The Hunger Games

Hey there! This is a Hunger Games fanfic, just like you guessed. I do not own any of the ideas, but the characters are my own :) thank you to @LifelessMelody6661 for the incredible cover! <3

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The familiar drumming of the sewing machine echoes through the house. I roll over in bed to find Cam’s breathing on my face. His breath smells of mint and wood, the smell of our house. I look up at the ceiling; the white paint is now peeling off so you can see the wood underneath it.

The drumming sewing machine stops and Keelie walks into the room.

“Hennie, why are awake? It’s so early.” She rubs her stomach, eight months pregnant now.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Hen, you’re not going to get picked.”

“But what if I do?”

“You won’t.” She sighs and sits on the end of the bed.

“What if Cam gets picked?” I look over at him.

“He won’t. Once the reapings over, everything will go back to normal.”

“It’s okay for you; you have no chance of getting picked. You’re already 20.”

“Hennie-Bird, your name is only in their 3 times. Mine was in there 43 times, and I didn’t get picked. The odds are in your favour.” She winks.

“Okay. Night.” I turn away from her and face Cam again. He looks so relaxed. I wish I was too.

Keelie returns to her room. I stand up carefully avoiding the parts of floor that squeak, and grab my fleece. I creep out of the door, and head to the woods. I find a decent tree, climb it and sit up there, staring at the stars.

“Having fun?” I jump, startled. I look down to see a boy from my school staring up the tree.

“No, I’m too worried about the reaping for that.” I don’t look at him.

“You’ll be fine. Hennie, I may not know you well, but I know you well enough to know you’re skilled. You would win the games easily.”

“No, I wouldn’t. And are you suggesting I will get picked?” I look down at him and he shrugs his shoulders.

“It’s the Hunger Games. Anything could happen.”

“Thanks for the support. I feel loads better.”

“It’s your first year! It’s my third and I couldn’t care less. So what? You go to the Hunger Games and fight. Its life and we can’t help it.”

“Just leave me alone. I came to this tree for a reason.” I turn away and I hear him walking away.

“Good luck, Hennie, and may the odds be ever in your favour.”

***

I don’t know how I managed to sleep in that tree but I wake up in an awkward position, lodged in the tree. I swiftly climb down and suddenly my stomach gives a lurch. It’s the reaping today. My stomach fills with butterflies, banging against my tummy.

I quickly run back to our house, and hope that no one noticed I was gone.

“WHERE HAS HENNIE GONE!? SHE’S DONE A RUNNER!”  Cam yells.

Me and Cam have always been really close. He’s my older brother and I love him to bits. It’s his last year of the reaping, and it’s my first.

“WHAT DID YOU TELL HER LAST NIGHT? KEELIE, TELL ME!” He can be pretty scary at times. I burst into the room to find Keelie on the floor, and Cam shouting down at her. They both turn to look at me, and my face glows bright red.

“Hennie, what’s the matter with you! You’re such an idiot sometimes! Why? Why would you do that! We thought you’d done a runner! Because of the stupid reaping!” Cams face is nearly redder than mine.

“Sorry, Cam! I didn’t realise you’d get so cross! I just wanted to be alone...”

“You think I’m cross, Hennie-Bird? No, I’m worried, come here.” He holds his arms open and I run into them. He’s so muscley and warm. I snuggle up to him.

“Hen, you’re going to be fine, there’s no way you’re going to be picked. Out of all the girls in district 8, you’re definitely not going to be picked.”

“Okay, Cam.”

“Good, now I’m off hunting for supper, you get ready. Make sure you look pretty!” He winks and then walks out of the house.

I pick a nice dress Keelie made for me a long time ago. She’s an expert at textile, but I’m rubbish. It’s light blue with delicate structure. It’s simple, and innocent, and quite frankly, that’s what I need.