The Most Sadistic Games 75
"As a reminder to the rebels that even the most innocent were affected, this year all of the tributes will be only 5 years old, because that was the number of years the war went on." President Snow announces gleefully. I gasp. I'm only 11, but I have twin 5 year old siblings. My name is Rebecca and my siblings are Elizabeth and Leo. I love them to pieces. They are asleep, thank god. I can't believe that the Capitol would approve of murdering 23 innocent 5 year olds. They are supposed to be safe from the Games for 7 more years. My father suddenly goes very still and hard. I can tell that he's extremely angry. My mom is asleep. You see, my dad was the victor of the 58 Hunger Games, and the reapings are usually rigged so that the families of victors are picked way more often than is normal. I walk upstairs to my room to cry.
The next morning, at breakfast, my father calmly explains the quarter quell to my siblings and mom. Mom immediately begins to sob. I take Lizzy and Leo outside. I explain the Hunger Games as best as I can, and also try to not worry them too much. The actual Games aren't until July 15, though the reading of the card was last night, February 28. Today is March 1st. That means that I only have 3 months and 14 days to train my siblings.
"Okay, so I am going to try and help you so that if you end up reaped, then you'll win." I intone. "So the first thing that I'm going to teach you is how to throw a knife. Then to hunt and gather with a bow and arrow, and we'll work from there."
"Um OK, Becca." Leo says tentatively. So I run into the house and easily snag a dozen knives. Laying them out in the grass, I explain about each one.
"This ones a steak knife, relatively light, has a plastic handle, and it's serrated. Now lets try throwing them at a target."
Leo picked it up immediately, while it took a week for Lizzy to throw bulls-eyes consistently. Lizzy was a natural at hunting, gathering, throwing axes, and swimming. Leo excelled at camouflage, tying knots, throwing spears, healing and medicine. By the time I had taught them all I knew, it was July 10th. The reaping was only 5 days away. My dad was mentoring this year. He had asked me to go with him, in case he was mentoring my little siblings. On the day of the reaping, I feel sooooooooooooooo nervous. Our escort walks up to the stage with his "Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor."
"Our girl tribute this year will be...Elizabeth Nacmars!"
Oh my gosh. Not my sister who is still too short to reach the kitchen sink, who still likes me to sleep with her, who I love more than anything in this world. I watch helplessly as she mounts the stage, shaking like a leaf.
"And joining her will be...Leo Nacmars!"
I stare at my dad in disbelief. I can't lose both of them, not like this. Standing on the stage, holding hands, they are the cutest children in the world. Innocent and care-free, until the freaking Capitol decided that it would be fun to kill them. I board the train with my dad while my siblings give their final goodbyes.