It was eerily quiet as I awoke - the only noise I could perceive was the soft crashing of waves. My light blue painted bedroom filled with light as I flicked my lamp on, getting out of bed. The small fish-shaped clock at my bedside read 5:00, which was my regular rising time; I liked to get up early to walk along the beach while it was still empty.
It almost felt like a normal day, but it stuck to the back of everybody's mind that today was Reaping Day. The day I'd been training for since I was 6 years old, and the day everybody else would dread because it reiterated the possibility of losing a family member. However, due to the infamous Quarter Quell, this would be no normal Reaping, as double the amount of tributes would be chosen. Once they've reached the Capitol and have had the tribute parades, the Gamemakers will split them up into boy-girl pairs regardless of district. This would be the only year that two victors could be crowned, and it was practically setting the Capitol on fire with excitement.
Pulling on a simple t-shirt along with a pair of tight black pants, I made my way to the bathroom so I could fix up my appearance. The mirror did no justice for the snarled caramel waves of my hair, nor the monstrous green bruise on my jaw. The Capitol stylists would have one heck of a job with me. Whilst brushing my teeth, I took in my light freckles, my emerald eyes and my sharp cheekbones for what could be the last time. Who knows what will happen at the Reaping?
As I left the house, it felt strangely chilly for an April morning in District 4. Luckily I remembered to bring my brother's old brown leather jacket, or I'd be forced to shorten my walk. It's an old, rough jacket - beaten up from constant use. Wearing it reminds me of when I was younger, and Evan would take me on walks down this route; it was his favourite thing to do before his life was taken in the arena. Almost every day my mind casts back to the sheer devastation I had felt, and the disappointment in my parents' eyes. Both of my parents had been Victors themselves, and they felt it necessary for us to keep up the 'family reputation'. Evan's death led to an overload of training for me, as well as it now being compulsory for me to volunteer this year - at age 18.
Finally reaching my cherished spot on the sand dunes, I gazed out across the horizon to watch the sun complete its escalation. It makes me feel calm; I can forget about anything and just lie there watching the sun as it rises into a place of tranquillity.
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Showering the salt water out of my hair snaps me back to realisation. As I scrubbed the sand from my nails, my mother, Delta, gave a sharp knock on the bathroom door.
"Marina, hurry up so we can have a recap of your training," she firmly demanded, no emotion in her voice whatsoever.
"Alright," I stonily responded, feeling no reason to argue or talk. Evan's death had broken the bond between my parents and I. We no longer felt like a family; they were too focused on my journey to victory.
As I dressed in my Reaping outfit, I was hit by a strong wave of emotions. A mixture of excitement and nerves mark the real beginning of the games. I was excited to see who I may be paired with, to put my training to the test and to see the Capitol for the first time. But, I was nervous that I would have the same fate as Evan.
Making my way downstairs, I pulled on a smirk and braced myself for the questions to come. Now was the time to see what I've taken in and what I haven't, but I know that I have undoubtedly remembered everything. From tying knots and starting fires to finding food and making weapons; we've covered it all at the Academy.
"Marina," my father, Caspian, gave me a curt nod which signals the beginning of my test.
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The air was tense as the whole of District 4 made their way into the square - some were ready for the arena, but some couldn't think of anything worse. Our district isn't as strict on training as 1 and 2, but we still have the opportunity to train at an academy. Once we had all registered and lined up, Effie Trinket took her regular place in the middle of the stage, and had two large glass bowls either side of her that were filled with our names - mine was in there seven times due to the fact I had not taken any tesserae.
"Welcome, welcome. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour!" Effie exclaims in the same way she does every year. "Today is the moment you have all been waiting for. As we all know, this year is a wonderful Quarter Quell, so four of you lucky children will be chosen to represent District 4 in the arena!"
"As always, ladies first," she makes her way over to the bowl on her left, not wobbling once in her obnoxiously high heels. Her hand lingers for a moment before she plucks two envelopes and scurries back to the microphone. "Yara Talise! Come up here, dear," a scrawny 13-year-old with auburn hair stands with her jaw agape, before slowly trudging to the stage. I know she wouldn't survive a minute in the Games, so I take this as my chance to do what I've been trained for.
"I volunteer as tribute."
Effie looks taken aback, likely because it took me so long to speak up. But after a millisecond, she waves me up onto the stage.
"What is your name, dear?" she asks, guiding me in front of the microphone.
"Marina Noelle," I confidently declare to the crowd, holding my head high with a smirk on my face. I may have a dark story, but I sure as hell plan on winning these games no matter who I'm paired with.
"Give it up for your first tribute, Marina Noella!" it feels surreal as the whole of my district gives me a round of applause. I'm not close with anyone because of my isolated lifestyle, but it feels amazing to have everyone know your name.
Eventually, three other tributes are reaped. There's Maxwell Tribulus, a stocky 16-year-old boy who I've trained with a couple of times. Then there's Zale Conway, a brutal 17-year-old boy who excels in hand to hand combat. Lastly, there's Cordelia Roman - the only girl my brother and I associated with back before we were sent to the academy; it was a well-known fact that they both liked each other, though. She shoots me a sad smile as she ascends the steps, but I steel my features and look straight in front of me. Effie picked a decent bunch of tributes to represent us, but there's no saying that I'd be paired with any of them.
As the crowd gives one last round of applause, I grow excited to show the Panem what I can do.
YOU ARE READING
Feathers - (The Hunger Games Remake) MARVEL
ActionMarina is a ruthless and fearless 18-year-old girl from District 4 who volunteers for the 75th Hunger Games. With her signature smirk on her face, she is confident that she can win. When Venus volunteers for his brother Marvel's place in the 74th An...
