The First Annual Hunger Games

by Callidora Medea

Following the Dark Days, the President of Panem announces the beginning of the Hunger Games. District 4 girl, Cass, District 1 girl, Silver, and District 7 girl, Oak, are all thrown into the turmoil that is the first Hunger Games, and must choose their alliances; decisions that can mean life or death in the arena. All intend to win. But there can be only one victor.

6. Chapter 6- District 7 Reapings

Chapter 6.- Oak Peacewood

The crowd is silent around me, fear and anger tinging the air. I stand alone, my hands behind my back. I don't look for Forest or Sable or Aldar, I only look front. I try to keep my face from contorting into what my heart feels, a mask of anger and hatred against the Capitol. It's all I can do to keep silent when the peppy Capitol man comes onstage, blue curls and a plum velvet waistcoat. The height of luxury in District 7. His voice is higher pitched than any other person I've ever heard when he speaks. "Hello District 7! Happy Hunger Games! You must all be so excited to get the ball rolling!" Silence. The heat from a thousand pair of glaring eyes singes the air as we watch the man.

He doesn't seem fazed by our hostility in the least. "My name is Caeso Fardrop, and I am your representative from the Capitol! And now, it's time to choose our lucky female tribute!" he continues in his silly false accent. He reaches over, digs around, and pulls out a paper. I'm suddenly very aware of the eight slips of paper in that bowl; six from my age and two from the tesserae I took out for my mother and me. I stare at that fluttering white piece of paper as Caeso opens it daintily. "Oak Peacewood."

I knew it. I knew it. I knew it was going to be me, that it is my time to die, that I was to be punished for the crimes of the rebels. Murmurs start in the crowd as everyone cranes their neck to look at me. I push them all aside as I walk towards the stage in the center of the Circle. I don't look back for Forest or Sable or Aldar, not for my mother who will be all alone in the world now. I look only ahead, at the cold wooden steps leading up to the stage where Caeso waits. "Come on now, don't be shy! That's a girl!" Caeso says, beckoning me up. I walk stiffly to the center and wait. "Do we have any volunteers for Oak Peacewood?" He asks. Silence. The only noise comes from the wind whistling through the buildings. Nobody shouts out, offers to take my place. I stand there for less than a minute before Caeso pushes me to the side. "Now for our male tribute!" he crows and reaches into the bowl on his right. He opens the crisp paper and reads, "Aldar Grovepath."

I immediately find Aldar in the crowd, his eyes alarmed but his expression showing nothing. He hesitates briefly before starting up to the stage. He steadily climbs the stage and waits as nobody volunteers for him too. Listening to the wind whistle through the silent buildings. "Now, shake hands, you two!" Caeso says. Aldar and I link hands and look each other square in the eyes. "The tributes of District 7!" Caeso shouts, and the crowd half-heartedly applauds. I ignore all of them in favor of the thought that runs around and around my head: How can I kill my best friend?