I woke up with Annie in my arms. We have just spent what could potentially be our last night together. Today is the Reaping for the fourth Quarter Quell, and anything could happen. I stayed in bed, savoring the memories from dinner last night with our family. My son, his wife, and their child were over for dinner. We laughed and played with the baby for the whole night. It was a lovely night that will be remembered forever.
I decided to get up and get dressed. At the very least, by the end of today, I will be a mentor. If not, a tribute. I put on the suit that Annie had laid out for me last night. It was a black suit with a sea blue shirt and green tie. I am so glad to have her back to her normal self again. Since I returned from the 75th Games, her mental state has improved a lot. She only falls back into her quivering, ranting self during the last few days of the Games. When the tributes turn into desperate animals, who just want to go home and will do anything to get out of that living hell.
A few hours later, Annie and I are at the Justice building, waiting for the reading of the 4th Quarter Quell rules. The whole district was silent, except for the crackling of the TV screens that had been set up to give the districts and Capitol, a live feed from District 12. I suppose that President Snow is going to read the Quarter Quell letter there. It's going to be something to hurt Katniss and Peeta, I know that. Why else would he make the trip to 12?
Snow finally appeared on the screen, my grip tightened on Annie's hand. He tapped the microphone, the sound sending a shiver through my body. He pulled out the Quarter Quell letter with a flourish. Something bad is about to happen, Snow doesn't show his flare for dramatics very often. He opened the letter and began to read. The blood rushing through my ears drowned out all other sounds, until I heard ' the tributes will be chosen from the couples of the District victors. They will fight as a team until forced to carry on without the other.' I saw Katniss's face, an expression of horror and hatred. I turned to Annie and saw a mirrored expression on her face. Then it hit me, we are all going back into the arena – and no one is getting out this time.