A Cloveniss Tale

Chapter 1: The Reaping

I woke up to my father screaming from downstairs to get up. He was always loud but that's what I liked about him. It was Reaping Day and I wanted to look good so I picked out my best dress from my wardrobe. This year would be the year that I volunteer. For sure this time. I had finished my training, as I started early at the age of 12. You see in Career Districts, you are sent to train (or go willingly) to make something out of yourself before the games. It takes about three years which are split into different categories. For example, Year 1 is all about conditioning, like running, weights, and sparring/boxing. Year 2 teaches you survival techniques such as fire-starting and building shelter. Year 3 is the best, it's when you choose your weapon, and with the weapon you choose, you train with for the rest of the year. See with me, though, I chose to spend an extra Year 3.

I'm 16 now, and scared out of my wits but I wanna make my District, but most of all my family, proud. My Dad had won the games before and then the year after his victory was my Mom winning.They met in the Victors Village. My brother and I was the result. But now you see, I come from a line of victors. Now that I'm old enough everyone looks to me for this year's Hunger Games. And I won't disappoint.

I quickly put my dress on and make my way downstairs. I'm greeted by my Father standing somewhat proudly at the door. He was a peacekeeper now. My Mother waits beside him not looking any less intimidating. She wasn't a peacekeeper but she worked for the mayor. My brother was probably at the Reaping already. We aren't suppose to acknowledge him.

"Ready?" My Father asks.

I nod my head. "Yes, sir."

He nods his consent and then opens the door. My Mother first then me and my Father closely behind. He closes the door and we walk away from our Capitol-styled home. We walk until we arrived at the lines where the children needed to check in. I stopped as my parents do.

"This is the year Clove, you've trained for this. Now's the time to volunteer." My Father says as he's eye level with me.

I nod at every word he says. My Mother smiles next to him.

"You'll do great. I expect you to come back home now."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good, we love you. Now, uh, off you go."

I stood there, looking at them, memorizing their faces in case...well you know. I sigh heavily and with 20 seconds of courage I jump in line. It took me a few minutes to get to the front but when I do, a woman pricked my finger and set my fingerprint on an official Capitol paper like every other year. I'm then logged in and accounted for. I was veered off to a section for 16 year olds where I'm suppose to wait. After everyone had gathered the Mayor came out and said a few words. He then left the stage, for the escort to take place, Clint Delrose.

"Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the 74th Annual Hunger Games!" Everyone clapped. This was a big thing. People have literally killed just to volunteer. I hope I didn't have to but if it must be done.

"Now, as you know we must pick our 2 tributes. Remember,  for those who are called, wait until they get to the stage before you volunteer! Let's begin, shall we? Ladies first!" Clint walks over to the huge bowl with the names of every girl in District 2 between the ages of 12 and 18. He plucks one from the huge stack preferably the middle of the bowl. He opens it up slowly. Around me, the crowd is silent. They're tensed to hear the name. Clint reads the name first to himself before walking to the microphone.

"Ahem, Fern Sullivan?" Everyone looks to the girl who was called. All watching her slowly go up to the stage. I saw her once in the Training Academy. She was only 12. She wasn't ready. Of course someone will volunteer for her. That someone being me. The girls were all silent respecting the one wish of Clint. But as soon as she got to the stage two voices shouted, "I volunteer!" One of those voices was mine. I glared at the other girl who had shouted the same thing. She had graduated the Academy a year before me. I would have graduated in her class but I wanted more time.

Her name was Sally Daniels. I hated Sally Daniels. As soon as we made eye contact we sprinted to the stage trying to outrun each other. It was easy since we were in dresses. I saw she was gonna win. So I did the craziest thing that came to mind. I launched at her and tackled her. She turned to glared at me but I wasted no time and sent an uppercut to her lower jaw rendering her unconscious. I immediately got up so the peacekeepers could move her. I dusted my dress off and went forward onto the stage.

"Quite the hassle?" Clint asks.

I smirk. "Nope."

"Tell us your name, volunteer." He says into the microphone.

"Clove, Clove Kentwell." I say loudly. I could see my Father clapping and my mother giving me a thumbs up. A few of my friends were clapping too.

"Alright, moving on." Clint moves to the opposite huge bowl from the girls. He picks a slip from the boys' bowl and reads again for himself before saying the name in the microphone.

"Miles Winter?" He asks.

A somewhat buff boy with brunette hair comes out grinning. He was pretty tall and had an intimidating shape. I swear I will do whatever it takes to win though. As Miles gets on the stage he dares anyone with his eyes to volunteer. Looks like he's in it to win it too. That when somebody does dare to defy Miles.

"I volunteer!" A proud voice speaks up over the occasional claps. Miles starts to look angry, until he sees who it is. It was Cato Hadley. He was a 17, hunky, tall, and muscled blonde. He graduated before me 2 years ago. I've only seen him with other older kids like my brother. All the girls throw themselves at him. He's not Prince Charming, geez. I however, do not like him. He's a real jerk even though he's never been directly mean to me.

Miles slowly walks off the stage, defeated. He wouldn't fight Cato. It was obvious who would win. That said, Cato walks past him grinning as he walks straight to the microphone yelling, "Cato Hadley!" His friends including my older brother were cheering. Idiots.

I roll my eyes and look towards Cato. He winks at me an it took everything not to roll my eyes again. I look away.

"Alright this way!" Clint ushers us into the Justice Building.

My family entered the room I was stationed in so I could say my goodbyes. I hugged my Mom and Dad. I wouldn't look at my brother. I was taught not to. Actually it's a thing in the Career Districts. Even though I was younger I am now ranked higher than my brother. Even if I die. He's now the black sheep of the family. Let me explain.

My brother is 19 now. At 12 years old he was sent to train and graduate at 15. At 16 he's supposed to volunteer. But he didn't. Nor was he reaped. Nor for the next 3 years after that. So essentially he didn't even try for the Hunger Games. It's frowned upon if you don't try. He wasn't the only one out of the whole District but he was in my family. From now on he's disowned in a way of some sorts, like the others, in my District, in their families. He did give me a funny look but I ignored him. I'm the poster child in the family now. My parents faces showed that they were proud of me. Those were the faces I saw as the train left District 2.