Chapter 1: The Square Dance
District 12 was having their evening square dance at the local church. All the citizens were dancing around joyfully. Observing from rocking chairs were the wives of the District 12 Church's Elders: Mrs. Mellark, Mrs. Undersee, Mrs. Flickerman and Mrs. Gleaton.
"It sure is a nice night for square dancing. The clouds haven't moved all day. And that new preacher is coming in to town tomorrow. They say he can bring sinners to baptism like no other. And I aim to do my part to help him," vowed Mrs. Mellark.
Just then, all eyes seemed to turn towards one spot: a young girl - 19 year old Katniss Everdeen - had just arrived to the dance. She was the prettiest Southern Belle of the district, and right away, all the male-folk could not take their eyes off her. Mrs. Undersee noticed this too, and smiled.
"Katniss is looking mighty pretty tonight. It's a pity her Ma can't see her.", referring to the death of Katniss' mother many years prior.
"It's a blessing, you mean!" Mrs. Mellark snapped. "She's a shameless girl, she is - showing herself to all the men. Look at her throwing her hair back! And look at the cut of her dress! But, what can you expect from a witch of a girl who was raised by her drunken uncle? That pretty a face must hide some evil, there's evil in that one, you'll see. She's a shameless wench, that Katniss is, and it's a blessing her Ma can't see her!"
The other Elder wives could tell that there was some jealously behind Mrs. Mellark's words, but decided not to question it, merely agreeing with her assessment, as far as Katniss's mother was concerned. Mrs. Mellark got only more jealous when her husband asked to dance in Katniss's square, but became relieved when the young woman gently turned him down.
Meanwhile, the other district citizens had noticed a tall, stranger approaching the church. Mr. Mellark stepped out a ways to meet him.
"How are you called, stranger?"
"I am the Reverend Gale Hawthorne, and I've come to District 12," the stranger proclaimed proudly. "To baptize sinners and save their souls, and pray that the lost shall be found."
The citizens all chattered excitedly. Mr. Mellark looked surprised, but thrilled.
"Well, we were expecting you here tomorrow."
"I always come a day early for praying and fasting," Reverend Hawthorne explained.
"Well, we're glad to have you, brother, and you've come in the name of the Lord. This here's Brother Undersee, Brother Flickerman and Brother Gleaton. We're the Elders of this Church."
Hawthorne shook each of the Elders' hands in turn, as they bestowed blessings on his ministry.
"And I'm proud to be in your midst, my friends. Now, resume your stepping under the eye of the Lord, and let nothing pass between ya what ya wouldn't want him to see - for the Lord seeth all!"
Surprised that a preacher was permitting them to dance, the District 12 citizens didn't need to be told twice. Just then, the Mellarks' son, Peeta, pushed Katniss into the center of the square dance, where the citizens playfully trapped her and danced about her. Hawthorne noticed this, and pointed Katniss out to the Elders.
"Who's the pretty one there in the middle that's getting all the boys?"
"Katniss Everdeen, who lives with her uncle, that don't draw a sober breath. He's a trifling one, that Haymitch - Haymitch Abernathy, that's the name he was give. He just hunts and traps and raises geese all day and is always drunk at night," Mr. Mellark explained.
Hawthorne nodded, not taking his eyes off Katniss. "I'll pray for his soul and his niece's. I'll pray for them both tonight."
"They're poor as chiflings, them two," Mr. Gleaton observed. "They're able to live, that's all."
"Katniss and Haymitch is evil, I say," Mrs. Mellark insisted. "There's bad blood in that family. It's too pretty a face and too wicked them eyes; she'll come to no good, mark my words. She'll come to no good, mark my words."
"I'll pray for her soul tonight," Hawthorne said half to himself, his eyes only for Katniss. Finally, he gave his knee a slap.
"I think I'll join the young folk. Ain't danced in quite a spell."
"They'll be pleased to have you, I'm sure," Mr. Flickerman encouraged. Hawthorne melted into the crowd, heading straight for Katniss. Surprisingly, the young woman accepted his offer to dance. Mrs. Mellark watched them, her jealously radiating off the hard line of a smile on her face.
"She'll come to no good, mark my words."