The Hunger Games

Chapter 1

          I wake up cold to the bone. I’m shivering as the freezing cold mountain air from the night reeks its way into my room through tiny cracks in the walls. I look out my window. The moon is beginning to set, as the sun begins to rise. I am worried, upset, and nervous. Today is the day of the reaping, where the Capitol will chose one girl and boy from the ages twelve to eighteen to compete in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live television, which everyone is required to watch. I am only twelve, and this year is my first year. I dearly hope I’m not going to be chosen this year, for the 195th annual Hunger Games. Every reaping, I would have nightmares about being chosen, starting when I was younger and still learning about these Games. I get up out of my bed, and slip on my hunting boots and a green shirt with black pants.

          Midnight, my pitch black kitten with piercing green eyes looks at me as I get dressed.

          I smile and pick her up. I still remember the first day I got her, about two months ago or so. I was out late hunting in the forest. I heard a meowing from the distance. I walked up and found her. She was a new born, estimated to be about two weeks old probably. I picked her up, and mashed up bits of the fish I had caught and gave it to her. We grew fond of each other over a period of time. At first, my parents didn’t let me keep her, said they couldn’t have another mouth to feed. But I begged and begged, till they finally let her stay. I take full responsibility for her, and I always have.

          I walk out of my room grabbing my bow and arrows and a few of my knives, and a basket so I could put my kill in it, and walk into the small living room, and notice my little sister; Kati, who is still only ten years old, has left some milk and bread for me on the table. I grab the items and walk outside, and head off to the forest.

          I live in District 12. I live in the part nick named the Seam. I live there because my family is pretty poor, and my father is a coal miner. Around the district, there is an electrocuted fence to keep up from going into the forest, which is illegal. But many people risk it if they have weapons, or know how to kill with their bare hands. I can use about any weapon, including my hands. Except, I’ve never killed anything with my hands. Only beat up other kids. I get into fist fights at times in school, whenever I actually go, and it teaches people to not mess with me. As I get to the gates, I make sure it isn’t on power. District 12 doesn’t have much electricity, so the power lines don’t give off electricity much. Only for about three to five hours a day, sometimes not at all. I examine the fence, and it doesn’t make any humming sound, which means it isn’t activated. I slip through the broken parts of the fence and run into the forest, hoping to catch some game before I meet up with Danny.

          Danny is my best friend. He is one month older than me, which also makes him twelve. He’s been my friend since school started when we were very young. He is my only friend and he has never left my side. He has strong muscles, thick black wavy hair that covers his eyes sometimes and deep dark brown eyes. Not a typical Seam like kid. My family and his family, along with a few others here is the Seam stand out. Most Seam kids have slick black hair, olive skin and gray eyes.

          Once I get into the forest and to the usual place where Danny and I meet, I shoot two birds, one rabbit, and three squirrels with my bow and a few arrows, and put them in the basket, and wait.

          “Hey Katharine,” A voice says behind me a few minutes after I have sat down.

           I look over seeing Danny. “Hey Danny,” I say as he sits down next to me. “Kati gave us some milk and bread. I also shot some meat.” I place down the bread and milk and then the basket, and take out a squirrel. Danny breaks a piece of the bread off, and eats it, and hands me the other piece. I start a mini fire and cook the squirrel. Danny then takes his knife, and cuts up the squirrel when it is done cooking. I eat my share of the bread, and drink some milk.