The Story of a Career

Chapter #1

My name is Elvira McCartney, I'm 15 years old and I live in District 2.

Every one in school calls me weak, so since they started, I've spent every hour after school by training.

My mother was victor of the 36th annual Hunger Games. She was 17 then, and now 21 years later she is still as beautiful as she was then. She taught me and my brother, Eric, archery, spear throwing, to fight with a sword, knife throwing and self defense. Swords are my weapon of choice.

She taught us all this, in case we should get reaped. But she has no idea of what I'm intending to do.

To volunteer.

I need to show those bastards from school that I'm worth something. That I'm able to do something. To fight.

I might be small, but I am a fighter.

I'm ready for this.

I'm in my bed. It's 7 o'clock. I should get up now, I think to myself, It's reaping day.

And it is. Today I'm going to volunteer.

I get up, take a shower and put on my usual reaping outfit; a Blue dress from my mothers victory tour, a black ribbon in my hair and black shoes.

"Are you ready? We have to leave in ten minutes." my brother askes.

He is wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. He's only one year older than me, but he looks like an 18-year-old.

"Yes, lets go." How will he react when I volunteer?

We start walking. My mother will come later, since she doesn't have to sign in.

We are at the Square now.

"I'll see you later." my brother says.

"See you later." I say, and walk away to get signed in with the other girls.

What he doesn't know is that later means inside the Town Hall, when he and mom will say goodbye to me.

I join the 15-year-old girls, and then the reaping starts.

After the mayors long and boring speach, our escort Silveene Abraham walks to the microphone and says her usual "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

And then "Ladys first!"

She walks toward the bowl of girls names, draws a slip of paper and then silence.

I clear my throat to make sure that my voice wont be shaky, when I volunteer.

Its now! Now I am going to show them how strong and brave I am!

"Elvira McCartney!"

I'm just about to volunteer when I realize it. It was me!

Wait... no. NO! I was suppose to volunteer, not to get reaped! This wont make me look brave at all!

I'm so frustrated and confused that my breath get heavy and fast.

Why me? Me of so many!

Since no one volunteers for me, I deal with the situation and walk to the stage.

I can neither see my brother nor my mother in the crowd. Are they crying? I will never know.

"And now for the boys!" says Silveene.

She walks to the other bowl and picks a name.

"Chris Miller!"

I dont recognize the name, but I do recognize the voice that yells out: "I volunteer!"

He is one of Eric's friends from school. Pretty silent as far as I remember.

He walks to the stage. Tall and skinny.

"What's your name?" Silveene askes

"Ethan Wilson." no one would have heard him if it weren't for the microphone.

"Very well," Silveene says, "our tributes from District 2 for the 57th annual Hunger Games! Elvira McCartney and Ethan Wilson!"

We shake hands and then Silveene walks us to the Town Hall, and the doors closes behind us.

I'm ready for this.