The Hunger Games: Prim's Version
In my story, you can be eligible for the Hunger Games till you're thirteen.
"No, No!" I scream, my body jerking up from my mother's rough canvas bed. Today was the year my name was going into the reaping bowl for the Hunger Games. No matter how many times my sister, Katniss tried to reassure me; I couldn't shake the feeling that I was going to be picked to be the girl's tribute for district twelve. Don't ask me how I knew, I just did.
I look over to the just as rough bed Katniss and I usually share to it empty. This didn't surprise me, even though it's illegal my sister hunts just to keep us alive. This should be my mother's job, but she's been depressed ever since my Dad died in that coal mining accident, she hasn't done much of anything lately though she's getting better each passing day.
"Prim I laid out some clothes for you," My mother tells me after I come in from milking my goat, Lady. I nod in response and look over to see one of Katniss' old reaping outfits; a plain button down blouse with a green and brown checkered skirt.
Before I change into the clothes, I go over to our small brown wooden bathtub that's barely big enough to fit my whole body. Then I step into luke-warm bubble filled water.
Mom must have boiled it a little while ago.
Around here we never have hot or even warm water, unless we boil it ourselves. I sigh and begin to scrub my body clean in this cramped little tub.
After my bath, I pull on my thin dull gray robe that's too small for me now. Then I go examine the clothes that are laid on my bed. I pick up the shirt; the color was fading from one to many washes. Katniss had only worn it once. This was her first reaping outfit, but after the reaping everyone (except for the tributes families) has a huge celebration to celebrate that their kids didn't get chosen. Well, when she spilled the tiny amount of grape juice she was given on the front of it, it had turned a dark purple. Mom had to wash it a bunch of times before it actually started to come out. I let a small chuckle pass though my lips trying to soothe my nerves, but they only intensifies. With shaky hands I put on the articles of clothing. Then I attempt to put my hair into some very fancy braids, but fail miserably. I call my mom over and ask her to do it for me.
Just as my mother finishes with my hair the door opens and in comes Katniss, with a squirrel and various greens in her hands.
"Well don't you look beautiful, but you need to tuck in your tail little duck." She says, putting the meat and greens on the table then tucking it in for me. I give her a small "Quack," in return.
"Quack yourself," She tells me, laughing lightly. For a moment we're in complete silence. All you could hear was Mom preparing the broth she will make with the greens Katniss brought home.
"I laid out some clothes for you too." She told Katniss turning away from the boiling broth. There's another beat of silence, before Katniss finally replies with an, "Okay." Then she stands to go over to the bath that I was in over an hour ago. After she has put on one of Mom's silk pale blue dresses, Mom puts her dark brown hair into a single braid.
"Now you look beautiful too." I tell her, just as the rusty old square bell (that only rings for special occasions) chimes. Signaling us it was time to go…Time to go see the new tributes for district twelve…
Katniss tells me no matter what not to take the tesserae. Then she explains that they will take some blood and she will find me after this is over.
After they take a sample of my blood, I file in with the other kids my age; pretty soon a woman that has a huge hot pink gown and pale blonde hair like my own is on the stage. Only unlike my hair she has highlights that match her gown as well as her eye lashes too. Katniss has told me about her before…I think. I start to rack my brain as a film starts before my eyes, the capitol film, where it tells us the purpose of the Hunger Games. (Katniss always told me to block it out)
Elle, close, but no. Ellen? No she's from the capitol; her name is going to be exotic. That's it! Effie, Effie Trinket!
"I just love that!" She says in an abnormal bubbly voice. Katniss has told me that she's always like that. I don't see how though. Twenty four kids ranging from ages thirteen-eighteen will be put into an arena to fight for the death until only one remains for crying out loud! Who can be happy when people are killing for other people sick entertainment?
"Ladies first," She says walking over to a big glass semi ball full of all the eligible district twelve girl's names. One of those pieces of paper has my name on it… I could be called. I shake my head willing myself not to think like that. Effie is back at the microphone, tapping it as if to get everyone's attention, but everyone is silent… completely and utterly silent. Not even the few birds that we have here are even singing. It's almost like they know what's going on…
"Primrose Everdeen," Her high voice is clear and amplified by the microphone.
It's weird at first. I know that name from somewhere, but who is she? And more importantly why isn't she walking up to the make shift stage built just for this occasion. It's not until after people start to clear out of the way for me to get though does it sink in that it's my name, and I'm the one that's supposed to be walking…
So I know I have more than enough stories on here, but I could help it! I just recently read the first book in the Hunger Games (Currently reading the second one) and fell in love with it! Then this idea popped into my head and wouldn't stop nagging me till I did something about it! It might be a while before my next update- Goodgirl21