Let the 25th Hunger Games Begin

The Train Ride

I was leaded, walking on the grey cement ground, into a long, silver train. I stood there in awe, basking in its beauty. A Peacekeeper shoved me onto the train. I stumbled into the long, iron lined carrige. Crimson drapes hung over crystal clear windows, light pouring lazily from it onto the soft furniture. Chandeliers constructed of glass hung delicately, illuminating the rest of the room with its soft orange glow. Leather seats and polished oak tables were set, pristine and neat, along the wall. Abstract paintings mixing orange and yellow hung from the walls, adding character to the dull walls. But none of this beauty was what caught my eye. Laying on an expensive marble bench were trays and trays of food. Crispy breads with soft fluffy insides lay on a bed of rice; a fruit plater of oranges, grapes and other plants unfamiliar to me were stacked in a tower; and several plates of, well, a solid batter shaped as cups decorated with white paint and sprinkled with sugar.

Sugar. Back in 9, sugar would only be available to those who grew it or whoever could afford it. There were only 6 sugar producers there, and prices were around as high as 12 Tokens for around one small pouch. To get an idea of how much that is, one dress is worth 1 Token and 5 Pieces- pieces were like 1/10 of a Token. We would only ever receive a wage of 5 tokens per week. Of course we couldn't live off of that. It was illegal to own a person garden- for that would make us strong and healthy enough to not rely on the Capitol. We would receive only a portion of the food from 4 and other districts in return of clothes, as most of it went to the Capitol and the leftovers shared between us. But after my parents died for rebelling when my brother was entered in the 19th Games, and when my 13 year old brother died from being strangled, I was forced to live off the Black Market.

I was left in the lonely side of town, where Peacekeepers ignored. I inherited one of the many old wooden huts to live in after my loss. In the ruins of the house next to mine, I created a garden. It took months, but I finally brought some carrot seeds, stole some pomegranate seeds from a Peacekeeper whilst he was sleeping on the job, passions fruit seeds exchanged for some silk robes I wove, lettuce seeds from the Market and my own Kelf seeds. Kelf was a seed invented in the Capitol for the Games- it was made to look like grass, but was actually packed with nutrients and was sweet and sucukent. It was thick and literally melted when it touched your lips. It was later removed and discarded as Tributes couldn't tell the difference between grass and Kelf. Who could blame them? They were exactly the same except they were thicker, but you don't notice these things when you are being hunted down by 23 other Tributes.

Hunger takes over me and I lunge for the bread. Bread was rare, and fights even broke out over them when it was avalible. I clutch my clean fingers around the delicious roll and rip some off. The buttery warm taste is enough to send me to heaven. My other Tribute, Keil, just stands there in awe. Who was to blame him? The food present in front of us was roughly the same amount of food we would receive in a week- knowing that this was the equivalent to one meal is incredible. I walk along the golden rug to sit down on one of the chairs. Eventually Keil gives in to the temptation and grabs one of the solid batter. He calmly walks down the isle and sits next to me. Uncomfortable, I shuffle over to the rights a bit. He turns to me and his voice comes out rough.

'How unfortunate,' Keil comments. 'How we were picked. But then again, the Capitol is unpredictable.'

I don't respond. Keil lets out what seems like a sigh and a laugh.

'So, sweetheart, why were you voted to die? I mean, me being the trouble maker I am...' He scoffs. Sweetheart? Who did he think he was? Keil was 16, but not very mature. I wait and realise that he won't finish his sentence. Slowly I decide to respond.

'I have no one.' I say it bluntly and clearly. Keil blinks. I repeat, 'They reaped me because I have no one.'

'Why-'

'I don't have a family. When my brother Jacob, from the 19th Games, was reaped, Mum and Dad were executed when they started a riot. As for Jacob...' A gentle tear ran down my pale face as I remember. Remember the torture I went through that month. The torture that turned into a burden for the rest of my life, which would soon end. We are silent. The clicking sound of the mechanical door alerts us. I glance behind me to find an unusual sight. A tall man, clean and shaven stood proudly in front of us. His greasy hair, dyed sea blue at the ends was neatly laid into waves. His bright hazel eyes matched this, along with his long green eyelashes. I stare at the clothes that he wore. A silky tail coat with long sleeves that reached the floor trailed behind his legs, wearing jet black leggins. The tail coat, instead of having the silk going one way, crossed randomly in an attempt to look "unique".

Right after him, a young, beautiful, athletic and tall woman walked in. It wasn't make up that made her beautiful. She had natural beauty, a rare beauty. She radiated confidence and charisma, yet she was delicate and fragile. She wore a golden vest over a grey long sleeved shirt, along with black jeans. She wasn't just a woman from our District. She was a Victor. Comparing her clothes to mine, I start slightly blushing in embarrassment. Her long, brown hair trailed along her back, layered and clean. Victors always got the special treatment compared to normal citizens.

'Children! Welcome, welcome! I hope you have enjoyed your time here, yes?' The man happily cried, failing to get us excited. After a short silence, he clears his throat.

'Well then. I am Mecilli, your director and organiser throughout the post-game events. And here is your Mentor-'

'Opal.' I blurt. Mercilli ignores this.

'Now I need to speak to the President's secretary to inform him you two are indeed present. I look forward to these next few weeks! Ciao ciao!' He giggles, waving goodbye as he exits the room. Opal rolls her eyes.

'Capitol folk,' she sighs. Opal then directs her attention to us. 'As you may both know, I am your Districts winner from the 16th Games. I was reaped at 14, and have been called upon to mentor for the past 9 years. Hopefully this year we have another winner from this District. ' she pauses. 'I know your pain, children. You are both determined to win, to return home. And although this is a stupid concept, until one rises we shall need to go along with it.' As she says this she bites her lip. After this she claps her ands, scaring us.

'Now! Do any of you have any skills?'

Keil speaks up.

'I'm brilliant with a sword,' He boasts. 'My three brothers and I always trained. We would duel at lunch and sometimes accidentally hurt the teachers.' Opal looks puzzled.

'We're you allowed to fight with weapons at school!?'

'Nope.' Keil finishes, smiling, as if that explained everything. Opal just laughed. Turning to me, she asked:

'And you?' I don't respond.

'She refuses to speak much.' Keil says. I glare at him.

'I can throw knives.' I whisper. Opal smiles gently and leans in. 'Once at the Market, a man stole my basket of food, money and silk. I grabbed a nearby knife and when he turned the corner, pinned his jacket onto the wall.'

She leans over to us and kisses us both in the forehead. I flinch when she kisses mine.

'I wish you both the best of luck. Within the next week I will help you both as much as I can.' And with that, she leaves.

Keil sits there in shock. I scoff, stand up, grab a sugar covered batter and reach the door. Keil stops me.

'Hey sweetheart, can you pass me a roll?' He calls from his seat. I clench my fists. Instead of reaching for the rolls, I grab a knife, spin around and throw it at him. It just misses him and stays in the wall behind him, because the throw was so strong.

'Don't you DARE call me sweetheart one more time.' I hiss. Full of anger, I leave the room.

Author's Note

I hope you guys liked that chapter! There will be one released each day! Comment your thoughts, ideas, or constructive critisism. What do you guys think will happen next? Tune in tomorrow for the next chapter!