The Hunger Games. A battle to the death between 24 teens ages 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts of Panem. In the center of the districts lies a shining Capitol, where its residents are free of all worry and can watch us die in peace. My name is Courtney Banks. I am 16 years old and I live in District 12, the smallest, most run-down district where you can starve to death in comfort. Most everyone here is poor, except the three Hunger Games victors who live in the lap of luxury in the Victor’s Village. One of the victors is very old and is usually drunk but the other two, who won 26 years ago, are still only 42. This is my story now, though. How I got through these treacherous Games alive. I am Courtney Banks and I am a Hunger Games victor.
It was about 2:00 on that Sunday afternoon. Today was the day of the reaping for the tributes of the Hunger Games. I was with my best friend, Duncan, in the woods outside District 12, hunting illegally. The Peacemakers here are a bit rule-bendy so it really isn’t that bad. The only thing is that the woods are behind an electric fence, but we’re lucky to get 2 hours of electricity a day so, that’s good, too. “How about we run away. No more Hunger Games. Just you, me, and our woods.” Duncan said to me. “Are you insane? If we get caught by the Capitol, we’re dead meat!” I replied. He plucked a blueberry from his game bag. “Fine, suit yourself, then. Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be …” he started, tossing me the blueberry. I caught it in my mouth and after I swallowed I finished his sentence with “ …ever in your favor!” We laughed as we crawled back under the fence after I hid the bow and arrows I caught so much game with. I always hit them right in the eye as to not puncture their flesh because it could be good for something. I quickly raced to my house in the Seam, the worse than bad little town in District 12. I got changed into my reaping gown and my little 12-year-old sister, Rose, was already prancing around in my old one. Being 12, this is Rose’s first reaping. Her name is only in it once. There is an option to sign up for a tesserae, or extra ration of grain. I always sign up for it and refuse to let Rose sign up for it so my name is in the reaping ball 36 times as of this year. Duncan, he being the oldest of 4 plus his mother, has his name in it 42 times. Both of our fathers died in a coal mining incident. That’s what most do for a living here. Mine coal. There are separate places for boys and girls when we do the reapings, so Rose and I went to the girls side. When we got there, Effie Trinket was just saying “Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!” She went up to the girls reaping ball and pulled out a name. And when she read it, my heart nearly stopped. It said Rosaline Banks. The odds certainly aren’t in our favor today. She was one name of hundreds! How the heck could this happen? After Rose got onto the stage, I ran up behind her “Wait!” I shouted, “I’ll take her place!” Duncan led Rose off the stage and I stood there. I was officially in the Hunger Games.
It was about 2:00 on that Sunday afternoon. Today was the day of the reaping for the tributes of the Hunger Games. I was with my best friend, Duncan, in the woods outside District 12, hunting illegally. The Peacemakers here are a bit rule-bendy so it really isn’t that bad. The only thing is that the woods are behind an electric fence, but we’re lucky to get 2 hours of electricity a day so, that’s good, too. “How about we run away. No more Hunger Games. Just you, me, and our woods.” Duncan said to me. “Are you insane? If we get caught by the Capitol, we’re dead meat!” I replied. He plucked a blueberry from his game bag. “Fine, suit yourself, then. Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be …” he started, tossing me the blueberry. I caught it in my mouth and after I swallowed I finished his sentence with “ …ever in your favor!” We laughed as we crawled back under the fence after I hid the bow and arrows I caught so much game with. I always hit them right in the eye as to not puncture their flesh because it could be good for something. I quickly raced to my house in the Seam, the worse than bad little town in District 12. I got changed into my reaping gown and my little 12-year-old sister, Rose, was already prancing around in my old one. Being 12, this is Rose’s first reaping. Her name is only in it once. There is an option to sign up for a tesserae, or extra ration of grain. I always sign up for it and refuse to let Rose sign up for it so my name is in the reaping ball 36 times as of this year. Duncan, he being the oldest of 4 plus his mother, has his name in it 42 times. Both of our fathers died in a coal mining incident. That’s what most do for a living here. Mine coal. There are separate places for boys and girls when we do the reapings, so Rose and I went to the girls side. When we got there, Effie Trinket was just saying “Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!” She went up to the girls reaping ball and pulled out a name. And when she read it, my heart nearly stopped. It said Rosaline Banks. The odds certainly aren’t in our favor today. She was one name of hundreds! How the heck could this happen? After Rose got onto the stage, I ran up behind her “Wait!” I shouted, “I’ll take her place!” Duncan led Rose off the stage and I stood there. I was officially in the Hunger Games.
Teams
