𝓲 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 | 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓞𝓷𝓮

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓞𝓷𝓮: 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰

Every year this day comes round. Every child between the ages of 12-18 dress up fancy. This is just a stupid act to 'impress' the capital. 'Aww, look how cute they are wearing satin dresses, about to go and offer up their lives in our honour. So wholesome.' The Hunger Games makes me sick. It makes everyone's hearts heavy except the capital. I mean, 24 kids battling it out for their survival, is...tough. 

It hurts even more, hearing little children being ripped apart from their mothers. My little brother, Jackson, stood next to me shiftily. He was thirteen, so he knew what the reaping was like by now. The only difference this year is that it was almost certain that he would be called up. His name was in the bowl a lot. Let's just say, he didn't mind misbehaving on occasion.

As we walked through the crowds, I grabbed his hand and gently placed a bright, blue, glass bead in his hand. He looked up at me before putting it in his pocket. He was nervous, everyone was.

We went into the queue to sign in. I glanced down at my finger as I felt a fine needle stab at my finger and a jewel of blood fell. 

"Next"

My brother slowly walked up to them, putting on a brave face. He shivered slightly as they pricked his finger. One thing to know about Jackson, he is extremely scared of blood.

_.~*~._

"The first tribute, of the 67th Annul Hunger Games is..." I slowly began to accept that it would be Jackson and I could do nothing about it, "Jackson Days." My brother crept up the stage a pale white painting his face. I wished that at that moment I could volunteer for him, however one girl and one boy go from each district. I had no other choice, but volunteer for whoever the girl was. That way I could protect him. 

I glanced other to the Peace Keepers, who seemed to be changing the names in the bowls. It  was obviously either President Snow's doing. What else could make the games that much more exciting other than a sister and brother having to fight it out for survival. 

"And the second tribute, of the 67th Annul Games is...Charlotte Days." Surprise, surprise. I walked, my head raised high onto the stage. If we wanted a chance at survival, then we needed sponsors. No one would probably be interested in District 9, but the least I could do is be confident. Show the capital they can try and beat us, but still be beaten.

_.~*~._

We had been separated and escorted into two different cell-like holding chambers. We were allowed one visitor each. No one came for me. I was hoping at least Jason (my older brother) would give me some tips, after all he was a hunter. I knew mum would go to Jackson. He was younger then me after all. 

Two Peace Keeper escorted us onto a train, heading straight to Panem. My brother curled up on the seat hiding his face. This was probably going to be one of the only times we didn't have cameras constantly shoved in our faces. Whilst I was longing to do the same, the most valuable idea would be to make a plan. We hadn't been assigned a coach yet as there weren't any living  victors of District 9. 

I walked along the train into a very small room. It was a tight space but big enough for a couple of people to fit tightly. I was doodling on a napkin I had grabbed of of our trains table, when I heard a crack at the vents. I looked towards them and saw one being unscrewed. Then out from it I saw a boy pull himself out. He looked like a tribute probably. 

He had brown messy hair and fern green eyes. I glanced down to his rosy red lips that were smirking at me.

"Your starring." He said coolly.

"I'm not...I wasn't. I mean. I was just surprised." I stammered.

"So...whatcha doing?" He grabbed my piece of paper, looking at it. It had little doodles of roses drawn on it,"Interesting." He tossed it to the side. I noticed a fancy crucifix necklace round his neck. 

"You know it's rude to stare. You need to learn some manners." He muttered before getting up. I felt my checks warm up and looked down as he walked out. He needed to learn how to knock before appearing and accusing people of things that were very much required in that situation. 

I looked at the paper again and noticed a scribbly cross amongst some roses. When did he even draw that? Had I really stared at him for that long?