The 61t Hunger Games

Chapter 1

Lucilana(Lucy)'s POV

After breakfast, I walked to the room we keep cattle in and started milking my favorite cow, Way.  I named her that because she produces milk and we are in the Milky Way galaxy.  In our district, District 10, we keep livestock for milk, meat, hide, and more valuable goods.  In my house I took care of cows, Rose had sheep, Arabelle had horses, Janelle had chickens and Jeremy had pigs.  Ma and Pa had the worst job, cleaning the whole house.  As I milked and pat Way, I started to think of how violent the Hunger Games are.  I had seen a boy rip the arms off of a little girl as if she were a rag doll.  The Games are cruel and sickening, my stomach churning every time I watched them.  I heard Way moo and let go of her, as I had been strangling her from fear.  "Luce, are you okay?"  I heard Arabelle ask.  I nodded and started to milk a different cow, seeing as the bucket for Way's milk was overflowing.  Arabelle left, and I finished milking all of the cows.  I brought the milk into the large refrigerator and walked outside to the marketplace.  I looked at the different stalls trying to find something that would calm my nerves.  A woman beckoned to me.  I cautiously walked to her, looking at her stall the whole time.  She smiled at me and said, "Little one, how old are you?"  I told her my age and saw a tear slip from her eye.  "I was in the Games once.  I lost an arm and a good friend.  I do hope you do not end up in the Games."  I smiled at her and grabbed her hand.  "There is a small chance I will be chosen.  My name is only in the choosing once."  She let go of my hand and said, "I was the victor, but I didn't hurt anyone.  The last person to die ate a nightlock berry.  Say, if you are chosen, have your family come here."  I nodded, smiled, then ran off.  When I reached home, I could see my family watching tapes of the Games. 

~//~

I woke up a month later on the day of the Reaping to see Jeremy at the side of my bed again.  Jeez, you'd think I was dying or something.  "Lu, get dressed.  Ma wants to talk to you."  I dressed myself and walked to the family room.  Ma was sitting on the armchair with tears dry on her face.  "Ma,"  I called to her.  She looked at me and said.  "Luciliana, I need you to make sure you don't cry if you get picked, okay?"  I nodded and told her what the old woman told me to tell her.  She smiled and nodded before we heard the sound announcing the Reaping.  My siblings and I walked to the Justice building, bumping into a few geese along the way.  We signed in and stood watching as our 'Reaper' Kanono walked onto the stage.  He started to speak in his Capitol accent, "Hello District 10, Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!  Now, you will see the usual video."  As the video played on, I looked around at the other 12 year olds and saw bored and frightened faces.  "Now we will chose the female tribute!"  Kanono interrupted my thoughts.  I stayed scared as I heard the name called.  "Ella Xielan!"  My heart dropped at the sound of my friend's name.  Ella has a serious disease and could possibly die right there.  I started running toward her and called.  "Nonononononono!"  She saw me and shed a few tears.  I grabbed her arm and said, "She has a disease!  I volunteer!  I volunteer!"  I could hear my mom sobbing wildly as Jeremy held her back.  Kanono smiled.  "Well it appears we have a volunteer!  Luciliana Streiti, am I correct?"  I nodded.  Then he announced that he was going to pull the male tribute's name.  Once again my heart sank as I heard the name.  "What a sad turn of events.  Our male tribute is Jeremy Streiti!"