This is my first fanfiction. I actually wrote this piece for a creative writing assignment in my sophomore English class. Instructive criticism is encouraged!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the ideas or dialogue from this story. All credit belongs to the wonderful Suzanne Collins.
The Lone Rose
"No, Katniss! No! You can't go!" I wake up with a start, my eyes scanning the room. I notice Katniss gone 'probably out hunting'. Suddenly, last night's nightmare floods back to me. In my dream, I see Katniss standing on the podium and I'm screaming at her, telling her that she can't go, begging her to stay.
I try to fall back asleep, but it's useless. All I could think about was the reaping that would happen later today. I listen to the sound of my cat purring. His body pressed up against mine, protecting me from all harm. I manage to slide out of bed without waking mother. I silently slip into the outfit laid out for me. It's a little big; Katniss wore it for her first reaping, so I pin the ruffled skirt in the back to keep it from falling down. I can't help but think about the twenty sheets of paper Katniss has in the bowl compared to my one, and I'm worried. My eyes start to water and I can feel the tears coming. My cat comes over to console me. "I don't want Katniss to go to the games Buttercup; she has too many slips in there." I cry out. I know it may seem silly to talk to animals, but Buttercup is a really good listener.
A few minutes pass and I hear Katniss walk through the door carrying her game bag. Mother and I help prepare her. She wears one of my mother's old dresses from the apothecary, her hair up in a complicated braid.
At one o'clock, we head for the square. A sense of grimness fills the normally happy place. People file in silently. Peacekeepers usher us children to our appropriate age group. I can feel the butterflies in my stomach, but I remain calm. My attention is drawn to the stage where the two large glass balls sit holding the slips of paper that would be our doom.
Effie Trinket, a Capitol woman dressed in bright colors, trots up to the podium and says in a funny accent, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor! Ladies first." She reaches her hand to the very bottom and pulls out a slip.
I'm terrified. "Please don't be Katniss, please don't be Katniss" I whisper over and over again. Effie announces the name and it's not Katniss… it's me.
My face goes pale; clenching my fist I walk in small, stiff steps towards the stage. How could this happen. My name was only one slip in thousands. My mind is racing. I force myself toward the podium one step at a time.
"Prim!" I hear someone calling out my name. "Prim!" I turn around and see Katniss pushing her way through the crowd. "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" she manages to scream out. My eyes grow wide and I realize what's happening. My nightmare is coming true.
I wrap my skinny arms around Katniss and scream, "No, Katniss! No! You can't go!"
"Prim let go!" she yells at me. I feel someone's arms around me yanking me off her.
"Up you go, Catnip" Gale helps her up onto the stage still keeping a tight grip on me. "Shh," he tries to calm me. "Katniss is strong, she knows what she's doing."
Gale takes me to my mother who's pretty much in tears. I hide my head in her dress, trying to block out the world, but I know I can't live like this. I have to stay strong for Katniss; because I know that if I do, she will come home again.
The End
Thank you so much for reading it really means a lot to me and it would make me extremely happy if you reviewed to tell me if I need to fix anything or what I could do better next time.
Much love,
~Allie