The Games ~ Book 1 ~ (The 100/Bellarke)

Chapter 1

Clarke woke up on the hard cot in her dark cell. She sat up and looked around the room, just like she did every morning. All around her are pictures of earth that she's drawn over the two years she's been there. That was when it hit her, today was the day, it was The Reaping.

After two years in a cell, this was her last chance. Today they would gather all of the prisoners of the ark and choose twenty-eight lucky individuals that would be sent down to earth to fight each other. Then grant the victor immunity for their crimes. The victor was always given many rewards and riches, but most importantly they got out of jail.

Clarke desperately wanted her name to be called, she needed it. In just three more months she would turn eighteen and her crimes would be reevaluated and if she was still found guilty then she would be floated. "Floated " is a process where an offender (who is over seventeen years of age) is given a shot, which causes paralysis. The offender is then "floated" into outer space, where he or she will die from lack of oxygen.

No one had ever survived the reevaluation, that Clarke had known of, so the Hunger Games was her best chance.

It's quite harsh of Jaha (the leader of the Ark) and the other members of the council to do this, Clarke thought. They aren't brave enough to go to earth themselves and face the grounders, or the mountain men. Instead they send children for their own entertainment.

Clarke knew there were over 400 prisoners and only 28 were chosen. Her chance was slim, very slim. Clarke gathered her blonde hair into a ponytail, a few strands falling down around her face.

"Clarke?" Clarke's friend's groggy, morning voice came.

"Hey, Octavia," Clarke smiled.

Just under a year ago, Octavia had been discovered as Blake's second child after Bellamy Blake. It is illegal to have more than one child. The day after Octavia was imprisoned, both the girls saw Bellamy being dragged by officers and placed in his own cell, further down the hall. Clarke never met Bellamy, but she knew who he was. Bellamy was older than Clarke.....by several years, but it didn't make any sense as to why he wasn't floated. He was twenty-two, maybe twenty-one. At his age, he would have been floated, not put in jail.

Bellamy didn't even know who Clarke was, and Clarke didn't know who Bellamy was until Octavia was put in her cell. Clarke wondered if he was thinking the same thing that she was.

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Bellamy silently sat in his cell, his back against the wall. He thought about how his sister, Octavia, she was probably terrified! Bellamy was always worrying about Octavia. He practically raised her, until she was arrested. It wasn't her fault she was born, so why punish her for it? He didn't completely understand why it was so wrong to have more than one child, no one on the ark did, except the council.

His mind began to wander to other things, The Reaping. This is my last chance, if I get my name drawn, I will have to fight....more blood on my hands. But if I don't, I'll get floated, I'll die! Who will be here for Octavia? Bellamy thought. This is so wrong- It's just wrong. Why does Jaha and the others do this, anyways?

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"So should I be nervous?" Octavia paused for a while before adding, "you know, my first reaping and all?"

"We're going to be just fine." Clarke answered with a small nod. She didn't know what else to say. Clarke was thinking of her mother, Abby, and she was sure that Octavia was thinking of her brother. Before she could say anything else the alarm started to beep. Clarke stoop up, and stepped toward the door.

"Just do what I do and you'll be fine." Clarke added. Octavia copied her and stepped toward the door.

Jaha's voice came over the speakers. He repeated the same message every year. "Welcome to the 100th reaping of the Ark. Please proceed in an orderly fashion out of your cells and into the reaping room. Any resistance will result in punishment."

Clarke saw Octavia glance behind her as they lined up and Clarke gave her a weak smile. Octavia smiled back, but Clarke could tell the smile was forced. Clarke knew Octavia all to well, she was clearly nervous.

All of the prisoners slowly started walking toward the room where the reaping would be held. Once in the large room, Clarke looked around and studied the room. It appeared the same as it was the past two years. The walls and floor completely white with plain white chair neatly lined in several rows. On the back wall was a camera set up so those on the ark could watch the reaping. Clarke and Octavia sat down.

"Hey, Bellamy." Octavia called in a loud whisper. "Bell." Clarke heard Octavia, whispering loudly. She looked around to see where Bellamy was.

Bellamy, a row ahead and a few chairs down, finally turned his head to the sound of his sister's quiet voice. Clarke watched as they exchanged sad smiles.

Chancellor Jaha made the same speech every year. "Welcome to the 100th reaping of the ark." He announced as Clarke sighed. "Today twenty-eight lucky individuals will be chosen for a second chance." Clarke rolled her eyes as he continued his speech, she only really started paying attention when Marcus Kane started drawing names out of the large glass bowl on the stage. As he began reading names out loud, Clarke wondered if it was actually random or if they pre-picked the contestants, to make a good show.

"Number 7, Octavia Blake." Clarke froze, glancing over at her friend. To Clarke's surprise, Octavia stood up holding her head high and with her shoulders back. She walked rather quickly to the front of the room.

Clarke looked over at Bellamy. His eyes were trained forward, his shoulders tense, and his hands making fits.

"Number 8, Clarke Griffin." It was too good to be true. A huge smile came over Octavia's face. Clarke stood up and walked to the front. Clarke took her place next to Octavia. Octavia was shaking, nervously. Clarke grabbed Octavia's hand, as if to say  'Don't worry, I'm here.'

Marcus continued calling out names, but the next one she recognized shocked her, "Number 19, Bellamy Blake." Clarke couldn't help the gasp that escaped and she quickly covered her mouth to stifle her surprise. That was when she decided the games had to be staged. First they put Clarke and Octavia together. Then Octavia's brother, Bellamy, just happened to get his name drawn. A good show was all Jaha wanted.