ADDIE- ADDIE- ADDIE- ADDIE- ADDIE- ADDIE- ADDIE
I sat high in the tree, a tall oak among many others; but this wasn't just any oak tree it was the oldest, most gorgeous oak tree surrounding the even more 'gorgeous' district 1.
That's what they call it at least, gorgeous. Maybe it's because we produce gems in this district, our people are the right side hand to the Capitol; our expertise mining diamonds and being their dogs.
What most people don't understand though is before you can get a beautiful diamond you need to push on an ugly coal.
The sky was blue, the sun was bearing down on my back and I could hear the buzzards buzzing all around me loudly, at most it was a beautiful day. To be brutally honest though the events of the day, not so much.
My name is Adeline Hanran, and I am a district 1 citizen; although I'm not necessarily one for following the rules that apply to the regular citizens. It's not that I'm spoiled, it's that being left alone most your life can leave an impact that ultimately leaves you to your own accord.
My father, Aden Hanran and former victor of the Hunger Games is a bit of a workaholic. In fact he's so popular he practically lives in the Capitol with his work, and his mentoring job is like his pride and joy, rather than his wife or kids. Now don't get me wrong I love my dad, but he's never home to know that I do.
My mother on the other hand is always home, that's why I resort to sneaking out otherwise I wouldn't be receiving any strawberries for dessert if I got caught. In my family though, the only one I can truly get along with is my younger brother; Colten. I mean he even looks like me, with red hair and green eyes we're always told we look alike, but he's more naive. He lives life with a smile and happy thoughts, unlike myself but that's getting too personal for comfort.
When I was younger, when Colten was just a toddler and I began watching the games for the first time that's when reality hit me. Living in this world, fucking sucks. (I'm a bit blunt, but you'll get used to it.) After two years of watching those games I needed an outlet, needed to show my anger towards the capitols cruelty. They're treating us like caged animals that they can slaughter at their expense, it's sick. (I was a rather out spoken child, now though I tend to keep more to myself and spare my family the consequences.)
And that, that is when I met the band of rebels who are scattered all around district 1. It started when I was merely my brothers current age, ten years old. I was out running errands for my mother and a street urchin had stollen my money right out of my satchel. If I hadn't looked down at the exact moment I wouldn't have even noticed.
I'm a stubborn child, with a knack for always being right and winning everything. It's a small quirk of mine, one I'm not too fond of. Needless to say I ran after him and tackled him, I had to wrestle my money from him and he was ultimately surprised and impressed by my act of bravery. His name was Hunter Rhodes, and to this day he is still one of my closest friends, the one who got me to join the band of rebels who despite my fathers profession; took me under their wing. I've been with them ever since and they've helped me cope with the games and how to blow off steam. They're my friends, I'm thankful to have them.
"Hey, Addie watcha doing up there?" I groaned, rolling my eyes as I shifted my feet around so my legs where dangling on either side of the branch I was perched on. I looked down to see none other than Jesse weft looking up at me.
With dusty blond hair and hazel eyes he was a looker alright, with the body and the attitude to match. But he wasn't someone I was too fond of, Hunter on the other hand..
"What does it look like I'm doing?" I called down to him, I could see his smug smirk from up here. He's such a damned flirt, no matter the situation.
"C'mon! Your mom sent me to come fetch you." I sighed in exasperation, I knew how much my mother and father approved of Jesse, -the district mayors son- and frowned on Hunter -a street kid- but that was their problem NOT mine.
"What am I, a dog?" I snapped, referring to his comment about 'coming to fetch me.'
"Come here girl." He patronized, patting his knees as I climbed down the tree and landed to the ground with ease. I loved climbing, and I was small enough to do it without worrying about branches breaking. I flattened my now rumpled dress, tracing a finger along one of the blue flowers decorating the bottom skirt of it. This used to be my grandmas, I loved it.
"Bite me." I hissed angrily. All he did was laugh, showing his perfectly white teeth and his dimples. I crossed my arms defiantly as we began walking towards the town square where I'd meet up with my mother and Colten.
"Awe, now C'mon Addie I thought we had a love hate relationship going for us." Jesse teased lightly, I noticed he stood a little too close for comfort; our shoulders just brushing.
"Yeah, I LOVE to HATE you." I snorted, kicking a stone and looking to the ground. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the amusement flash across his face, just before I felt warm hands cover my eyes. I stopped in my tracks instantly, smirking a little and trying not to laugh.
"Guess who?" A voice whispered, I grabbed the hands and pulled them away from my fiercely blushing face. I'd know that voice anywhere, I thought as I spun around to face Hunter.
"Hey Hunter." I gushed as he joined Jesse and I in our walk to the district square. I took in his features; sleek black hair and striking blue eyes. Seeming he was a hunter and always out in the woods his skin was tanned to a pale mocha color. I felt my blush deepen, it was embarrassing, the way I always got flustered around him.
Hunter slung an arm around my shoulders, smiling his cheeky grin as he twirled one of my red curls in between his fingers. He always told me he loved my long red hair, so I favored it too.
"You look stunning." He breathed, as we three entered into the almost deathly silent square. I smiled at him warily, ignoring Jesse's impatient scoff at our closeness.
The people in the square where scary quiet, although I couldn't really figure why even If they where reaped one of our careers would surely take their place. Still, the odds where or never will be in our favor.
I let the peacekeepers take my blood, already used to the little prick seeming I've been doing this since I was twelve. I silently was ushered to the squared off area for girls, my age group being 15. I kept alternating between Jesse and Hunters gazes, feeling my stomach plummet as the ceremony (If you could call it that) began.
The anthem, Panems rising, the rebellions fall, the Hunger Games. It all came in the same order as every year. I looked around seeing other district 1 rebel members cast wary glances to each other as the talking droned on and on. I tuned most of it out, watching my mother and Colten in the crowd anxiously, their faces stone hard. Soon my mind wandered to my father, as I looked up to him on stage. he sat proud and tall, how a strong man like my father could be proud of his occupation is beyond me.
"Adeline Hanran!" I hadn't noticed at first, as I continued tuning out the voices around me. Hopefully, soon this would be over was all I could think, but when all eyes trained on me and I felt a peacekeepers hand move to the small of my back to usher me up to the stage I realized.. I could see the shock, the pure terror in my moms already sunken face as Colten began panicking, his face flushed in fear; it was unbearable.
Jesse was furious, I could see it in those hazel eyes. Despite our relationship I cared for him and he cared for me. I honestly couldn't bring myself to look to Hunter, to see his reaction.
When I was on stage, facing the crowd of district 1 everything seemed to blur around me, how was this happening? I waited and waited for a girl career to volunteer for me, but a horrifying thought struck me, we've been lacking numbers and talent the last few years since the rebels have done their best to sabotage everything Capitol related, including killing off any careers who are shoe ins for today's reaping, or any reaping for that matter.
So no one volunteered, and I realized I was going to compete in the Hunger Games, I realized I'd probably die.
I realized my own father was going to train me and send me off to my immanent death.
Well, that escalated quickly.
SHINE- SHINE- SHINE- SHINE- SHINE- SHINE
I stood casually among the group of male citizens that could potentially be reaped, it didn't matter really because there was always someone who would volunteer in district 1. Most the idiots around me stayed a certain distance, I couldn't blame them I mean I was pretty damn intimidating and I had no problem slitting one of their throats if they crossed me, it was a fact.
I looked over to my twin sister in the year 18 girls roped off area, she gave me a knowing look and all I could do was smile back devilishly. Shimmer is my sister twin sister, my name is Shine. Shine Murphy.
I am district 1's most feared career, hopefully everyone knew that it was my turn to volunteer this year. It's my last year, last chance and if any other career tries to volunteer before me I'll rip their god damned throat out. I listened intently as the district 1 girl was called up, Adeline Hanran. I knew her, a little too well at that.
Addie Hanran, daughter of the most recent victor for district 1. She was a member of the rebellion core, one of the best along side Hunter Rhodes. I remember a while back a couple of her friends had tried landing an attack on me; to get me to quit my job as a career. It resulted in five dead rebels and a very angry Addie.
A volunteer would certainly take her place; I thought surely. But shockingly no one did. I smiled, all I could think was it was her own damned fault, offing all those careers now there's no one to volunteer for precious little Addie.
I could see her face fall as she stepped up onto the stage, distancing herself from her father and the other female mentor. She balled her fists up, pulling her red hair over her right shoulder. She would be a fighter that one, she is after all a rebel among many in district 1. She knows how to kill that much Is sure, but she'll die and if it comes down to it I'll be the one to do it.
I waited in anticipation as the weird Capitol chick crossed the stage to the boys ball, reaching an overly manicured hand in and toying with the slips of paper until she quickly snapped one out. I felt all the people tense up around me; what pansies.
My sister sent me one last glance, I smirked at her nodding my head as the name was called.
"Opal Cunningham!" I looked around, looking for any sort of movement. When a boy, maybe sixteen possibly younger stepped out of his age group. He was small, lean and timid. This was my chance, before someone else tried to take it. Straightening my tie and brushing off my smart grey suit I stepped out of the crowd, raising my hand nonchalantly to catch everyones attention, including the camera men positioned around our district.
"I volunteer!" I called, smiling to myself as the boy, Opal was it? Let out a sigh in relief. The peace keepers ushered me up to the stage, keeping a safe distance though seeming I was considered a threat to everyone including them. Once I was on stage, the Capitol woman strutted her way towards me, her large curly orange wig slightly off angle as she thrusted a mic towards my face.
I scowled at her, shoving some of my long blond hair out of my face and narrowing my eyes. She visibly gulped as she stuttered for words.
"U-Uhm.. Your name?" She asked, I smiled speaking clearly and proudly into the mic.
"Murphy, Shine Murphy." The crowd was silent, I hadn't expected some sort of reaction in the first place but it was obvious the whole of District 1 took more to Addie than me, that would all change once I won the Hunger Games.
"Alright!" She chirped, snapping me out of my thoughts as she beckoned Addie to come over. Hesitantly the small girl tip toed over to us, pushing her tiny pale hand out to me. My hand all but enveloped hers as I shook it roughly, her eyes where emotionless... It was strange to say in the least.
"May the odds be ever in your favor!" The Capitol annoyance called, I looked over to see Addie's father look over me, his eyes dark with worry and warning.
He knew, for sure Addie was not going to make it. And I, Shine Murphy would be this years Hunger Games victor.