I groan. i stretch out on my broken mattress, the lumpy springs stab my back. My sister, Prim, is clinging to the frame for dear life.
"Sorry, Prim." i smile, wrapping my arms around her small little body and draw her in for a cuddle. she didn't seem t react much, she's probably sleepy. the reaping is next week and you can tell she's frightened. I am too! i try to remain calm because that would make her feel worse if she knew i'm scared. still, i have more a chance to be picked, i have four slips entered a year, making it 62 times this year as i am sixteen, Prim being twelve, and me not allowing her to enter any more, has one slip in the glass ball.
i shiver a little, even though Prim is warm. i hug her closer.
"Ow, Catnip."
"Sorry, don't turn into Gale."
i am Katniss Everdeen, but my best friend Gale has called me Catnip ever since i can remember. i don't want to remember. i don't want to live, not in this cruel society. the only thing i have to motivate myself not to commit suicide is the fact i have to hunt animals for food to keep my Mother and Sister alive.
I tell Prim i am going to hunt breakfast. i simply slip my late Father's leather jacket and my hunting boots, don't bother to get dressed out my night things.
i do it stealthily, though most people in the village know i poach. i sigh as i get to the barbwire fence. it only has to hours electricity a day but i'm still cautious as i crawl under. i am merely shaking as i am anxious about the reaping. i distract myself as i know Gale has got up much earlier to get rabbits and squirrels. but i'm so starving i am greedy enough to expect foxes and deer.