Once Upon A Hunger Games

Chapter One

Belle:

Today was the day. The day of the Reaping. I was seventeen this year, so I had one more year to go after today. I couldn't wait until next year, when I could finally be free. The weight of the Reaping would be lifted off my shoulders. I am considered good at fighting I suppose, but I could never hurt anyone.

I live in District Seven, so my talent lies with an axe. I chop wood quite a bit, and I throw axes at trees, so I'm good at it, but I could never imagine hurting anyone with it. Once I was free of the Reapings, I would be able to live out my own life. I have to admit, my nose is always buried in a book. I am the baker's daughter, so I have read about every cookbook in the house. Father says that I am a good baker.

Anyways, I put on my everyday blue dress and headed down to the town square. When I got there, a sample of my blood was taken. I had learned to accept it over the years, but it was much easier with the thought that I would only have to do it one more time. 

After they were finished taking our blood, I walked into the center of the square. I stood with all the other seventeen year old girls. I took out my book. I wasn't really into all these events. I read until the ceremony began. Verona Chilin, the District Seven's escort, started her yearly speech. I had already memorized the speech, just like everyone else had, so I looked at what she was wearing. 

Her hair was white and aqua, and it shimmered in the light. She had "natural" long eyelashes. The dress she was wearing was dark red, and it matched the color of her lips. I lost my attention with her and went back to my book. It was pretty small, so that if something happened, I could tuck it into the small pocket in the front apron-type part of my day dress. I continued reading. I was at the most magical part in m book. The princess had just discovered that the beast was in fact the prince. Of course I had read it before, but a book reading once is always worth reading again. I stopped as it suddenly became quiet.

"Belle French." I heard Verona say. My eyes widened. I slowly raised them from my book. Everyone was looking at me. I gulped and closed my book. The girls around me parted, and I put the book in my pocket. I slowly walked up the stage. I stood next to her, and she moved on to the males. 

"Rumpelstiltskin Gold." She said with a surprise. Rumplestiltskin hadn't had much luck when it came to his parents naming him. He was the son of the town crook, Peter Pan. No one really knows why they have different last names, but everyone knows about them being father and son. He was eighteen. He walked up to the stage and stood next to me. He was known as the town coward. Weak. He was supposed to train as a Peacekeeper, but he broke his leg so he didn't have to join. I sort of felt sorry for him. Then I realized that I was going into the games too.

Verona finished the ceremony and led us into the Justice Building, where we would say our final goodbyes. I walked into my room and my father appeared. He pulled me into a long hug. When we parted. He began to speak.

"You may not believe it, but I know you can win this. Follow the strategy of Johanna Mason. You're good with axes! Please try! Now that your mother's gone, I can't loose you too." He finished.

"I promise I will try father." I replied. I hugged him one last time before the Peacekeepers came in to take him away. Then they led another visitor in. Gaston. Gaston practically owned the town. He was eighteen. All the guys wanted to be him and all the girls loved him. Everyone thought I was crazy because I didn't swoon at the sight of him. He walked in and I turned my head.

"Gaston?" I asked, puzzled.

"I had to say goodbye to you. I hope you win." he said. He then put on his most dazzling smile. I smiled back, and he was escorted out by the Peacekeepers. I watched as they left, then Verona came in the room. She brought Rumplestiltskin and I to the train. It was the most luxurious place I had ever been in. Verona made herself at home and sat at a table. Rumplestiltskin sat at the table too, and I followed. 

"I am going to introduce this year's mentor, Johanna Mason." I remembered her. She  had the strategy of pretending to be weak and she was overlooked. When there were only a few people left, she showed that she was actually ruthless and excellent at throwing axes.

"Johanna, this is Belle and Rumplestiltskin." Verona told her. Johanna looked puzzled when she heard Rumplestiltskin's name.

"If you don't mind, I usually go by Rumple or Gold." He said.

"Okay then. What are you both good at." Johanna asked us. I looked down. Rumple looked at me. He sighed, then started to speak.

"I am pretty good with a spear," he said. "I throw them at trees too mark which ones to chop down, and I hollow out the sap with them." he offered. Johanna thought about it in her head and nodded with approval.

"How about you Belle?" she asked, turning to me. I lifted my head slowly.

"Are you good with anything?" she asked me impatiently.

"I'm okay with an axe." I said.

"She's better than okay. She is excellent. Everyone in the district knows it, but she just doesn't like to brag." Rumple said. I looked at him.

"Is it true?" Johanna asked. I nodded, turning back to her. 

"Now I can work with you two. You both already have something you're good at," she said to us. "And you Belle, I think you should use my strategy. You have it going for you. Be weak until the games, then show that you have the power of a victor."