The Capitol anthem blares through the speakers from the television as my family and Lucy gather around the tiny screen. Mom wrings her hands in her lap, face drawn and pale. Dad wraps his arm around her with that same pinched expression on his face that he gets on Reaping day. My little sister, Laura, sits on the rug. She's too young to know what's going on. What a big day this is for Panem. Lucy scoots closer to me and hides her face in my chest as the man on TV steps behind the podium.
The man used to be a young politician from our district, District 10. He used to go to our church, before the Peacekeepers burned it down and banned religion. He is ten years older than me, 27 now. After the burning of the church, he became a politician and swore to bring justice back to Panem. Here we are, five years later, and he's declared himself President. President Coriolanus Snow.
Back when he lived here, he was an amazing person. Young, charming, persistent. Everyone knew and loved him. We were all thrilled when he was elected to Congress five years ago, believing he would make a difference for the Districts. We were wrong. Because of him, no communication or travel is permitted between the Districts except for government reasons. Peacekeepers roam the streets, enforcing the many strict laws Snow created. And just three years ago, the Hunger Games were instated into our society. The tragic horror of watching children kill each other every year still gives me chills.
During his speech, Lucy just nuzzles into me more and more. She is horrified of him. Of everything he is now capable of as the dictator of our country.
I met Lucy back in middle school; she sat in front of me in history. We got to talking one day when we were paired for a project. Since then, we've started dating. I would do anything for her. Her parents were killed in a house fire last year. She moved in with us, just down the hall from my room.
Snow finishes up his speaking, saying how he will perfect the system in Panem. Make everyone have the same income, everyone have the same rules. The Capitol audience applauds, their erratic clothing too bright for my eyes. Snow walks off the stage, and the screen goes blank. I put my face in Lucy's silky blonde hair.
"It's over, sweetie. He's done," I whisper. She slowly lifts her head and flits her huge green eyes up at me.
"I think I'm going to go to bed," she announces, hurrying to her room without hesitation. Snow really scares her, I know something happened with her family and his in the past. But she won't let me know what.
"That young man is going to be the ruin of this country," Dad remarks. Mother just continues to wring her hands. Laura yawns loudly on the floor and leans up against my legs.
"Cee Cee, will you take me to bed?" she asks in her high, clear voice. She can't pronounce my full name Caesar, being only four. I stand and heft her tiny frame into my arms. Her head falls onto my shoulder, black hair flying in my face.
"Good night, Mom. See you in the morning, Dad," I say, letting out a yawn myself. I walk down the hall and into our room we share. When Lucy moved in, I gave her the mattress. So I gently lay Laura on the straw mat on the ground and wrap our raggedy old quilt around her.
"Good night, pumpkin," I whisper, pecking her softly on the cheek. Her eyes droop, the long lashes blocking her eyes.
"Night night, Cee Cee," she says. Silently, I slip out the door and knock on Lucy's. She opens and gestures for me to come in.
"You okay?" I ask her, sitting down next to her on the bed.
"I'm fine," she replies too quickly.
"Listen Lucy, I know something happened between your family and Snow. Are you ever going to tell me what went on?" I ask, trying to get her to meet my gaze. She just continues to focus on the ground, palms facing up in her lap. I sigh heavily.
"It's alright if you don't want to tell me. I'll see you in the morning okay? I love you," I say and stand to leave.
"Hey," she says, grabbing my arm. I turn to face her, finding her delicate smile masking her sad eyes. "I love you too." She pecks my cheek with a kiss and playfully pushes me out the door. Back in my dark room, I throw on my worn pajamas that are a size to small and crawl into bed beside Laura. Before drifting off to sleep, I pray to God that Coriolanus Snow will do good for our ailing country.