Chapter 1

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There are hundreds of us. Ages 12 to 18, we're all herded up like cattle into barricades of rope. The stage is still empty. I think we're waiting for the mayor to come out and give his opening speech.

Today is the Reaping, where four of us, lucky us, will be chosen to compete in the Hunger Games. Normally there would only be two chosen, but oh, this is the 50th anniversary of the Hunger Games. This is special, and the Capitol intends to make the Games a larger fiasco than it already is. Hence, they're choosing twice as many tributes, meaning twice as many deaths. Again, lucky us.

The propaganda film telling of our nation's history is playing. It's the same one they play every year, so I can mostly tune it out. Long story short, we revolted, and the Capitol defeated us. So, in order to show they're still in control, they rewarded us with the Hunger Games. Twenty-four children, one boy and one girl from each district, are sent into an arena to fight to the death. The last one standing wins. We are supposed to celebrate the Games, and some do, because their children are saved yet another year, but two families, and this year four, weep over their children sent to an almost certain death. Not much of a celebration, if you ask me.

The film finishes, and everyone waits for the first name to be drawn. Effie Trinket, an ecstatic lady with pink hair that is surely a wig, and District 12's escort, steps on to the stage and addresses the crowd.

"Good day to all, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

She adds the emphasis on ever as always and begins to walk to the first bowl of names.

"As always, ladies first!" she says as she fishes her hand around in the pool of slips. "Eloise Adder!"

Eloise. The name doesn't sound very familiar, but when I see the girl walk on to the stage, I realize she's in my grade and that I never got the chance to know her. Well, it's a little late for that now.

"And, because of our spectacular Quarter Quell rule change, we get to pick one more lucky girl to participate in these games!"

She reaches her name into the same bowl again and draws out another slip of paper.

"Maysilee Donner!"

I've never heard of her. That's alright I guess, better someone I don't know so I don't miss them.

"And now for the boys...Haymitch Abernathy!"

Haymitch Abernathy. That's me. I hate them. I hate them all. I'm in the Hunger Games. I clench my fists as I slowly walk to the stage, and Maysilee and Eloise give me a slight nod, but they're clearly incredulous also. I don't even hear the other boy's name because of how shocked I am, but I see him walk up to the stage with a startled look on his face.

"And that's a wrap for today!" Effie says. "Happy Hunger Games!"

--

I sit on the velvet couch in the Justice Building, rubbing my hand over the soft fabric, and the goodbyes go by fairly fast, probably because of the oblivious state I'm in after having my name drawn.

My mother comes in sobbing, but all I tell her is that I love her and that I'll come back, which I really hope I do. She leaves without many more words, and no one else comes in for a while. I guess that's what years of being antisocial gives you.

Just as the door is closing, one last person comes through. Not to my surprise, it's Lark, my girlfriend. She's pretty alright, she always has been. Blonde hair, blue eyes, she's got everything. But sometimes I doubt she's in this relationship because she loves me for more than my looks or the attention.

"Haymitch," she starts, "you aren't going to win. And well, I can't be with you anymore...I wanted to tell you this a while ago but..."

"But what?" I growl.

"I have someone else."

And then she walks out without another word. I doubt she will ever look back. I won't care either way. I didn't mean anything to her, so I guess I'm moving on. I have to. I might not come back anyway, right?

The Peacekeepers come to escort me to the train, and in little time, I'm on my way to the Capitol.

Oh how I hate the Capitol.

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