If I die young, bury me in satin, lay me down on a bed of roses, sink me in the river at dawn, send me away with the words of a love song.
If I Die Young by The Band Perry
I can barely hear her voice over the sound of the siren calling us to the Reaping. "As long as you have it, nothing bad can happen to you."
My fingers close around the pin, a mockingjay in flight.
Nothing bad can happen.
The memory flashes through my head in an instant as I take my place at the Reaping. I'm scared. More scared than I've ever been before.
Because for this year's Quarter Quell, the family and friends of the victors are going into the Arena.
And I'm not stupid. Given all the trouble my sister has caused, I'm probably guaranteed a spot in the Games. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of her for showing the Capitol that we're not just pieces in their Games.
But I just may have to pay the price.
Lately I've been going out into the woods with Katniss, suppressing my fear and letting her teach me how to hunt.
Who knows? I might need the skill.
"It's going to be okay," Katniss whispers, squeezing my hand before going to the back of the crowd. Our mother stands next to me, tense and withdrawn.
She shouldn't be here. She should be out of the Reaping for good.
"Welcome, welcome." Effie's voice lacks her usual verve. She isn't as shallow as she seems. She must know what's at stake. "Welcome to the third Quarter Quell!"
Katniss catches my eye, and nods her head in Effie's direction. I have to stifle a giggle. Her orange-gold wig has listed slightly to the left.
"Now before we begin, I have a very special video for you, brought to you from the Capitol!"
I absently stroke the gold mockingjay pin that Katniss lent me for luck. Even though I am wearing a pretty green dress this year instead of last year's Reaping outfit, and not as many nervous people are standing around me, I have an unsettling sense of deja vu.
After the movie finishes, Effie continues. "As you know, for this year's Quarter Quell, the friends and family of past victors will be going into the Arena." Her voice cracks on the word 'arena'. I squeeze my eyes shut. Better to pretend it isn't real. None of it exists.
"As usual, ladies first."
Effie reaches a pale arm into the glass ball.
Please not me. Please don't let it be me.
"Primrose Everdeen."
I almost scream. I knew that this would happen. It's not fair.
Just before I turn to make my way onto the stage, I glance helplessly at my mother.
She looks exactly as she did a month after my father died. Pale. Cold. Unable to do anything helpful.
I take a deep breath and walk up to face my fate.
"Well? Any volunteers?"
A year ago, I was supposed to be standing here. But when Katniss volunteered for me, she gave me a chance.
"Yes, to live," she had said when I told her that.
"No. To do something," I had replied.
It's time to make those words be true.
"Alright then. On to the boys."
It's so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
"Rory Hawthorne. "
Please no. Not Gale's broth-
"I volunteer as tribute!"
The voice that rings through the square almost breaks my heart. Of course, he would do this.
I can't kill him.
And Gale can't kill me.