savages.

one.

Freya

Growing up in District 12 wasn't the most fulfilling of lives. The inhabitants were essentially the lowest of the low, with families starving daily and work remaining scarce. Nonetheless, this was home, and for Freya, it was all she'd ever known.

Each day was the same; she'd wake up, argue with her family in some way, and then leave to collect the limited food that they could be supplied with. This morning, though, was different. It was the morning of the reaping, a day which cast dread upon each and ever citizen of the district.

Freya was quieter this morning, taking in the somber faces of her family as she slipped down the stairs. It was her brother's first reaping today, and since she was 16, it was her fifth. Her name was in that god damned glass bowl five times, as well as how ever many times she had signed her name down for more food for her family in exchange for another slip with her name to be selected. She hadn't wanted to initially, terrified that one of those extra signups would actually count and she'd be selected, but as time passed, she decided feeding her family was more important.

Gingerly, Freya entered the kitchen, watching as her mother silently sliced some bread for her brother. "Good morning," she greeted tentatively, eyeing her clearly distraught mother, unsure of what else to say.

Her mother didn't even look up as she set the bread on a worn out plate, pausing for a moment. "Good morning," she finally responded.

Anxiously, Freya took a small step forwards. "His name is only in there once," she stated, her voice gentle and uncertain in a way.

Her mum's entire body seemed to tense at that. "I know," she deflected. "It's still hard."

Freya knew her brother wouldn't be able to take it in those games. He'd cry whenever she'd so much as swat him over the head, so god knows he wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of a killing game. She didn't say that, though; she didn't want to cause any more stress for her family.

After a moment's hesitation, Freya picked up the plate and set it in front of her brother, who was staring at the table, shaking his right leg out of nerves. She slid into the seat across from him, nudging him with her foot and earning an irritated look in response. "It's never as bad as you expect. Plus, your name's only in there once, and practically everyone's name is in there multiple times," she reassured him.

Or tried, at least. Her brother simply tore apart his bread, likely not feeling able to stomach it. "Jack, come on-"

"You don't get it," he muttered, cutting her off. When she simply stared back in confusion, he sighed and continued; "People like you; they'd volunteer for you. There's no one who'd do that for me."

Oh. Shaking her head, Freya leaned closer. "That's not true, Jack. No one ever really volunteers here, and you know it, but you've got the lowest chance possible, and that's the best possible position to be in. You'll be okay."

There was a brief period of silence, before Jack shrugged. "I guess. I just wish we weren't born here. If we were in one, or two... we'd be safe, right?"

The question hung in the air for a few moments as Freya processed his words. "Maybe." She sat back, running a hand over her face. "But we were born here, and it sucks, but that's how it is."

With that, Freya rose to her feet, figuring she had to change for the reaping. Her conversation with Jack lingered in her mind as she slipped into the same dress as last year. It didn't quite fit, but it was all she had.

When she thought about it, there was a huge chance she'd be picked. The thought had almost slipped her mind each time she'd return to sign up for extra food, but now it was there, staring her dead in the eyes as a reminder of her potential demise. The Hunger Games weren't just some sort of insufferable leisure time; they were games of life and death. Coming from District 12 gave Freya a horrific chance of winning; the district had only won around three times, the last being around twenty years ago. District 12 were poor, and weak, and weren't raised to murder like other districts. If she was selected, Freya would basically be dead instantly.