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DEFYING THE ODDS

A Hunger Games FanFic

By Sophia

Things To Know Before You Start

~ This follows the storyline of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes which belongs to Suzanne Collins, the ship killer. If you have not read or watched this Hunger Games Prequel then do that before reading otherwise it won't make any sense.

~ While I don't own most of the characters I do own some so please don't steal them. I also own MY parts of the story so don't copy that as well.

~ This story takes place during the Tenth Annual Hunger Games, also known as the time The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place but this will be from the POV of my OC and possibly another's.

~ No hate, I am not a very good writer but please don't judge my writing.

~ Calista Harper will be played by Elle Fanning.

~ I have no idea how the whole Tribute Cattle Car whatever works so I am picturing they start in District Twelve and work their way back to the Capitol I guess?

~ Also, we're pretending Otto and Ginnee don't exist :>

~ I hope you enjoy Defying the Odds :)

Chapter One

Calista Harper POV

"Welcome, welcome everyone. Welcome to the Reaping of the Tenth Annual Hunger Games," Nessie Woolens, our mayor, says, a fake smile plastered across her milk colored face. "Now, shall we get started?" 

I'm pretty sure it's not a question and she confirms my thoughts by sticking her hand into the girl's basket on her left side. She grabs a battered piece of paper with the flick of her wrist and slowly slips it open. "Calista Harper!" 

My eyes bolt up from their target on the ground, a small pebble I had been kicking from foot to foot the whole time I had been in the square, and I keep my eyes glued to the floor as I walk up to the small stage that is set up at Reaping day and Reaping day only. I trek up the gray steps and stand next to Nessie, my eyes still on the floor. 

"Wonderful!" Nessie reaches into the other basket, this one with boy's names on it. She selects a slip and very carefully opens it, reading the name aloud to the whole of District Six. "Fillis Dudds," she reads, her voice piercing the early July air. A boy, about 16 walks up to the stage. 

Compared to my small frame, this boy is a giant looming at about 6,4. He has tan skin, dark, dark eyes, and ebony colored hair. His scowl makes him look even more terrifying and I know that if I don't get on his side, I am screwed for the games. 

Nessie makes us turn to shake hands and his firm shake sends jolts through my body and I swear I hear something crack. Peacekeepers, about 6 of them, flood the stage, three going to each of us and dragging us towards the direction of the train station. I don't really get why we need them, as most of us wouldn't dare run away in fear of being shot to the ground in minutes. In Six, the Peacekeepers here don't mess around. 

As we get dragged off the stage I hear my little sister, Cedar scream for me. I bite down on my lip until I taste blood to stop from bursting into uncontrollable sobs. No, I tell myself. I will not let them see me as weak. Not them, not anyone. 

I contort my face into a scowl as we are led into the rickety building, otherwise known as the train station. As if I am moving too slow, a Peacekeeper nudges me hard with his rifle causing me to hiss back at him. A cattle car comes into view as we enter the wretched building and I inwardly groan, remembering back to what my father said about how long it takes to get for Six to the Capitol. 

I risk a glance at Fillis to find him scowling at the idea of placing us in the cattle car like animals and I have to agree with him. I mean, they are sending us to fight to the death, you could at least give us a pleasant final days. Some more Peacekeepers appear out of nowhere and slide open the doors, revealing a dark, enclosed, area.

"Get in," a Peacekeeper says firmly. Fillis climbs aboard the car reluctantly and then slumps down against the wall. I am about to follow when a Peacekeeper grabs me by the waist and tosses me in the car before slamming the door shut with a bang. I wince and rub my head from where it hit the inner wall of the car and curse under my breath. 

I blink hard and my eyes adjust to the very faint lighting, the only light being produced from a small crack where the door opens. I see Fillis slumped against the wall, head in hands a couple feet away from me and find comfort in knowing I'm not alone. With a glance to my left I find no other tributes occupying our car, them all presumably being in one of the other five train cars I saw. The train jolts to a start, nearly sending my thin frame flying at the wall but I stay balanced, placing my arms out to keep me steady. 

i think this story turned into a wattpad one, if you were here when i had "love story - mizzen" up T-T