Electrify (A Hunger Games Story)- Chapter 1: The Reaping

  My fists clench up and my chest stiffens. I shakily make my way towards the stage, nearly forgetting not to act scared. I wished I could peel away the eyes that followed my every move, waiting for me to break down, contemplating my odds of survival. The air was silent as I carefully made my way up the steps.  It was almost hostile, the way every sound had stopped and fixed its eyes on me, as if I were prey. From then on, that's how I would be viewed- as prey.
  I stand awkwardly and fearfully as the male tribute is reaped. I could have sworn I had heard someone groan at the sound of the name. Felix Canta was not exactly someone you could bet on bringing your District glory. He was fourteen, a year younger than me, but appeared to be twelve. He had short, spiky black hair, and thick glasses to match. I could almost feel all of the pressure shift to me, as I was now our District's only hope. At least, I was, until the time for volunteering came.

"Here!" A boy my age shot up his hand as if he had waited for this moment his entire life, and ran towards the stage. Felix has met his salvation.

  Cavan Cutler was basically the opposite of a now relieved-looking Felix. He was tall for his age, and had a strong build. While the reaped tribute appeared as if he had never touched a butter knife, Cavan's family actually owned a store that sold knives as sharp as small swords. I had passed by the place once, but the rows of weapons hanging on the walls and the sight of Sean Cutler shouting at a disagreeable customer drove me away with a light shiver. Mr. Cutler was not a man to haggle with, and Cavan sometimes possessed the same obstinacy. Many kids at school were afraid of him and his overpowering muscles.
  With a bit of relief, almost all the pressure seemed to sink onto Cavan's shoulders. However, I realized that this meant no one would consider my survival. I would be an obsolete tribute, one of those who dies in the first twenty seconds at the Cornucopia. And if I had competition like Cavan, how was I to stand a chance? I was merely a skinny girl with a talent for math and botany.

"Let's hear it for Katelyn Fry and Cavan Cutler, our District 5 tributes!" Our escort, Lylac Gleam, awkwardly raised one of each of our arms, her enthusiasm comically contrast to my sullen face and Cavan's serious one.

  But then, it hits me. In the whirlwind of my reaping, I had forgotten something. A promise. But it wasn't mine. I angrily scan the fifteen-year-olds' section, my eyes resting disdainfully on a girl with dirty blond hair and skin a bit on the pale side. Fynn Caster meets my gaze, and my blue eyes pierce into hers expectantly. She was my best friend, and claimed to care about me more than anything. Just two days ago, at school, she had made a vow. She told me that if I were reaped, she would volunteer. She promised. I could see the guilt in her eyes, but there was something else. She was sorry, but not just because I was chosen. She was sorry for feeling glad she hadn't volunteered. I shook my head angrily, and switched my gaze. If I won the Games and came home, I would find a way to get back. I would get my revenge somehow. This, I promised myself.

Character Profile for Lilith Elliot

Identity
Name: Lilith Elliot
Age: About 13 3/4
Date of Birth: 4/7/98
Gender: Female
Place of Birth: Irwin County Hospital, Ocilla, Georgia
Race/Ethnicity/Species: Human, Caucasian


Physical Description
Height: 5'6
Weight: Somewhere around 100
Hair Color: Light brown, still relatively dark
Hair Length: Long, maybe 7-8 past the shoulders
Hairstyle: Straight, but has a hint of a wave to it
Eye Color: Dark slate-blue, grayish
General Body Description: Overall petite, just a bit short
Typical clothing style: Darker, earthy colors
Birthmarks: None
Tattoos: None
Scars: None (yet?)

Education
Education Level: 8th grade (second semester)
Occupation: None
Hobbies: Interested in unusual, paranormal things
Languages & Dialects Spoken: English
Talents/Skills: (Possibly yet to come) See 'Powers'

Other
Character History: Lilith and her family have lived Ocilla, Georgia all their lives. Her parents ran a small bed and breakfast, but have now moved the family to Marietta to open up their newest business.
Family: Mother-Lynne Elliot, Father- Jake Elliot, Sister (Fraternal twin)- Leila Elliot
Significant Other(s): None
Personality: Sweet, down-to-earth, tomboyish.
Habits: None
Likes: Paranormal things, things most girls her age may find unusual
Dislikes: Girly things
Dreams: None in particular
Fears: None
Anything Especially Unique?: Lilith has a fraternal twin sister, Leila. They share the same interests, tomboyish personality, eye color, and even face shape, in spite of the fact that they are fraternal. The only obvious difference is between their hair colors. (If it weren't for their hair colors, they could be mistaken for identical twins.) Her nicknames include- 'The Night Twins', 'The Vampires', (both shared with her sister), and 'Lilie' (a pet name sometimes used by her mother). She despises her pet name, and doesn't like the shared nicknames, as they do not reflect her and Leila's real personalities in the slightest.

Special
Powers: Can see, communicate with paranormal as if she would with a normal person
Traits: No exceptional traits
Temperament: Not totally reticent, but more of an introvert than others, as she is not like everyone else she knows.

Last Breath

Okay, I'm going to feel some INTENSE emotions on Sunday, (*cough*nervousness) so I just have to write a poem.


When I close my eyes at night I think of you
And all I want is you and your blue
Eyes, reading my last thoughts
...And I thought you ought

My heart will speed like an antsy drum
I hope you'll know where I'll be coming from
While I tense up and my nervous fears are still left,
Before it all falls, I'll take my last breath

Of the life I had before, but now it's closing in
But I couldn't take the 'what could have been'
So to tell you the truth I really mean it
There's no extinguisher, the fire is lit

I never told you what I was thinking
And now I see, for a year I've been sinking
So I'll tell you, before I blow
And maybe you'll tell me what I need to know

As I take my last breath of the life I had before
Then I'll be falling, now no one will ignore
Me anymore...Because they know I'm waiting
I'm still contemplating...

But now you'll know what I've thought about you,
Please help me understand...I hope you do


Background: Last night, I had had it. Finally I typed up a long letter for the guy I like and on Sunday, I plan for my friend to give it to him. I'm nervous about it, but I know I need to say it. I can't hold it all in forever. Basically, as I nervously watch my friend give it to him, I'll take my last breath before everything unfolds or creases itself up even more. It's a huge risk, but I need to take it. If you don't get why, do you know the song 'Nothing Ever Happens' by Rachel Platten?

Good At Heart

The rough carpet dug fiercely into my petite little hands. My knuckles were flushed white and stinging from the pain. Every couple of seconds there would be a light the window would creak, but it sounded more like a tap. This made a bit jumpy, as my instinct told me it was my follower signaling that she had found me. This made me realize how visible I was from the window, so I crawled a few inches under the desk.
There was a horrible noise. Footsteps had patted the tiled hallway, right outside the classroom. They had stopped. I could almost imagine her looking in, her evil eyes piercing every last object in sight. More footsteps, now muffled by the carpet, trailed into the room. I don't recall being found, but the next moment I was standing right in front of her, hysterical because I had been discovered.

She began shaking me. "HOW COULD YOU THINK THAT WAY?" Her eyes were unfathomably wild. They almost seemed to have streaks of red glistening in, giving her a beast-like countenance. Her hair swung in the air as if it had been trying to whip me.

"You DON'T UNDERSTAND!" I began to sob, and she shook me even harder.

"HE KILLED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE! YOU KNOW WHERE YOU CAME FROM? THE SAME PLACE HE'S GONE TO!"

I tried to break away, but her grasp had no chance of weakening. "Bridgit!" I screamed.

Her nails dug into my hands, taking the place of those carpet burns. "YOU SUPPORT EVIL ! YOU DESERVE TO GO DOWN WITH HIM!"

I began to scream long, horrible screeches. It seemed to last for an eternity, but it was then that I awoke. I was greeted my buckets of sweat and unbearable heat. I threw off my covers and slowly accepted the fact that it had all been a dream. That wouldn't even happen if she found out. But Bridgit would surely hate me, and not for just a day. I still wouldn't be safe if I told her. Bridgit would never understand, never accept wild opinions, never understand the truth about humans. Deep down, everyone is good at heart.


_____________________________________________________________________________________
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart."
-Anne Frank

How I'd Live

The raindrops would fall and I could feel the sweet cold glass
But it wouldn't be all I had, though to get this, I'd be the last
I'd have those eyes, that sweet smile, I'd no longer have to grope
But I feel that day will never come, and for tomorrow I'm losing hope

Oh I'd dance around with my smile so bright, my eyes shining like the Sun
My worries would fly away to the sky, and I'd ignore everyone
Oh how I'd live if I could fly, and soar for miles and miles...
But today I lack love, and you wonder why this sad girl never smiles

Next fall I'll work my way through the fight,
Battle nosy high schoolers every day and night
I can be kicked by teasing until I go insane
But just waiting curious in silence gives the worst pain

Does he? He doesn't? I always assume not
But what is the true answer I have always sought?
Since the end of last April, I've pondered this thought
Could that sweet trumpet player like me or not?

Falling Back

The wind filed through every blade of grass with a series of soft rustles, each creeping closer to Aly's delicate ears. But not even the cheery bright green sea could whisk away her ocean of sadness. A flood had been born, but no one ever knew. There was a makeshift dam keeping the emotions inside, but soon would surely break. This makeshift obstacle was constructed of only strong cardboard, which leaked little tear drops now and then. But would anyone ever know the full maximum of Aly's sadness? It was the fear she lived in- knowing no one could ever evaluate of fathom the truth.
Aly kicked the rubble and toe-splitting rocks, now faced with a giant red and white fence. The fence blocked off a forest, warning her not to trespass. Lord knew why somebody would cut throats over a giant block of trees and a field of those tall, wheat-like plants Aly did not know the name of. However, this place had always been special to her. It wasn't a quiet thinking place or a place for investing sweet emotions into frivolous poetry. Oh no, it was much more than that. It had a cherished ominous feel that gave it a heartwarming personality. Aly had a thing for onimous, no matter how odd it may have seem. Suddenly, her stomach began to twist violently.
For one partial of a second, or seemingly one short eternity, a blurry face passed through Aly's mind as she eyed the field. Katrina. Could it be? Aly longed to sneak closer and run into the forest. The longer she thought, the more sick she felt. It had to be true. Katrina had been gone for a week. It was all clicking into place- where else could she be? She certainly had been taken.
It was then that Aly realized even more horror to it all. Maybe if Katrina hadn't been a medium, just maybe, she wouldn't have been gone. They had seen someone in the field the months leading up to her disappearance. Unpleasant things had happened. There were warnings, nightmares, faces, signs. If she hadn't communicated with the latter existence, where would she be today? It was physically easy, yet emotionally and mentally difficult to answer that.
In one motion, Aly pulled down the unstable fence and stepped into the woods. She ran into the field and was met with the predicted sight. Katrina laid with her eyes open, the rest of the details too grim to relay. It was all over now. Crystal had come. To know that the paranormal possessed such brutal homicidal abilities was too much for Aly to take. Suddenly, it all began to crash down.
Her best friend gone. No one left to understand her. Bullying. A frightening grade drop. Hurt. Anger. Misunderstanding. Hate. The fear of knowing she could be killed. But this time Aly did not cry. She did not know how to express such a blend of sadness and shock. All guns were now pointed at her. This was it. She returned back to the fallen gate, her back to the forest. She closed her eyes and stood still. A dash of darkness began to form in the air behind her. The darkness accumulated more bits of darkness and soon created a large portal-like hole.
Images of Aly's fears, nightmares, frightening figments of her imagination, and Crystal teemed inside of the hole, waiting for her. There was only one thing left to do. Aly had to give in to her fears. She had to give up and let the darkness carry her wherever she could go. Aly slowly leaned back and fell into the hole, engulfed by the darkness. Aly opened her eyes, and for a few seconds only saw darkness. Suddenly, a white light more brilliant and bright than the green grass shone all around her. She caught sight of Katrina's smiling face. She was okay. Everything from now and forever would be right. She was in a better place, away from her fears, her hurt, and her lonliness. Here, and here only, was where she needed to be.

Andromeda-Poem

I came up with this idea a couple of days ago, but it is the strangest thing you would ever read. I'm going to put my idea in a poem for now, (it's 6:37AM on a school day as I'm typing this)but later I may actually write for it. I must say, it will be extremely difficult.

The war is the past, at least for me
As I burst through light years, out our galaxy
It takes only a few minutes with our high-speed ship
As we sail through space on a desperate life-saving trip

To the one hundred people aboard, the captain shouts,
"Andromeda rests here, be ready to confront your doubts"
I know he is right and I am frightened to be hurled into an endless bowl
As we creep closer and gravity rips us, we're sucked down into the black hole

A roar pierces out ears and we're yanked all about
Can't back out of it now, there's no way to get out
The sky is dark, so ever-frozen, and has no promise of light
Suddenly the brightness inside the craft appears to be a beautiful sight

It takes only a second for an object to come in sight,
We slow down and soon land, but how could that be right!
In this black hole, is another world, like Earth without nearby luminosity
After the captain finds it safe we begin to trudge, led by fascination and curiosity

So here I am today, or tonight as I might say
Hiding behind a darkened veil, feeling like fresh prey
As I watch the girl in the lighthouse light, her eyes fixed on to the ocean
She turns her head and I nearly gasp, each eye is glowing red-I won't dare to make a motion

If I Bleed

The wind rushes through the trees
My cold face can feel the breeze
It's still and ever lonely
Not a soul around, if only

No one cares how I feel,
A reticent girl as cold as steel
But I fight my way into the night
One last look back, but there's no one in sight...

If I bleed, who will catch the drops
When they've fallen, it's like it'll never stop
I slip into the night so no one will hear my screams
For someone to care, I couldn't even dream,

If I could pick one to care,
I'd be unwilling to share,
But I know it's the only thing I'd want for sure
To dream about when I'm sore

But now I twirl in the wind to my own song
It's not mainstream, but that's not wrong
And I sway into the night
Know I'm barely searching for that light

It's out reach, just how I want it to be
But I know you'll never come to see...
Because if I bleed the reddened drops,
He's the only reason they would stop...

Only Light- Poem/Song (Newest work on my blog)

Raindrops fell, and my fingers matched the tap
My old typewriter filled in letters with a snap
What's become of me, as I'm slowly drowning?
Will I ever get my last crowning?

It will only just stay with me
And my tears would fill the sea
So all I can do is write...
It's my only light

I hear a whistle, a voice, a song
But it surrounds me and its feels wrong
Doesn't matter if it's there,
I can hear it, but I shouldn't care

I see a face inside the mirror
Next to my own, then it'd disappear
I can't explain why I am
Only write so you understand

It will only just stay with me
And my tears would fill the sea
So all I can do is write...
It's my only light

Footsteps tap, tap the stairs so lightly
But it's not like I don't hear this nightly
I'm feeling brave and I stand up to see
No one's there, or could they be?

Her pale face is in the mirror
After a glance it'd disappear
I punch the glass for all to hear
...But I still only live in fear...

It will only just stay with me
And my tears would fill the sea
So all I can do is write...
It's my only light

I try to make you understand
But we'll never walk hand in hand...
I'm falling fast, but you won't catch me tonight
...But I still write...It's my only light

The Dive

I peer over the edge of the mighty, vast ship
The sea breeze bites back, its droplets hit my lip
The ice is abroad the sweet scenery
But something seems a little bit eerie

I feel no cold, my nimble fingers are warm
They grip the rail tight enough to survive a heavy storm
Like I can't be blown down, but yet I may
I wish to yell out, but there's nothing to say!

Then sparks flare up over a grassy view
My eyes grow wide as the volcano continues to spew
Out with magma, turn to lava, then the very next thing
I spy a towering lizard, the great Tyrant King!

Its roar pierces my ears, I hear a distant scream trill
I eye the beast with bulging eyes and know it's ready to kill
Even at a distance, I'm terrified for my sake
Until the King roars once more, and then I'm awake

The captain's distant yells ring across the ship,
I bolt out of bed and flee the cabin, cold air hits my lip
Over the ship I peer, the water had frozen to ice!
Sickening snaps and cracks scream 'The thing's about to slice!'

The air is brisk and frosty as can be, but I should not care
In a moment I'm down and the cold sea greets me, to which a breeze can not compare
My dream is dead, but this new nightmare is alive
So I sink my way down in a never-ending dive.

COD-McDonald's PlayPlace Style ~ Ch. 1

I'm totally stealing Emily's McDonald's theme, but it should be okay. I don't play Call of Duty, but I've seen the trombone players play real-life COD in the band hall. XD (God save them!)

I scrambled up the purple slide, my quick fingers squeaking against its surface. I stepped onto the hard platform and adjusted my jacket before heading up the steps. I was now faced with a baffling decision. Holy ketchup. Should I take the red tunnel on the left, the green tunnel on the right, or the mystifying yellow tunnel? When I heard my friends burst through the doors to the PlayPlace, I chose quickly. I knew I was risking it, but I darted straight ahead into the yellow tunnel.

I crawled on my hands and knees through uncharted territory. When I was a kid, I had never gone down here. The big kids spread rumors about a partially closed off section with a big hole in it. Apparently there was just enough space to crawl in, but once inside you would fall out of the hole. Being slightly acrophobic, (and five) I naturally steered clear not only from that particular section, but also the whole yellow tunnel. After a few seconds, I had found it.

There was a wooden board erected to cover part of the big hole, oddly painted yellow to match its surroundings. No doubt its camouflage was to lure kids towards their untimely death. I knew I was taking a risk, but I slowly crawled over and peeked my head into the minimized entrance. Mango smoothie pulp! (I apoligize for the language.) There wasn't a hole! There was a platform perforated with diamond-shaped holes, as the platforms and steps had been, and at the end of this section and into the round bubble, there was regular yellow slide flooring. For some reason a part of the flooring had broken off, leaving the metal part underneath. Or maybe it was put there afterward because the flooring was damaged. Nevertheless, there was no black hole of doom. Suddenly, my lips formed into a smile. As long as they never found this place, I could share the rumor with my friends.

I dashed inside, then heard my friends' footsteps on the platform, whom all shrieked briefly when the rest of my team entered the PlayPlace. If I told them the rumor was true, they wouldn't check this area. This, and the overall epicness, made the closed off section a good hideout. I sat on the other side of the board while a couple of opponents ran to find their own hideouts and victims. However two girls, Camryn and Lacye, stood right outside my hiding spot, arguing over whether they should turn back and take to the red tunnel instead. I was about to make this decision for them. Slyly, I pointed my french fry gun out of the hole and fired. Two direct hits. I instinctively pulled my gun back out of sight, not spoiling the mystery. Shocked, Camryn and Lacye sprinted off to the red tunnel. Yep. Should've taken the red one.