Prologue
And so it is said in the Treaty of Treason, that each district, in the country of Panem, shall sacrifice one boy, and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen, to participate in a battle to the death. This battle will forever be named
The Hunger Games.
Chapter One
The memory flashed before my eyes. The Capitol was destroying all of the districts, and 12 had been first. It was all my fault, naturally. When I pulled out the nightlock. When the Capitol hesitantly declared that Peeta and I could both be victors of the Hunger Games. That spark of rebellion grew into an uncontrollable fire. And now, look at what had happened. I am literally demolishing Panem.
"Katniss, it's starting," a voice says gently at my side. It's Peeta. He is speaking of today's reaping. It's time for us to see who we will mentor for the Hunger Games this year. I sigh and follow him into the charred streets of District 13. Everyone alive after the Burning, as it was known, had been evacuated to a seemingly imaginary place. That's 13. My mother and Prim are still tending to the wounded, even after all of these months. Many have died due to the Capitol's actions. And mine.
Finally, I see the stage where a nervous Effie Trinket stands. Even after the first part of the rebellion, the Capitol still wants tributed from every district, even 13.
"There you are!" she exclaims, wrapping us both in tight hugs. "The reaping is about to begin." Effie gestures towards the smallest reaping crowd I have ever seen, with only one or two kids of each age group. As I watch, mesmerized, a hand rests on my shoulder. I turn with glazed eyes to see Finnick Odair, my old rival from the Quarter Quell. Haymitch stands behind him, taking swigs from a bottle of wine, as usual.
"Horrible isn't it?" Finnik says frankly.
"Yes," I whisper. "Nothing could be worse..." I trail off, not trusting my own mouth.
"Than the Hunger Games," Peeta finishes for me.
I nod in reply. I turn my head towards the makeshift podium where Effie stands.
I swallow as she begins the reaping.
"Welcome to the 75th annual Hunger Games!" she exclaims with fake excitement. The crowd groans slightly.
"It is time for us to choose one brave boy and girl to participate in the Hunger Games," Effie says stiffly. She gulps. "L-ladies first," she stammers. I know she is remembering the day of my reaping. "Artemis Raine is our girl tribute!" I watch as the terrified girl walks slowly up the stage steps, and stands next to me. I give her a reassuring glance.
"Will there be any volun-" Effie is cut off by Peeta.
"Effie, look. Just pick the boy tribute and let's get on with this," he snaps. Effie nods tersely and dumps her hand into the bowl with boy's names in them.
"Lucas Rednor is our boy tribute," she mutters. A small brown-haired boy walks up and stands next to Peeta. I start to recall my own Hunger Games, all the deaths I witnessed.
"None of this is right!" I yell.