Anonymous

Announcement

I shuffle my feet forwards, mindlessly obeying the barked commands from those dressed in the white armor. Peacekeepers, they're being called. Everyone's dressed in plain clothes, wishing they were at home on their day off.

I wish I was at home. But I don't have one. I've been living at the children's home, as the mayor has no idea what to do with me.

I don't have plain clothes. Just a ruffled purple dress Mrs. Tallwood gave me for school and work. It's an improvement over the rags that they found me in, though, so I can't complain. Flat brown shoes to go with it, and a pair of stockings with only a few holes. I'm learning how to stitch them.

I stand stone-still as the announcement starts, unsure of where to look. The Justice Building, as Mrs. Tallwood calls it, has our mayor fidgeting next to a giant screen.

Whispers go around about the nature of this meeting, and most rumors seem to agree that it involves the rebellion. But the peacekeepers move through the crowd, silencing all with turns of the head. Everyone's terrified. I'm not, and I know I should be, but I can't figure out why. The peacekeepers have power, yes, but I'm not sure why they do. Maybe today will explain this to me.

Music plays, and a symbol comes up on the screen. It's a bird gripping arrows, and a small C is at the bottom.

A face of a young man appears, and he begins to speak. "It's been nearly a year since Panem took the drastic measures to end the rebellion. One year since one district chose the fate of their citizens, one year since Panem was forced to send firebombs to District Thirteen. Now, to remind us all that the power and glory of Panem cannot come without a cost, it has been decreed that each of the remaining twelve districts must offer up one young man and woman to make the ultimate sacrifice. The rebellion of the districts nearly destroyed our great nation. So, now as a reminder, on the anniversary of the end of the rebellion a new tradition shall begin. The Hunger Games will commence, winning will mean fame and fortune and losing will mean certain death."

The screen shuts off, but the crowd's growing horror continues to rise. I'm left in confusion as the crowd begins to surge towards the peacekeepers, but they raise their guns in warning.

The district begins to disperse after a few minutes, and I walk through the market on my way back to the home.

I haven't been there very often. Just a walk through to get to the square, and one before that on my way to the mayor's house. Mrs. Tallwood has an early curfew, and it's not on my way to school or work.

No matter. I won't be living there much longer. Once I get the hang of things, I'll be issued my own apartment. Until then, I help Mrs. Tallwood.

I slip upstairs, pretending I don't see the looks I get. But I'm a mystery to myself and everyone else. I don't blame them for being curious. I slide open my window and climb up to the roof via the fire escape. I'm not on the top floor, so I go quietly on my way up. If someone else sees me, they might tell Mrs. Tallwood. I don't know much about District 8, but I'm fairly sure that building climbing isn't allowed.

I sit on the edge of the roof, dangling my legs over. Heights don't faze me.

I try to remember something, anything. But there's nothing, only the memories I've collected over the past few days. Jean waking me up, being led to the mayor's house. Then being brought to here, given a bed and told to do chores to earn my keep.

I've been so placid, so obedient. Led around by adults, told what to do and what my place is. The thought of this makes me angry, a sudden rush of rage. I don't want to be controlled.

And I'm not going to be.

Acting entirely on impulse, I steal into an empty room and dig through the dressers. This dress isn't practical for anything more than daily jobs. I take a pair of denim pants, a loose shirt, and shoes. This must be a bedroom for the boys, but I don't care. They can't punish me for stealing if they don't catch me.

I climb down the fire escape again, this time all the way to the ground. It's not even lunch yet, but I have to be careful. I doubt anyone will recognize me, but I can't let myself look suspicious in front of the peacekeepers. I change clothes behind a couple of trash cans, leaving the purple dress inside one. I shove the silver pendant into my pocket. It crosses my mind that I should cut my hair. The mayor himself may recognize me, along with Jean and Mrs. Tallwood. Anyone of these people could spell trouble for me if I'm caught.

I'm too far into this to go back, so I might as well. I find a sharp piece of metal and use it to hack my hair off, hiding the pieces inside another trash can. I don't need my trail to be easily traced.

This is a big district, so I shouldn't have a problem avoiding those looking for me. I create a plan as I walk, heading towards the industrial area. No one should be around there since it's a Sunday.

Eventually, I'll be leaving the district. But until then, I'll have to survive.