Ascendance: The 99th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 1

District 12 Reaping

Being forced to fight to the death with 23 other kids my age in an arena broadcasted on live tv was not on my bucket list for things to do in my lifetime. But here I am. 15 years old standing on the concrete ground outside the city hall watching District 12's escort, Livia Black, read my name off a unfolded piece of paper straight out of a clear glass bowl for the 99th annual Hunger Games.

"Lilac Ravine" she says happily.

All the girls my age back away from me with looks ranging from sympathy, disgust, and pity on their faces.

"Come on up here deary" says the escort Livia Black with a cruel smile on her face.

She's a plump women with capitol style fashion, lavender hair, and a ugly purple dress with all sorts of designs on it. I can't comprehend how she can find watching 23 children be brutally murdered per year by other children their age fun and entertaining. It's disgusting.

I snap out of my trance and slowly walk up the steps to the stage, my brown curls bouncing when I walk. I look down at my feet and see the dress I'm wearing, the one my mother has sown just for me. It's a lilac color just like my name, with little flowers all over it. It reminds me of how I may never see her again.

"Now come up to the microphone." Livia says, still smiling.

"How old are you?" She asks, already knowing the answer.

I gaze out into the crowd and see my mother crying onto my fathers shoulder.

"Fifteen" I answer.

My father looks at me and I can see a tear fall from his eyes onto the grey cracked concrete. My eyes follow the tear down and watch it sizzle on the hot concrete. I have to control myself not to follow in their footsteps and let my emotions take over. The only way to survive in the arena is to get sponsors. And to get sponsors I need to be strong.

"Ooo we have a older one here this year, so exciting!" Livia exclaims. "What an honor you must feel, Lilac, to be chosen to compete in the 99th Hunger Games."

I say nothing and keep my face expressionless, I will not give anyone the advantage to see my emotions.

"Now for the boys..." Livia announces, putting her hand into another clear glass fishbowl like container full of boys from ages 12-18 years old. She clears her throat to add suspense before saying the next tribute.

"Clash Ebony" she says with a smile.

How sick. She's happy watching children die on tv. A boy comes out of the 13 year old section a look of shock on his face. I hear a woman sobbing loudly and look at who must be his mother crying.

"How old are you sweetie?" Livia asks.

"Thirteen" Clash answers into the microphone, looking off into space.

"How exciting!! Lets give it up for your District 12 tributes Clash Ebony and Lilac Ravine!" Our escort shouts into the microphone, her voice echoing across the towns square.

The crows is dead silent. There's no movement until someone who I don't recognize puts their three fingers too their lips and holds them up to the air. Many people soon follow. It's the only way our district can deny the capitol without getting punished. A small, sad smile creeps upon my face, not big enough you can tell, but still...I think the crowd can see it.
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We're led into a tall building, the one that hundred's of District 12 tributes have been in before. Then Clash and I are escorted to the train station by peacekeepers, Livia, and our mentor Ember Noir, the most recent victor of the Hunger Games which was 22 years ago, during the 77th Hunger Games.

Authors Note: Thank you so much for reading this far!! I am still in the process of writing and I would love to hear any sort of feedback about characters, writing style, or ideas for future chapter ideas such as arenas or things like that!! (This message applies to all of my chapters not just this first one) !! 💗💗