Atonement

by crossroadsphan

Atone for your sins. The message has been drilled into the heads of children since birth. And the best way to do this? The Hunger Games. Welcome to the 125th Hunger Games. Forget all the previous rules, this is a Quarter Quell, and nothing will be the same. (SYOT, 1/24 tributes alive)

1. Introduction

The lucky few that owned a TV had them switched on, family and friends gathered round, clutching on to one another to gain even a scrap of strength. It was useless. No one was safe anymore, not in this world. Children and adults alike had tears streaming down their faces, a sight usual during the Hunger Games announcement, but now, it was worse than ever.

Every adult let out a sigh- they had assumed the last Quarter Quell had been the most disastrous, but how wrong they had been.

"And now, a recap, for those just tuning in, not that anyone would miss this." The presenter let out a long whistle, smirking, knowing how much pain the world would be in. But he didn't care. He was safe, and living in luxury, and his family would be protected forever. "As a reminder that everyone must atone for their sins and that no one can ever be too comfortable, this years tribute will be of aged five and above. We will be accepting no volunteers."

Fireworks exploded across the capital, the audience let out a roar of excitement. The Capitol had never done anything like this before, and everyone knew it would not be forgotten easily.

The 125th Hunger Games was in full swing.