Hunger Games: Rewritten

Completed

This is my last opponent. She's taller than me, and in her hand holds a broadsword, the same weapon Cato has been trained to use. He's fighting in the arena next to me, no doubt striking down his opponent.

She knicks me in the stomach, bringing me back to the fight. Shit. I need to get him out of my head. I size her up again as she steps in for another blow, but before she can get too close, I flick my knife at her to buy some time. In a shower of sparks, it careens off the girl's blade and slices across her face leaving a gash spanning her eye. The girl's sword clatters on the dirt floor, as her hands fly to her face.

The medics rush in to try and save her vision while our mentor Brutus approaches me handing me a bandage for my wound. "Who won?", I ask. Brutus shakes his head sighing, "You and Cato will be volunteering for the reaping tomorrow."

I wake up to the smell of eggs and bacon which drags me out of bed. Before I can even enter the kitchen, my mom jumps out of nowhere and unleashes a barrage of questions. "Are you excited? You know your father and I are so proud of you! I can't believe our daughter has been chosen to volunteer! Are you nervous? Did you see the dress I made for you in the closet..." I want to walk away, but instead, I sit down and eat my eggs with goat's milk. After I'm done, Mom herds me to my room so I can try on my dress.

For District 2 the reaping event is not somber but instead is seen as a televised event to showcase the district and volunteers' pride. For such a special occasion, a newly sewn dress hung in my closet. I try it on. It lies right above my knees colored in a deep blue pigment adorned with layers and a bow around the waist. My mom lets out a squeal when she sees me and ties a ribbon in my hair to match.

The ceremony takes place in the usual building with high ceilings and plain walls decorated for the occasion. I line up with the rest of the girls trying to find Cato in the big crowd. I haven't seen him since yesterday, I wonder if he was injured. My thoughts are interrupted by a woman with bright blue hair and eyelashes 6 inches long. I prepare myself knowing my name will be called soon. Cato's name is called first, and as expected the crowd erupts in applause. He walks up the steps to the stage, I can see his white suit tugging at his broad shoulders and a smirk paints his face. He stands next to the bright blue-haired woman, pumping his fists and in response is greeted by a round of cheers. I brace myself as the cheers die down. "Lastly, the female volunteer tribute for District 2... Clove Yorname!"

I walk down the aisle keeping my head straight and shoulders back never looking at the crowd as it applauds. I approach the stage steps and Cato holds out a helping hand. "Wow, are you dressed like a girl?" He jokes. I push past him. He's right. This isn't me. We stand next to each other and clasp our hands, holding them in the air as another round of applause and cheers erupt. He leans towards my ear and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "You look beautiful Clove."

We're escorted to a room behind the stage to say our final goodbyes. Cato's family rushes in, his brother slapping him on the back and his mother embracing him. My own mother rushes in to give me a hug through a stream of tears as my father waits for his turn. He looks at Cato and his family. Finally, my dad is able to get a hug in before I go "Be careful." he whispers, and then with one final squeeze I am escorted out.

I hear a loud thud come from behind followed by Cato and a boy from district 1 laughing. I turn around and see the boy from district 12 writhing in pain on the ground. I can't wait to kill him. The girl from his district runs up to him and whispers something. I've seen her around making traps. I doubt they'll make it one night. He gets up and slowly walks towards the weights. He grabs a 50-pound weight and throws it at the rack near us. It's the cringiest thing I have ever seen, but the others look impressed.