Chapter 2
844 Words
Hunter Duchen POV
There were three of them this time, none of whom I hadn't met before. They were circled around me, kicking me as they taunted.
"Poor scum."
"You don't belong here."
"Go back to the slums, Academy washout."
I just covered my vital organs and ignored them. I'd heard it all a thousand times. They were right about the poor part, but "Academy washout" wasn't warranted, since I was miles ahead of any of them. It must be humiliating for an Academy darling to lose to scum.
"He's not even fighting back," Brilliance said. He bent over me. "What's wrong? Finally realize your place?"
"Nah. Gemm and Mike just needed more time to steal all your stuff," I said through cracked teeth. Brilliance's two henchmen both ran off, leaving me with just the head sadist. Brilliance's glare cracked into a smirk.
"That wasn't bad. It's what you are, anyway: a dirty thief. Don't pretend to be something you're not," he said.
Blood dripped from my chin as I smiled up at him. I'd taken their taunts and their beating for months. I'd dragged myself to the Academy with the money my parents would have used to feed us. I'd fought in torn clothes and I'd come home to make dinner for my exhausted parents. I'd learned that anything I needed I'd have to take care of myself. I'd beaten them in everything, I'd weathered their scorn, and I'd had enough. I got to my feet and wiped the blood from my mouth.
"All right. I'll start acting like myself."
I brought my fist into Brilliance's throat, sweeping his legs out as he bent over. I'd paid attention at the Academy. I knew to aim for the vitals as I kicked.
"I am not a nice boy!" I shouted as I smashed his ribs. "I am not scum!" I continued as Brilliance gasped for breath. "I am not your punching bag!"
Brilliance covered his face with his arms and started to sob. I felt the flesh soften under my assault as I crushed the bones that protected it. I knew that in a fight, you have to destroy your enemy, but this time I wasn't doing it for defense. This was all vengeance.
"You asked for me, and this is what you got!"
Emelia "Emmy" Wolfe POV
People call me "the Princess of District One". I hate it. I don't even understand why they say it. I'm not especially rich. I have a few curves, but I'm no goddess. I'm just another student at the Academy. I'm good enough to get picked as this year's volunteer, but that's not so amazing in One. A lot of us are great fighters. I live in a normal, non-palace house with my parents, my brother Vincent, and my sister Madeline. Vincent never went for the Academy. He's more a lover. He designs jewelry, but he prefers his piano playing.
In One, none of the children have to be scared on Reaping day. Everyone else knew I was going to volunteer, and I was ready. It must be different in the outer Districts. Sometimes I wondered how they went on with such hardship. It didn't seem right.
Philomena reaped Cadence Sloane. I knew Cadence from the Academy. She was a good fighter, but she wasn't arrogant enough to resent me when I volunteered for her. I knew Hunter was the male volunteer this year. Under his tough guy persona was a boy that truly knew how to fight. I peeked at him as we raised our hands, and uncertainty crept up in me. Hunter was a great fighter, and even he looked a little queasy. Probably the pairs from Two and Four were great fighters too. Were my odds really that good?
My family always supported me in my training, and we all knew I was going to volunteer. Mom gave me the token she'd been saving: her wedding ring on a chain. It was another reason to win- they'd send it back to her if I died, but I wanted to give it back to her myself.
"Are you sure about this?" Vincent asked. "It seems so... violent."
"It's too late to be unsure now. But don't worry, I'm ready," I said. For the start of the Games, most of my strongest enemies would be my allies. After that, I'd play it by ear.
"Why would you want to fight a bunch of other people?" Madeline asked.
"You're too little to understand," Dad said. I scooped her up and gave her a hug. Then I hugged Vincent, and then Mom and Dad. They seemed more nervous than I was as they left. I was only a little bit nervous anyway. I'd be silly not to be concerned. Overconfidence would just lead to death at the Bloodbath. I was ready, but I didn't expect an easy Game.
Hunter's story happened a while back, but it seemed like the best way to introduce him. Hopefully it broke the monotony of Reaping POVs. His token is a bird talon.
- Writer
