Only gonna say this once: I do not own the Hunger Games, or any on the characters in it.
The point of the arrow is pointed directly at President Snow's heart. But it's not Katniss who's holding the bow. It's Prim. Because Katniss never volunteered for Prim. Peeta promised he would keep Prim safe, and in the end it was those two that pulled out the berries, and Prim is now the face of the rebellion. She's the Mockingjay.
It's Reaping Day, and as I'm standing in the crowd in the square, I look over and catch Katniss's eye. It's my first year eligible to enter the Hunger Games, and I'm terrified. It doesn't show, but I am. I barely listen as the speech is given. Only one ear is listening. The other is tuned out, listening to the sounds of the woods. What I'm familiar to. My goat, Lady's bleat, my little cat Buttercup, the Mockingjay's voice when my dad used to sing. Everything that makes life worth living. And Katniss, my mom, and Gale. All the people in my life that I love. I don't know many people, because mostly I stay at the house and help my mother with all the sick and injured people. I love it, and I just know that I'm going to take my mom's place when I grow up. I love my life.
The lecture is over, and Effie Trinket takes the mayor's place. "And may the odds be ever in your favor!" With a cheerful place that seems out of place, she says, "Ladies first!"
I hold my breath and watch her grab a paper at the very bottom. And I watch her say the name, "Primrose Everdeen!"
I catch my breath. "No..." I mutter shakily, stepping forward. The color is quickly draining from my face, and I walk slowly up to the stage.
"Any volunteers?" Effie asks. I see my sister, Katniss, in the crowd, but she looks too shocked to say anything. Realizing that no one's going to volunteer, that I'm all alone, I walk towards the front the the stage, shocked. I have one slip in there, one among thousands, and mine gets picked. The odds are definitely not in my favor today. As I take my place on the stage, the boy is picked.
"Peeta Mellark!" I recognize the face from somewhere. Then I remember. He's the baker's boy. Of course, I don't know him too well. He doesn't come from the Seam. He lives in the nicer part of town. The people from the Seam and the people from the other part usually don't get along too well.
Effie has us shake hands, and mine meet his briefly before I turn away, pain clawing at my heart. Why do we have to be pinned against each other life this? I hate the Capitol.
That Peeta kid and I are whisked away into the Justice Building. It's beautiful, I must admit, but the terrible turn of events ruins it. All I can do it stare at the floor and try my best to hold back my tears that are threatening to spill over. I sit in the room, waiting for visitors. Katniss and my mother enter almost immediately. Both have tear tracks all over their faces.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Prim," Katniss gasps. "I should've volunteered for you, but I was so in shock that I couldn't do anything."
"It's OK," I say, wrapping my arms around her neck. It gives me so much comfort to feel her arms around me. I break away after a moment and turn to my mother. She doesn't say anything, but the look in her eyes says it all. She embraces me and I simply stand there forever until the Peacekeeper is pulling them out. When I see them leaving, I suddenly burst into tears.
"Don't go!" I scream, reaching for them. I grasp Katniss's hand for a moment before she's pulled away and the door slams shut. I fall against the wall and cry and cry; I can't seem to stop myself. I don't know anybody else, so who would visit? Gale maybe. But really, who else do I know?
Suddenly the door opens. I stand up quickly and wipe my eyes on my sleeve. In enters a girl that looks like Katniss's age, and I have never seen her before. She is wearing a neat, simple dress, with a mockingjay pin clasped on near the collar.
"Hi, Prim." The girl smiles at me. "We have never met, but Katniss tells me all about you."
I stare at her.
"I'm Madge, the mayor's daughter. Your sister sells strawberries to my dad," she says. All I do is nod. "And, I know that I don't really know you, but I thought, that if you didn't already have a token from District Twelve, well, then, I've got one for you." She unclasps the pin from her dress and starts pinning it to mine. "A mockingjay," she says softly. "Something to show the Capitol that they don't own you. Or me. Or anybody."
All I can say is, "I can't take this. It's yours."
Madge smiles. "No; it's yours now. Please, take it, I'd feel better if you do." I nod, then smile.
"Thank you." Madge smiles back, gives me a hug, and leaves.
I stare at the mockingjay pin. It's beautiful. I love it.
I get one more visitor. It's Gale.
"Oh, Prim, I'm so sorry," he says, embracing me. "I feel so terrible."
"At least it wasn't Katniss," I say. "Who would take care of mother and I?" I sound like a baby. Gale smiles.
"I would, of course. I would never let your family starve."
I laugh a bit. "Why are we talking about this?" I ask. "Have you seen my mother? Is she all right?" Gale nods.
"Katniss is taking her home to get her a strong cup of tea."
I nod. "Good." Before I know it, the five minutes are up, and the Peacekeeper is taking Gale out. I sigh and settle myself against the wall. No one else would visit me. Soon, too soon, the Peacekeeper is removing me from the room, and I'm boarding the train. As I'm forced in, I turn around and take one last look at District Twelve.