The Hunger Games

The Beginning

'This years, District 12, lady tribute is, Selena Lovettí' silence, everywhere 'Selena Lovettí?' the circus dressed lady asks again, i stand frozen as everyone turns to me. I gulp as i get pushed forward.

"No!" i yell as i sit up, still in complete darkness. I dont get those types of dreams, dreams that involve the choosing ceremony. Carisma is actually old enough to be drawn this year, thats what frightens me the most.

"No stop! Stop!" the screams, high pitched and ear bursting, i jump out of my bed and run to Carisma's room. She is sitting up in bed, sweating and pale.

I got to her as she cries and wrap my arms around her, "shh, its okay Car, its okay" i continue to repeat into Carisma's ear, her breathing slows "you okay?" i ask her and she nods as she lets me go and lays back down.

"Will you sing me our song?" she asks me softly, i nod "Of course Car"
' Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when you awake, the sun will rise.'

***
I hear it, my stomach, it grumbles. I'm starving, I'm dressed and ready to head out. Past the fence, hopeful to find some food for Mom, Carisma, and I.

I walk outside, its gray and cloud as usual. Its the choosing ceremony today, my name is in there about 24 times, Carisma's should be once and who knows about Gale.

The crunching of leaves under my feet as i enter the woods makes me cringe at some moments, i reach down by a log and grab my bow&arrow. I than crinkle a few leaves to cover my scent a bit.

I spot a doe, perfect. I run along after it, about 10 feet away. I stop and shoot "No not the deer!" i hear someone yell behind me, my shot is way off. I turn around and see Gale and slap his shoulder.

"Gale, seriously i havnt seen a decent nice deer all year. Its the only food for my family" i say to him, he shrugs "watch" he winks, he bends down and grabs a rock than chucks it to a tree. Immediatly dozens of birds fly out. I quickly turn and shoot. Gale and I both laugh.

We walk a little farther ahead and sit down, i stare into whats ahead of us. "We could leave, you, me, car and my brothers and live here" Gale speaks, "Car? In the woods? I dont think so" i reply and he nods with a small laugh"your right"
"Plus, i couldn't what about my mom, our entire family? If we all left there would be suspicions"
"Who cares if people suspect things, it only matters if we're safe!"
"Gale, listen we will never be safe. Not as long as we live, safety is not an option"
"Alright, anyways look at this" i watch as gale pulls a small thing of bread out. It excites me "oh my god, is it real?" i ask as i take it and split it "i would hope so it costs me a whole squirrel" with that my smile fades

"How many times has your name been entered?" i ask Gale, he shrugs and shakes his head "I dont know maybe 47 to 50 times" he estimates, i bite my lip and nod "i guess the odds aren't exactly in my favour"

A large humming sound appears and the trees sway, we watch as the jet like machine flies past us. The ceremony.

"We have to go" i say and gale nods "alright", i stare at him than i quickly kiss him.

***
I'm walking around in the trading market, before i head home. I walk to an old lady and see something that catches my eye. Its a bird with an arrow, golden.

"What is it?" i ask her and she gives me a small wrinkled smile "a mocking jay" i nod as i wipe it "how much?" she waves at me "keep it" i smile as i hang onto it.

I walk into the house, i see my mom and Carisma. "Dont you look pretty, tuck your tail in duck" i smile as i bend down and tuck the tail of her shirt into her skirt. "I laid something out for you"my mother speaks, my stomachs turns and my throat gets dry "okay" i say as my voice cracks.

I go and wash up, scrapping and washing every inch of me. I get out and walk to my room, a denim blue dress lays there. I gulp as i stare at it.

My mother finishes pinning my hear, i hear a voice behind me "i wish i could look like you" its carisma "awe duck, you look better" i smile. I remember the pin, i take it out and pin it to carismas shirt "for good luck" i smile and she hugs me.

The sirens sound, its time to head down to the base of the ceremony. I grab car hand as we both breathe and leave the house, my mother behind us.

I've seen what happens in the games, there is no mercy. Its terrifying to watch, i squeeze car hand. She suddenly stops, and shakes her head "no"

I look around us "Car come on its only a small prick you wont feel it." i smile and she nods we move again "go to your age group" i say and point and she slowly walks over.

I watch her every step, i cringe as my finger gets pricked. I than walk to my group, i search and find Gale. We both smile towards each other.

Than the click of heels interrupts us all and the tapping of a microphone. The Choosing Ceremony has started.