The 73rd annual Hunger Games

Chapter two

Oakley POV

The sun's just rising over the tall mountains that back the edge of the barrier. Look down towards the ground from my high spot in the trees. It's early July and the sun is up early. Sunrise is my favourite time of day. The colours and the stillness of it all. I can't help but wonder what today's events will bring. Dad would want me to volunteer, Mom wouldn't. I don't know what I'm going to do, I never have but, this is one of my last chances. I could volunteer and risk the chance of almost certain death, or stay quiet and let others represent my district. Seven's one of the stronger districts, everyone handy with trees, snares, axes. I twirl my small hatchet in between my fingers. The blade shines when I point it towards the sun. I smile and carefully make my way down the tree. I Jump down from the lower branch and gracefully land on my feet. I make my way back down the path towards the town and rub the calluses in my hands. I pass the loggers making their way to the woods to work. District seven provides the lumber used to make the capitols houses, buildings, arenas. Today is the worst day of the year for everyone except for the odd few you enjoy the games. I roll my eyes thinking of the tyrant that is my eldest sister. Rosealy dreams of being a "Tribute escort" She never got reaped for the games and she now lives in the capitol, going to their university. I don't even know how our family afforded the tuition considering they can't even afford a new pair of boots for me. I climb over our backyard fence and walk through the small yard. Fox, my labrador dog. looks up from his resting place under the orange tree in the backyard. I open the back door and walk through. The house is still quiet and I find myself sneaking up the stairs and into the bathroom where the bath I had drawn for myself earlier is now a nice lukewarm instead of boiling hot. I strip down my dirty wood clothes and lower myself into the bathtub. I scrub the soap over my body with the loofah and then rinse off the soap. I drain the tub and turn on the shower head. We don't have warm water but I can manage the cold. I let the cold water run over me. Calming my skin. After I'm finished in the shower I grab a towel and dry myself off. I walk into my room and peer out the dusty window. I think weather volunteering would be a wise option. I don't know. I walk over to my dresser with all my clothes in it. My reaping outfit, a long flowy sage green dress that stops at my ankles. It's a bit big because it was Rosealys. Green is my favourite colour so I'm not too mad. I gently lay it on my bed. I let the towel fall to the ground and change into my outfit. Once I'm changed I walk down the hall to find my father and siblings waiting for me.

"Finally!" Dad cries as I walk in. "Let's get going." We walk to the town square and I go over with Willow to the girls section. The tribute escort, Annabeth, takes the stage and starts her boring old speech. After she plays the video she walks over to the girls bowl, dips her hand in, and pulls out a slip of paper. I grab Willow's hand and hear her breath hitch.

"Oakley Bass!" She yells. My heart stops. I can't go into the games. I can't. This must be a dream. I will wake up soon. I will. I look over at Willow and see the tears in her eyes and know I'm awake. Slowly, I walk up to the stage, my heart pounding into my ears. I'm too shocked to cry so when I stand beside Annabeth nothing happens.

"Hello dear, congratulations! Now moving onto the boys!" She tells the crowd. She walks over to the other bowl and dips her hand in. I take a deep, shaky breath as she opens the slip. I open my eyes just as she calls out.

"Hudson Bass!" 

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Hey! Chapter two done! This chapter was written by my friend! We hope you like the plot twist ;)