Chapter One:
The Reading of the Card
Peeta Mellark
I was sitting on the couch, waiting. My mother was, of course, off somewhere screaming at my father. My oldest brother was away at his internship, and my second oldest brother was probably off somewhere fixing his hair and lusting over himself. I was all alone in my huge Victor's house. Of course, my family was there, but they weren't really there. The five of us never talked anymore. I would have rather be in my normal house, my old house, where everything wasn't perfect. Where I had to work for things. The house where we had been a family, a dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless. I wished the Hunger Games had never happened and for everything to go back to normal. Normal, how I yearned for normal.
As the anthem began to play, the family filed into the living room, not wanting to be jailed or beaten for not watching the mandatory reading of the card. But in reality they could care less. Now that we were in the new house, they were all about themselves. But they were afraid of the Peacekeepers. The Peacekeepers had become relentless lately, Romulus Thread being the new Head. Thread was always looking for excuses to hurt others, especially Katniss. I hated Romulus Thread, though no where near as much as I hate the Capitol and their evil ways. But Thread was just their pawn, moving across the board, bringing them strength, which just made me hate him that much more.
The TV flashes, the seal of Panem coming on the screen. It fades away to a stage, and out comes President. A young boy trails along behind him, carrying a small white box.
President Snows voice trails through the speakers, reminding us of the Dark Days and how the Hunger Games were born. It was time for this years Hunger Games, though this wasn't a normal Hunger Games. This was a Quarter Quell. During the Quarter Quells something is always added to the games, something to make it even more evil and twisted. I knew something bad was coming, but I had no idea of the magnitude.
President Snow rambled on and I tuned out, it was the same speech he gave every year. I'm done with these stupid Hunger Games. Done! I thought. But I could never be done with the Hunger Games. No matter how much I want. They've already left their scar.
I turned my attention back to the TV once Snow finally shut up. The young boy steped toward the President, opening the lid to the box. I was intently watching the screen now, wanting to know how they were planning to kill us off this year.
Snow reaches toward the yellowed envelopes. He takes one out that's visibly marked with the number 75. He pulled out the small, white card. He begun to read.
"On the seventy fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, as a reminder to the Rebels that the most rebellious among them will always be punished, twelve tributes from Panem, chosen by the current President, will face twelve tributes from the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry," the President read aloud, a smug look on his face.
I processed the information. A million thoughts ran through my mind. The most rebellious? What could that mean? Katniss is rebellious…will she be going back into the Arena? President Snow hates Katniss; he's choosing the 12 most rebellious citizens of Panem….he's going to choose her. Katniss. My Katniss. They say they're sending her in with wizards. Wizards have magic. How could they expect us to go against people with the ability to kill at the flick of a wand? Any non-magical person sent into that Arena will be faced with certain death.
My heart stopped. Once again the Capitol will try and take my love from me…but I was determined to stop them at all causes.