The 69th Hunger Games

-Chapter 1 -

I sat in the wash basin slathering my hair in homemade shampoo. My family couldn't afford much, even though we are one of the most privileged family's in district 4. The shampoo smelled of sage and lavender.

While soaking my hair, and immersing myself on the silky, though still salty water, I forgot. It was the morning of Reaping Day. I started to feel hot. I was scared, only a 13 year old girl about to see herself or one of her friends be thrown into an arena full of 23 other tributes and have to kill, or be killed.

It wasn't fair.

Once my hair was dried, clipped up in my usual fishing do, a high-set ponytail clipped up by what I like to call, a crab clip. I dressed in a turquoise, flowing shirt and a pair of Bermuda shorts embroidered with patterns of seashells. On Reaping Day, we children eligible were to dress up nice, but I refused to wear the dress my mother had set out, I hate dressing up nice. I wish I could wear my sea green and turquoise ocean camouflage tee-shirt and my Bermudas. But no, you have to look nice for your slaughter.

" Atlantic, it's time." My mother stood in the door way.

"Ok," I replied absently. I looked into the mirror and sat down on my bed, inhaling the salty smell for what might be the last time. I picked up an old fish stuffed animal from when I was 3. Fisher, I had named it. I still slept with him. Babyish, I know, but who cares. I don't like it when people tell me what to do. I'm one of those people. I ran my fingers through my caramel colored hair. Ok, Atlantic, pull yourself together.

BONG!! BONG!! The town bell rang. I was early, I was already in the square. Holding on to my brothers hand. He was a tiny male replica of me. I'm glad he wasn't eligible for the reaping yet. He was only 7 years old, and a great net weaver.

" Atlantic, I love you." His blue eyes, identical to mine looked up at me, taking me in like he was his last sight of me.

" It's ok Fish, I won't be in the arena. My name is only in there 3 times. 3 in thousands." I squeezed his hand one last time before the Capitol lady who announced the tributes who would participate in the games each year stepped up to the microphone. Her hair this year was bright pink and and she wore a mermaid dress completely made of yellow fish scales. She looked like demented rainbow trout. In her annoying Capitol accent she exclaimed

" Ladies First!"

Tottering in her ridiculous high-heels she thrust her hand onto the huge, crystal reaping ball. Her hand found a suitable slip and she tottered back to the microphone.

" And this years female tribute of District 4 is... " She opens the slip.

" Atlantic Quicksilver "