Hunger Games -Fought Again

Chapter 1: Ombre

I woke up on the morning of the 125 reaping, to kick off the 5th Quarter Quell, or the 125 Annual Hunger Games. In our country off Panem, we have a Capitol, and 12 outlying Districts, each responsible for a different industry. In the Dark Days, 125 years ago, the districts rebelled against the Capitol. As punishment, District 13 was supposedly obliterated, and The Hunger Games were created as a punishment to the remaining Districts. But it turned out that District 13 only went underground, and 50 years ago, there was another revolution. It was led by District 13 and the famous Katniss Everdeen. Katniss is around 90 years old now, and District 13 is actually obliterated. So the Mockingjay Revolution failed, and The Hunger Games continued. I think it's awful. My sister on the other hand... you don't want to know what she thinks.

Each district has to send a boy and girl between ages 12 and 18, chosen by lottery in an annual ceremony called the Reaping, to fight to the death on live TV until only one remains. It's entertainment for the Capitol Citizens, but brutal punishment for us. The Capitol Citizens place bets on who they think will win, and they send sponsor gifts to the tributes in the arena. They think it's all fun and games, I don't know if they even realize that people are actually dying. They're all idiots. Their fashion choices are crazy. They all have rainbow hair, weird and obnoxious makeup, and they get these awful body alterations so they have green skin or engraved faces or whiskers or whatever.

This year, it's a Quarter Quell, which are celebrated every 25 years. They include some awful twist for added 'fun.' This year, the twist is that only tributes (the chosen children) with siblings can be reaped, and one sibling has to accompany them in the arena. So instead of the normal 24 tributes, there will be 48.

I rolled out of bed and landed on the floor with a thud. My twin sister, Thalia, was grinning at me. "Aren't you excited?!" she asked. She was one of those weird kids who wanted to get picked. Kind of like a career (the tributes from the wealthier districts 1, 2, and 4 who train for the games their whole lives), but nothing like a career because she doesn't know anything about combat. We live in District 3, so she's considered crazy.

"No. I'm not excited," I replied flatly. Thalia's outgoing and not the sharpest tool in the shed. I'm really smart, I always paid attention in school, and I know a lot about electronics and gadgets. District 3 makes electronic goods and gizmos for Panem. We took our baths and put on our nicest clothes. I don't know why, but for the reaping, everyone dresses up like it's some fun ceremony. I wore a pale yellow dress and Thalia had a purple pantsuit.

"I like your dress, Ombre," Thalia complimented me. That was unusual. She must have been really excited. We all paraded into the square with the rest of the District. We were 13, so we would be near the stage. We walked up to the table where the peacekeeper in charge pricked our fingers and pressed the blood onto a sheet. The scanning device identified us as Ombre and Thalia Foughtworth. We were directed to the 13-year-old pen.

After another 10 minutes, our district escort, Tiki Mugs, began the reaping ceremony. An escort was a Capitol citizen who traveled to the districts to select the tributes and bring them to the Capitol.

"Welcome everyone! Happy Hunger Games!" Tiki exclaimed, in her cheerful voice. "Before we begin, we have a video from the Capitol for you all to see!" She played a video about the Dark Days and the Mockingjay Revolution and some other worthless stuff about the Games.

"Alright, ladies first," Tiki said, she stuck her long, satin-covered arm into the reaping bowl. "Ombre Foughtworth!" she exclaimed. My heart stopped. Me!!! No, no, no, no, no. This can't be right. The whole district was staring at me.

"Lucky," Thalia whispered, I glared at her. I slowly walked up to the stage.

"Now, who are your siblings?" Tiki asked.

"Um...I have a brother named Kai, and a sister named Thalia," I said.

"Alright," Tiki said, "how old are they?"

"Kai is eight, and Thalia is 13," I replied.

"Okay!" Tiki exclaimed, "Thalia is of age, so let's get Thalia Foughtworth up here!"

"YES!!" I heard Thalia exclaim. I slapped my head, I just can't believe her sometimes. Thalia marched up and onto the stage, beaming at the crowd. Everyone stared at her like she had three heads. No one is ever that excited about the Games (unless you count the Capitol). No one. Ever.

"Now for the boys," Tiki said, she pulled out another name and the whole crowd tensed. "Belfiss Machet!" Oh no. His only eligible sibling was our friend Wylee. So now not only was I going into the Games with my twin sister, but my best friend as well. Belfiss walked slowly up to the stage.

"Who are your siblings?" Tiki asked.

Belfiss looked uncomfortable, "I have a sister named Wylee who's 14, and a brother named Caran who's 21."

"Alrighty then!" Tiki exclaimed with far too much excitement, "let's get Wylee Machet up here!" Wylee walked up very slowly. She looked as upset and scared as I felt.