104: The Games (A Hunger Games Story)

Chapter One

I sit on the train and think about what had happened, my life, along with my sister Clover's life, will change forever now and there's nothing we can do about it. I think about the Reaping, the memory forever in my head, the purple skinned lady had called out "Clover Flake." And I could remember that sinking feeling, like something was falling inside of me. "Clo!" I'd screamed. "Rowan!" she yelled,tears streaming down her face as the peacekeepers escorted her to the stage. I knew what I had to do. My sister needed me."Now, now, let's not make a disturbance out of this," The purple lady, Diamond Charm, said. "Now for the male tribute." I looked at Clo, and realization spread across her face. "Don't do it!" she yelled. Diamond put her hand on Clove's shoulder and said, "Hush child, now for the male tribute"

She put her hand in and picked a slip of paper. "Percy Jack-," she began. "I volunteer as tribute!" I yelled before she could even finish. Percy, the boy chosen looked at me and smiled. I looked at him, and managed to smile back. Then, I turned my back on him and walked to the stage, my heart pounding in my chest. "Rowan, we don't stand a chance, I don't want you to die!" Clo had said to me. "Shh, I'll protect you," I said loud enough for her to hear, and that was it, my sister and I, District Seven tributes in the 104th Hunger Games.

Now I sit on the train, thinking of what's to come. I go over to Clo, who is sitting quietly in the corner. "Clo, I know you're scared, but remember, you're a good actress." "So?" she asks. "How will acting help me win the Hunger Games?" she demands, close to tears. "Remember, it's a reality show, make the people in the capitol like you, and you'll get sponsors, which will give you the advantage." I say, hoping to reassure her. "Oh, yeah," she says, brightening up. "If you play the cute little girl, you'll go far." I say to her, but I'm not just trying to convince her, I am trying to convince myself.

My sister is cute,and can play the part, but she can also kick ass. In school, she had punched a boy in the face for laughing at her and had knocked out his tooth. It may seem like we're hopeless, but there are worse tributes from worse districts. I know we can survive at least a few days. And, if we are the last two left, I'd kill myself in a heartbeat. My sister would try to do what Katniss and Peeta did, but I doubt that would work. In the 74th hunger games Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the 'Star Crossed Lovers' of District Twelve, were both the victors of the Hunger Games. They were the last two remaining and were both going to swallow poisonous berries so neither of them had to live with guilt of killing the other. Of course there can't be no victor, so they both won. This might work for us, but the Capitol might be prepared for that to happen again.

I stand up and walk over to Clo, who is looking out the window at the forest rushing by. District Seven is one of the farthest districts from the Capitol, about 1500 miles away. We would pass by Districts 5, 9, and 2, picking up the tributes from those Districts. But again, we have to pass through District Two, and pick up, ugh, the Careers. The Careers were tributes from Districts One, Two and Four and they train all their lives to be in the Hunger Games. The Careers volunteer as tributes. They often form alliances, which isn't always good, as they have to kill each other in the end.

I start to see the hilly forest of District 7 flatten out in the distance, which means we are about to get to District Five. I get excited, although I don't know why. I guess it's because I've never been outside my District. Clo gasps as we see the terrain get flat in all directions. and I'm also amazed at how beautiful they are.

It starts to get dark. Diamond never told us where we sleep. I start to walk out of the train car when I see Diamond down the hall, "Oh, um, Diamond, where do we sleep?" I ask her. She laughs and says, "Oh yes, let me show you to your rooms!" We walk down the train and we enter the other train car. She leads us to to huge doors with beautiful patterns engraved onto them. Clo and I each get our own rooms which were pretty simple to be honest. I was expecting a little more decoration but I guess it didn't really make sense since we were only staying for two days. I walked into my room feeling like royalty because now I could have a room to myself. Back at home, my sister and I had to share a room and it was pretty uncomfortable because we didn't have a soft mattress and the bed was pretty small. I sit down on the massive bed that has the softest pillows and mattress. I lie down for a while thinking about how my life might be after I step off the pedestal. All I know is that I have to protect Clo.

My mom died when were very young, and our dad was a neglectful alcoholic, so we only have each other. Back in District Seven, Clo and I actually worked sometimes so we had enough money for food. For tesserae, I entered myself 10 more times. Because I was 15, my name was entered 5 times automatically, but with 10 more slips with my name, my family got more food. I didn't let Clo enter her name any more, but what was the use? She got picked with 1 slip in.

I get up and I explore the room for a little bit. There is a drawer full of clothing that is all my size, surprisingly. There is also a mirror and for once I actually look at myself. My messy blonde hair is dirty, having barely ever showered, and my baggy, hand-me-down clothes are hanging off my underfed body. I go over to the closet and pull out a plain white shirt and a pair of khakis.I change out of my filthy clothes and I feel like an angel in these Capitol clothes.

I hear a knock on my door and open it to see Clo in a plain yellow dress with a thin brown belt. "And here we have our victor!" I say cupping my hands around my mouth. She giggles, and tickles me. Ow. "You have a closet full of beautiful Capitol clothes, and you chose a white T-shirt and jeans?" she asks as she helps me up. Both of us sit on my bed, "why would I want to dress like Diamond?" I ask, laughing. Clo laughs and says, "may the odds be ever in your favor!" In a ridiculous accent. For now, we are having fun, even if soon we will be fighting to the death.