𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 -- 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗢𝗱𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗿

PROLOGUE

Gladiator

prologue -- Silas' pov

"What if my name gets reaped?"

"It wont."

"It wont Viccy..."

"But what if it did?" her figure faced me. The sun casting a glow over her features and the ocean wind lightly brushing through her copper hair making it shine. Victoria Bone... My younger sister and one of the only thing keeping me together on reaping day. Her and my brother Wyatt then.

Reaping day. A day the intirerdy of the districts resented. Yet, it was treated like a holiday by the Capitol. All the workers would get the day off and kids didn't have to attend school. Pretty logical that the kids would be off the hook.

You've survived last year, you can do it again. Then just 4 more years and I'll be free.

"Victoria, the only way you'd be reaped was if you'd volenteer and you and I both know that's a stupid thing to do." Wyatt reasured her. At least I hope it did. It was her first year so her name was only in there once. She thought our names were too but during the winter, Victoria was starving and Wyatt was too sick to hunt so I got some food and medicine but my name was put in 10 more times. Wyatt's name got put in more for protesting when someone was being whipped in the town square. He's lucky he didn't get hung.

"What about you guys?" Vic asked, "Aren't you guys scared? What if you are reaped? What then?" Wyatt met my gaze. Ofcourse we were but we couldn't tell our little sister that. Well that's what I thought. My smart big brother chose a different approach.

"We are. All the kids are. But I promise you that if either one of us gets reaped, we'll come back to you, okay? We'll fight for our lives for you." he smiled at her. He handled that pretty well actually.

"He's right, Vic. We'll never leave you."

She nodded her head with a faint smile on her face. Victoria knew her siblings couldn't make that promise.... but still she clung to it in hope that they could come back if one of them was reaped. And if one of them had to go, the other would still be safe in district 4....

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

I held Victoria's hand in my own as Wyatt, her and I walked across the bridge to the city square. Our district was actually really pretty, most of it being islands or little towns build in the ocean with huts connected by rope walkways. I wish I lived there or could move there. I knew someone who used to spend their days there. I haven't seen them since their victory....

We walked along with the crowd. By the pace you could sence that not everyone was excited for today. I was one of them. As we aproached the crowd already in their capitol designed positions, I grabbed Wyatt and dragged the pair to the edge of the flock. I kneld down to Victoria's level,

"We all have to go stand over there in order of age so you go stand in the front. Find Bail. Go to her. We'll see you after, okay?" I told her and she gave me a knod. I smiled back. As I rose to my full figure, Wyatt gave me a worried look which I returned, hoping Victoria hadn't noticed.

I grabbed my brothers hand one last time and gave it a squize before he let go to stand with the older boys. I walked further down the aisle with Vic before I had to let go. I gave her a warming smile which she returned as I joined the 14 year olds and I witnesed her taking her place next to Bail.

She's safe.... we're all safe.... we'll make it out....

"Welcome!" the voice of Aura Hevals drained all hope from my body. She was a nice person over all but her voice haunts my nightmares every night hearing Wyatt or Victoria's name getting reaped.

"To the 68th annual Hunger Games! Let's not beat around the bush and start the reaping. As per usual, ladies first"

Not Vic. Not Vic. Not Vic. Not Vic. Not Vic.

"The femlae tribute for the 68th Hunger Games will be...... Silas Bone!"

Well it's deffinatly not Vic...

"Silas where are you sweety?" Everyone around me started to back away as if I had a dangerous disease. If only they'd done this in school. At least I would have been left alone. "Ah there you are. Come on up darling."

My legs took over. I couldn't think straight. I searched the crowd for Wyatt and I locked eyes with him. His were filled with shock and fear for his little sister. Mine beared the same look. I made my walk of shame to the podium and I stepped up the stairs with a fearfull expression, tears threatning to break free but I wouldn't let them.

When I reached the microphone, Aura asked, "How old are you honey?"

"14." I blankly stated back, not daring to make my eyes land on Victoria right infront of me. I heared a breath hinge behind me and I slightly turned around to find Finnick Odair with his eyes closed and face turned away from the crowd. I never took a liking to him but I knew he was also reaped at 14 so it must have a little effect on him seeing another 14 year old being doomed for the slaughter.

"And now, for the boys!" Aura walked over to the woven basket and took out a folded piece of parchment. She walked back over next to me and read the name out loud,

"Wyatt Bone."

My heart stopped. It was one thing for me to be sentenced to this. But not also my brother. I had all control over whether I lived or died. I couldn't help him or save him. One of us was not coming home. One of us would not be there for Victoria. Or maybe even non of us....

Wyatt calmly approached the stage and I finally dared to look at Victoria. She was staring right at me with a single crystal tear running down her cheek. It almost made me tear up myself but I had to stay strong for her.

Wyatt had taken his spot next to Aura and I could see the redness around his eyes indicating that he had whiped away the tears from before in a hurry. "Now Wyatt tell me, how old are you?"

"17."

"And I believe that this is your sister, correct?"

"She is." he chocked out, looking me in the eye.

"Well I wish you both the best of luck. Everyone, the district 4 tributes for the 68th annual Hunger Games!"

I'm so sorry Vic....

Remy talks:

Why hello there! So I decided to write another book even though I rlly need to update my other ones. (sorry) But anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and are excited for what's to come! I love you guys have a good day/night!

Wordcount: 1142