It's been 25 years since the last Hunger Games. 25 years since the revolution. 25 years. After all that, the game still goes on. Tomorrow's the reaping. My name is in 17 times, to keep my family healthy. My brother, Jesse, his name is in only once. I have this feeling the odds aren't in my favor. They weren't in my mom's favor, not even my dad's. My name? Jada Everdeen.
I decided to go visit Casey. Her dad and my mom were... well, close. She's my best friend, and her name is in the reaping bowl 32 times. I figured i'd go visit her just in case this is our last day. Our last day together. I go to our hideout, hoping to find her there. I walk through the door, and there she is, sitting there, staring at the fire.
"Hey Casey."
"Hey," her face is blank.
" So- you ready for tomorrow?"
"What kind of question is that? we both know I'll be dead in only a month. my name is in that bowl 32 times. I'm going to die"
" Don't say-" She cut me off.
" Let's just face it. Really Jada. This is it."
"No. " I walk out of the hideout, furious. How could she act like that? She could at least had a little hope. i wasn't going to lose her like that.
I wince from the thing they stuck in my arm. I hate the reaping, it's so sad, watching other kids, even some of my close friends walk to their death. I say my goodbye and good luck to my 12 year old brother. I find the 14 year section and find casey. Her face was still unreadable. I start to say hi but i was cut off by Duffie Trinket, Effie Trinket's 17 year old daughter. When Duffie was brought up to take Effie's place, their was a lot of debate whether or not she should, since she was 17 and if she didn't live in the capital she could've been part of the Hunger Games.
"Hello District 12! Isn't this exciting?" I think she expected their response. Silence. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. "Alright, well let's not waste another minute! First things first! Ladies... " The crowd waited as she stuck her hand into a clear glass bowl filled with names. She pulled one strip of paper out, twirling her hand ans opening the folded strip. " congratulations to..." I prayed. I prayed for it not to be... " Casey Hawthorne!"
'No! " I screamed. I screamed so loud. Duffie's stupid capitol accent filled my ears. My knees buckled, and i dropped to the ground, my hands covering my face. I lifted my head up, only to see Casey walking slowly towards the stage, her face still blank.
"And now for the boys!" Duffie sounded so happy, like this was all fun. Leading us to our deaths. Duffie's voice interrupted my thoughts, "Jesse Everdeen, come on down!"
I scream. How could this be happening. My best friend, and now my brother? These games were ridiculous. Even after my mom and dad went through all that pain trying to end this madness. I see Jesse walk to the front. Hot tears start to roll down my cheeks. I want to run, run to them and tell them that it will be okay, but i would be lying. Out of the corner of my eye i see a man- a peacemaker- run towards Jesse, armed. I start to scream Jesse's name, but my voice is muffled by a loud bang.
