Ready or Not, Here I Come

by In the Blink of an Eye

The year of traps and betrayal, tricks and deceit. The arena of cliffs and sharp edges, hiding places and hidden dangers. The games ruled by an erratic fruitcake of a Gamemaker. And they wonder why the victor went delirious. Welcome to the 51st Annual Hunger Games - the odds will definitely not be in your favour.

6. A Reason to Live

Tralala. Le chapter six. Do you like it? We are just over half of the tributes. As much as I like pre-Games stuff, I want to get onto the juicy centre - the arena! I will try to elaborate on the interviews and chariot outfits etcetera but I wouldn't expect 18 versions of it! Maybe 8 or 9, so just one tribute from the District can describe the outfits.

Anyways, happy reading!

*WentToTheMoonToday

...

Marella Lamia Cobalt, District Four

Juden points at the male tribute who has just been chosen. "Anumus Titan! He looks kind of fit."

I roll my eyes. Juden finds almost every boy she sees 'fit'. I have to admit, he looks like he has a fighting chance in the Games. Just as I'm wondering whether he'll win, my name echoes over everyone's heads.

Relieved faces turn towards me and people back away. I can hear Juden gulping like a fish. I look at her and she gives me a look so filled with pity that I stride towards the stairs, willing to get out of the Games alive. I take on the steps with a vengeance.

The escort's voice is fuzzy and wavers. I realise that he is asking us to shake hands. I offer my hand limply, gazing over the sea of faces to where I knew my family would be standing. If I was to see them after this, I would have to start planning early.

As we are guided into the Justice Building, the cogs in my mind are whirring and I am already devising a plan. Act weak, pitiful even, and get sympathy and sponsors. I have a good chance, I tell myself, you can swim very well, you are clever and you know how to kill. You could get back home, you know, a little voice speaks in the back of my mind. You could.

Stag Browning, District Ten

"Aries Browning!" The escort screeches. My world crumbles a little. I thought we were safe from the Games. We took no tesserae – we shouldn't have been singled out. But now. Aries, my brother. A tribute. Before I even realise what I am putting myself forward for, I stand forward.

"I volunteer."

The Capitol stylized Cougar Vattle stares at me in dismay. His warbling high pitched voice wavers a little as he beckons me onto the stage. "Why a volunteer. What a surprise." He shows no emotion but I can tell he is a bit unnerved by the fact that a Ten has put themselves forward.

As I stand on the stage, I spot Aries. His face is frozen in a mask of horror – his worst fears confirmed. He has stolen and lied to good people; but his brother has had to bear the punishment.

Cougar Vattle tweets and squawks a little and I shake hands with the girl tribute. She is only twelve. I feel sorry for her. Unless she has a hidden talent, she might not make it very long.

We are prodded into the Justice Building like cattle and herded into a room. Almost immediately, all of my biological siblings burst in, as well as some from my foster home. There is Aries, a look of shame on his face; Peregrine, tears streaming; and little Lark. J.D, Amy and Ronnie follow and I could see that they resented my sacrifice. Aries is generally moody and surly – they'd rather he died than me.

I hug them each in turn, telling them that I would come home for them. I would, wouldn't I?

Just when I thought it was over, Mariana came in. Her beautiful eyes were raw and streaming. She shook a little as we shared a kiss. She whispered something in my ear, before being frogmarched out by the Peacekeepers.

I have a reason to live for. Precisely seven reasons to live for.