User blog:ItstimeforD4torise/The First Annual Hunger Games

Prolouge (President Ridd's PoV)
I couldn’t believe it the Capitol had actually destroyed District 13. I didn’t want 13 to ever be destroyed because I knew what the plan was once District13 was destroyed. The Hunger Games and I could have stopped them. I could have stopped all the pain and suffering that will most likely be followed right from the beginning but I was the coward who couldn’t stand up to the other government officials. I am a respected figure to all the districts all of them respect what I do but after I announce these Death Games all of Panem will hate me. Like they rightfully should I hate myself for doing this.

I was nervous on what would happen after. Would there be another up rise or will they be cowards like me and hide? No I can’t worry about that now I have more important things to worry about. I look down at my clothes nervously I am dressed in my usual tight black gown, which I am told makes my pale skin look white. I can see the dark etchings of my lacy tattoo near my eyes clearly out of the corner of my eye and my green hair has become awfully overgrown. I look down at my watch and think that the broadcast should start soon and I look over at Jim Mills, the host of a very popular show in the Capitol. He's decked out in a bright yellow pinstripe suit. His skin is dyed the usual magenta. His deep blue lipstick is smudged. The cameras are about to turn on and I step away from them and take one more glance at the picture of the ruined Justice Building of District 13 before I disappear out of site of the cameras.

"It's happened, people. District 13 has finally collapsed. The Dark Days are over. Now, President Ridds would like to make a special announcement..." I am still out of site of the camera and I am fully ready to go out there and read them my speech on how District 13 had saved his life during a battle but decide against because then it would lead to the revelation of District 13 still being alive. I go out into the cameras view and look out at the huge crowd of Capitol citizens clapping for me and then I get to the podium and pull out a piece of paper with the speech that people wrote for me and I clear my throat then look out to the crowd. "'Due to the Dark Days,'" I read, "'I am issuing that two children from each district - one boy and one girl - must fight to the death to show that each district must bow down against the Capitol.'" I pause as I imagine many mothers gasping and then hugging their children tightly and then starting to sob and it brings tears to my eyes but I hide them and then I clear my throat again and continue. "'Every year,'" I continued, "'twenty-four children shall be in an arena, killing each other, trying to survive. These children shall be between the ages of...'" I choked and started crying in front of all of them to see but I manned up and continued. "Twelve and eighteen, if your name is drawn, then a person may volunteer to take your place. The names of these games shall be called the Hunger Games.'" The Capitol audience is stunned no applauded or anything and Peacekeepers come onto the stage and roughly make me fall down to my knees. The Gamemaker then comes out of the shadows and onto the stage. “Any last words before we kill you Mr. President?” The Gamemaker asks holding a knife onto my heart.

“District 13 saved my life and I praise them for that.” I say before The Gamemaker stabs the knife into his heart killing him instantly and then the Peacekeepers grab my dead body by the arms and hang me just below the flag for District 13 that still stands proudly to this day as a reminder that no one can defeat the Capitol.

Tribute Form
Name:

District:

Gender:

Age:

Age-group:

Weapon: (One or two)

Strength: (Besides weapon, up till four, atleast two)

Weaknesses: (Atleast two)

Fears: (Atleast one)

Appearence:

Personality:

Backstory:

Reaction when reaped: (Optional)

Private session:

Strategy for bloodbath/games:

Token: (Optional)

The Reaping: Arianna Mae's PoV
That announcement this morning was weird. ''What could possibly be wrong? ''I thought. ''Whatever it is, it probably won't affect me. ''I looked through my closet and pulled out a t-shirt riddled with holes and a pair of old, stained jeans. Then I pulled up shiny blonde hair into a ponytail. I ran to the other side of town to my best friend Milo's. Gregory and Jacob were already there, laughing at Milo's rendition of the president's speech. I had to admit, he pulled off President Ridd's nasal-y voice really well.

"Hey, Arianna," Jacob said, "Today is your day to pick what we do."

"Yeah, where are we going?" Gregory asked.

"I was thinking something along the lines of messing with the Peacekeepers. They should be fun today, what with what the president was saying and all."

"Good choice," they agreed.

We climbed up the big tree on the east side of the square and made our way out on the branch that hung over the platform where the Peacekeepers carried out whippings. But the post that they tied the criminals to wasn't there. Instead, there were two huge crystalline bowls that were full of tiny sheets of paper. Next to them were four chairs. On the other side of the bowls stood a podium, we all exchanged a confused glance. Then, eight Peacekeepers walked up to the platform. This was getting too weird, even for me. As far as I knew, that was all of the Peacekeepers of District One had. They all stood an exact distance from each other around the whole platform, but there was a big gap up front where it looked like two more of them could stand. I started grabbing the nuts that hung from the tree ready to toss them and hit each of them square in the forehead when two more Peacekeepers walked up. One was with Mayor Fleet, the other with an abnormally tall woman next to him. She had Capitol written all over her. She had ridiculously long, pin straight pink hair that reached the back of her knees and was wearing a short, shiny orange dress that was way too tight. Freak, Gregory let out a wolf whistle and I cracked up.

"There!" shouted a Peacekeeper pointing at us. I threw an acorn and hit him right in the nose. A whole new mob-maybe ten more or so-came running at us from the west end of the square, I knew the fun was over when they pulled out guns. We ran like squirrels through the tree. I climbed higher and jumped to the roof of the butcher's. I kept hopping roofs until I reached my house.

"Where have you been, young lady?" my stepmom growled. I hated her. It didn't matter to me that because of her, we weren't living on the poor side of the district. I didn't care that we ate well because she was rich. I love my dad, don't get me wrong, but Regan Hemming, for one is too young to even act like my mom. And, she's a bitch.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Get your butt up those stairs this instant!" she screeched. "You must look your best for whatever is to happen in the square, I can't have you representing my name like that! Oh my God! Thirteen minutes!"

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There wasn't much I could do in thirteen minutes, so I wound up leaving the house in one of Regan's dresses. It was a midnight blue number with spaghetti straps that crossed in the back. The back laced up and Regan tied it so tightly that I had trouble breathing. The bottom was cut so that some parts were longer than others and ribbons hung down. Then Regan raked through my hair and left it hang down my back. She did it purposely, too. She knows I hate my hair down. I grabbed my diamond heart necklace that Milo had given to me. He said his father had given it to his mother before they passed away. Sure, the chain was rusty, but I loved it. The day he gave it to me, he said, "Something pretty, to match your personality." That was one of the best days I could remember. My twin brother, James walked in then.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Time to go," he said. I leapt up and ran. Just outside the square, I met up with Milo, Greg, and Jake. They were wearing what they had been wearing this morning there were the Lucky ones. Milo bent down and ripped one of the ribbons off the bottom of my dress. Regan would kill me for that.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"What are you—" I started to say, but he cut me off. He pulled up my hair and tied it with the ribbon.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Oh, thanks," I said. He just nodded. We walked in silence for another minute, then Milo said, "This isn't good. Something terrible is going to go down." Finally, we reached the square and were greeted by two Peacekeepers who separated us. Boys went to the right, girls to the left.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The clock tower rang, signaling that it was 12:00 and the whole square went quiet. Mayor Fleet walked up to the podium.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Good afternoon, District One," he began. "The speech I am about to give you has been sent to me directly from President Ridds in the Capitol. So, without further adieu," he cleared his throat and began.

''<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">After the collapse of previous civilization, Panem rose from the ashes in a land once known as North America. This previous civilization was brought down by snow storms in the north. Most people froze to death, and if the cold did not kill them, then they perished from starvation. In the west, earthquakes swallowed the land and anyone left standing on it. To the south, one hurricane after another drowned the places people called home. Droughts in the middle of this once shining country caused food shortages everywhere. These droughts dried up so much of the land that only a small spark caused rampant fires. With all of this happening, those who survived the disasters were left to fight for sustenance. An all out war broke loose. Friends killed friends. Brothers murdered brothers. Peace and prosperity came to those left alive as our shining nation of Panem began to form. First, the Capitol was built at the heart of the old country. Those who knew how to survive told the Capitol how to move on. A man from a place called Appalachia, for example, founded the land we know as District Twelve. This man taught survivors how to mine coal. They became the residents of District Twelve. But in thanks for the man's help in setting up one of the first industries of Panem, he lived the rest of his days in the Capitol. All was running smoothly in Panem until the Dark Days. The districts of Panem rose up against the Capitol for reasons that are unclear. But Panem was—and is—strong. The Capitol defeated twelve districts and obliterated District Thirteen. The Capitol then wrote up The Treaty of Treason. The Treaty of Treason was formed to set new rules upon the districts and ensure that another rebellion never occur upon the soils of Panem. One week from today will be the one year anniversary of the end of the Dark Days. In remembrance of the past, we now have ''<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Hunger Games. The rules of The Hunger Games ''are easy. Each district will send two tributes, a male and a female to participate in The Games. These Tributes will be aged twelve to eighteen. Each year, every citizen in this age group will have a slip of paper with their name on it added to the bowl. For example, a twelve year old will have their name in once, a thirteen year old twice. The exception is this. Now, tesserae are only available to twelve to eighteen year olds. For each tesserae that you sign up for, your name will be added to the bowl once. Tesserae are cumulative. For this year, all tesserae that adults have signed up for will go to the oldest eligible child. Each tribute will be allowed a token of remembrance from their district. The Hunger Games will be a televised festival that will consist of The Reaping, Opening Ceremonies, Training Scores, Tribute Interviews, The Games, and finally The Victory Tour. The Victor of The Hunger Games will go home and live lavishly for the rest of their days. As another perk to winning, once a month, the district of the winner will be given food, among other things. Only one tribute will make it home. And now, our District One Escort, Adonia Turner.''

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Only one will make it back? I thought as Mayor Fleet walked back to the row of chairs. Adonia skipped to the podium. She was the lady in the orange dress from earlier. I got a closer look at her now her eyes were a stunning shade of purple.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"And now ladies and gentlemen, the Reaping, may the odds everbe in your favor," she smiled.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I finally figured out what the mayor had meant. Twenty-three kids were going to die. And the Capitol sees this as a ''game? ''Sick. I was only pulled out of my head when I heard my name.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"Arianna Mae!" Adonia smiled. "Please come up here."

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Sixteen years old, and I was given a death sentence.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Reaping: Dasma Rath's Pov
<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">The mayor had just finished his speech and I was speechless. A few around me gasped. One guy who look around my age even fainted. Could it have been this morning that I was throwing knives with Hector? Was it yesterday that I bought Katriana's birthday present? Would I see little Diamond again? What about my twin, Jesmina? Yes. I would. I had to. Mom can't care for my dad all by herself. I bring home the money for his medication.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">I didn't hear Adonia call the girl's name, but when I saw her, I was pretty sure it was Arianna. She had an early birthday, so even though she was a year younger than me, we were in the same classes. It's a strange feeling, knowing that you will have to watch someone you know, or at least kind of know kill and be killed for some painted person's entertainment.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Dasma Rath? Dasma, please come up to the platform"

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">It's a stranger feeling knowing you may be the one to kill her. And then, I may die myself.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">The Reaping: Becca Kenwell's PoV
<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Mom and Dad were fighting. Again. Whenever that happened, it meant I was in charge. But it would be a much more difficult job today because of what happened earlier with the message from the president. Everyone had to be in the square at noon. I thought it would be a big deal event, so I dressed in my best outfit, a simple sleeveless black dress and my favorite necklace. It was from the only friend I had ever known. A boy I once knew who was shipped off to District Twelve. He said the wolf reminded him of me because the wolf's hair is the same color as my own. I brushed out my short hair. It was cut choppy, but I did it myself and really liked the way it turned out. Satisfied with the way I looked, I walked to the other end of town to the Averys looking for Ethan. Ethan was my little brother. His best friend was Capri Avery. <span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Oh, Becca," said Mrs. Avery, "I was just about to send Ethan home, we need to get ready for whatever the president planned." <span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"That's exactly why I'm here, Rita. Let's go, twerp," I laughed. Ethan ran over to me with a homemade bow in hand and a pouch slung around his shoulder filled with what I assumed to be arrows. It was pretty impressive I have to say, especially for an eight year old. He said Capri's older brother taught them how to make and shoot it. On the way home, he showed me how to use it. Fairly straight forward, Load arrow, Pull string, Release. Determined to get the hang of it, I shot at every tree on the way home. I hit most of them. When we got home, Mom and Dad were still fighting. I dressed Ethan in slacks and polo. Then, I went to my little sister, Grace's room. She was playing with a doll she had gotten for her twelfth birthday. It had blue eyes, like us. <span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Gracie boo," I said from the doorway. "You like dress up, right?" She smiled. Grace used to be really outgoing, but she hasn't spoken much since Evan died. Evan was our brother and Ethan's twin. And, it was my fault he died. I craved my parent's attention, but they fought too much to notice me, so I would do dangerous things in hopes of getting even bad attention. My favorite thing used to be sneaking into the woods outside of the district. There was an old abandoned house that was right on the electric fence that encircled our district. A big tree grew on the other side. One of its limbs just reached a second story window. One day I convinced Evan to go with me. That day, we were caught. The Peacekeepers beat him up. They beat a five year old to death. "Well let's play!" She skipped to her closet and pulled out a cute dress, snowy white with cap sleeves and all different colored polka-dots. <span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">We walked to the square leaving Mom and Dad to fight in the kitchen. When they whisked Ethan off to the boy's side, I'd have no way to protect him. As we stood tentatively, a voice came from behind us. <span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"I'll take care of him," the voice said. He was a big guy, built like a truck. The phrase if looks could kill ran through my head. He had the palest skin of anyone I'd ever met, short brown hair and gray eyes. If it weren't for how red his face was, you would have thought that he had never been outside. Despite how intimidating he looked, I trusted him. "Be good, Ethan," was the last thing I said to my brother. With that, Grace and I entered the square.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">The Reaping: Wren Hayes's PoV
<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">My family was pretty nervous about what the president had said that morning. Even me, the brave one, But, life would continue, I mean, right? So I went like I had done every morning since God knows when to fencing practice. I loved fencing and was really good at it too. Both of my older brothers, Zach and Matt had tried fencing, too, but they didn't like being beaten, especially by their baby brother. I met my best friends there. I dueled Dylan while Xavier and Erik dueled each other. Erik was the only one left not worried by the president's speech. We left our fencing school with an hour to get ready for the square. At home, my parents were already set to go. They sat fidgeting in the living room. Four more people were there, too. My brother, Zach stood with his fiancée, Kit and Matt, the oldest sat cross-legged by the chair where his heavily pregnant wife, Ren. We only gathered like this for holidays.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Let us off after the president's speech at work earlier," said Matt. "Rumor has it that they are going to kill a boy and a girl, but no one knows why." Ren was visibly upset about this, she's a teacher, so that means one of her students could die. Zach eyed me carefully.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Be careful, bud, you hear me? You're in the age range. Don't do anything even slightly stupid." I knew earlier he had said 12 to 18 year olds, but now I was even more scared. I nodded once and went up to get dressed. A simple green dress shirt and black trousers would do. I went back downstairs and we walked together to the square. I said my goodbyes as they all walked around the barricades to where those outside the age range were told to stand. I took a deep breath and was just about ready to go in when I saw a girl and what must have been her siblings. She was scared. As I walked closer, I knew why. She couldn't take care of her brother once in the square.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"I'll take care of him," I said. She looked me over as if to see if she could trust me. She never said a word, but nodded her head yes.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Be good, Ethan," she said and she walked into the square with her sister.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">I gave the boy my hand and he accepted it readily. "So your name's Ethan?" I asked.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Yes, and those were my big sisters, Raven and Grace," he said. "Raven takes care of us because our parents fight all the time. I don't even think they are here."

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Well, this kid sure was open. "I'm Wren. I have two older brothers. We are both the babies in the family."

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">He smiled and went on and on about his sisters and his best friend and anything else he could think of until the mayor walked up to the podium on the stage.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Mayor Gart talked about the rebellion that ended last year. It sent a shiver up my spine remembering everyone who died. Dylan, Erik and Xavier lost their older brothers. Zach fought, but he made it home. Matt didn't. He was married and couldn't even think about leaving Ren alone. Then the mayor went on about a new festival we would have to remember the Dark Days. But it didn't seem festive. Twenty-four kids would fight. Only one would come home. I was in shock. Zach was right. Then he called a woman up to speak.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Good afternoon, District Two! MY name is Amelia Feletee and I will be your tribute's escort!" she said. She had a terribly affected Capitol voice that, under other circumstances would be funny. The skin on her face was pale white and stretched to the limits. It gave her a starved look. She had crazy purple hair and wore insane make up in shades of blue and purple with tints of silver. "Well, let's see who our female tribute is!" She fished a slip of paper out of a big glass bowl and read the name.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">“Becca Kenwell! Please come up to the stage!"

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">It was the boy's sister. I knew at that moment that I would take care of him and his other sister. And I would have, if she hadn't called Jeremy Pace. Jeremy was my ex-girlfriend's brother. He was only twelve and was deaf in his left ear. He wouldn't survive the first day in the arena, where as I would stand a chance, being eighteen and able to wield a sword.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"May I take his place?" I shouted. Everyone went quiet.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Come up here young man," said Amelia. I took Ethan with me and spotted Dylan.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Dylan, take care of this boy. His sister is up there. Oh and he has another sister over there."

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">He knew exactly what I was doing and if it were the right person, he probably would have done the same thing.

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">"After deliberating with The Hunger Games Council, we see no reason why volunteering shouldn't be allowed," said Amelia. "What is your name, sir?"

<span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">" <span style="line-height: 135%; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Wren Hayes ,"