Catching Fire
Quarter Quell Challenge
Peeta Mellark
"And now we honor our third quarter quell" Says President Snow. I'm in my Victor village house watching the screen in my living room very closely. The Quarter Quell. It is just the way to make the death of kids in Panem even more terrible. Snow reaches for a yellowing envelope marked 75 in a box filled with look alike envelopes with different numbers on them. "On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol" Snow continues "The male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors"
I just stand there in shock with no determined emotion on my face. There is no anger bubbling up in side me, no sight of fear, but finally amazement is how I can describe my emotion. This is perfect timing. Right after the double victors win the Games. How perfect this must be for Snow; a way for Katniss to die without himself being blamed by the rest of the capitol.
"Katniss" I whisper to myself. Either Haymitch or me could be chosen to go back into the arena. But Katniss, the odds are not in her favor. She will have to go back. There is no one to volunteer for her like she volunteered for her sister last year. She is the only female victor in the history of District Twelve. That's when I realize I have to go with her, protect her, and get her out alive. I have to talk to Haymitch.
I find my self in such state of shock that I am basically crawling across the street to Haymitch's house. When I get to the door it is unlocked like always and I slowly get to my feet and walk in. The vile smell of White Liquor and old dust fills the air. I find Haymitch sitting on his sofa in a daze. The television is on but he is obviously not watching it. I sit next to him on the couch and he notices that I'm there. "Hey, Kid" he says. I sit there not knowing what to say but at last I say
"I need to keep her alive."
"I figured" He says, "What do you want me to do?"
"Let me volunteer for you and don't volunteer for me."
"Letting both of you into the arena isn't going to help anything. These games are not going to end like the last one. One or both of you is going to die."
"Exactly. She will live. I will die. You choose her last time. Now you owe me anything I want. All I want is to go into that arena with her and protect her so that she can live the rest of her life."
"You sure this is what you want?" he asks.
"Yes. Promise you will help me?" He pauses to think but finally says
"Fine." I walk out the of his house into the fresh air just hoping he will keep that promise.