The clock strikes two.
The clock strikes two and the reaping ceremony begins.
Madge's father, the mayor, begins speaking of Panem. The only thing I think of as he speaks is the cruelty and injustice of the Hunger Games. The Capital forces us to kill each other, for the sole purpose of entertainment. And it's sick. Before I can feel any more anger to the capital, the mayor says his closing lines to the script he reads every year: "It is both a time for repentance and a time for thanks."
He begins to read the list of past victors, and then Haymitch comes on the stage. He staggers onto the stage, tries to hug Effie, and basically makes and embarrassment of himself. I catch Gale's eyes in the crowd, and the ghost of a smile flits across his face. But then I think about the number of times his name is in that bowl, and my smile disappears. He must think the same thing, because his face darkens as well.
And then there's absolutely no reason to smile, because the name of the girl that will die this year is being announced. I'm so afraid that it will be me. The fear radiates through me. But then the fear of being chosen is gone, because her name is called. It's not me. It's Primrose Everdeen. My sister.
I stare at her as she walks forward, her first clenched determinedly at her sides. No, she's too young. No. No. No. She has no chance. The odds were entirely in her favor for her to be safe. I step forward. One step. Then another. And then I find my voice, and I scream hoarsely, "Prim! Prim!" I sweep her behind me, trying to protect her. But the enemy is all around us, filming this and being broadcast back to the Capital. There's only one way to protect her.
"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" There's a gasp from the crowd. I know, it's a death sentence. But at least Prim will be okay.
I start to walk up the stairs to the stage. I feel like a puppet, my motions are so methodical. Prim is screaming at me, telling me I can't go. Every single word is like a knife to my heart. Gale grabs here, and says, with obvious pain in his voice, "Up you go, Catnip." He's struggling to keep his voice steady.
I get onto the stage, and Effie says something cheerful and completely inappropriate. And then something happens, something I would never expect. Each and every person in the audience holds their three middle fingers to their lips, and then raises them to me. I'm shocked. I've never seen anything like it. They're showing love, and telling me goodbye. I never thought that District 12 cared at all for me. And then, as usual, Effie ruins it all. She says something else that is completely inappropriate. Haymitch puts his arm around me, says something that is completely inappropriate, and then proceeds to fall off the stage.
Then the boys' name is called. It's someone called Jaston Markvitz. I don't recognize the name, but he's obviously Seam. His hands are shaking. He gets on the stage, and then Effie asks for volunteers. I look out at the crowd, and see Gale. He seems to be fighting some internal battle. I see confliction in his eyes. I know what he's going to do a second before even he does. I shake my head, but he doesn't see me. His mouth opens and he speaks two words, two words that are the only possible thing that could make this day worse.
"I volunteer."