The Capitol Games

Chapter 1

I hug my mother extra hard. "Don't worry. I promise I'll be okay. Even though my name's in there 28 times, I probably won't get reaped."

It's Reaping Day again, the most dreaded day for the Snow family. Since we are the direct children and grandchildren of the infamous President Snow, we have to ener our names double the amount as everyone else.

It isn't fair, but then again, for the Capitol people, nothing's fair.

I hate Panem. I hate the Capitol. I hate President Paylor.

"I know, it's just... the Snows have gotten lucky, my Scarlett. Too lucky. They might rig the Reaping."

Tears cloud my eyes as I realize that they probably will do that. I wipe them away and still try to look brave. "If they do do that, then we'll have reason to rebel," I say, trying to put hope in my voice.

My mother looks alarmed and covers my mouth. "No, no, absolutely not," she whispers, glancing around the room like there's someone listening to us. "Don't even think about rebelling against the Districts. They're too powerful, there's too many, and they overpowered us in the past. They will do ot again in a heartbeat. This is our punishment, because we used tp do this to them."

I sigh. It's true. But I still like to imagine a life in the Capitol like it used to be, with warm showers and endless food and a life of eternal luxury.

Before the Districts rebelled. Before the Capitol Games. Before Katniss Mellark ever existed.

I make my way to the Capitol Square, a small area where all the shops are and the meeting place. There stands the petite woman who picks the names: Sara Toffle.

"This is the 40th Capitol Games! Welcome, everyone! Let the Reaping begin! And may the odds..." she winks, at me I'm pretty sure, and I scowl back, "be ever in your favor!"

"Ladies first," I mutter under my breath, mimicking Sara's next lines.

"Ladies first!" she says, and grabs a name. I hold my breath, praying it won't be me.

"Scarlett Snow."

Great. Just great.

A sickening feeling in my stomach is created, twisting and writhing inside me. I walk up to the stage, wishing I could look a bit better.

Sara gives me a sympathetic smile, and ushers me to the center stage. I stand there, with tears stinging in my eyes.

"Our next female tribute is..."

Sara rattles off a bunch of other names I don't recognize in the slightest. I've never gotten to know any of the girls in my grade, so therefore I have no friends. Besides, no one wants to be friends with a Snow.

There's only one person...

"And here are our twelve female tributes!! Let's give them a hand," Sara says, and a few claps cpme from the audience, for sympathy and sadness. I cast my gaze down so no one can see me cry.

"And our first male tribute is..." Sara names the male tributes. But one name stamds out... and I can't help but look up with horror in my eyes.

"Sam Rellier."

Not Sam. Please not Sam. Not him...

Sam comes to the stage, looking a bit nervous but otherwise perfectly fine. I can't help but smile as I look at his perfect blonde hair and his deep brown eyes. I wonder what's going on in that head of his. I wonder if he's as scared as I am.

"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for our Capitol Games tributes!!" Sara exclaims with way too much enthusiasm. I hope that the Capitol was this ruthless to the Districts 40 years ago.

I don't remember much after that. I go to the Justice Building with the other tributes. I don't remeber much until visiting of family and friends.

"Hi, Mom," I say, squeezing my sobbing mother.

"I'm so sorry you had to do this, Scarlett, I'm so sorry, I should have protected you more, I should've..."

She trails off. I shake my head. "There's nothing you could do, Mom. The Districts are cruel and heartless. There's nothing you could do..."

I hug my mother one last time. She whispers in my ear.

"I pove you very, very much. Please come home. Do whatever it takes... even if you have to rebel or cheat."

My heart pounds faster and louder when I think that. Rebel... against the people that rebelled against us 40 years ago? We would be history. Literally. The Districts would mmake is seem like very bad people. They already make us seem like bad people, even though they should have just killed us or whatever instead of making is live through this. I do try to pay attention in histpry class and see the District's point of view, but it's really hard.

Nothing I do can stop them. I can't make a difference.

My dad comes in. He gives me a hug and a pep talk, nothing special. He's always been distant. People say he inherited Snow's cold heart. I believe that there is someone deep inside him though. I believe he isn't completely cold-hearted.

Soon, way too soon, I'm on the train, ready for the Districts. District 12 will host the Tribute Parade this year. It's their turn. District Twelve is the richest, most luxurious of all of them, so we're in for a treat.

Although all of them are pretty equal, though. District Twelve just has a lot because Katniss Mellark lives there. She's the one that started everything. She's the one that ended my grandfather's reign... and put me in this hell.

"Honey, why are you seething with anger? I know it's the Hunger- I mean, the Capitol Games, but usually the tributes are sad."

I mentally groan when I hear the voice of Sara, but I plaster on a fake smile. "Sorry. I just have a really bad... cramp, and I'm geimacing from the pain." The lie easily slips through my mouth. I guess it's in my DNA.

I know I'm related to a person viewed as horrible. But I think Snow was just misunderstood. He can't be that bad.

We reach District Twelve soon. We get off the train and are brought to our stylists.

"Scarlett, meet Darla, your stylist."

Darla smiles at me to reveal perfect white teeth.

"Let's dress you up all pretty for the Tribute Parade! We want to give you lots and lots of sponsors!" she says cheerily, like life is just a big game of dress-up.

"I do have a beautiful outfit, though. You'll be the star of the show!"

Well, maybe I can get sponsors with her stupid outfit. Maybe, just maybe, I can survive.