It was silent. It always was, every year that she'd stood on that familiar ground outside the justice hall it had been silent, deafeningly so. They were everywhere, children, some nearly adults, some barely old enough to know about the harsh reality of life or about the tragedy that it brought. The silence was only interrupted by the 'click click click' of Capitol heels, scraping against the stage, their owner, Silver Rosamund blissfully unaware of the power she held in her own, magenta tinted hands. She cleared her throat, smiling down onto the lucky children of district four.
"Welcome, to the 70th annual hunger games!" The thick Captiol accent rung across the air, it was like poison to Annie's ears.
"It's time for us to pick one courageous young man and women to represent District Four, ladies first!" She chimed, her hands delving into the reaping bowl, acrylic nails scraping each fateful slip of paper, clasping onto one as she raised it into the air.
"Annie Cresta!" The name hung in the air, causing green eyes to dart to her direction, her name, it was her name. Annie's name.
"Well, come on now dear, where are you now?" She stood still, frozen to the spot, unable to so much as twitch a muscle, it was only when a sharp push was directed Into her back did she stumble forwards.
"Oh, how silly of me..." The escort mumbled, sending a surge of hope through Annie's body.
"Any volunteers?" The hope that she once held disappeared into the silence, nobody would volunteer, they rarely did in four, especially amongst the girls.
"No? Alright then dear, aren't you a lucky young thing?" Silver reached out to take Annie's wrist, hauling her up onto the stage with a satisfied grin, much like an animal that was finally getting its food.
"And now to find out who will be accompanying Miss Cresta, hmm?" The escort beamed, her hand once again diving into the river of slips.
"Firstly, any volunteers?" She questioned, looking rather proud shed remembered this time, even if it was somewhat early. Again, silence.
"And our male tribute of the 70th hunger games is...Jasper Valley!" Annie found herself watching as a scrawny boy of the sixteen section was pushed up onto the stage, looking as hopeless as she felt.
"Well lets all give a warm hand to our tributes of this year!" Silver squealed, clapping with pure delight, leaving little attention to the fact not a soul was accompanying her. Happily, she turned around, her two hands resting on Annie and Jaspers shoulders, green eyes meeting each others as the exited through the large doors. But it wasn't so much fear that consumed Annie, just an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, one at the fact she knew neither of them would be coming home.
