Chapter 1:
It all started the day of the reaping, like it does for everyone else. I wasn't surprised to hear my bestfriends name called while District 4's escort, Odera, picks the poor victims name from those wretched bowls. Her name was Violet Drent. She was as beautiful as her name, and had light blonde hair with a necklace that reminded her of fishing. My name was next to be called. "Ulrich Hastings". I was strong enough not to cry in front of people, unlike Violet who made a scene the moment her name was announced. While Odera gave her dumb speech about the capitol and said the infamous slogan "May the odds be ever in your favor," Violet and I were dragged into the Justice Building, forced to wait to say goodbye to our loved ones. I couldn't believe what was going on. It was the 42nd Hunger Games and for the past 20 years, no one from District 4 had won. Like I had a good chance of winning. My dad came bursting through the door and embraced me. "Your mother would be telling you the same thing I'm about to tell you." "And that is?" "I know you can win." I think to myself how I could win. I was practically the only person in district 4 that wasn't the best at fishing. I actually knew how to do some things, but not throw a trident or skillfully catch fish like my dad did. I watch him get taken by two Peacekeepers while he screams that he loves me. That's it, I think to myself. That's the only person I need to say goodbye to. The thought was upsetting, but the less people I love, the thought of dying was more convenient. I didn't want that many people to have to have a loss. I am soon taken to this large black train where I am boarded like there is a huge rush. "Come come, there is no time to waste!" Odera is perky, just like all the capitol people. It annoys me, but I can't blame her. "I'm going, just don't touch me," I say while I shoot her a dirty look. She returns the favor with another dirty look, which makes me laugh because she did it in such a joking manner.
Chapter 2:
The train ride is smooth and fast. We arrive at the capitol within a day and we are nearly crushed with capitol people. We are taken to this building which I had no interest in taking the name in. I just know that I will receive a prep team and a couple hours later I will be riding a chariot with Violet in front of President Snow's mansion. "My dear Violet, you will be given over to Zania while you, Ulrich, will have the honor of having Garth as your stylist," says Odera in her fast-talking voice. I actually don't mind Garth. He is soft spoken and is polite, but still wears this freakish makeup over his eyes. Hours after he helps me into my costume, I am in a suit with electricity buzzing around Violet and I while our chariot stops in front of Snow. President Snow is a sadistic man who cares nothing about Panem. He reads us this stupid thing that reminds us why we are standing here and all that bull crap. After the chariot ride is over, Garth and Zania lead us to where we will be sleeping. I take a look around the apartment and find myself completely impressed. "It's exactly how I imagined it would be," I state out loud. Violet nods in agreement and we feast for dinner minutes later. After dinner, I go straight to my bedroom. The only thing I can really think about while trying to fall asleep is that this will be the last bed I may ever sleep in before my ultimate death.
Chapter 3:
Since we are from district 4, we do not have to take a long time in the elevator to reach the training center. Violet gives me this uneasy look like we have alrady entered the games, and I can feel the pain in the air. I begin my training at the knot tying station. It actually takes longer than you expect to tie a knot, as it takes me over an hour to finally master tying a simple knot. I go over to the archery station after i clean up at the knot tying station. It goes alright, if I say so myself. It isn't like its my talent, but I'm not that bad. I go over to the axe throwing station after I finish with my archery. The district 7 boy is there, and I can see he already knows how to use an axe. I try to learn from how he throws it and uses it, but I can tell that this will be my last resort weapon. I spend alot of time at the spear and knife throwing station. I can throw both weapons with ease and I can tell the other Careers are lucky to have me. There is one thing I don't want to tell them though, and that is I may not want to be a Career, unlike district 4 tributes. I make my way up to the apartment 5 hours after I begin my training. I rest up before eating dinner. It is filled with everything you could imagine and I go to bed that night with a full stomach. The next couple of days are the same, with me and Violet going to train and coming up from training to eat dinner. Finally, on the 7th day, we are being prepared for our interviews. But I am not prepared for what is about to happen.
Another story you guys! I know, I only published my first story yesterday, but I have been working on these plots for weeks and decided to release some of them at the same time. Along with my Divergent story, I plan to post some more chapters tomorrow and Tuesday. Thanks for reading!
