My name is Gale. I am 18 years old. I live in district 12 and this is the story of how I lost the only one I have truly loved.
It started on the day of the reaping. It was a day we all feared, but I would never let anyone know that. I wore a stoic face as always. This year was different than the others. I knew for sure who was going in, and that my name would be called. Because of the new "redemption" clause the Capitol so kindly enforced.
When caught committing a serious crime, and you were in the age limit of 12-18 you had a choice. 1) Die at the wipping post in front of everybody or 2) Volunteer for the Hunger Games. There were exactly two of us within this last year to be given this choice. It happened about three months ago when a new Peacekeeper was shipped to district 12 without my knowledge. I had been out hunting and luckily by myself. Katniss my usual partner was at home attending to her sick sister. I never had a reason to hide my game before, and in fact I like to flaunt it since I am one of the few that can hunt. The next event happened so fast I barely had enough time to register it. I was hit upside the head and hard. When I tried to swing back in deffense, I was stopped by a swift hand that caught my wrist and pinned me down to the ground. I looked up to see the harsh face of the new Peacekeeper.
"Well look what we have here." he smirked. He then dragged me to my feet and tied a secure noose around the pole and my hands.
"It is against the law to be hunting boy." I simply spat towards his face and felt satisfied when I had hit my target. A nasty grimmace grew across his face as he slowly pulled a whip out of his belt, and slashed it acrossed my side. It took a lot not to say anything and stand my ground. However, I did make sure to keep eye contact with him.
"I am going to give you this choice because I have to. You want to stay here and take the required punishment which is death? Or do you want to go in as one of the tributes for your district?" I stared blankly at him, because this was the first I have ever heard of this and I honestly didn't know what I should say.
Finally I came up with the only answer that let me keep my pride. "I will never take any pity from you or any of those Capitol bastards." I finished with a smile.
"Fine by me." he said as he slowly raised the whip.
"Stop!" I looked around confused at who screamed. To my surprise it was the baker's son. I only have seen him at school and on the occassions when we trade with his father. "Don't you dare hit him. He isn't even thinking straight since you knocked him in the head!" What was he talking about? I knew damn straight what I wanted, and it wasn't to take part in those twisted games.
"Interrupting a whipping is also agianst the law."
"I am aware." snapped back the blonde boy.
"Why do you care about this no good Seam scum?" questioned the Peacekeeper. I was honestly pondering the same question. I know I wouldn't do the same thing unless it was saving my family or Katniss.
"Because no one deserves to die for trying to keep food on their family's table. I know I could never do what he does, and I admire this. Now I know I must make a decision, and I will volunteer. Please Gale reconsider what winning the games would mean for your family." He was looking me straight in the eye, and it was hard to say no. He also had a great point, chances are I would die any way, but by going into the games I had a chance to give my family all they wanted and more.
"I volunteer." It was barely audible, but it was enough to get me untied.
That was how Peeta Mellark and I ended up on stage next to Effie Trinket about to get shipped off to our deaths.