The Hunger Games
Katniss stood behind me, braiding my long blonde hair as I stared into the mirror blankly. My facial expression did not show the inner turmoil running amuck behind my blue eyes, unlike my youngest sister Prim. Every fear and nightmare was evident on her fair features. Today was the Reaping and the first year that Prim's name would be entered for the lethal possibility of being picked to be a tribute for the 74th Hunger Games. She had had a nightmare last night, waking up screaming. Katniss and I rushed to her aid, Katniss holding her close and me stroking her hair reassuringly. I had gone into the poor excuse of a living area where Katniss kept her hunting gear and gathered in together for her, lightly humming along to our lullaby:
Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.
Hearing the door to the bedroom close, I turned to face my sister, handing over her boots and jacket. Her bow and arrow lay in the woods. She showed me once, when she took me out with Gale and she, hunting. She felt it was important that I know how to shoot in case anything happen and she couldn't hunt. Quietly, she slipped into the clothing. Staring into the blazing fire, I whispered, "She's scared to death."
Katniss looked up at me and smirking, began lacing her boots. "You got that right."
We were silent for a moment. "What if she gets picked?"
Katniss stood, saying, "Come on, what are the odds? You've been in the system for a year longer than me and you have gotten picked, I haven't gotten picked. It won't happen."
Shaking my head, I come back to the present. Katniss is done braiding my hair and I run my hands down the front of the skirt of the dress I had borrowed from my mother. It was long and grey, nothing special. Turning to Prim, I offered a hopefully reassuring smile and held out my hand.
"Let's go. We'll be back in no time." Prim didn't smile, but took my hand and Katniss's with the other and we walked toward the center of town like that. Prim seemed to have calm down until she saw the sign in line where they were taking blood. She pulled on our hands, trying to back away. Kneeling down, I pulled her close, making sure she looked me in the eye, "Hey, hey, it's fine. You just have to sign in. They're just gonna take a little bit of blood.
With tear filled eyes, she asked, "Will it hurt?"
I looked up at Katniss and her eyes were filled with concern.
Looking back at Prim, I whispered, "Just a little bit, okay?"
Katniss kneeled down beside me and reached into the pocket of her dress, "Do you wanna see what I got for you today?" She opened her palm and laying in it was a pin. "It's a mockingjay pin. When you have it, nothing bad will ever happen to you, okay? I promise." Prim nodded and Katniss put it our little sister's pocket.
Standing up, I pushed Prim forward toward the line, "Now, go get in line. After we're signed in, we come and find you."
Katniss started to move to line up too, but I pulled her arm back and whispered, "Keep an eye on her, okay? I don't want her getting more freaked out."
"Course." Katniss answered and took her place in line ahead of me. I tried to watch where the two were headed as they signed in, but there were too many heads. I didn't even blink as they signed me in and then I proceeded into the girl's half of the crowd, not seeing my sisters anywhere. Giving up, I figured I would meet up with them afterward. I zoned out Effie Trinket with her white face, garish green make up and white hair curled into complicated swirls.
"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" she says, enthusiastically into the microphone in her obviously Capitol voice. "Ladies first!"
She reached into a glass bowl holding the names of all of District 12's girls. After perousing the sheets of paper, she yanked one out. I wasn't worried. Walking back over to the microphone, she opened the slip of paper and read, "Primrose Everdeen."
No. My breathing stops. No. My heart is beating uncontrollably. No, not my little sister. Looking around the crowd, I saw movement, Prim walking towards the front. Then another brunette head, following in suit. No, Katniss, No. Shoving with all my might, I broke from the crowd, running after Katniss, screaming, "NO!"
I grabbed her arm roughly, pushing her out of the way, only to be grabbed by the Peace Keepers, watching my little Prim walking to her death.
"I VOLUNTEER!" I scream, pulling free of the white suits. "I volunteer as tribute." Everybody's eyes were on me.
"What are you doing?" Katniss hisses at me. Turning, I look back at her. Her voice was harsh but her eyes were at the brink of raining tears.
Pulling my sister close, I touch our foreheads. "You take care of them, Katniss. Make sure they don't starve. I won't worry if you're here."
"But—" Katniss starts.
"No." I say firmly. I turn and pick up Prim and hand her over to Katniss. Prim was now screaming and I had to close my eyes to not break down crying with her.
"Come, come, dear. Come to the stage." I look up at Effie and wipe my eyes, making my way up the stone stairs. When I reached Effie's side, she spoke into the microphone. "What is your name?"
"Tina—I mean, Valentina Everdeen."
"Now, if I'm not mistaken, Primrose is your sister."
"Yes." I answer quietly.
"Ah," she says, "Well, everyone give a big applause for Valentina Everdeen, the first volunteer from District 12."No one clapped. Clearing her throat she said, "And now for the gentlemen!" She reached in the glass bowl again and read out, "Peeta Mellark." The name sounded familiar and as he moved forward I recognized him. He was the baker's son. The boy who saved our lives. He made his way up the steps. "Any volunteers? No?" Why would there be? "Ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for our District 12 tributes for the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Peeta Mellark and Valentina Everdeen!" They did not applaud, but instead, raised their three middle fingers and held them out palm first. They were saying goodbye. With that Peeta and I were taken quickly into the Justice Building that stood behind us.
