𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄; The Hunger Games

The Important Day (Intro)

My dad taught us to 'be vicious, be smart, be skilled, be quick, be strong, but never weak', ever since my older brother, Hyrculus Venin and I were little we were repeatedly told these things. I never really knew why he was so adamant about those words.

That was until my brother volunteered for a twelve-year-old boy from our district. It was the 45th Games, my brother just turned 18 that year and decided he would be a better match in the games than a twelve-year-old, so he volunteered.

The games are mandatory to watch, but once that gong rung I couldn't bare to watch. I'd look down at the wet dirt beneath me, kicking rocks, whistling to myself, anything to keep me from viewing my brother and his murderous ways. My dad would lift my head up each time Hyrculus murdered someone and he gave me a smile but what's to come was nothing to be smiling about. In the 'showdown' of the final 4 tributes, they were on top of the cornucopia because the arena had flooded, I heard cheers for my brother, coming from the crowd surrounding me, but the unexpected happened, my brother was speared to death by a District 12 male tribute.

     As I heard the cannon, I finally raised my head up to have a look for myself, seeing my brother laying on the ground with a spear through his chest. I slowly looked over at my mom who's in shock, not saying a word, and my dad who walked off, shaking his head.

     My mom grabbed me by my hand and rushed after my dad to hug him. He pulled us aside, holding my grieving mother. My dad was furious that he didn't win, my mom was furious that he passed. I was only eight when this all happened so I didn't really know how to handle grief. I couldn't comprehend this feeling. My dad pulled me aside. "This is what happens when you don't listen to me, this is what happens when you ignore your father". My dad says to me. I just stared at him. "LISTEN TO ME BOY!". He shouts once again, this time shaking my shoulders with both his hands as my mother intervened. "MONAR!" My mother cried out my fathers name, getting between me and my dad. "Fessa, our son just got murdered on live television by a District 12 scum, this is embarrassing and I will not have this happen again". My dad calms his voice as we walked away. "Yeah, our son just got murdered, regardless." My mom emphasized as she held my hand, following my dad home. "Come on honey". My mother says softly to me as I held her hand tightly. I couldn't stop thinking about what my dad said and what he meant by "Again".

10 years later...

I woke up with a sense of dread this morning, something heavy on my shoulders. today is an important day, today's the day to prove myself, to bring pride to my father. It's the 4th of July, which means it's Reaping day.

   I sit up from my bed, putting on some blue jeans, a white short sleeve shirt, and brown boots that's been put away in a box full of my brothers stuff. pass my dads room, debating on asking him what time's the Reaping but I shrug it off, walking towards the front door as my mother stops me before I walk out. "Dominik!". My mom calls for me, I look over at her, Ironing my suit and tie for the reaping. "Yeah mom?". I'd reply as I put on one of my jackets hanging by the door, about to leave the house. "Would you mind bringing me some Cucumbers and Tomatoes from the market?". She asks me as I nod, leaving the house, making my way to the market.

      I plan on meeting up with my girlfriend, Violet before heading to the market. Violet. Violet Owens, the most beautiful girl the district has ever seen, long brown hair, beautiful brown eyes, the softest tan skin. She's sweet sometimes, but I just have some things I have to get off my chest before I go...she's kind of, stuck up, but who isn't in 2?

     I see Violet, at a corner of a building in front of the market. as I gently jog across the street, giving her a slight smile, I see three Peacekeepers transports driving by us, making their way to town hall. "You know what that means...". Violet says after I gave her a hug. I slowly let go of her. "Yeah...". I say sighing, as my eyes wonder, looking down at my boots. She too looks down at my boots, then slowly looks up at my clothes. "You're wearing this to the Reaping...?" She says in a snarky manor. I look at her, then looked back down at my boots. "No, but if I was?" I question her in an aggressive tone, I look at her confused on why she has a problem with my boots. "Nothing, I was just wondering." She makes a slight giggle. "These were my brothers boots.". I told her as I look at her face, she didn't care at all. I could tell her eyes were wondering so I try to see who or what she's glancing at.

      I see a guy that Violet and I use to go to Academy with.

    Avon Noid.

    He always gave me shit for my brother passing, He still does but I just ignore him now.

     I make eye contact with Avon. Trying to ignore him his existence. I simply walk to the market, not saying a word to Violet since she had something to say about the way I dress. I walk in the market. I look around for the fruits and vegetables area. I find them. I'd grab a basket, putting fresh tomatoes and cucumbers in the basket. I pay for my goods and exit out the market.

  I see Violet still standing at the corner of the building across the street where I left her, but she wasn't alone. Avon was next to her, they both were just laughing. I quickly made my way to the both of them. "Vi..." I say disappointingly as they both got awkwardly silent. She looks over at me. "Hey Dom". She says to me with a sudden shyness to her voice. I look at her then glance my attention over to Avon. They clearly were talking about something that they couldn't say around me.

     "What's up Dom, heard about those worn out boots of yours." He'd chuckle as Violet let out a slight laugh as well. "What about them?" I question him angrily, tilting my head, stepping closer to him. "Look man, it's reaping day, and volunteering is going to do you no good, I mean your family can't even let go of your brother, and it's been years!" Avon says with a smirk on his face. "A whole ass decade and they can't let him go, imagine how they'd be when you die". Avon continues. "So how about sit this one out bud, it's your last year". He says as I ball my fist up. There's an awkward silence. Violet stood there quiet. "How are you going to let your family go through another loss." Avon continues rambling about my family and my life. I ball my fist up tighter and tighter, ready to punch the hell out of this fool. He notices me getting angry and looks at my fist. "What would your dad say?" He utters while letting out a demented chuckle. I quit balling up my fist, shaking as my mind is telling me to knock his shit out, but my body is refusing.

     I look over at violet with a disappointed look on my face, I turn around, simply walking away before the situation escalates. "See-ya soon!" Avon yells out as I ignore him I simply turn around, making my way home.

I open the door, placing the basket on the kitchen table. I hear commotion coming from my room. I slowly make my way to my room. I'd enter, seeing my navy blue suit and tie, and a white button up on my bed. my dad handed me a pair of his black shiny shoes. "Here, I use to wear these all the time to town hall when I was your age." He said patting me on the back as he exited my room. My mom is sitting on my bed, staring at my suit silently. I sit next to her. "Mom?" I question her. "Yes dear?" She replies. "Are you okay?" I ask her as she closes her eyes and looks down. She then looks up at me. "It's just...I know you want to make us-" She corrects herself. "Make your father proud, but you do not have to volunteer if you don't want to, this is your last year to participate in the games, if you aren't chosen...don't volunteer, please". My mom begs with a broken tone in her voice as I notice a tear drop from her eyes. I hug her densely. "I won't." I tell her as she let go of me, giving me a slight grin. "I better let you get ready". She says as she exit my room.

    I go into my bathroom, taking a short shower, brush my teeth and wash my face. I'd put on my suit and tie, and the black shoes my dad gave me. I'd take a long look in the mirror. I then slick my hair back with gel, trim my beard, making it into a buzz-beard, and I groom my eyebrows, brushing them to the point where they're bushy. I hear a loud siren sound in the distance. It's coming from town hall.

     It's time for the Reaping. My dad knocks on my door. "You ready son?". My dad asks me as I nod. My dad know no matter what happens, I'm going to volunteer for who ever is chosen. We exit our home. My parents and I walk down to town hall, as do the other teens and their parents.