'District 13'

Chapter 1: Lock-Down

Clare shoved her books into her locker, and put some back into her bag. It was a process she did constantly with a confused look on her face, to pretend as if she wasn't actually looking for friends. And finally, Adam appears to break her process.

"Finally, a familiar face." She sighed, leaning against the lockers as Adam came up to her. He said nothing. "Or not…" Clare trailed off, eyeing him suspiciously. His face was pale but his cheek looked as if he had been hit. Clare's brow furrowed. "Adam?"

"Don't. I'm fine." He said sharply. Clare's eyes softened as she reached out to touch the wound. Adam winced, grabbing her wrist. "I'm fine." He insisted, turning into his locker. "Just had a small fight with Drew, no big deal." He grumbled.

"Drew did this?" Clare gasped.

"Could you say it any louder?" Adam hissed, glancing over his shoulder. He looked back at Clare. "I made the first move. Doesn't matter, okay? Can we just get to class and forget about this?" He grumbled through his thin lips. Clare inspected the wound again briefly and gulped.

"Sure." She nodded, shutting her locker. Adam did the same, staring down at the floor as he walked away. He bumped right into Owen.

"Watch it, faggot!" Owen grunted, shoving him against a locker. He strut away with Bianca, sniggering. Bianca looked back at Adam as Clare quickly caught up with him. Clare placed a hand on his shoulder, looking at him in concern. Bianca turned away, eyes focused ahead.

"You alright?" Clare asked. Adam's jaw tightened as he pulled Clare's hand away from him.

"Just not having much luck." He grumbled. He gestured for them to keep moving. Clare followed him down the hall instantly. They slipped into their classroom and sat down, Adam being at the desk in front of her. The bell rang out above them just seconds later.

"Good morning class!" Ms. Dawes began. Adam sunk into his seat, staring at the edge of his desk. Fifteen minutes passed and he almost fell asleep.

"…Perhaps the author emphasized the fact that the curtains were blue, to express the intense sorrow she felt for the fact that she knew her husband was seeing another, much younger woman." Ms. Dawes said passionately.

"Or maybe she just likes the color blue." Adam murmured. The class glanced back at him and started giggling.

"Well, umm… good input there, Adam! Nice to see some people have come up with new ideas and options for the author's implications!" Ms. Dawes said, nervously trying to keep a positive attitude.

"So the author writes about blue curtains to imply that she likes the color blue?" He asked. Clare kicked his chair. He looked back at her as the class laughed around him. Clare was smiling but she gestured for him to cut it out. Adam looked back at Ms. Dawes mischievously.

"Well, that could be the case but…" Ms. Dawes trailed off. Her face hardened as she peered outside.

"But what?" Adam asked. Ms. Dawes dropped the book she was holding and walked towards the window. "Ms. Dawes?" Adam raised an eyebrow. His gaze followed her direction. She stood by the window. That's when Adam saw it. There were metallic bars coming down the sides of the window, vertically, straight down.

"What is going on…" Ms. Dawes murmured, watching as the bars firmly sunk into the windowsill. Students stood from their desks. Clare glanced at Adam, who was watching it just the way the other students were. Then there was a loud bang and black shields slid over the windows on the outside of the building. Students jumped and squealed at the sudden noise and movement.

"What's going on?" Clare asked, watching as some students stood to their feet, backing away from the windows.

"Ms. Dawes? What's going on?" Adam persisted, along with other students. Ms. Dawes turned to them.

"I have no id – " There was a crash and the lights above them burst. Darkness enveloped the classroom as shards of glass, hot from the light being switched on earlier, came crashing over the students. There were screams all around and heavy breathing. It was pitch black. Light peeped through the door as some figures rushed in. All they heard was Ms. Dawes' muffled screams, kicking, and objects being tossed about. Students panicked.

"Help! Somebody get help!"

"There's no reception!"

"Ms. Dawes!"

"What's happening?"

"Does anyone have a lighter?"

"Clare!" Adam called over the voices. He had stood to his feet but figures kept pushing passed him, searching for friends, anyone. Ms. Dawes couldn't be heard any longer. "Clare!" He called again, stumbling over somebody's foot.

"Adam!" Came an oddly near voice. Adam ran in that direction, getting bumped and shoved by the invisible teenagers.

"Clare!" He repeated. Suddenly he felt two hands grasp his jacket.

"Adam." Came her voice against him as she buried her face into his shoulder. He hugged her back.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"I don't know!" She returned, grasping him tightly as the people shoved all around them.

"Silence!" Came a piercing shout. The screaming continued. Adam tried looking around but the room was completely black. "Silence or we kill you all!" Came the voice. Suddenly, one by one, the students became quiet. Adam breathed heavily, holding Clare against him as they waited for the voice to return. There was a spark at the edge of the room and then a whoosh of fire spreading. Students squealed and moved away as a straight line of fire spread along the windowsill. It stopped right at the corner, leaving a perfect line of light that made the room visible again. "Hello there." Came the voice. The students all jolted, looking towards the front of the room. Their eyes widened at the strange looking man at the front of the room, accompanied by men in white uniforms. Adam took it they that they were some kind of officers.

"What's going on?" Dave asked, trembling. The man had the weirdest facial hair. It had curved and perfect edges. There was a scream from a girl in the class, followed by several gasps. Adam wasn't sure what the commotion was about until he spotted Ms. Dawes, on the floor by her desk. Completely still.

"What's happening?" Clare exclaimed. Her hands were shaking. Adam noticed it and held her tighter, pulling her against him comfortingly. The man's face was indifferent, gesturing to the door.

"All of you, out. Now. Be silent and leave in a single file line." He ordered. As one of the officers held the door open, not a soul moved. The man grew agitated. "Now!" He bellowed, stomping his foot as he did so. With small whimpers, students quickly made for the door, rushing out into the hall. Adam tried to move but Clare's feet were planted into the ground.

"Come on." He grunted, pulling at her. She held onto him tightly as he tugged her towards the door. They slipped out into the dimly light hall, and noticed that all the classrooms were open. As they went passed each other, they saw the same thing occurring. Students, exiting single file, with fire along the sides of the walls. They all looked pale and sickly. Their teachers lay on the floors face down. "Clare, it's alright." Adam reassured her into her hair. She just shivered against him, clawing at his shirt. "Clare, trust me." He breathed. "Clare – "

"Hey, you two!" Came a voice of an approaching man in a white uniform. "He said single file!" He grabbed Clare, hauling her away from Adam.

"No! Adam!" She squealed.

"Clare! Just shut up and get back!" Adam grunted, grabbing her wrist. He pushed Clare in front of him. "Just walk, okay? Just walk. I'm right here. It'll all be fine." He uttered, though his own hands were growing sweaty and his eyes frantic. As he walked ahead, watching each student leaving their class and swarming the halls, he stared in confusion. He heard Clare crying in front of him, he could see her hands shakily violently. He scanned anywhere for a familiar face. And finally he found one. "Eli." He whispered. Eli glanced back at him.

"Adam." He looked petrified.

"Where's Ms. Oh?" Adam asked. Eli's lips twitched.

"Dead." He uttered. Adam peered up at him. Was Ms. Dawes dead too? She wasn't just unconscious? Adam's eyes fluttered.

"What's going on?" He asked. Eli gulped, looking ahead.

"Nobody knows." He whispered back. The hallway now filled with students, all walking the same way, being directed by the officers in white. They were led into the gymnasium, which soon became just as packed as a tin of tuna. There was silence all around. Everyone had become too terrified to say a word. A funny looking woman, accompanied by the man with the precise beard, slowly strolled onto a stage made at the front of the gymnasium. All was silent as the students stared up at the peculiar people, unable to form sentences at what they were seeing. The bubbly woman edged forward with a grand smile.

"Hello! Effie Trinket! How are you all today?" She greeted, her voice echoed throughout the gym. Not a single response. Just cold stares, terrified eyes all locked on her. "Oh wow, what a lively lot, you are!" She giggled.

"What's going on?" Came a hoarse voice. Everyone turned in surprise at whoever had spoken. Adam didn't need to. He knew it was Drew. Effie just smiled politely, and looked out into the crowd. She clapped her hands and the men in white quickly brought over something that looked like an over-sized goldfish bowl. People around began to whisper, all asking the exact same question.

"Now!" Effie began, smiling. "I'm going to pick and call four names out at random and whoever you are, I want you to come up on stage and join me? Okay? Do we have an understanding?" She grinned. Again, no response whatsoever. Just blank stares and whispering. "Okay! Lets begin!" She giggled, moving towards the bowl. Students glanced around at one another, before Drew spoke out again.

"Excuse me, but what is going on?" Drew shouted, louder and firmer. Many around him hissed at him urgently to stop.

"Calm down, kids!" Effie giggled, hushing the people who had asked Drew to be quiet. Effie sighed, folding her arms. She smiled as she peered at the crowd of students, eyeing each one individually. "Well, to put it short – whichever four of you is chosen – gets to battle and fight to the death!" She squealed, gesturing the crowd to feel some sort of excitement.

"You're kidding, right?" Came a snort of laughter. Effie sighed.

"No." She smiled, shaking her head. The bearded man stepped forward.

"The Hunger Games." He announced suddenly. "When we pick two tributes from each of the twelve districts and place them into a battle arena and have each of them killed off. But! This year we decided to… change things up a little. We're taking four from here, seeing as none of you really have any… skills, for a lack of better words." He shrugged, smiling.

"Districts? What's this guy even talking about?" Zig muttered behind Maya's back.

"No idea." Tori giggled slightly.

"We're just glad that Seneca, here," Effie gestured to the bearded man, "invented this advanced form of travel. We didn't know this place existed!" She laughed. "But yes, you will, in fact, fight to your death." She ended with a small shrug. "In fact, here's some past footage of the Hunger Games just for you!" She clapped her hands again as the screen near her flickered on. Clips began to play of nothing but pure slaughter. All were young and fresh-faced. Eli felt his heart started to race in his chest, just like the other students. He stared back at Effie, tearing his gaze away from the footage.

"This isn't real." He breathed. "This… this isn't real." He repeated, looking around at the other students. They were all focused hard on the video. Girls were crying and boys were perplexed. "Guys? Guys, this can't be… this can't be… real." He breathed, looking around another time. Nobody responded to him.

"Drew."

"Katie." Drew returned sharply. He glanced down at her. "This isn't…"

"Yeah well it is." One of the officers snapped impatiently.

"Stop." Came a voice suddenly. The crowd turned. It was Simpson. He marched onto the stage, grabbing the microphone in front of Effie's face. "Leave! All of you! Just get out and leave!" He urged. Voices rose amongst the crowd again.

"See? I told you it wasn't real." Someone said from behind Eli. Seneca rolled his eyes and clicked his fingers, pointing to Simpson.

"Don't listen to these people, I don't know what they're talking about just get – " A man in white came up behind him, pressing a knife to Simpson's throat. "Hey wh – " The officer pulled. Simpson choked as blood ran down his front and down the man in white's arm. Screams and gasps echoed the gym as Simpson fell to the floor.

"Whoops! That's enough!" Effie sang, cutting the video footage off. She smiled back at the crowd again. "Shall we begin? Men first for a change?" She asked excitedly. The crowd stared at Simpson as his body was dragged off stage. They… they had killed him. A girl near the front thudded to the ground, fainting with a sickly sigh. Owen licked his lips, glancing back at Bianca to see if she was buying it. For once, she looked like she was finally afraid of something. Owen looked back up at the stage as Effie reached into the bowl.

"And by the way, no volunteers or replacements. We already had one in District 12. One is enough." Effie said. Owen gulped as Effie's fingers swirled around the names beneath her fingertips. Her hand suddenly jolted down and grasped a piece of paper. There were small gasps all around as she pulled it out in front of her. "May the odds be ever in your favor." She grinned, opening the paper, scanning the name. Her smile widened as she leaned towards the microphone. "Owen Milligan!" She called. Heads turned as the boy stood firmly, staring up at the stage.

"Me?" He breathed.

"Come on up!" Effie smiled, pointing at a space next to Seneca. Owen huffed his chest out and thudded passed the students around him. Two men in white led him to the stage. He was like a panther, watching everyone around him, showing that he was tough enough for this. Even if nobody knew if this was real, or if it was nothing at all. "Welcome!" Effie mouthed, winking at him. Owen stood uncomfortably by then, trying his best to flex and seem hard-headed. Effie sifted through the papers once more. Her index finger and middle finger snapped down on a name. She pulled it out excitedly and peeled it open. She giggled, peering out of the crowd. She grinned, looking at the faces of the teenagers rooted to the gym floor. Her lips flew open.

"Adam Torres!" She called enthusiastic. His heart stopped as a small gasp left his lips. His blue orb-like eyes stared down at the floor as heads turned to face him. It was him. His name. "Come on up, Adam!" Effie urged playfully. Adam's lips trembled open as he looked up at the students facing him. He couldn't. His feet felt as if they were glued to the floor. "Come on, don't be shy now! Where are you?" Effie giggled. Adam looked at those faces again, and his eyes fell to the floor. His vision was becoming blurry. "Oh, Adam!" Effie sang from the stage. Adam placed a nervous foot forward.

"Adam." Clare whispered harshly. Adam stepped away, walking slowly at first.

"Ah! There you are!" Effie squeaked. Adam's jaw tightened. He began walking at a faster pace, pushing passed the students around him. Clare sprung from her place in the line.

"Adam!" She screamed. There was a rush of footsteps as the officers grasped her, holding her back. Adam just stared at the floor, pushing through the people one by one as Clare squealed behind him. He shut his eyes tightly for a moment, continuing forward.

"Oh, welcome, sweetie!" Effie greeted as Adam reached the stage steps. Adam glanced up at her. "Aw, don't be frightened!"

"I'm not." Adam uttered under his breath. Effie smiled, patting his back, then wiping her hand.

"Now, go stand over there by Aaron!"

"Owen."

"Owen!" She corrected, looking back at him. Adam stood firmly by Owen's side, gulping hard under the spotlight. "And now for the ladies! You can relax, gentlemen!" Effie announced. Adam looked up out at the crowd, watching the faces of those he knew staring right back at him. He felt a funny substance at his shoes and glanced down. They were covered in blood. Simpson's blood. He looked up shakily, staring up. His eyes met with Eli's. Eli was shaking his head, glaring at him, mouthing comforting things to him. Adam felt his heart was about to stop beating entirely, he couldn't stand still. "Maya Matlin!" Effie shouted. Through their eye contact, Katie screamed at the top of her lungs, screeching for Maya. The blond dug her thumb into the palm of her hand, carefully making her way onto the stage like a small animal. She blinked up at Effie.

"Aw, look at you, cutie! Welcome! Come stand by your fellow tributes!" Effie ordered sweetly. Maya looked up at Owen and Adam. Both standing side by side. Owen was puffed out and focused on the crowd, Adam was staring down at the floor. Maya stood next to Adam, looking up. Katie was in Drew's arms, buried deep into his chest, crying into him. Drew stared at the floor, muttering things to her. But his color had been drained. He was barely conscious. Drew glanced up at Adam. The thin boy frightened on the stage. The boy that he had fought just the night before. Drew glared back at the floor again, pulling Katie closer into him as he shut his eyes painfully. "Bianca DeSousa! Wow, what a pretty name." Effie snorted, looking at Seneca. Bianca rushed through the students, desperate to avoid their eyes. "We have ourselves an eager one!" Effie gasped teasingly. Bianca stomped up the stairs, taking her place by Owen's side instead of Maya's. Effie watched the four of them, smiling widely. She scanned their faces, but processed nothing. Seneca firmly analyzed them and all their traits, wondering who would die first. Effie looked out to the crowd, lifting her arms up. "And there you have it! Your four tributes from District… what District is this?" Effie asked Seneca.

"This is not a District." He reminded her.

"Ah." Effie said simply.

"But!" Seneca began, looking back at the tributes. "I think District 13 has a nice ring to it, don't you?" He smirked. Effie gasped at the idea, enthused.

"Everybody, our tributes from District 13!" She began clapping her hands, smiling back at the four of them. Maya stared at Tori, Zig and Tristan, saying nothing. Adam found it difficult to even stand up. Owen was grinning at Bianca, who smiling back weakly. "Take them away!" Effie ordered. The officers came by their sides, gesturing them off stage. Effie turned back to the crowd. "Whoever wants to visit them have a total of three minutes. Maybe more. Maybe less. But most likely less." Effie smiled, giggling afterwards. As she turned to find Seneca; Maya, Bianca, Owen and Adam made their way into a separate room. Rooms they didn't even know existed by the gym. Maya paced by a blocked window and looked up at Bianca.

"Are you scared?" She asked softly. Bianca just stared at her.

"No! Noob, this isn't real." Owen huffed, folding his arms.

"What if it is?" Adam asked hoarsely. They glanced back at him, pale and confused.

"No it's not, dork. I can't believe you. God." Owen shook his head. He looked at one of the officers. "I bet that wasn't even real blood on stage. This is probably some huge ass prank going on. Hey, look, I bet this guy's knife ain't even sharp." Owen walked towards him.

"Owen." Bianca grumbled. Too late. Owen grabbed the guy's knife from its holder.

"Let me see this." He uttered. The officer whacked Owen's hand off of him and pulled out the blade. He shoved Owen and thrust the blade into the side of his leg. Owen cursed loudly and crumpled to the ground. Maya squeaked in horror as a crimson liquid spilled onto the floor. Bianca stood back, stepping against the wall, watching Owen grasping his bleeding thigh. "Jesus!" He shouted, digging his nails into his knee. "God!" He gasped, burying his face into the floor.

"Get the wound fixed up." Seneca sighed as he trolled into the room. Adam stood watching as Owen was dragged from the floor, leaving a messy bloodstain behind. He grunted, straining in pain as they hauled him up onto a chair and officers crowded around him. Adam looked queasy. His flickering eyes showed that he may have been falling in and out of consciousness.

"Adam. It's okay." Maya murmured soothingly. Adam glanced up at her, trying to seem as if nothing was wrong.

"Damn, Torres, even the midget thinks you need to chill." Bianca muttered.

"This is real, Bianca. How are you not freaking out?" Adam grumbled. Bianca gulped, looking down at Adam's shaky hands.

"Point taken." Maya breathed. She glanced up at Bianca. "By the way, I am not a midget, Miss Pina Colada." She spat.

"What did you call me?" Bianca grumbled, pushing off the wall, marching towards Maya.

"Nothing, Paella."

"Excuse me? How dare you talk to me like that you fugly-footed hobbit!"

"Come on, guys! Please!" Adam nudged between them, pushing them apart.

"Listen, lady-man, it's Frodo over there who's starting up a fight!" Bianca groaned. Adam glared at her furiously.

"Did you just call me lady-man?" He grumbled.

"Got a problem with that, Jo Calderone?" Owen snorted from his chair. Adam darted away from Bianca and Maya, letting them have a go at one another. He marched towards Owen.

"Okay, listen up, Vanilla Ice, you need to – "

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Vanilla Ice? Listen, tranny, you need to take a damn – " Before Owen could finish, laughter cut passed him. The four bickering teens looked up and saw Seneca watching them, laughing to himself.

"I love it!" He giggled, watching over them. They glared right back at him. "We're not even at the Capitol or the Arena yet and you already hate each other! You're all hopeless and going to die!" He laughed, shaking his head as he did so. Adam's gaze fell to the floor, just as Maya's did. "Oh, and Adam?" Seneca said suddenly. Adam looked up groggily. "Am I under the impression that you're a woman?" He asked curiously. Owen burst out laughing. Adam's cheeks reddened as he stared him down. The younger Torres gulped, looking back up at Seneca bitterly.

"No, I – "

"He's not." Came a voice that swooped into the room.

"Drew!" Adam called, rushing forward.

"Three minutes!" Effie sang from outside. Adam ran into Drew's arms.

"Adam!" Drew breathed, pulling him into his arms.

"Maya!" Katie grasped onto her little sister, following by Zig, Tori and Tristan. It was strange how not a single person had entered the room just for Owen or Bianca. None. But it didn't seem to bother them at the time. Adam pulled away, staring up at Drew.

"Adam!" Clare clung to his side, kissing his shoulder. Eli grasped onto him as well. Adam stared at Drew, watching his brother's lips tighten while the tears shook down his stern face.

"It's real, isn't it?" Adam breathed. Drew whimpered slightly at the question.

"It's real, it's… Adam, it's real." He breathed. Adam opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. Drew just clung onto him, Eli and Clare, knowing that they didn't have much time.

"Maya. Maya, please don't be scared. Please… please remember everything I've told you about – about sports and – and everything about the wild and – "

"Katie!" Maya cut passed her, staring up at her. Katie stared down at her sister's face. Though there were tears down her cheeks, she smiled weakly. "I know." She muttered. Katie bit her lip hard and tugged Maya into her arms. The same sentence left both Adam and Maya's lips and different times.

"If this is the last time I ever get to see you again…"

Katie gasped for air, clutching onto her harder.

"It won't be, Maya! It won't!" She cried. Drew pulled away from Adam, staring at him.

"Don't talk like that, Adam! Don't! You can't! Got it?" He shivered through his teeth.

"Adam." Clare breathed. "You'll be back."

"There is no such thing as you not returning, alright?" Eli murmured, grasping onto the back of Adam's shirt.

"Oops! Time's up!" Effie giggled.

"But it hasn't been three minutes." Owen murmured nonchalantly from his chair.

"Well," Effie shrugged. "I did say more or less. Most likely less." Drew tugged Adam back into his arms.

"You'll make it back. You… you'll make it back." He whispered into his ear. Bianca watched as men in white forced Drew away from him. They made brief eye contact. Something in Drew's eyes told Bianca that Adam had to go on. Only one could survive and it had to be Adam. Bianca looked away, watching as Maya fell back into a chair, with her face in her hands. Then at Owen, looking bored and empty. Then at Adam, who stood as a shaky mess, watching the doors in front of them shut. From outside, Drew turned around.

"What? What is it?" Eli asked urgently.

"I didn't say sorry." He breathed. Drew's eyes widened as he charged for the door again. The officers grabbed him, tugging him away. "Adam! Adam, I'm s – " They muffled him, dragging him back into the gym. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the phrase out. Inside, Adam stared t the doors in horror, trying to figure out what Drew had to say. Bianca took a step forward.

"Adam…" She began. Adam ran his hands through his hair, tugging at it.

"Oh god…" He whimpered, sitting down next to Owen.

"That one won't last a second." Bianca heard Effie mutter with a giggle. Adam dug his nails into his skull, cradling himself forward. The guy was having a full on panic attack. He had the most to lose. Owen rolled his eyes.

"Girls." He sighed, shaking his head. Adam shot up, lunging at him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Seneca exclaimed as Adam attacked Owen, and Owen fought back just as rough.

"I'm not a girl!" Adam shouted. Seneca sighed.

"Get them off each other." He muttered, watching them. Some officers grabbed Adam by the back of his shirt and hauled him away from Owen. He tried breaking free from them, as did Owen on his side, but it was no use. Adam's eyes were dark and his muscles were tense as he breathed in and out harshly. Owen smirked, chuckling menacing. He leaned forward.

"I like frisky women." He muttered, winking at Adam. Adam charged again but the officers held him back.

"Owen. That's enough." Bianca uttered. Owen glanced at her and shrugged.

"Why?" He laughed.

"You're disgusting!" Adam grunted through his teeth.

"Are we ready to go?" Effie asked with a smile.

"Yeah. More than ready." Owen grinned, brushing himself off. He was still limping from his wound but didn't seem to bothered by it on the surface.

"Good." Effie said with wide eyes. Adam shoved the officers away, looking like he had been tossed around way too much. He stood, watching Owen murderously. "Let us go, then." Effie smiled, pointing towards another open door, guarded by men in white. "Go!" She said simply. The four of them uneasily made their way towards it. "And remember!" Effie called after them. "May the odds be ever in your favor."

A/N: Leave me your reviews and thoughts. I'm working on the next chapter already but I'm not sure how quickly this fic will go since I'm loaded with tons of school work, but I'll try my best.