The Ninety-First Hunger Games

Chapter One

Finnick

"Finnick Odair." The dreadful words were spoken. Right away, I know that no one will volunteer for me.

I don't even know why the Capital people even bother to ask. But they do.

I slowly walk up the stage, face held high because I know this will be played all over Panem. Having ADHD doesn't mean I'll survive. 

Now the Treaty of Treason. Sooooo long. All I can think of is how my mother will survive these Games.

I shake hands with the female tribute, who looks about thirteen. Her name is Alice. Alice Taylor. Our eyes lock. We have a silent agreement. Even though we don't know each other, we will not kill each other.

After the anthem, we are immediately taken into the Justice Building.

Because both of our parents were rebels. Most people that lived through the rebellion were. We are assigned rooms. I walk around the room feeling the velvet, sit on the couch, and bury my head as I think of the horrors we might face in the arena.

Of course, my mother comes to visit me first. She enters and pulls me up into a tight, tight hug. I hug her back, as this might - no it will be the last. We say nothing. But I let go first because she's choking me. I pry her hands off me to stop an even earlier death.

I snuggle my face into the spot between her neck and head and try to stay strong for her. Because I know she'll cry tonight. I don't cry. There will be more cameras in the train station. It will take two days of crying for me to act like Johanna Mason. Her strategy was to appear so weak, and no one bothered her until about eight tributes were left. And getting people to believe that I am a weakling will be completely mad. Only a complete idiot would believe it. My father was Finnick, for goodness sake.

But I know we only have a few minutes left, so I get on. "Mom -" I say. "No," she cuts across. She presses something to my hand. "Here's your token. To remind you of home." Tears threaten to spill as I look at my hand. It's a necklace. With trembling fingers, I pry it open, and inside, I see a picture of my mother on the left, and my father on the right side. Pictures with my father are rare.

Then, a Peacekeeper signals our time is up. And I know that no one else will come. I cling on to the locket and give my mother one last hug. My final reminder of home.

A/N: My thanks to the people who voted the prologue, I'll never forget this, thank you so, so much! :) 

Lots of love, Jeesicay