Chapter 1
Cedar Nox
District 7
We were going to the Hunger Games. The 70th annual Hunger Games. I know my district partner's name is Ben Freeman. I know he wants to grow old and have kids. But he won't. Because of District's 7's constant losses, the odds are not in our favor. I'm sixteen years old and being sent to my death. He's 18 years old and won't ever see his sister's face again. I didn't want to think about my brothers, but they're there. In the recesses of my mind. Telling me to win, so that I could come home again. Red and Spruce. I repeat their names in my head a hundred times to calm down. The train was wood. I like the wood. My room is wood. Mahogany. Grown in the western areas of District seven. Count to three. 1. 2. 3. Alive. Not dead. Yet. Someone's calling. It's Frieda. Escort. Calling for dinner. Calm. I am calm. Breathe. Ready. Set. Go.
I walk out of my room and head to the dining car. My panic attack over, I felt much better. When I entered the room, I noticed Ben was sitting with Johanna and Blight. Our mentors this year. I wondered how long Ben had been speaking to them when Johanna turned my way.
"Well if it isn't Ms. Antisocial! You know, if you want to win these games your gonna want to start fixing the whole 'going to your room and not coming out or responding when every single person on the fucking train goes knocking on your door' act before we get to the capitol. You'll never get sponsors that way."
"Go easy on her Jo, it's her first day!"
I looked at Blight gratefully, until he said, "The first day of the last few weeks of her life!"
He fell over laughing on the floor.
Even Johanna looked disgusted at him.
"How many drinks have you had Blight?"
He giggled some more.
"Alright, I'll take him to bed." She paused, "You two get to know each other. You're each other's best chances."
She left with Blight leaning on her shoulder, still laughing.
"So… I'm Ben, but you already knew that."
"Yeah." That was all I said.
"Okay, well what are you good at?"
Silence… Then, "Art."
"Art? Is that it?"
Silence.
"Right… Well, I'm good at stitching."
I stared at him in surprise.
"I know, surprising, right? I help my mom in the clinic sometimes."
"Freeman's Healing Center?"
"Yeah! You know it?"
I nodded, thinking back to the time when Red fell from the tree he was climbing. Mrs. Freeman fixed him up right quick.
As if he heard my thoughts, he asked me the question I had been dreading.
"Do you have any siblings?"
The thoughts started rolling in, flooding my vision. Red and Spruce. Red scaring off the first boy I had brought home. Spruce rolling around in the mud with me, even though he was two years older. Mama laughing at me and Red as we attempted to climb our first trees. The memories kept coming. Until Ben snapped me out of it.
"Cedar? Are you okay?"
I shook my head to expel the thoughts. Then turned back to Ben.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"You got this blank expression on your face. Like you were in another world."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. It just happens sometimes. I wish I could stop it."
"No, it's okay, just odd."
I stared at him.
"Sorry, that came out wrong."
"It's okay."
Just then Johanna walked back into the car.
"I got Blight into bed. Did you two bond?"
"Yes! I think we did!" Ben said loudly.
Johanna stared at him for a while. Then she turned to me.
"Look, I know I was harsh earlier, but I didn't mean it. I want a district seven tribute to win this year."
"It's okay."
"Good! Shall we watch the other reapings?"
Ben and I nodded.
Johanna walked over to the television set and turned on the reapings. I grabbed a piece of paper to write down all their names.
District 1
Male - Mica
Female - Splendor
District 2
Male - Percival
Female - Kay
District 3
Male - Himry
Female - Cherry
District 4
Male - Adrian
Female - Annie
District 5
Male - Griffin
Female - Aadya
District 6
Male - Helion
Female - Freesia
District 8
Male - Treyton
Female - Clara
District 9
Male - Kory
Female - Grace
District 10
Male - Garran
Female - Catea
District 11
Male - Arto
Female - Athena
District 12
Male - Rune
Female - Lola