Chance Henderson- 17

District 10M

Victor of the 67th Hunger Games

The Night Before the Reapings

I was just shutting my eyes when a loud BANG resonated throughout the room. I let out a prolonged groan as Chardonnay Albrecht- my district escort- waltzes through the door. "UP, UP we've got a party to attend in ten minutes." She practically screeched, gesturing at her watch. "I was just getting a few minutes of peace and quiet-" "I don't want to hear it mister, tonight is the eve of the reapings, everyone wants to see your handsome face."

I sigh, dragging myself out of bed. "Fine, I'll be out in 3 minutes." The door shuts with an equally deafening crash. That woman never gives me more than 10 minutes notice. I am unpleasantly transported back to the day before my games began… I shake my head.

No such thoughts can fill my head. It'll be bad enough for me tomorrow, as I endure my first year as a mentor. I don't think- no I'm sure that I won't be able to cope with another year of violence and bloodshed. Especially when I am partially responsible for two lives that will enter the arena, most likely leaving in a wooden box.

I often wonder if it would have been easier if I had shared the fate of the other 23 children in the arena. Competition- yet still children. Even to the District Four girl who brutalized me during the final two. I'd relive it again if it meant that I wouldn't have to be here, right now helpless against the restraints of the Capitol.

I pull my shirt off, exposing the large scar situated over my right pectoral muscle. Even with the Capitol's miracle healing tactics, they weren't fully able to reverse the physical damage done to me that afternoon, let alone the mental scarring. I wince at the memory, pulling on a white dress shirt and buttoning it.

As I gaze out the window at the dizzying city lights, I can't help but remember my own reaping. Standing there frozen as my name was uttered, as if death himself had reached out and grabbed me, pulling me into the darkness forever. No amount of Capitol parties, pats on the back, sympathetic glances from other victors or even the therapy that I so desperately need- could save me from my fate. I am gone; yet another nameless tribute remembered as the boy who beat the odds.

A/N

Hi all, I hope you like the short introduction to the 69th Hunger Games! I wanted to add more but I decided that it would have ruined the general feel of Chance's thoughts. By the way, tell me what you think of him! As a new writer I'm not yet sure how my style of writing will work with the story, but I'll try my best. The first round of tributes will be coming out on Friday! WOOOOO

Thanks for the support guys

-Archer