Chapter 1
From his place on the train, 18-year-old Thresh Okiniwi watched the recaps of the Reapings for the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Beside him was his younger next-door neighbor, 12-year-old Rue.
On the whole, the Reapings this year were pretty forgettable. Even his own was forgettable. Yup, all blah except for the very end…..
In District 12, a girl Rue's age was called. It was the last name that first triggered something in his brain. Everdeen…. Then –
"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!"
Thresh nearly rose from his seat. It was her. Katniss Everdeen. Now he remembered. They had been close playmates as children together when he and his grandmother had lived with her family.
He stared as the Katniss on film walked to the stage. Where there had once been a little girl was now replaced by an attractive young woman in Thresh's memory. She had really filled out in the intervening years – almost did not look her age (what did she have to be? 16? 17?).
What's more, Thresh was struck by Katniss's bravery. How she had sacrificed herself for her sister. For someone like Rue.
Thresh chanced a look at the little girl beside him, who was watching Katniss just as intently. Only one would come out of this arena alive….
And Thresh was going to make damn sure that it was his district partner.
He just hoped he didn't have to kill his childhood friend to ensure that.