Chapter One

I chewed on the inside of my Marilyn Monroe piercing while I hunched over my college algebra homework in the coffee shop. The shop was empty because the beginning of The Killing Games was on the TV for this year. I could care less about what was going on The Killing Games. It was violence and it was sick violence. The most recent winners were Jonathan and Taylor Evans, the famous brother-sister pairing. They had been in it for the past three years until their younger sister, Vanessa, and her best friend, Jake Chekov, volunteered. The Killing Games were around to keep the states in line after the most recent civil war over freedom and laws. The government decided to put an end to it and create 'The Killing Games', a derivation from the book The Hunger Games. Shows the maturity level of our government, I'd say.

The bell for the door jingled and I looked up, confused as to who would be in the coffee shop while the games were being televised. Even the TV in the coffee shop was tuned to it. Thankfully, I had my headphones and Imagine Dragons and Paramore to keep me from listening. A familiar dark headed man and a maroon headed girl walked through the door. They turned in my direction to head for the cashier and I got a full view of the man and girl.

The man was Jonathan Evans. He had a scar on his upper lip, I remember that one. A knife was swiped at him and just barely dodged it. Another scar on his left cheek, a rogue arrow hit him on that one. His right jaw line, scratch scars, from being shoved up against the trunk of a tree and not having proper medical supplies to prevent it from scarring. The Games were dangerous, and I'm sure those weren't the only scars he had. He wore dark jeans and a white t-shirt with tennis shoes. His tan arms looking even darker against the white t-shirt. His arms showed a few scars as well, but not as noticeable as the ones on his face.

The girl was Vanessa Evans, his little sister. She had a fierce look about her Her maroon hair was expertly pinned back, but still flowed freely along her shoulder. That fierceness I mentioned was showing brightly in her light green eyes. The only way I can describe the color of her eyes is that of a green stone called a peridot. She wore a teal blazer with a multicolored, flowy tank. She wore tight skinny jeans, probably jeggings, and a pair of boat shoes. They must have just gotten back from an interview for the Games.

As I think this, their faces appear on the television screen and their voices boom over the speakers. His is a pleasant, deep voice. Her's not high pitched, but not low like a bass. Just perfectly in the middle. They speak pleasantly with the interviewer and joke with him. She's learned from him, he's learned from their parents, who went through the Killing Games for five years without being killed. They're the ultimate family for the Games. They know what they're doing.

"Can you shut that off please?" Jonathan asks, irritation in his voice. The baristas are quick to oblige and the TV is instantly shut off. Vanessa frowns with a "sorry" at her brother and orders her drink and food. The sorrow hides something that I'm itching to find out. Jonathan sighs and his shoulders slump. They're having a secret sibling conversation, something that I definitely cannot and should not intrude on.

My hand grips my pencil and I sigh as they sit down a couple of tables away from me. I begin to write new numbers down, trying to focus on my homework, but I so much want to listen in on their conversation and figure out what they're talking about. It's not every day that you're sitting in the same place as the winner of the Killing Games and being able to hear him at the same time.

"The interview went well," he says authoritatively, "but there's plenty of more that you're going to have to get through--"

"Jon, just stop talking about it," she interrupts him. "You and I both know you don't want to talk about it and I don't want to talk about it right now either. We'll get the fifth degree when we get home. Let's wait until then please?"

"Okay. You're right. I really don't want to talk about it. I don't want to hear about it ever again, to be exact. Every time I hear the word 'killing', in any manner it's used, those memories come back up and I can't even get the images out of my brain."

He's getting angrier as he speaks. That can't possibly be good. I look up and witness Vanessa putting her hand on his arm. He jumps slightly, but doesn't recoil. It makes me wonder if he ever recoils or if he's getting used to the contact without the violence. Some can mad form the Games. My parents and the Springers for example...

"Jon, you and I have always shared everything with each other since we were younger. You don't have to hide anything from me now either." She tell shim. He looks at her and they stare at each other a moment. He sighs and nods.

"You're right. I'm sorry. But everything about the Games is just a horrible nightmare that I never want to remember. You'll soon find out...."

"In the meantime, let's get your mind off of it! You're going to have plenty of free time now that you aren't training! Go meet some people! Be a free spirit! Look! We're not the only ones out while everyone is broadcasting our pain!"

She motions towards me and my eyes instantly widen. They've spotted me. What am I supposed to do or say?

Vanessa jumps up from the table and makes her way towards mine. I swallow hard, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat. Jonathan sighs and turns around and wen instantly make eye contact. I stare in awe back; he's even more handsome up close. He cracks a small smile and pulls his finger up by his ear and swirls it in a circular motion around it. He's telling me his sister is crazy.

"Hey!" She exclaims. "If you're not going to get up and introduce yourself to this gorgeous girl right here, I'm going to have to do it for you! What are you working on?"

It takes me a second to realize she's talking to me. I stutter for a moment and thens top when she begins to speak again.

"Ew. Math. I'm sorry." She says sympathetically. She looks back up at Jon and motions toward me.

"I'm sorry about my sister." He says as he gets up, grabbing his coffee. "She can be a little crazy at times. Just ignore her. I'm Jonathan, but I'm sure you know that."

He's holding out his hand. He wants a formal shake. I swallow again and place my hand in his. He firmly shakes it and I try to match the same pressure as his hand is making on mine.

"Jonathan. Invite her." Vanessa presses. Invite me? Invite me to what? Jonathan chuckles and looks at me. I look into his chocolate brown eyes and notice a hint of "sorry" and a hint of pain in his eyes.

"We're having a celebration for Ness and Jake tonight." He explains. "Parents are providing the location and favors, we provide the hosting. I'm the host for this one and the host always needs a date. Would you care to join?"

Just like that? He doesn't even know me and he's already asking me to be his date for this ting? Do I say 'yes'? Do I question it?

"Uhm...well, you should probably know your date's name." I spit out stupidly. "My name is Molly."

"Well, that's a pretty name for a gorgeous girl." He says, still smiling, but his smile doesn't reach his eyes. I so desperately want to help him make his smile reach his eyes. Vanessa claps her hands and squeals giddily. She's tough and butch when it comes to the Games, but she's just like any other girl when it comes to life.

"Great! Do you have anywhere to be right now?" She asks. I look at my algebra homework. I guess this will just have to wait for later. I shake my head.

"Good! You can borrow one of my dresses!" She smiles at Jonathan and he smiles at me. I smile slightly and she grabs my arm and tugs. I quickly comply and throw my things into my backpack quickly. She smiles and Jonathan follow Vanessa and me out the door of the coffee shop, his coffee and car keys in hand. I follow them to a bright red sports car and Vanessa jumps in the back, leaving me with the front seat. Jonathan gestures for me to get in and I reluctantly do so. I'd much rather take the backseat in this situation.

"So, Molly," Jonathan begins. I turn my head in his direction, hanging on his words. Something about him intrigues me. Not the fact that he was in the Games and not the fact that he survived them. It's something hidden in those eyes and behind those scars.

"You were doing math. Still in school?"

"Uhm, yeah." I mumble. "I'm at the nearby university."

"What are you studying?" Vanessa asks curiously from the backseat, which she has taken and spread her legs across the seats. I can tell she's much taller than I thought.

"Art. I'm going to be an artist. I already have a few pieces in an art show that's happening next week." I respond. Did I say too much and it sounded like I was bragging?

"That's really cool! Where at?!" She asks excitedly.

"In the art gallery on Fifty Third and Rochester." I respond. I guess I didn't mention too much. We pull in front of a large mansion with two garages on both sides. They're four-car garages, which makes the house seem much bigger as well.

"Come on! I know just the dress!" Vanessa exclaims while tugging on my arm to get out of the car.