The First Hunger Games

The Rebellion and Delight

For too long, they had controlled us. Forced us to do their work without anything in return. The districts finally reached their breaking point and the rebellion began. District 13 led the other districts in the war for our Freedom and Independence. It looked as if we were going to win. Then in a turn of events, the war swayed in the Capitols favor. Upon realizing our ultimate standing in the war, district 13 abandoned the rebellion. The Capitol quickly defeated us and to ensure our loyalty the Treaty of Treason was created. The treaty stated that every year each district shall present the capitol with a male and female tribute between the ages of 12 and 18. These tributes will be placed in a public arena where they will fight to the death until one tribute remains. It will be known as The Hunger Games and will be broadcast all across the nation as a reminder of the Dark Days.

District 1

Delight sat on her bed combing out her long white hair. She looked out her bedroom window and stared down into the busy streets below. Further beyond the window, she could see the stage, cameras, and lights being set up in front of the Justice Building. She styled her hair into an elegant braided look and sighed. She stood and made her way to the mirror hanging on her wall, staring at her reflection. The blue and white fabric of her dress brushing against her hand as she turned to admire herself. "Delight," her mother called coming up the stairs, she peeked in through the door, "It's time Sweetheart." Delight took her mothers extended hand and let her lead her downstairs into the parlor. She was immediately greeted by the arms of her father.

"My beautiful baby girl, don't worry too much, it's bad for the complexion," he said. "I doubt you'll be picked, there are thousands of girls in 1." Delight looked at her father lovingly, he always managed to calm her nerves.

"Thanks, daddy, I hope you're right." With one last hug from her father, Delight and her mother exited the mansion and slowly headed towards the Justice Building. When they arrived at the building, a peacekeeper pulled Delight's mother away from her and escorted her and a few other parents to the area farthest away from the stage. Delight was pushed into a line forming in front of a table. When she got up to the front a female peacekeeper asked for her hand. Delight complied and put her pale hand in the woman's grasp. The woman took what looked like a pen and put it to Delight's finger. She was momentarily shocked when she felt something prick her delicate skin. The woman took the pen away and pressed Delights finger on to a box on a white sheet of paper. Delight watched as the woman held a small metal machine over the crimson blood, a second later the machine beeped and the woman ushered Delight passed her. She looked around, unsure where to go. A few feet away from her a peacekeeper was shouting orders to the large group.

"15 YEAR OLD'S OVER HERE, 16 YEAR OLD'S OVER THERE, 17 YEAR OLD'S BEHIND THEM AND 18 YEAR OLD'S IN THE BACK!" Delight made her way through the crowd over to where the peacekeeper had said 17-year-old's should be. She was pushed into a line with the other 17-year-old females by more peacekeepers. When everyone had been signed in and organized the mayor walked onto the stage.

"Good evening lady's and gentlemen, welcome to the first ever reaping! As you know, today we will be selecting a lucky young man and woman to participate in the first ever Hunger Games. We have a very special guest from the capitol here today to select our tributes! Please give a warm welcome to Jewel Coleman," When he'd finished speaking, a woman with bright blue hair in a geometric dress made her way up the stairs to the stage.

"Hello there! Before we begin, we will be watching a video brought to you from the capitol!" Jewel moved to the side and the video began.

"War, terrible war. Widows, orphans a motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land. Thirteen districts rebelled against the country that fed them, loved them and protected them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained. And then came the peace, hard-fought, sorely won. A people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born. But Freedom has a cost. When the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation we would never know this treason again. And so it was decreed that each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage, and sacrifice. The lone victor bathed in riches would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness. This is how we remember our past, this is how we safeguard our future." Delight couldn't believe what she had just watched. How could the Capitol sit there and say that they were in the wrong! Before she could finish her raging thought, Jewel began to speak again.