The Hunger Games: The Flight of the Sawbeetles (male reader x josh hutcherson)

Chapter 1 - Would You Rather

I felt my hands clamp shut, forming tight fists as my eyes watched the screen attentively. I saw as she dashed through the rough terrain, a blur of a figure close behind her. My breath was shallow as the cameras tracked their every move, careful to film every moment.

I heard myself repeating stay alive over and over again in my head.

Please.

She dove underneath a large willow tree, climbing through the spaces between the narrow roots. The boy swung his blade at them, cutting the greenery with ease as he created his own path right to her. My eyes widened as he grew closer to her, the climax of the games coming to an end.

His screams of rage rang through the speakers while my hands went numb on my lap. I knew I didn't want to see what was about to happen, but my sight remained glued to the screen. My breath stopped as her foot caught on one of the roots and she fell down harshly, the glint of the blade raising over her head.

——————

Chapter 1 - Would You Rather

——————

"Have you seen how massive the bugs around here get?" I asked as we stepped off the deck, finally free from the hours of work they required from us. For a district built for the sole purpose of fishing, Mary and I were far from the best at it.

"I know, I've seen plenty on this trip alone," she responded as she followed close behind. I heard the chirping of crickets as we walked, filling the quiet air with a solemn ambience.

"Okay, would you rather dive into the lake during a snowstorm or work a full summer day with five sweaters on?" She asked smugly as we walked back home. I hummed a little and looked around at the barren street, dimly lit by the rows of street lanterns. I couldn't decide if hypothermia or heat stroke was worse.

"Work a summer day with five sweaters on." I responded as I turned to her. "At least I would probably survive that. Do you know how cold the lake gets?"

She laughed a little and spun the large branch she was holding like the blade of a helicopter. "That's true, I guess."

Work never got easier as the years went on, but I learned to be tolerant of the rough conditions we went through daily. It was fun, at least; Mary and I always make the most of each day, like we have been since we were kids.

"How about this: would you rather fight twenty rabid squirrels or a hundred sawbeetles?" She asked with a grin as she turned to face me. I pondered the question as she walked backwards, like she didn't have a care in the world. Honestly, death by twenty rabid squirrels sounds much nicer than having to endure a hundred sawbeetles swarming me.

They were an insect created by the capitol– some hybrid of a green june beetle and a scorpion. I've seen one up-close before; intimidatingly large with a thin stinger and small wings that resembled circular saws. Must be how they got that name.

We walked to the front door of Mary's house, a small home painted in a rich blue color, now faded with age. Our conversation quickly stopped as he turned to me.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow– good luck." She said as she walked up the steps to the porch. I was confused for a moment before realizing what tomorrow was. Reaping day.

"And may the odds be ever in your favor." Mary said, mocking a capitol accent as she swung around on the top step, facing me. I chuckled a little as I crossed my arms. She seemed excited for tomorrow, like the day before a field trip in elementary.