Rue's Games

The Games That I Must Enter

I went straight to the dinner table, my stomach calling the foods' names. Thresh and I stay quiet the whole time while our escort babbles about Capitol couture.

"I mean have you seen the latest fashion statement?" She goes on and on for the next ten minutes.

I finish eating and go into my bedroom. I snuggle up, hugging the extra pillow in my bed.

I instantly fall into a dreamless sleep.

No nightmares nor dreams.

Perfect.

I wake up the next morning and stuff my face with different foods, trying to get full before the games. I chow down on some bread and then some stew.

I did something that I usually do.

Steal.

I grab a few extra rolls and put them in my pocket, running into where my stylist is.

I see a few Peacekeepers in there, waiting for me. They pull me into a chair and grab my arm. I feel a shot of pain go throughout my arm.

"Ah!" I whimper out.

"It's just a tracker." The man rolls his eyes, making me feel stupid.

After the tracker got put it the Peacekeepers left, leaving me with my stylist.

She's always adored me, and I don't feel the same way. She's just another Capitol citizen, loving the games.

She helps me change into a pair of tan pants, midnight black v-neck shirt, and a dark green jacket. Then I slide on a pair of brown boots.

My stylist spots the bread rolls and narrows her eyes, but she just acts like she didn't see it.

"I uh-" I started but she just wavered it off.

"I kind of guessed what kind of arena you'll be in..." She looked at me, changing the subject.

"Are you aloud to tell me?" I stare at her, wondering if she'll tell actually me the truth.

She shakes her head, "No it's actually forbidden, but I like you Rue. You have a lot of spunk, and I'm guessing that you will be getting some sponsors." She smiled.

Whoa. Sponsors actually sponsoring me? People actually like me?

I smile back, letting her know to continue her thought.

"The woods. Not too hot, not dry. It's great actually. Well...they might be changing the climate and weather on you. That's what they always do." She winks.

I grumble under my breath. Stupid Gamemakers, they always have to make it so hard for us to survive. I guess that's what everybody likes to watch. Except for the tribute families.

"Should I go to the cornucopia or go straight into the woods?" I blurt out.

"It depends...are you fast?" She smirks.

"Quick and nimble." I cross my arms, smirking at the idea that I might be the fastest tribute. That'd be quite the advantage for me.

My stylist leaned up against the wall, looking at her bubbly blue nails.

"I'd say that you go straight for a weapon or bag. The bag would help your natural survival, but the weapon would help you defend yourself from predators. Your choice."

I nodded. Everything I do in the arena will be my choice. If I go for a weapon instead of a bag with survival equipment in it, then that's my choice that I'll have to deal with.

I was about to ask another question when an announcement told us to get ready. I hugged my stylist and then went into the clear transporter.

I started going up the tube, waving to my stylist. She waved back, giving me a sympathetic smile.

She disappeared below me, and I descended up into the bright light. The fumes of leaves and the outdoors exploded into my nose.

I look down at a plate that I have to stay on. I was already told by Thresh to never move off it until it's time.

I look over at my competitors, all in a running position. Most of them have their eyes on the Cornucopia.

I see Clove staring at me and smirking. I know that I might die in the first day, but I have to have hope...right?

"10...9...8...7...6...5" I hear the announcer say.

I look over at a small girl,about 13, from District 8 run off her plate.

A huge explosion went off, and then the first cannon.

I gulp. The first victim of the games.

All the tributes sate at each other, totally off their game.

Without any pause, the count down continues, "3...2...1..."

Nobody runs, except for me.

Everybody is still confused on what just happened.

I grab two knives and a survival bag.

The two things that I needed desperately, I got.

So far so good...

By the time the rest of the tributes are entering the blood bath, I'm dashing into the woods.

I keep running until my legs ache. I have to get as far away from the tributes as possible, but I'm already tired.

I decide to climb a large mahogany tree and expose my contents of my bag.

Crackers, sleeping bag, jerky,water bottle half-filled, and a small emergency blanket.

Plus I have my two hunting knives.

So far so good...except I don't have my main thing...my ally.

I left Thresh. I have to find him soon.