Ascendance: The 99th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 8

District 1 Reaping

Adjusting my dress, look in the mirror, my bright red hair in braids on the top of my head. This is my day. I'm volunteering for the 99th Hunger Games. I quickly fix my dress one last time before saying goodbye to my parents and walking out the door.

My dress is a dark, ruby red like my last name: Rouge. Bright red sapphires make a cascade down my dress, shimmering when the sun hits them. The fabric is lower cut and reaches past my knees. I feel like a princess, a murderous one.

I happily make my way to the towns square. I'm so excited that I got chosen by the trainers in District 1 to volunteer this year. I'm only 17 years old and most careers are 18 when they are allowed to volunteer. Being in the Hunger Games is a huge honor. I'm going to make my district proud. And most importantly, my family.

My brother volunteered for the 94th Hunger Games at 18. He won. My parents have always pushed me to be the best and live up to my brother's legacy. The Rouge legacy.

I've been training for this day since I was 3 and learned how to throw a knife. Ever since then i've been inseparable from my trusty throwing daggers.

As I make my way to the towns square people cheer and congratulate me for being nominated to volunteer.

"Congrats Rhea!"

"We know you'll do great!"

"District 1 is winning this year's Hunger Games for sure!"

After being pricked, I walk over to the 17 year old girl section and stand next to my best friend, Jade Opal.

"I can't believe my best friend is going to win this Hunger Games!" She says excitedly.

"You better come home!" She says half jokingly and half worriedly.

Jade has always been worried about me volunteering for the Hunger Games since her brother died 10 years ago in the 89th Hunger Games when we were just 7.

"Don't worry Jade, I'll make it back home." I say, making her smile.

Our mayor introduces our escort Sapphire Vera. She's been an escort for our district for over 20 years.

"Hello District 1!" She says. "It's the 99th annual Hunger Games!" Then she goes on about how the Districts rebelled against the mighty capitol and how the Hunger Games were created.

She ends with: "May the odds be ever in your favor" She says.

"Now for the girls..." She plucks a name out of the reaping bowl full of tributes.

"Ame-"

"I volunteer!" I scream.

Sapphire smiles. I make my way up to the stage, my heels hitting the concrete on the way.

clip clop. clip clop.

"Wow! That was quick, what's your name young lady, and how old are you?" Sapphire asks.

"I'm Rhea Rouge, i'm 17 years old, and i'm going to win this year's Hunger Games!" I say.

District one cheers.

"Well good luck Rhea, I'm rooting for you!" Sapphire says.

I smile and take a seat. Sapphire moves towards a different bowl full of boy names.

"Now for the boys......" she reads off a piece of paper.

"Wes-"

"I volunteer!" Says a boy from the crowd.

Wait- that isn't who was nominated to volunteer. Jasper was supposed to... A boy starts walking towards the stage from the 17 year old section. His dark hair bouncing as he walks, a smile on his face.

Oh my god.

No. No. No.

It's Victor Myron. My enemy.

The crowd boos, no one likes when you don't follow the rules. I frantically look around for Jade. We make eyecontact, both of our eyes wide.

This was NOT supposed to happen.

I can tell Sapphire is disgusted by him. She puts on a fake smile and says,

"What's your name, and how old are you?"

"I'm Victor Myron, I'm 17 and I'm going to kill her" He points to me.

What the hell?

The crowd gasps. I'm taken aback.

"As if, you weren't nominated to volunteer. On the other hand I was. You're pathetic." I spit back.

He smirks at me and sits down on the chair next to me.

I look straight ahead, breathing heavily. My fists are trembling at my sides next to me.

Victor slowly leans over, "I can handle you any day sweetheart." He whispers in my ear, smiling.

I turn around and punch him in the face. Hard.

That'll wipe the smile of his face.

The peacekeepers pull me off of Victor as I tackle him to the floor. I punch him again. I raise my fist in the air, covered in Victor's blood. The crowd is chanting my name as the peacekeepers restrain me. I smile as Victor fails to wipe the steady stream of blood coming out of his nose.

"Rhea! Rhea! Rhea!"

Sapphire quickly says our names one last time. Then both Victor and I are dragged into the city hall, leaving the deafening roar of the crowd behind.