Capital Property

It was a bright, sunny day in District Four. Clouds rolled wispily across the sky, blowing gently across the warm breeze that ruffled the trees and bushes.

I clutched an old, battered book that I had borrowed from the District Library and I gripped my towel tightly. I hike the towel over my back quickly and remove my slippers as I step onto the warm sandy floor gingerly.

There were only a few people on the beach. A couple lay on their backs lazily holding hands and pressing their lips together. I averted my eyes uncomfortably and stared at the floor. I scuffled over to a clearing on the beach, secluded in a thicket of bushes.

I sat down after laying my towel out gently and I set my book down on my left and I stare out at the warm, flowing water dreamily.

I blink once and my gaze travels over to a figure spearing fish in the sea. As his trident comes down in the water, a slow milky color pollutes the water slowly. I clutch my forehead and tried to prevent the melee of memories that flooded my mind.

"Happy Hunger Games... And may the odds... be ever... in your... favor."

The cannon sounds.

I grip my forehead tightly in both hands.

"I don't want to be like them, Daniel... I can't do this..."

"If I did it, you can do it," he retorted.

"But it was different for you then... you weren't a target."

"If you win, think of what this means. You can do anything."

"I won't win. I'm going to die."

"That's just it though. Maybe... maybe with that mentality, you'll persevere."

The cannon sounds.

5... 4....

Gunshots fired through the air quickly, a large metal contraption snaps...

The rebels around me... were dead. Sliced in half by the President's tripwire.

I screamed.

3... 2...

"I love you..."

1...

The cannon sounds.