The Beginning of the End

Chapter 1: Katniss

I couldn't even begin to describe the utter devastation I felt in this moment. This just couldn't be happening. It should have been me. Why couldn't it have been me! I Katniss Everdeen just had to witness my own little sister's name called out as a tribute for the Games. A glaze covered my eyes and my whole body went numb. Prim couldn't go; this just was not happening. I couldn't look down at the hand that I held so dearly in mine. I knew if I looked into her face at that moment I wouldn't be able to give her the strength that she would need. I could feel her frightened eyes staring up at me as I led her to the stage where Effie Trinket, the annoying woman from the Capitol stood. She held that innocent little piece of paper in her hand that would soon ruin the life of my little sister and my family. As I neared the stage Effie shot me a sneer.

"Ms. Everdeen, you must stop there. Your sister is to come onto the stage alone. You can leave now."

If I could have had the possibility of living afterwards, I would have whipped out my bow right there and stuck her right in her non existent heart. Well dying doesn't seem that bad at this moment, but that wouldn't help anyone would it. Prim would still have to enter the games whether or not I was killed. To think about it she would probably suffer even more, which is hard to imagine in the circumstance. Prim tugged on my arm, probably seeing the furrowing of my brow as I contemplated a massacre on the stage.

"Katniss…"

A lump caught in my throat as I heard her voice speak my name. Was this the last time that I would ever hear her voice? I couldn't think of that now; I had to be strong for her. Tell her everything that I new that could possibly prolong her life in the Games just a little bit longer.

Prim listen closely. You must not give up. You have to be as strong as you can be. I want you to try your hardest to win.

"I will Katniss, but I'm so scared. I've watched the previous games too remember. I know what goes on in there."

I stared into her eyes, and saw the little girl that she was. How could she so young be forced into this?

Prim, do not think of that. You have as much chance as anyone.

"But Katniss, I will have to face someone else from District 12. I might know him."

It doesn't matter now Prim. I could hear Effie tapping her foot behind me very annoyingly.

"Ms. Everdeen I must ask you again to please return to the crowd, it is now time for the boys name to be called out of the reaping ball."

How could she take such delight in such a horrendous thing? I cleared it from my mind, and turned back to Prim. I bent down on one knee to look her more in the eye, but I couldn't find anything more to say. I could feel the tears welling in my eyes, so I gave her a big hug to shield her from my state. She needed me to be strong for her. I felt Effie grab onto Prim's tiny little shoulders and lead her up on stage. I stood there shaking, not knowing how I was going to get through this.

Soon what seemed like hours to me, probably because time was standing still, but was only a minute, someone behind me put their arm around my shoulders hugging me tightly. I didn't have to look to know who it was. My best friend in the world, Gale, had always been there for me in hard times. I had known him all my life growing up in District 12. We would go hunting together outside of the electric fence that was supposed to keep us inside. It was illegal to kill game that was outside of our walls. We were a team, Gale and I, but I always wished there could be something more than just being friends. I couldn't look at his face now, and I had nothing to say. I think he realized this, because he just turned me towards him and hugged me against him. I buried my face in his shoulder, and began to weep. Words didn't have to be said for me to realize how sorry he was for me. He knew how much I adored my little sister. This would just break my heart. I didn't realize it, probably because I was still crying in Gale's shoulder, but Effie had started speaking again; having just pulled out and read the boys name from District 12 that would be participating in the Hunger Games.

I felt Gale go completely stiff around me, as his grip on my back tightened. I knew I was in a messed up state, but did he really have to hug me that tightly. I looked up at him with tear strewn eyes, and saw that he just stare up at the stage. I looked around and saw that all the people around us were staring very intently at us. I looked back at Gale to try to get a hint at what was going on. He looked down at me and closed his eyes tightly. His brow mashed together into a tight v-shape.

Gale what is it? What's wrong with you?

"Katniss…, did you not just hear them?" he said without opening his eyes.

He pulled me from his chest and held me out from him with his arms clenched on mine. He opened his eyes and stared into mine with anger and remorse.

"Katniss, did you not just hear what name Effie called out?"

No it doesn't matter who it is Gale, Prim is up there. We are never going to see her again!

"You might not see her for awhile, but I will have to see how her nightmares play out." He said solemnly.

I felt so sick at that moment that I wanted to run away and never see another person in my life. All color went from my face, and my legs felt like they were about to give out beneath me.

Gale, no, please, not you. Not you too! I felt such despair that I crumpled up on the ground and began to sob. Please, no, please no! Gale you cannot leave me as well!

"Katniss listen to me," he said putting his hand under my chin and raising my head up to look into his face. "Katniss I will do everything in my power to keep Prim alive. I will not let her down."

A little bit of hope sprung up inside me, but only for a moment. To save one life was to loose another, and each one being so precious in my life, could only mean devastation. Could Gale really save Prim from the other tributes of the other Districts? If he did, then he would have to sacrifice himself in the end. There are no ties in the Hunger Games. There is one winner and one winner alone.

Gale…

"I will save her Katniss; I will save her for you."

With that he bent down and kissed me lightly on the lips.

"I love you Katniss, never forget that."

I was stunned. Never before had Gale ever told me he loved me. We were really close and everything, but I never knew he felt something for me. He looked at me one last time and headed up onto the stage, where he stood by Prim. He held her hand in his, which was a signal to me that he would do everything he could to keep his promise.

Effie said a few last words about how the Games would be starting in just a week and a half, and that it would be televised everywhere, so that we would all have the "enjoyment" of watching it. The Games being televised was not for fun, but a warning to all of what happens when a rebellion against the Capitol happens. That is why there are just twelve districts now; District 13 being completely destroyed. She ended with a cheery little comment that struck my insides.

"Happy 74th Hunger Games everyone!"

This all was really happening. I wasn't having my worst nightmare, I was living it. My best friend Gale, and my sister Prim, were the two tributes from District 12 to enter into the Hunger Games; the games where only one person comes out alive.