Promise the Night- The 25th Hunger Games

Chapter 1- The Announcement

"As this year is the Quater Quell, we have to follow rules set for us by our forefathers. Inside this envelope are the instructions for this year's Games."  President Snow paused a moment to open the yellowed envelope, "To remind the Districts that it is their fault that the rebellion occured, the children from the Districts will vote on who will enter the arena."

A stunned silence filled the crowded room in which I was standing. The television was shut off, as the teacher announced, "Class dismissed." I glanced around at my classmates, who hastily averted their gazes. Quiet mutterings filled the classroom. My so-called "friends" backed away from me slowly. I sighed and turned away.

I used to be the most popular girl in my grade, but everything had changed one day. I still didn't get why it was such a big deal, but according to the others, it was such a "bogus" thing to do that I was almost instantly shunned.

I turned quickly and walked out of the school. I instantly relaxed as the salty scent of the sea came upon me.  Just as I broke out into a run, heading toward the sea, a hand reached out and grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to come to a sudden halt. 

I turned around in a huff, annoyed to be stopped. "Apol- Oh." 

Mr. Mapleread stood there, slightly apologeticly. "Sorry. I guess you were expecting someone else?"

I nodded, slightly embarrassed by this unexpected attention. Mr. Mapleread was the youngest and most skilled teacher in our Acadamy. Not to mention that he was frickin' adorable. 

"Well, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I just want to say that I'm sorry. If I could do anything to take it back, I would."

I hastily looked down. My embarrassment turned to anger. How could he possibly know? There were no teachers in the room during The Moment When Everything Changed.

"I know what the Quater Quell is this year. I also know that-"

"No! You don't understand at all! None of my friends will so much as look at me any more! What was I supposed to do? He was...." I paused for a moment. "How do you know anyways? There were no teachers in the room, was there?"

He grinned for a second, revealing dimples that flashed across his cheeks for a brief moment. "That was what you were supposed to think. The fact that he did what he did proved he was a good tribute. And when-"

"Look, I'm not going to talk to you about this right now. I've got to go." I took off at a run, my long hair flowing out behind me.  My feet took the familiar path easily. They took me to the run-down part of town; the part of town that most people avoided unless absolutely nessasary. Sinister eyes watched me as I flew down. Normally I wouldn't dare come here alone, especially near the end of the day, but I had my daggar at my belt, so I felt relatively safe. Even if I didn't have it, I would come here anyways. I would do anything for Thatcher. 

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Do you like it? I know its vague, but it's supposed to be. As you notice, we haven't even learned the main character's name, or what she looks like. Sorry if it's short!

Also, the picture on the side is of Mr. Mapleread, a.k.a. Alex Pettyfer.... His first name is Asher, by the way :)

~MockingJ