!"
Meeka is crying, but she does as her big sister says.
…
Artemis is crying. She can't stop. She hates herself for being to mean to Meeka, but she really hates her. She hates her so much.
Ihatehersofuckingmuch! IhateMeeka! Ihateher!
She is sitting in a tall tree that overlooks almost all of District seven. It has been her hiding place ever since Jaden died. It isn't really a hiding place anymore. It is a large oak that is in her knows this is where Artemis goes whenever she is upset.
And right now, she is very upset. She doesn't mean to be cross when it comes to Meeka, she just can't bear to see her face. She is so much like Jaden, it hurts just to look at her. Artemis keeps her distance from Meeka because she doesn't want to hurt her.
…
"Hold it like this, Artemis." Jaden's voice is soft as he corrects her grip on the wooden sword in her hands. They are not supposed to be doing this, training for the Hunger Games, but here they are. They are in the safety of the shed behind their home.
Jaden is been training Artemis for as long as she can remember. He says "Better to be safe than sorry." Artemis is good with a sword. She is better than Jaden, but he is smart. He teaches her to be wise as well. He shows her plants that are poisonous, plants that are edible. He takes the time to show his baby sister important things that would be helpful should she ever be reaped.
This is one of the many things that makes Artemis love her brother even more. She respects him.
…
"Now, be quick about it, or it will slip from your hands -like that one just did!' Jaden laughs as the fish slips out of Artemis' hands. She joins his mirth and lightly punches his arm.
They are waist-high in water, fishing with their bare hands. Another technique Jaden believes will be helpful to his sister.
"Hush! I'm working out the kinks!" Artemis protests.
"Well, we won't have any dinner tonight by the time you are finished 'working out the kinks'." Jaden reaches in the water and closes his eyes, feeling the water beneath him. Suddenly his eyes fly open and his hands dive deeper in the water. We they resurface, they are holding a large fish.
The seriousness fades from Jaden's face and is replaced with a brilliant smile, directed towards his little sister. Artemis laughs as the fish wiggles violently, trying to escape. It is of no use; Jaden tosses the fish on the shore and turns back to Artemis.
"Your turn."
…
They caught thirty-nine fish that day. Many of them came from Artemis. After Jaden's little presentation, she had been inspired. Ever since that day, Artemis has been the best noodler in District 7.
….
Ken Glen is the most loved Peacekeeper in District seven. He is kind and sincere, unlike the others. He actually likes to help people. That is why Artemis loves her father. He teaches his children at a very young age to be kind to everyone even if that person is your enemy. He has no harsh feelings towards anyone or anything.
Except the Capitol.
...
At age twelve, Artemis wishes there were some way she could show the Capitol that they aren't all-powerful. She wants to prove to them that they can't rule the Districts forever.
It's a sick game, and like all games, it must end.
…
Artemis is going to start a rebellion. How, she doesn't know, but that isn't important. What is important is that she has the courage to fight.
…
The Capitol will pay, dearly. Jaden's death will not be in vain. He himself dreamed of a revolution and Artemis will see to it that his dream comes to pass.
…
The districts will be easy to win over. They are sick of the Capitol lies. Ever since that girl, the mockingjay- Katniss Everdeen, sparked the flame of rebellion, the Districts have been ready. All it takes is one person to step up and relight the fire.
…
Artemis trains in secret every day. She never stops. She will be the greatest fighter the Hunger Games has ever seen. She already has her strategy, it is flawless. Nothing will stand in her way.
Or so the thinks.
…
When Artemis comes back into the kitchen, she narrowly avoids a knife aimed in her direction. She falls backward into a bend and comes up, ready to fight. Her eyes take in all of her house and narrow when they land on her little brother.
"Azan," She tries to keep her voice steady…and fails. Miserably. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?"
Azan holds his defiant stance. "You are a bitch."
Now this takes her by surprise. Azan has always been her best friend, so why is he so angry at her now? Suddenly, it dawns on her.
"I didn't mean it." She says, feeling slightly upset.
"But you still said it! Meeka still hasn't stopped crying!" Azan is so angry he is shaking. He hides his face and Artemis breaks. She runs to her little brother and slides across the wooden floor, taking him into her arms.
"Don't you dare cry!" She sobs. "Not you." Anyone but you.
Azan doesn't return her embrace. His shoulders are stiff with stubbornness. Artemis is proud of him. Proud of his strength. She chokes back tears.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt her." Artemis says, meaning every word. Had she known what an effect her actions had of Azan, she would have never said a word to Meeka. Azan is Artemis' little trooper. He is strong and hardheaded- just like his older sister, and she loves that. He is her little Hero.
"I'll go apologize, I swear it!"
Azan looks up at her, his green eyes shining. "You had better. Or I'll kick your ass, Artsy."
Artemis laughs, glad that her little brother is back to normal. "Watch the language, or I'll kick your ass."
…
Meeka is trying to hold back her tears when Artemis enters her room.
"I didn't mean anything I said, Meeks." Artemis blurts out as soon as she sees her baby sister. "I really didn't, it's just- it's just-" It's just what? What do you have to say for yourself, Artemis? You hate your seven-year-old sister because she looks like your dead brother? Artemis wants to hide away, but she has to face this.
"I get it." Meeka say, all tears and sadness gone from her round, little face. With the shadows of her room on her face and the light reflecting in her grey eyes and on her face, she looks like ghost. Artemis shivers. She looks strong and determined. "You hate me because I look like Jaden."
For the third time in one day, Artemis breaks.
…
"If I die, promise me that you won't lose yourself, Artemis."
"You are my light. I need you to keep shining even if I'm gone."
"Promise me..."
"Promise me."
"Artemis, promise it! Swear it!"
"I SWEAR!"
…
It takes Ken Glen's calming voice to calm Artemis down. She is lying in his lap as he stokes her wavy, auburn hair. She is still quivering with emotion and tears find their way down her rosy cheeks. She is pale- paler than usual. She looks haunted. She is haunted.
She is haunted by the spirit of her brother. The spirit of the promise she made to him in the Justice Building. She is haunted by his eyes, his death, his life, everything about Jaden is branded into her and she can't move beyond that.
She doesn't want to.
She needs all this hurt and anger to fuel her in her upcoming battle. She needs the strife to build and build until she is mindless and completely over taken. She needs the rage…and pain…she needs it.
"You are holding in too much, Artsy." Ken's voice is as sweet as honey, just as Artemis will always remember it. "You need to let go."
Artemis continues to stare blankly in front of her. "My passion is my rage and my rage is my passion."
Ken shakes his head. "Those are dark words, Artemis."
"This is a dark world, father."
…
She is calm. She is ready for the reaping.
…
Artemis doesn't mind risking her life for her cause, but she is afraid of losing her two best friends, Linen and Maija. The thought of harm coming to either of them is horrifying to Artemis. She would not be able to live with herself if either of them were hurt in her mission for revenge.
…
Linen has been with her ever since she was twelve. She was almost caught stealing from one of the vendors in the marketplace, but he saved her. Ever since then they were partners in crime. The stole until they had enough money to buy things. Even then they would pilfer a few things from unsuspecting vendors.
They had a system that worked. It brought them close together.
…
"You're crazy." Linen says one day after they have finished one of their escapades. "Bat-shit crazy." He takes a bite of an apple.
Artemis rolls her eyes at him. "So are you." She retorts. "And I know whatever I do, you will have my back."
Linen moves his shaggy, black hair from his eyes and sighs deeply. "Yeah, you're right."
…
Maija is handicapped. She has every bad disease you can imagine. She is very sickly. Artemis knows she will die soon, but she doesn't want to verbally admit it yet. She tries to be strong for Maiji, even though her friend is very tough. However, Maiji isn't tough enough to beat this. Artemis knows this.
…
"I don't want to die in the Hunger Games." Maija says, one day when she is allowed outside.
Artemis wants to say, the hunger games are the least of her worries, but she holds her tongue. She has gotten quiet good at that over the years.
"You won't. You haven't signed up for tessera or anything. You won't be reaped. Stop worrying."
Maija laughs. "You are probably right, but I just have this ominous feeling, you know?"
Artemis tries to act frustrated and tough. "No, I don't know. Damnit Maiji, shut the hell up! You aren't going to be reaped!"
Maija touches Artemis' arm. "If I am, you promise you won't volunteer for me, okay? I'm already going to die, you better now waste away your life-"
Artemis blows up. "Mai! Shut up! I will make no such promise! I'll do what I damn well please!
Maijia smiles. "You're crazy, Artsy."
…
Yes, Artemis Glen is very crazy. Bat-shit crazy, as stated earlier.
It is the day of the reaping. She is ready to go home. This is a very stupid event. She doesn't want to be here, when she could be planning her rebellion. She groans and moves to the fifteen year old pit.
"I want this fucking day to be over!" She hisses.
"You and me both, Arty." Linen passes by her on his way to the boy's fifteen year old pit.
She reaches out to poke him as he walks by; he rolls his eyes at her.
"Drop dead, Artemis." He says, and moves away.
If only he knew how prophetic that statement was, he would have never opened his mouth.
…
Ren Gloom steps on stage, looking as sinister as ever. Her hair is blood red-as are her eyes- which scares the hell out of Artemis. She has sickly, pale skin and tattoos all over her body.
Her voice is guttural and haunting. "Are you all ready for this year's tributes?"
Silence.
Artemis can't blame anyone. Damn the Hunger Games. Damn them to hell.
"Ladies first." Ren Gloom reaches into the bowl.
Artemis holds her breath and prays for another year of safety- she will go to the games when she is ready. Now isn't the time. Her rebellion has yet-
"Maija Centen!"
Bloody fucking hell.
Artemis, you selfish bitch.
She was so busy thinking about her rebellion, she didn't even add Maija to the equation. This can't happen. Maija is her best friend. They have known each other since first grade!
…
"Quit staring at me!"
Artemis growls at the stupid little girl in front of her. "I wasn't even looking at you. Screw off." Artemis has heard that phrase from Jaden. It sounds threatening enough, so she uses it. Apparently, the little boy knows what it means too.
He tackles her to the ground, pressing her face into the mud. Artemis throws back her head, ramming it into his. He cries and releases his grip for a second. This is all the time Artemis needs.
The battle is over in less than two minutes, with Artemis as the victor. However, the glory doesn't last long. She is immediately sent into the principal's office.
The principal reminds her of President Western. She instantly hates him. She shows him no respect and so he takes the gold medal she'd won for the spelling bee. He says she doesn't deserve it.
Artemis refuses to cry in front of this animal. She keeps face and walks out his office- almost smugly. She is proud of herself. However, she doesn't have the medal she worked so hard to earn. She won the spelling bee fair and square. The medal is hers!
While waiting for her parents to come pick her up, she sees a little girl. The little girl has ringlets of blonde hair and big, brown, doe eyes.
She runs towards Artemis. "You are the best speller in the school! You need this!" She hands Artemis something and runs away.
Artemis looks down and sees the medal. She starts to cry.
…
Artemis doesn't realize it now, but she is crying again.
Damnit!
She sucks up the tears as fast as they come, putting up her strong, no-bull-shit-face. "If you take one step towards that stage, I WILL KILL YOU!"
All eyes and cameras are on her. For a second, Artemis is stunned that she actually said that, but she masks that.
Maija is defiant. "Arty, if you-"
"Shut the hell up." Artemis says. "I volunteer!" She looks at Ren Gloom. "I volunteer as tribute."
Maija is hysterical now, screaming and crying. Artemis shows no weakness and walks towards the stage, radiating confidence.
"My name is Artemis Glen. And I am the future winner of this year's Hunger Games!" She grins at all the camera.
She looks at all the crowd and they whoop and holler for her. She meets Linen's eyes and he is shaking his head, mouthing, "bat-shit."
Artemis looks towards her family. He father has turned away, leaving the square with a crying Meeka. Azan looks horrified. He just stares at Artemis and it breaks her heart.
But she couldn't allow Maija to go the Hunger Games. It would be too cruel. She loves Maija with all her heart.
Artemis continues with her fanfare, but inside she is numb.
Sure, she has been longing for a chance to go to the Games, but now that it's here, she doesn't feel so courageous.
…
When Jaden is shipped back to District 7, he is in a wooden box. He is thrown off the train onto the threshold like he is nothing.
Artemis hears the sharp intake of breathe from her father.
"Go home, Artemis-"
Before he can finish his sentence, Artemis has leaped onto the threshold and is yanking off the lid to the trashy, make-shift coffin. She holds her breath, because she knows she will completely fall apart if she lets anything come from her mouth.
Tears streak her face. This is the extent of emotion on her face. She will not break. She will not break.
Jaden is completely mutilated. His limbs are barely hanging on to the rest of his body. His neck is slit and gaping. The Capitol had the decency to clean him up before sending him home, but it didn't help. Jaden looks horrible. You could barely recognize his face; it is so horrid.
Artemis heaves.
Two of his fingers are missing. No eyebrows. Slit throat. Gouged eye. Missing ear. Bruises…so many bruises. He is not the Jaden that Artemis remembers.
She looks at his left hand- the only hand that has all its fingers and gasps. He is still wearing his token: An obsidian ring with white spots- like stars in the darkness of night.
Closing her eyes, she brings his hand to her lips and kisses it. Her shoulders slump as her emotions take over her. She forces them down, but they won't be silent. They erupt like a volcano.
She breaks.
She screams to the heavens. Cries for everyone to hear. She doesn't care. She doesn't care. She is heartbroken.
Her life has been completely destroyed by the Capitol.
She swears revenge.
…
Artemis sits in the Justice Building, twirling Jaden's ring on her middle finger. She would like the guards to try and take it from her. She would kill everyone in sight.
Her family comes in first.
Ken Glen shakes his head. "Artemis-"
"It's all planned," She says. "I know what I'm doing. It's time for my revenge. You all be ready for the war too. Keep planning this here and sending out messages to the other Districts, okay?"
Ken turns away from her. "You don't always have to be strong Artemis."
"Dad!" She hisses. "You've been training me for this! The rebellion is here!"
Ken still avoids her eyes. "Of course, Artemis. Of course."
Artemis turns to Azan. "I need you to be strong, alright? Keep everyone safe. Promise?"
Azan doesn't say anything. Instead, he punches Artemis in the stomach. She doubles over, but comes right back up, angry.
"Azan!"
"I hate you!" He shouts. "You're stupid and reckless!" He balls up his fists to attack again, but Artemis grabs his hands and pulls him into a hug. He struggles for a few seconds, before falling into the embrace.
"I know. Everything you say about me is true and I'm sorry." Artemis stokes her little brother's hair and kisses his forehead. "Promise me."
"I promise."
Now Artemis moves on to Meeka. She bravely steps forward and hugs Artemis. "I will cheer for you, even though I hate you."
Artemis smiles. "Well, I love you, Meeks"
This breaks that damned façade. Meeka starts sobbing like a baby. She won't let Artemis go even when time is called. Ken has to virtually drag her from the room.
Linen and Maija are next.
Maija slaps Artemis as soon as she comes in the room. This is the second assault in the past ten minutes; Artemis is worried about what her next guest will do.
Maija says nothing, just shoves the medal in Artemis' hand, kisses her cheek and limps away on her crutches.
"Wait!" Artemis cries out.
"What?" Maija is crying.
"I- I'm sorry, but I couldn't let you go, Mai."
"I'm going to day anyway Artemis! You at least have life-"
"Do you think I could have lived with myself if I'd allowed you to go to the Games?" Artemis shouts.
"But I'm dying!"
"Well, you can at least enjoy your last few days without worrying about having a Career stab you in your sleep!"
"I'm still standing here." Linen voice interrupts the war.
Artemis crosses the room in three large strides and hugs Linen. "I'm going to miss you both." She kisses Linen, full on the lips. "You are my best friends and I don't want to leave you all feeling angry."
Linen still looks a little stunned. Artemis punches him, full in the face.
"Ouch! Bitch!" He stumbles back.
Artemis rolls her eyes and growls at him. "Just stay with me, okay?"
And they do, they all sit, huddled on a couch, reminiscing their best memories of each other.
…
Artemis can't even remember getting on the Train. But here she is, lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She doesn't even remember talking to her mentor or the other tribute. Did she? She can't recall.
She stares at the ring on her finger. Now that is one thing she remembers.
A tribute can only have one token, so Artemis hid the ring in her bra to make it past the Peacekeepers. Her father was the only one that knew what she did. He just shook his head. As soon as she made it on the train, she removed it and put it on her finger.
Ah! Yes! She does remember a mentor. His name was Adolf Crone. She remembers because he was the only other person to see her trick. He pointed at her and laughed saying, "That girl has balls!"
The rest is all a blur.
Artemis gets out of bed and walks to the window. She sees something.
A flashing light. It is barely noticeable, unless you are looking for it.
Yes, that is it.
The sign she has been waiting for.
She is passing through one of her districts. They are showing her that everything is going according to plans.
Her plans for revenge.
Perfect.
Damn, everything was going wrong in this damned chapter! Artemis is the hardest character to write! She has soo many angles! Little trickster! Tell me what you think! I KNOW I rushed some things in some places…I was just trying to get the chapter up, because I know you all are waiting! But just a heads up, this is an update-when-you-can-story.
Peace out.
