Born To Die: A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Alexander<:1

Chapter One

"Alexander"

I look out the window of my room and laugh. Luna just tripped over someone's foot. It was really funny.

I am sixteen, and have three more Reapings decreasing my chances to get into the Hunger Games. I really hope I do, because all the training would be for nothing if I don't.

Luna runs inside and starts yelling to my Mom about how much of a jerk that kid was. She's a cute little fighter, as always.

The Reaping is today, and I'm ecstatic. One boy and one girl are chosen to travel to an Arena and fight to the death. Only one person will live, the victor. It's pleasantly scary.

I walk to the kitchen, where Luna is still ranting. I roll my eyes and try to grab a piece of dried meat, but Mom stops me. "No way, young man. You need to eat healthly to be strong." I don't need to ask her what she means. I grab an apple and run out the door.

I walk down the road and see several Peacekeepers on the way to the Justice Building. They keep, well try to keep, peace all over Panem. They assign quite a few in each District. We have twelve Districts in all. I live in District One. There used to be thirteen of us, but District Thirteen revolted, and in punishment, the Capitol completely rid the Earth of their presence. But there are rumors that District Thirteen is still there. The Districts keep getting shabbier and shabbier as the numbers increase. District Twelve is the worst District there is.

Tons of kids between the ages of twelve and eighteen are walking toward the town square, where they hold the Reapings once each year. Most of them are frightened, but trying to look confident. Others are actually confident, such as me. They walk with their heads up, pushing aside all the smaller ones. They are the kind of kids that would win.

Lea Bluepenny stands at the front of the stage between two glass balls filled with paper. One is for the boys, and the other for girls. All the Victors from the previous Games are sitting behind her. I see Gloss and Cashmere. I wonder where all the other victors are.

All the kids have arrived, and Lea reaches into the glass ball for the girls. She draws out a paper with her elegantly adorned hand and slowly opens it. In her high-pitched voice she says loudly into the microphone, "Sophia Rodriguez!" A small girl makes her way to the stage and slowly walks up the stairs. She holds her head high, although this is her first Reaping. She turns around and I barely recognize her. I threw knives with her once in training, she was good. No one volunteers for her. Surprising, considering my District always has volunteers. Maybe they thought she would stand a chance.

Lea reaches into the glass ball for the boys and pulls out another paper, opening it slowly. She says, "Julius Castor." I watch as a tall, buff boy walks towards the stage, swaggering as he went. I burned with anger. I only had three more Reapings to go, I thought right now would be a fit time to go into the Games, but no! Some stupid buffhead had to go and take my place. I knew what was going to happen next. "I volunteer for Julius!" Julius stopped midstride and I saw his muscles tighten. He turned around slowly and started walking towards me. I skipped past him, and while I did I whispered in his ear, "Today ain't your day, Juliana." Julius got red in the face. I knew he would take the bait, he hates being called a girls name. He lunged at me but I jumped lightly backward and flew up the stairs taking them three at a time. I made it, I was in.

Sophia quickly glances my way then goes back to staring at the ground. I feel kind of bad for her, so young. I want to know what her choice weapon is. For I know she could be pretending not to know anything.

My choice weapon is a bow and arrows. Weird for a boy, but I think I'm pretty skilled. I could go for a knife too. Since I could potentially get in with the Career Pack, I'd have anything I wanted.

"Give a round of applause for this years tributes! Sophia Rodriguez and Alexander Carroll! Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Lea leads us into the Justice Building and the giant doors close behind us. Sophia and I are both lead into separate rooms, and I am seated on a couch. After waiting a few minutes, my parents come in. They smile, and my Mom says, "Good luck. You're going to need it. But I will miss you whether you win or not."

I smile, but suddenly I flinch. Barely. I was so pumped up about getting into the Games that I forgot I could very well die.

"Where's Luna?" I ask. My Dad exchanges a glance with my Mom. "Um.. She decided not to come."

"Where is she?!" I tell. My parents look surprised. "Celebrating," my Mom mutters. If I get back alive, I'm going to kill her.

Lea pokes her head into the room. "Time to go!" she exclaims. I hug my Mom and Dad, then leave the room. Sophia is already waiting, standing in the hall, and I can see she is sad. But, amazingly, she isn't crying. She looks prepared for anything that is thrown at her.

We go back outside and board the train. Lea each leads us to a room with a bed and bathroom. Of course, I mean, people do need to relieve themselves, right? I shut the door and lie on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The train lurches into motion, but the engine, if it has engines, are quiet. While I lie there, I can't help but wonder if I die, will it be slowly? Or quickly?