The 71st Hunger Games

I sat by the lake. Today was the day of the reaping and it was my first year being able to participate, of course I was nervous. I knew I would never survive the Hunger Games, what are the odds? That's how they got that stupid saying, "May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor.". I looked at the fish swimming in the lake. I wish I could just turn into a fish and pretend that the Hunger Games didn't exist, then I could swim freely and live a happy life. Then I could escape the pain I feel watching people I knew on the televison fight to the death. I know being in a 'career' district is basic a shout out to every district that I am a manic killer and will always be one. But I don't want to kill, I want to feel the lake water on my skin and forget about the hunger games. When I am in the lake nothing can make me feel more alive. I pull up my pant legs and dip my feet in the water, instantly all the nearby fish scatter.

"Tabby!" A voice behind me calls, I'd reconize it anywhere. It was my younger brother, Dewy. "Tabby! It's almost time for the reaping!" I look over my shoulder.

"Coming." I sigh. I was really nervous, but district 4 is a big district and I don't think I'd be reaped. If I was reaped would anyone volunteer for me? I have friends, but not any best friends. I spend most of my time by the lake, fishing or swimming. I get up and walk beside Dewy, he was only eight. I promised myself that if I was reaped I would get back for his sake. Even if it means killing innocent people.

We get to our house, a ragged shack which leaks when it rains. Father has a disabilty so he can't work. He has a limp because a snapping turtle bit his leg and it cut a tendon. Mother can cook though, so I fish and she cooks what I catch when I bring it home.

"We're home!" I yell as I walk in. Father limps out of his bedroom.

"You're late." He says softly. "Go get your dress on and hurry to the reaping." His eyes are clouded with greif and there is a touch of sadness in his voice. He must be sad that his oldest child is ready for the reaping.

"Yes Father." I say and head to the room I share with Dewy. I pull on my best dress, it's a blue dress that matches my eyes. I nervously twist my blonde hair. I try to tell myself that everything will be okay, but I can't convince myself. I grab my lucky charm, a keychain with lake water in it. Dewy waits for me at the front door. I brush the hair out of his eyes.

"I'll be home for dinner." I tell him. "We'll have a big feast to celebrate that I didn't get reaped." I left him there. I didn't want to cry in front of him, that would make it worse.

I get to the long line of girls and boys ages 12-18. After about an hour I finally get to the front of the line.

"Name!" Demands the peacekeeper.

"Tabby Anderson." I reply shyly.

She nods. "Hold out your hand." I hesitate a second and hold it out. "It'll only hurt a bit." She pricks my finger for blood and I grit my teeth.

"Next!" She yells and I head to the girls section. It's about another half an hour until our escort comes out to draw the names. Our escort's name is Laini. She is unusually happy and always wears ridiculous make-up. I hear the older kids at school talking about her all the time. She walks up on stage in a dress that is so tight it looks like her skin is the color of the outfit, but knowing the capital she might have died her skin.

Then she does that annoying thing where she says "Ladies first!" and goes over to the huge bowl that, somewhere in there, holds my name. She reaches her hand in there and twirls her hand around in there until she grabs a name.

"Tabby Anderson!" She announces. I freeze. Me? Did she really call me? The people around me start to spread out and I'm left in an open area with everyone staring at me.

"Well don't be shy!" Says Laini. "Come on up!" I'm instantly surrounded by peacekeepers that take me up to the stage. This can't be happening. The rest is all a blur until I am allowed to see my loved ones.

First comes Mother, Father, and Dewy. Dewy's eyes are tearing up and his bottom lip is quivering.

"It's okay." I tell him. "I'll try and win, just for you." Father is running his hand through his hair and Mother is crying, but trying to hide it.

"Really. I'll try and win." I try and tell them, but my voice cracks so I'm not convincing.

"Tabby." Says Father.

"Yes?" I ask.

"Have a steady ally and find water, you live for water so it will be easy. Don't go to the cornicopia. It's basicly a deathwish." I nod. Mother steps forward, she seemed to finally have control of her crying. She touched her hand to my face.

"Tabby, my only daughter, I hoped that the capital would spare you. But we have all been caught in their trap again. Go and win." She said. But I knew I couldn't hurt anyone.

"I'll go and I'll win, but I'm going to win without killing anybody, somehow." The edges of my mothers mouth went up slightly, but quickly returned to a frown. Then the peacekeepers swarmed in and took away my family.

"I love you." I called after them. I didn't get to hear the reply. Next came in Nia, one of my closer friends, and Amma, her little sister.

"Hey." Said Nia.

"Hey." I replyed.

"I-I wanted to say goodbye." She stammered, tears rolled down her cheeks. I walked up to her and hugged her. It was also her first year of the reaping and I knew that Nia would have never won. Nia was always the caring one, always the goody two shoes. She could never kill anyone. Then again could I?

"Nia?" I whispered.

"Yeah?" She answered.

"Take care." I said. Amma ran up to me and grabbed one of my legs. "Amma. Please let go. I don't want you to get hurt, the peacekeepers can be pretty nasty." Amma large brown eyes looked up at me.

"I want you to win." She said. I gave her a weak smile and the peacekeepers took them away.

I sat alone in the room. I had no one else for me to say goodbye to. I sat there thinking of battle tactic's and ways to get food. Then it came to me, my mentor would help with that. I tried to remember my mentor, wasn't it that Finnick boy? The youngest tribute to ever win the Hunger Games? Well he wouldn't be a bad mentor. Since no twelve year old has ever won. I start to bite my nails. Maybe I couldn't win. Maybe I'm just another hopeless tribute. Maybe I could pair with the careers? I mean I am from the right district. Would they see me as useless? Or a smart brain they could use? I mean most of the time career tributes are ruthless killers who have lost their mind. But could I use these brainless tributes to win? Maybe...but career tributes aren't very trustworthy in their alliances. They could turn on you for anything, if they kill you it'd be just a step closer to winning the games. I don't know if it'd work, but maybe...

Just then the door opened and the person I'd least expected to come see me stood at the door.

Blake Rivers

I grit my teeth, Blake is such a jerk. In fact the day before the reaping he said to me, "I hope you get reaped." and look at where that got me.

"What do you want?" I snarl, saying you sarcasticly. He snickers at me.

"Fancy seeing you on the stage." He chortled.

"I hope you get picked for the reaping next year, and I hope you have the most horrible death the gamemakers can give you." I snap.

"Well aren't you sweet." He laughs.

"Why did you come here Blake?" I ask. He walks up to me until we are eye to eye.

"Happy Hunger Games."