Chapter Text
Voices were all around him as he ran through the forest, laughter quickly behind him. Purpled checked over his shoulder. They were getting closer to him, but was one missing? Quickly looking back in front of himself a figure jumped out emitting a scream from Purpled.
In the early hours of the morning in district 12 a brother comforted his younger sibling running a hand through the younger's hair quietly shushing him, reminding him he was just dreaming. The younger looked up with shaky breaths as he whispered “It was me Punz''
“I know. I know. But it's not. It's your first year. Purp your names only going to be in there once.Their not going to pick you.I mean look at me buddy i went through all my reapings without being picked. Just try to get more sleep, yeah?” Punz spoke, resting his head on Purpled's head, rocking the boy who nodded. Punz smiled softly and moved Purpled so he was lying down again still comforting the boy as he hummed a song their dad used to hum when he was still around. Purpled soon drifting off to sleep allowing Punz to leave.
Getting to the door Punz grabbed his hunting jacket hearing a growl from Purpled’s dog Dogchamp. He shook his head and grumbled “I will cook you one day dog” before quickly leaving his house, weaving between miners going to work and children in the streets. Soon reaching the borders of district 12, the electric fence which was never on. Ducking under it Punz ran to the forest going into a tree where his bow and arrows were hidden. Maybe he’d find a deer or something he could sell.
Walking through the forest, Punz stopped hearing a footstep which was too loud to be an animal. He raised a brow and headed in the general direction of where he heard it, seeing a head of brown hair and a familiar looking jacket. He smirked, realising who it was following the person.
Punz followed them until they stopped spotting a deer. He watched them aim the bow and shouted “What are you gonna do with that when you kill it?” scaring the animal and causing them to miss their shot.
The figure jumped before turning around to see Punz “damn you Punz! That was the first deer I've seen in a year!”
Punz laughed while walking forward picking up the arrow “No but seriously Hannah what are you going to do with like a 100 pound deer? Sell it to peacekeepers??”
“Well duh?? Also you can talk you sell to them” Hannah replied, rolling her eyes as punz patted her back “Well younger sister of mine, i dont today”
Hannah nodded and sighed “Well now I have nothing to sell thanks to someone” she grumbled, Punz looked at her before gesturing to a bush “look over there” he crouched down picking up a small rock tossing it at the bush causing birds to fly out. Hannah quickly aimed and shot one down with a proud laugh. Punz smiled before saying they should head back and see what they could get with the bird. Hannah reluctantly agreed as they walked back into the district heading to the shopping area.
Hannah stopped by a table that was selling fresh food and traded the bird in for a few bread rolls, something that she could share with her mum and two brothers. Bagging them up she returned home seeing Punz with Purpled all ready in his reaping outfit. Purpled was wearing a light blue long sleeve button up shirt, beige formal trousers held up by a black belt with some brown leather shoes. She smiled and walked over “oh look at you!” she felt around behind him “but let's tuck in that tail we don't want you looking like a duck” she smiled earning a small laugh from Purpled despite how nervous he was.
A scoff was heard from Punz who grumbled “more like we can't show the capitol a scruffy child or god hel- ow” he rubbed his head as his mum tapped him on the back of his head looking at hannah “ive laid something out for you to sweetie”
Nodding Hannah left to go get dressed soon returning in a white dress with red flowers on it and her hair in a braided bun that their mum did.
“You both look very smart. '' Their mum spoke ruffling Purpled’s hair as the boy stood next to her. That was when the siren went off to say that everyone should report to the town square. Hannah moved to Purpled taking his hand giving it a gentle squeeze before leading the way to where they had to be. Punz called after them that they’ll meet up after the reaping.
As they got closer Purpled slowly stopped his breathing, speeding up. Hannah caught onto it and looked around quickly pulling her brother to the side to avoid them being shoved around while Purpled panicked. Crouching down Hannah placed her hands on Purpled's shoulders before speaking “hey shhh. Purpled, it's okay. Look at me we’re just going to sign in alright there just going to take a little bit of blood just from your finger” at that Purpled freaked more asking if it wills ting hannah shaking her head “No, just a little like a pinch” she reassured “okay? You just have to go sit with the other boys your age and ill find you after and we can go to Punz. That's your line alright?” She pointed to where all of the 12 year olds were.
Purpled gave a shaky nod and walked over there standing in line. The line went down and it was Purpled's turn. The peacekeeper took hold of his hand sticking the needle into his finger and onto some paper before scanning his blood sample after getting the information they needed he was given the all clear to head to the pen peacekeepers nudging him in the direction he had to go. Once everyone was in place Purpled looked around for his sister who he caught sight of as she mouthed “you’ll be fine.” His attention was quickly taken away from Hannah and towards the stage as the microphone was tapped by a male capital citizen with light blue hair wearing a suit that was made out of flowers.
Once this male was satisfied that the microphone was working, he began to speak “Welcome, welcome, welcome. Happy annual 99th hunger games and may the odds be ever in your favour! Now before we begin, we have a very special film brought to you straight from the capital!” he spoke way too happily for someone who was about to send two people off to their possible death.
The film was the same propaganda they’d play every hunger games. About how the games were a reminder of the rebellion and that the games were made to serve as a reminder of the capital's generosity and forgiveness by offering up to one male and female tribute to fight to the death. This generosity was shown by how they would bathe the lone victor in riches and get to live in the rich part of their district known as the victors village. District 12 only had one victor. Sparklez Captain who won the 55th hunger games.
As it finished the blue haired guy spoke again “Oh i just love that! Now the time has come to select one young courageous man and woman for the honour of representing district 12 in the 99th annual hunger games. As usual ladies first”
Walking to the left the capital citizen went to the bowl holding all the female tributes names in it and dove his hand into the papers as everyone watched in suspense. The hand soon emerged with a slip of paper containing a name as the guy walked back to the microphone unfolding the paper before holding it out in front of himself reading out the name “Hannah Johnson?”
Hearing her name Hannah slowly emerged from the crowd of 16-year-olds only to be surrounded by peacekeepers to stop her running off. She was escorted to the steps, a shaky hand reaching for the rail as the blue haired male featured for her to come up. Stepping up Hannah glanced into the crowd spitting Punz who was already helping an upset mum rubbing her back with a frown himself. She could tell Punz wanted to cry as well but he was being strong for their mum. Reaching the top of the steps the capitol member grabbed her shoulders guiding her to stand in place on his left side before taking his position back at the mic.
“And now for the boys”
Purpled glanced at Hannah and then the other boys his age reminding himself mentally ‘Hannah’s name is in more than you, Punz said yours is only in once you’ll be okay.’ His eyes then fell on the hand digging in the bowl. The violet eyed boy feeling his heart begin to race as he watched the hand spin around in the bunch of names that were in there. Somewhere in that bowl was his name, and there was still the slight chance that the name that was pulled out could be his. Even if Punz had told him that the chance was very slim of being chosen to play in the games. All he could do was sit and wait. Wait for the hand to remerge. Sit in suspense as he prayed it wasn’t his name that was pulled. After what felt like an eternity of waiting, Purpled watched the hand leave the names inside the glass bowl as the escort made his way back to the microphone, beginning to unfold the name slip.
‘It can’t be you. It can’t’ Purpled thought over and over in his head before the words “Purpled Johnson” was called out. Purpled’s heart practically skips a beat at hearing his own name be called out.
All the boys began looking between each other in trying to guess who Purpled Johnson was as the escort continued to speak as Purpled had yet to move from his spot. “Purpled Johnson? Where are you? Come on up.”
Slowly Purpled moved from where he was standing as everyone parted ways, his hands going to the back of his shirt to tuck it in as he walked. Getting to the edge a peacekeeper placed a hand on his lower back moving him in between the peacekeepers just like they did with Hannah and did the short walk to the stage, due to him being from the 12-year-old section he was closest to the stage. Looking up when they stopped walking, Purpled was met by the capital man smiling down at him gesturing him to come up. His hand went to the rail to seal his fate as he climbed up the steps only to be dragged into place like Hannah was.
Once in place the capital person bought the microphone to Purpled asking him if Hannah was his sister. Purpled nodded and spoke “yeah..she's my sister” he looked over at Hannah after that as the blue haired male turned back to the audience to address them. “Well how exciting is that! A lovely brother sister duo as our tributes for district 12 and remember happy hunger games and may the odds be ever in your favour” he spoke happily clapping but got nothing in return but the crowd slowly raised 3 fingers in a salute. A way of saying goodbye.
Purpled looked out at the crowd before he was quickly guided into the building behind the stage and into a waiting room so they could say a final goodbye to family before they were taken off to the games. The older of the two siblings waited until they were alone in the room with no one watching them to quickly pull Purpled into a hug after noticing his uneven breaths and shaking. She ran a hand through his hair speaking softly “We’ll be okay I promise. While i'm there with you i won't let anything bad happen to you”
“Promise?” Purpled asked as he met his sister's eyes, relaxing a little as she nodded and pulled away from the hug. Just as they pulled away the door opened with a peacekeeper making the announcement that someone only had three minutes. Purpled turned to the door to see Punz and their mum rush in.
Punz was quick to drop to his knees in front of Purpled as their mum went to say bye to Hannah. “Purpled, I need you to listen to me okay. You may be 12 but I can assure you are the strongest kid. I know you're smart and I want you not to let anyone tell you otherwise. You and Hannah keep an eye on each other in that arena, stick together okay?”
“We will '' Purpled whispered looking at his brother who smiled at him before going into his pocket “Here i found this earlier at the market” he held out a small pin with a bird on it “Its a mockingjay. Dad used to tell me it would protect me, and as long as you have it nothing bad will happen to you” Punz explained watching as Purpled inspected the pin before glancing behind at his mum and Hannah who was receiving her mom's wedding ring.
A hand came to ruffle Purpled’s hair as Punz suggested he go say goodbye to his mum and that Punz would talk to Hannah.
Once Hannah had finished saying bye to her mum she moved to punz who quickly hugged her “Listen Hannah i'm not sure what your planning but try and get you and him as far as you can. At least give one of you a chance of winning which can happen if you work together”
“I know Punz, I'll try. No promises though” Hannah replied “But if it comes down to it Punz, Purp is coming home not me. He's a kid he deserves a life not to die in some hell holl that is these games Punz.”
“And you don't deserve that either” Punz mumbled sighing “no one does the games are bullshit were all just kids”
“I know Pu- '' Hannah went to reply before the peacekeeper came in announcing time was up and they had to leave. At no movement Purpled and Hannah were pulled away and out of the room. Purpled, struggling to reach for his mum not wanting to go but before the door shut their mum shouted “I love you both!” before turning to punz pulling her eldest into a hug.
That hug broke the blonde as he broke into tears, he had stayed strong for his siblings not to worry them or panic Purpled more than he already was. Punz buried his head into his mothers neck as she rubbed his back whispering comforting words to him telling him it would be okay. However Punz kept shaking his head saying he wished he was of reaping age because he would've volunteered the second Purpled's name was called out so he could still be a kid, have moments where he could laugh and just act his age. But now he was about to face a very high chance of death sentence with the stuff gamemakers throw at the tributes and the careers alone.
The peacekeeper brought the two to the district escort who was waiting at the entrance of the building to bring them to the car. The blue haired male turning around with a smile as he spoke “well we are on a tight schedule however i can introduce my self now i'm Scott Smajor but you can just call me scot now come along children we have a train to catch” He quickly ushered the two out of the building and into the car sitting between the two.
As the car drove Scott went on about how he thought the two were in for a treat even if it was for a short amount of time going on about everything they'd see. However Purpled didn't really care for this as he put his head against the glass of the car watching his home pass. Sure he was strong but he was a kid going against people who were older and much stronger, no 12 year old had won the games, they always died early. All he could really think about is dying and leaving behind his memories. Like swimming in the lake with his family outside the district, hunting with his dad, or foraging berries with his mum. Sure life in district 12 wasn't the best but it was home.
A home that he most likely won't see again.
The drive was short as they arrived at the train station being taken out of the car and through the crowd of district 12 people watching them leave. Purpled kept his eyes on the ground not wanting to look at these strangers who were seeing them off. Reaching the steps Purpled looked up and sighed. Here goes nothing. His fate was sealed.