~25 years ago~
"You may ever be in the games again, Miss Everdeen, but trust me. It will get you again," President Snow laughs.
We lost the rebellion. Just as we thought we were going to win, the Capitol soldiers came with guns and shot so many rebels that we had to surrender. Apparently, President Snow was nice enough to promise that I nor Peeta would ever have to be in the Games, but I think it was just a deal from the beginning. We would have to be mentors, unfortunately.
I glare, "What is that supposed to mean?"
He chuckles, letting me smell his breath of blood, "You'll see, my dear."
With that he walks out of the room.
"Willow Mellark," Effie announces.
My breath hinges. My daughter. My daughter.
Today is the reaping for the 100th annual Hunger Games. As usual, I am mentoring the district 12 tributes with Peeta. This is the 4th Quarter Quell.
I cannot believe that my daughter got reaped.
As tears stream down my face, Willow comes up to the stage looking frightened as she holds tightly onto her dark brown hair. The crowd starts murmuring as usual when a 12-year-old girl gets picked, but this time, they are also murmuring about the fact that she is the Girl on Fire's daughter.
I begin sobbing uncontrollably into Peeta's lap. He pats my head as he speaks soothing words to me.
"Katniss, it's alright. Maybe she stands a chance of winning. All that archery practice you and her do must have paid off at least the tiniest bit," he says into my ear as Effie reaches into the boy's bowl.
I doubt that. District 12 has not had a victor ever since the rebellion.
"Kolton Hilt," Effie announces with an unreadable expression.
Kolton… the son of a coal miner and a mother who makes clothes.
A boy with light brown hair and green eyes steps onto the stage. Effie tells Willow and Kolton to shake hands. They both hesitate, but then shake roughly.
I slowly lift myself from Peeta's lap to see the appalled expressions of the audience and Willow's face. I can tell that she is trying very hard to hold back the tears.
The Capitol soldiers lead Willow and Kolton into the building behind us.
I finally get how the Games came back to get me… or more accurately, my daughter.
A/N:
Short chapter, but i promise the rest will be longer:)