"Mother," Lucy whined, pulling at her coal stained dress.
"It's a mandatory viewing dear," Marissa, our mother, said sternly as she grabbed onto Lucy's wrist and pulled her along. I followed behind them, holding my baby brother – Argon - cradling him. Lucy was only eight and attended school. Argon was just over a year old. Although I was the one taking care of him most of the time since our mother was always making cloth or staring off into space. When father came home from the mines he would take over looking after Argon and I would help mother with the fabrics.
"Far right miss," One of the newer Peace Keepers said, motioning to the left. I had never attended school, but even I knew he was wrong.
"Clara, can I sit on your shoulders?" Lucy asked as we met up with father.
"Course you can," I beamed, handing Argon over to father. I crouched down so Lucy could jump onto my back and work her way onto my shoulders. "Going up."
After a few moments the square was full of every resident of District 12 who could not afford a television. The large television screen flickered on and President Snow was standing in the center of a stage.
"Good afternoon Panem. Soon the reaping for the seventy-fifth Hunger Games will begin. Those who came before us left us with special instructions for each Quarter Quell." Snow motioned to someone off screen and a small golden box was wheeled over. He smoothly opened the envelope, "To show that even the victors may fall to advancements. Two previous victors will be chosen from each of the twelve districts – along with one young man or woman who has yet to participate in the event."
We only have three living winners. Katniss would be sure to go back, and there was a fifty-fifty chance that either Peeta or Haymitch would be going back as well.
"Poor children," father sighed, "they just got out and now they have to go back in."
"Whoever the extra is has very bad luck. Being one in at least four-hundred," I muttered as we all began to disperse.
"Clara," a small voice called out. Prim emerged from the crowd, "Can you drop off some more of your bandages tomorrow?"
"Course," I smiled, "same amount as usual?"
"Yes please."
[Stitch]
I gave my little sister a soft nudge and a smile as we parted ways. I watched my mother and father walk away with my siblings toward the viewing zone for those too young or too old to currently compete in the games. I stood in line to allow the peace keepers to prick my finger to confirm my attendance.
The mayor read his usual mandatory spiel, that of which most of us tuned out after hearing it year after year. The mood was sombre as Effie Trinket walked towards the microphone in her tall golden heels. The regular video played. Effie moved towards the bowl on the left which contained a single paper. Katniss. Effie drew Haymitch's name from the bowl on the left containing only two names as Katniss made her way to the stage. Peeta volunteered for Haymitch.
"Now to draw the name of the third man or woman who will be joining our brave Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark." Effie moved to the bowl behind her – the slips of paper threatening to spill out. Her hand lingered inside for a moment before pulling out a slip. She made her way towards the microphone, Peeta and Katniss to her left.
"I hope it's not a young one like last year."
"I feel bad for who ever's chosen."
"The odds are not in their favour."
Effie drew in a breath, "Clara Maquseth."
Katniss' eyes widened. I stood in shock on the spot as eyes began to turn toward me. I felt hands on my back and arms – half in comfort and half in urgency. I made my way toward the stage, my legs felt weighed down, as if my ankles were chained to something far below the surface.
"Good luck to all three of you in the seventy-fifth Hunger Games," Effie said, the corners of her mouth faltering. The Peace Keepers ushered the three of us off the stage in a flurry. Normally the tributes would go to the Mayor's office to say their final good-byes, but we were herded onto the train, by car, in silence.
I was stuck at the window of the door we had used to enter the train, staring at the empty platform. This will be the last time I will see District Twelve.
"Katniss, Peeta – your rooms are the same. I will personally escort Maquseth to her compartment." Effie smiled, her golden lips curling. I nodded curtly as we dispersed, following a few steps behind Effie as she blabbered on about what will happen once we get to the capital. I tried to pay attention, but my mind kept wandering to Lucy and Argon. If mother will actually take care of them - I was the one who was there for them, be it picking Lucy up for school or playing peek-a-boo with Argon. "Dinner will be served promptly at six, just continue down this hall and you'll find it easily. Until then feel free to use anything in your compartment or explore the train." She continued on, a path of golden sparkles floating behind her.
I stepped into my compartment, completely mesmerized not only by the size – but by the beauty of everything. The carpet was a deep emerald green along with the bed spread and the doors. The walls and wood pieces were black; little bits of silver spread across the room. I ran my hands over the fabric on the vanity almost melting at the feel of the smooth satin. I drifted over to the doors, the first contained a bathroom, the second a walk in closet, and the third a small empty room – all of which were decorated in the same scheme. I turned back to the second door and entered the closet, letting my hands feel the different fabrics. I pulled out a pair of black denim pants that got smaller near the ankle. I searched the drawers in the room for a pair of scissors, I came up successful after a moment I took off the last six or so inches before I slid them on. The pants felt very tight in the legs, but it was a nice tight, a comforting tight. I found a long strip of leather bleached white and threaded it through the belt loops. I frowned. I used the tip of the scissors to make another hole in the belt so it would fit. I stripped of my grey coal-dust stained dress and pulled on an ivory shirt which seemed a few sizes too big.
I walked out of the closet, closing the door behind me. My eyes darted towards the clock. 5:53. I exited my compartment and made my way towards where Effie had disappeared.
I jumped and slammed against the wall, as the door on my left opened. "Sorry about that."
"Hi Peeta," I said, pursing my lips together, "Guess I should try to get rid of my jumpiness, eh?"
"It's always good to be on your toes, especially with these games." He replied, flashing a small, calm smile.
"True," I replied, biting my lip as we walked down the hall, "I'm sorry that you and Katniss have to go through this again." He opened his mouth to respond.
"Ah, looks like we finally have someone for dinner," Haymitch said, holding his stout crystal glass towards us with a sloshing translucent liquid inside.
"Come, come dear, have a seat beside me," Effie motioned towards the empty chair in front of her. I nodded. I sat down, Peeta sitting across from Haymitch, leaving an empty chair on the end for Katniss. "We know that Katniss can hunt and Peeta bakes bread, but what can you do?"
"My family makes most of the fabric and clothing," I smiled shyly, "Nothing that handy."
"But that means you're good with your hands. Great for making traps," Haymitch chimed in, putting his glass of what smelled of alcohol down.
"But I don't know how to fight. I can't get by just on hiding out," I disagreed, shaking my head.
He smirked, "Hiding out kept Katniss alive until the halfway mark."
"I'm sure we can help you find some sort of weapon you can use while we're in the training room." Peeta chimed in, reaching out to squeeze my arm lightly. It was calming.
"I'm thinking we should try her out on throwing knives, like Clove had." Katniss piped in from the doorway. "With her handy work she has to have great eye sight."
I shuddered. Clove was an expert with those throwing knives. A single knife racing through the air with precision was deadly.
