Chapter 3: A Hardened Past


Jade Thorn, 17

District One Female

Today was going to be my time to shine.

One of my servants wakes me up and alerts me that it is time to get ready for the Reaping. She takes the outfit I spoke of wearing with her last evening out of my closet, hands it to me, and leaves the room. I put on a white lace tank top, with black leggings to go with it. The black leather jacket and combat boots add an edgy touch to the look. I look in the mirror, thinking about how many people I will kill in the coming weeks. My red hair has always made me stand out, and my green eyes are shining with pride already. I hope that I will be able to make my father proud, it's really all I've ever wanted.

I strategically chose this getup in order to first and foremost look tough and intimidating, but also to hide all of my flaws. I have many scars on my back due to whippings by my father when I have not lived up to his high expectations. He's always wanted me to be as superior to everyone else as I can be. Though I've never told a soul about the scars I have, they've changed me. I was once a weak little girl that was timid and useless. Now, I've become cold and uncaring about anyone in the external world's thoughts and feelings. I much prefer it this way, being fearless is the best way to live your life anyway.

I had been waiting for this day since the moment I heard about the Hunger Games. My father proposed the idea of volunteering for the Hunger Games to me, and I was excited to prove my worth to everyone in Panem. If, no, when I won these games, I would come home as a Victor, and I would get to live a wonderful life. I wouldn't be the frail and helpless little girl that I used to be, and the whole nation would get to see how strong I've become. I can't wait to get these games underway. It's going to be an interesting experience that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life. The rest of my long, prosperous life.

"Are you almost ready Jade?" My father startles me when he walks into my room as I wasn't expecting him to be here.

"Yes Father. I'd like to have some breakfast first though, if that's alright," he rolls his eyes.

"Normally I'd tell you that you can't, you have to watch your figure in order to have some fans during the games, but since today is unlike most days, I suppose we can make an exception," I wasn't expecting that long of an answer but I am happy to hear I'm allowed. My weight is perfectly normal, but Father is usually strict with these type of things.

"Nothing too much though. Even when you're in the Capitol, don't eat too much. You can't be looking pudgy during the games," I really don't see the importance but I know how I'm supposed to respond.

"Yes father."

I head downstairs, excited for my meal. My father and I have three servants that work in our house, their names are Jewel, Valor, and Dior. Jewel is putting blueberry pancakes on five plates, and for a moment I am frazzled. Since when do our servants eat with us?

"What do you think you're doing?" I hear my father's voice and he is clearly thinking the same thing that I was.

"Well, I just thought that maybe-" Jewel gets interrupted by my father's voice.

"Maybe what? That people like you three are people like us?" The three of them look at the floor, not knowing what to say.

"As if," I say with a giggle.

"I'd like to eat with my daughter, alone. You all may eat after we leave, as you clearly will not be walking there with us," my father and I eat our pancakes in silence as they scurry away.

Though there are clouds in the sky as I walk with Father to the Reaping, I don't think my smile could possibly be any brighter. Today starts my journey of going down in history as Panem's first Victor of the Hunger Games, and that is an exciting thought. I feel confident that the years of torture will actually be worth something. My father is quiet as we walk, his green eyes focused on the path ahead of him just like my own. I never knew my mother or anything about her, as my father claims that the information should be classified. It's always been just me and him, and although I used to fear him, I am not afraid anymore.

We arrive at the Town Square fairly early enough that the check in lines aren't too long. I head over to a line with one girl getting her blood taken and a young boy standing behind her.

"Move, kid! Some people here are more important than others. I'm the someone, and you're the other," I can see tears well up in his eyes and I smile. He scurries away to another line. He almost reminds me of myself a long time ago, maybe one day he'll learn to be strong just like I did. Maybe once he's older he'll volunteer for a future games, all because I gave him a little shove that inspired him.

As I see the girl whose blood was taken wander off into the fifteen year old section, and I step up into the line and glare at a woman with an expensive looking green blouse.

"Name?" She asks me, and I know it's something she'll want to remember.

"Jade Thorn," I say confidently. She flips near the back of a large book and finds my name.

"Dominant Hand?" She says as she fiddles with her top as if it's more important than me.

"Right," I tell her. She pricks me and I show no signs of pain, just as I have always been taught. I am directed to the seventeen year old female section and I obtain a spot right at the front of it, the perfect place for everyone to see me.

How unskilled and weak will my competition be?


Rocher Russe, 15

District One Male

I really hope we can find something.

If the three of us can't find a job to do, then I guess we'll just have to go another day without eating. Orchid, Citrine and I have been going from person to person on these streets asking if there's anything we can do to make a little bit of money. The rebellion has left the Districts in ruins, and I pity the other districts considering we are in the best condition. Normally we help people find their possessions that they've lost in the midst of the rebellion, and get some bit of currency in return which we use to keep ourselves going. Even though it's hard sometimes, I'm glad to be in the company of good people.

I lost my family during the rebellion. There was a bombing going on in District One, I viewed it myself as I happened to be playing in my yard. My house along with most of our neighbors' were left in ruins and my parents and siblings sadly passed away. My brother was only four, and my baby sister wasn't even a year old. They barely got to live their lives. I try not to let these thoughts get me down because I know they are all in a better place. Well, except for Uncle Lazuli. I never found out what happened to him. I was very lucky to have lived, but I did lose almost all of my hearing. I've learned how to lip read and enjoy teaching my friends sign language so it's easier to communicate. Lots of us street kids have learned it by now.

My friends and I spot a blonde man in a white dress shirt cleaning his windows, and an idea sparks in my head. I whisper to Orchid about asking him if we could do the cleaning in exchange for some money and she nods her head and the three of us make our way over to him but let Orchid do the talking. I read her lips as she speaks.

"Hi sir. We were wondering if we could clean your windows for some money? It doesn't have to be a lot or anything, just something small," the man ponders for a moment, but soon makes up his mind.

"Sure. I've got to start getting ready for the Reaping today, you guys can come and get me when you're finished," he seems friendly but I am curious what his voice sounds like. I guess I'll never know.

"Got it, thank you!" Orchid says with a smile as the man goes inside.

We each take a rag from inside the bucket and get to cleaning. The three of us work diligently and make quick work of our given task. We always try to work hard, because after all a job is not finished until it is done right. Soon enough, Citrine goes upstairs to let the man know that we have left the windows spotless. He comes down with a sack of coins, much larger than we usually get doing these types of odd jobs.

"Here. You guys look like you need the money more than I do," are what his lips read.

"Thank you very much Sir!" I say, most likely a bit too loud as I see my friends flinch a bit. But my volume will always remain unknown to myself.

We walk along the road until we find a little hot dog stand, excited that we now have enough money for our breakfast. Though this is a peculiar food choice, at least it's not an expensive one. I count the coins and split it up evenly between us, so each person can spend it how they please. Orchid gets a hot dog with both ketchup and mustard, and Citrine gets two plain hot dogs. He must be really hungry. I on the other hand, get a single hot dog completely plain. I saved my last two coins to get a lollipop. It's strawberry flavored and my eyes lit up the second I saw it. I gobble down my hot dog and savor the sweet taste of the lollipop in my mouth.

We walk past a small pond and I look down at our reflections below. Citrine looks so scrawny and small, while Orchid's wavy brown hair hasn't been brushed in days. My jeans and white t-shirt are old and worn out, as I've had the same clothes for months. My shaggy blonde hair falls in front of my brown eyes, and I smile even with my absence of front teeth at the large indent on my head, both effects of the bomb going off. At this point, there are so many layers of dirt on our faces that it's not even worth trying to wash off. Citrine suggests we make our way to the Reaping, an event we definitely should not be late for.

As I walk to the Reaping with my friends I take a moment to realize how lucky I've been. I survived the rebellion, and I lived through the bombing of my home. And despite the challenges the inability to hear has caused, I've been able to work my way through that too. Though this is the first Reaping, and I really don't know what to expect, I have a good feeling that I will be okay. There are so many kids here in District One, so the odds that I am going to get picked are pretty small. I hope luck will be on my side today.

Once we arrive at the Town Square, I wait on line to get my blood taken. Orchid goes first between the three of us, after all she is a lady. When it is Citrine's turn he lets out a little wimper when the needle pricks his finger. I, the last one of my group, look the woman taking my blood straight into her cold blue eyes.

"Name?" She pronounces the word clearly enough for me to know what she is saying.

"Rocher Russe," I watch as she flips towards the end of the book, yet still somewhat in the middle.

"Dominant hand?" She asks, already reaching for my right hand, as most people are right-handed.

"Left," I say with a smile and she looks surprised. She gestures me into the fifteen year old boy's section, and I look far all the way across the Square to see Orchid standing in the same row as me, but on the girl's side. I smile and wave.

Is being lucky and staying safe one more time too much to ask?


Jevette North, 34

District One Escort

This is going to be the most exciting game ever played.

The moment I heard about the Hunger Games I was elated. The idea of the games is just so original and creative, and I wish someone had come up with it sooner. The nicest thing is, us in the Capitol don't have to worry a bit. I've got a three year old son that I know will watch the games year after year, most likely becoming a tradition in our household once I age out of becoming an escort. Unfortunately, you can't be older than thirty five in order to be an escort, but I feel as though it is such a great honor that I get to represent District One in these games.

Although the other escorts are getting paid to represent their district, mine is the opposite. My heart was so set on getting to work with One that I sent a bit of bribery in with my application. I didn't tell a soul, but I'm quite happy things worked out in my favor. It's funny to me that when I grew up we barely had any money and now I'm just giving it away at will. My father fighting in the rebellion really helped us leap forward in terms of wealth. He even worked with General Regis before he sadly passed away. Personally, I can't see why the districts ever wanted to rebel, but now they will pay for all the years to come.

I chose to work with the District with the least percentage of rebels and I outright refused to work with any of the ones that come after Five. I only wanted to be in the presence of those that stayed loyal to the Capitol, because the people that did not are barely even people at all. I wanted One so badly because I they also have the highest chance of coming out victorious. Being that they live in better conditions than most of the other districts, they are far more likely to be well fed and stronger. I have a strong sense that my tributes will be strong and powerful, as those are the only type I have an interest in. The games are not a good environment for someone meek and helpless.

I will do my very best to make my two tributes the ones to watch. Although one of them will perish, the other will become the first Victor of the Hunger Games. They will bask in the glory of their victory for years to come and I will become famous as the most successful escort. I've been wondering for weeks about what the little details of my tributes and I'm so excited that today I finally get to find out. Getting to know these two children will be fun, but the real excitement will begin once they are in the arena. I can't wait to watch them kill until one of them is the only person remaining.

I fiddle with my outfit as I take in it's beauty. The gold top I wear is coated in sparkles and the black leather pants have a golden stripe down each side to compliment it. My shoes keep with the color scheme and are shiny. Gold has always been a good color on me as it looks nice on my dark skin. My black hair is corn rows but up in a high ponytail. The last touch to my outfit is my golden contour, making me shine from head to toe. I don't think I've ever felt as confident and proud as I do in this moment.

I walk onto the stage in a feminine strut and I get ready to recite my script for my Reaping.

"Welcome to District One's Reaping of the First Annual Hunger Games!" A good amount of the audience claps and I can't help but smile. I say our Treaty of Treason with pride and go on with the script.

"President Regis wanted me to thank all of you for the luxuries you provide to our nation. We are stronger than ever now that we are reunited as one," The audience claps again and I blow a kiss to the crowd.

"I will now select a name from the bowl to my left to see who our female tribute will be. If your name is called, please come to the stage," I wait a moment before reading the name to draw out the suspense.

"Prosper-"

"I volunteer!" I hear, quite excited that a girl is as ready and willing to be apart of the games as I am. A girl from the seventeen year old section with red hair walks confidently to the stage. She is exactly the type of person I signed up for. Though I'm curious what her counterpart will be like, this girl seems like a contender.

"How exciting! What's your name?" I say to her once she has made her way to the stage.

"Jade Thorn," she says, her green eyes staring back at me with a lethal look. I like her already. I don't think I could have pictured a more ideal girl for this position, she's perfect.

"Alright, now I'll select a name from the bowl to my right to see who our male tribute will be. If your name is called, please come to the stage, just as Jade did," I smile at her, but she doesn't smile back.

"Rocher Russe!" I say, realizing I pronounced it wrong after I said it but not correcting myself. There is silent for a moment when I see some chaos in the fifteen year old's section. All eyes are on a boy with messy blonde hair, and he looks flustered. A boy taps him on the shoulder and makes some type of gesture, and he then comes up to the stage and I can see how sad he looks. He doesn't look like the killer type to me.

"Is there anyone who would like to volunteer in place of Rocher?" This time I pronounce it the more logical, french-sounding way. I drop the R and make the E sound like AY.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you District One's tributes in the First Annual Hunger Games! Please shake hands," they oblige, but Jade gives an evil glare to Rocher.

"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

How until Jade and I are the talk of Panem?


Author's Note: Hi everybody! This chapter was quite fun to write! Jade and Rocher are both very unique characters and I can't wait to keep writing! Hope you have a nice day!

Yours Truly,

CuriousClove :)