Hunger Games FanFic: Chapter 1

     I could hear many heartbeats thudding around me. They all seemed to join together in unison on this day of pure dread and utter despair, creating one huge anxious heartbeat. I looked around wearily at the people and friends I'd known all my life, cradling my pricked finger that hadn't yet ceased bleeding. Anyone of them could be picked and were likely to die in the Games- I had to stop thinking like that. Dirt and dust covered the feet, hands, and faces of all us District 12 kids. I bit my lip until I tasted that familiar metallic taste of blood. Suddenly, everything grew silent as Clover Middleton stepped up onto the stage, smiling down at us with sharp, evil eyes, her arms outstretched as though she were trying to hug all of us at once. "Ladies and Gentlemen," she began, a sneering grin danced across her lips. "Happy One Hundred and Fourth Hunger Games, everyone! And may the odds be ever in your favor." I winced at those words. The odds were never in anyone's favor. 

     The Reaping in District 4 was probably the same as it'd always been, gloomy and grey. Flame had worn his best pants and a flannel T-shirt, though he preferred not to wear one at all; it was too hot, cloudy or not. He dug his hands deep into his pant pockets, staring down at the ground at his bare feet, lost in thought. Suddenly it started, Flame heard the voice sounding over the many large speakers, though... it was unfamiliar. "Hello Ladies and Gentlemen. My name is Violet Knack, but call me V." Flame looked up to see that a tall woman stood upon the stage in front of the large crowd, her hair long and dark purple. Her makeup was quite exautic. Shades of purple and blue coated her eyelids, and there were jewels of all colors glued around her eyes. She spoke with such enthusiasm he wanted to puke. Violet held her hand up in defense and looked around quietly before speaking, "I know... I am not Fai. She is..." she gave a slight cough. "No longer with us." That was enough for Flame to worry and apparently the rest of District 4 felt the same way. The crowd erupted into hysterics. "THE CAPITOL KILLED FAI WHITE!" A voice shrieked from the front of the crowd. Morning... NO! 

    Signing up for Tessera was the least of her worries, but Frog did it to help her starving family. Even if it meant more entries into the Games. She signed up for Tessera for each of her 5 family members... knowing it was increasing the risk of getting chosen. Sucking in a sharp breath, she held out a delicate finger to be pricked. She stared blankly ahead, holding her breath as a sharp sting erupted in her finger as the gloved Capitol worker pricked it. Frog slowly looked down and just as the worker blotted the blood into a ledger and a small scanner is passed over it, registering her information; her first and last name and age. Frog never liked having her finger being pricked. It used to scare her as a child, but she knew she had to brave today. For her family. She joined the crowd with the rest of the District 11 children, taking a spot next to Ferno, her friend all through school. She couldn't look him in the eyes, though she badly wanted to give her friend a reassuring smile... to show him everything would be okay... To comfort him on this day of suffering. But that would be a lie, wouldn't it? Everything wouldn't be okay. Someone they knew would be picked and sent to fight to the death until there was one person remaining; the Victor. 

    Peacekeepers, originally lined around the square to make sure the day ran smoothly and as planned, now surrounded her and had Morning in a headlock after her outburst. "Get your hands off me!" She shrieked, bringing her knee up violently. The Peacekeeper winced as her knee was lodged between his legs. "You're going to pay for that." He grumbled, holding her tighter. "LET HER GO!" That voice... It belonged to her brother. She couldn't let him get involved in this- it was her fight. "No, Flame! Stay out of this!" She exclaimed, but the Peacekeeper slapped his gloved hand over her mouth. She screamed, but it was muffled and almost silent against the chaos in the crowd. Flame had pushed his way through the crowd of District 4 kids and was making his way to her. "Let her go!" He demanded. No, Flame... please... Tears began to stream down her cheeks and she couldn't control them no matter how she tried. She wasn't going to let this Peacekeeper win her over like this. "SEND HER TO THE GAMES!" Violet Knack ordered through the microphone, her voice ringing through the Square. The crowd grew silent just as quickly as it had started into hysterics. Morning thrashed her head, kicking and biting the gloved hand of the Peacekeeper. They couldn't do this... Could they?