I wake to the sound of my own screams. I had another nightmare. They seem to be coming more and more frequently now that the day has finally come.
Today is the Reaping Day. Today I will find out my own fate.
I might be a little melodramatic about the whole thing because, like my sister told me, its only my first year.
But it seems like almost instinct to panic. After all, two people from my District are being randomly chosen and sent to their death. How do I know for sure that it won't be me?
My sister, Katniss, who heard me stir comes to comfort me. Climbing into bed with me and seeing tears streak my cheeks, she already knows whats been running through my nightmare. Once she embraces me I find it harder to fend off tears.
"It was me," I mumble between breathes.
"I know, I know but its not. Its your first year Prim, your names only been in there once, they're not gonna pick you," she said.
While she was stroking my hair I finally felt myself begin to relax
"Try to go to sleep," she said.
"I can't."
"Just try, just try," she said.
With that I lift my chin up so that my lips are inches away from her ear and whisper to her, asking her to sing.
She nods and starts to sing the song I knew since I was very little. The song my dad taught us both. Oh how I miss him…
I can't think of that now, I'm trying to relax.
Once Katniss finishes, she declares that she has to leave.
Even though I know what she means, I couldn't contain myself from asking. "Where?" I ask a little too innocently.
"I just gotta go. But I'll be back," she said.
She's going hunting with Gale. I'm not one to complain about her hunting since she is always the one bringing food for us to fill our bellies with ever since our father passed. But since mom was still asleep I just wished that she could stay a little longer… for comfort. Especially today of all days.
Once she leaves, I get up to check on Lady and Buttercup. Lady had enough food and I'm pretty sure Buttercup was alright too. I try to distract myself from my thoughts by petting and playing with Buttercup. The way he curls up in my arms makes me feel better. The adorable way he looks into my eyes as if sensing something is wrong, but trying to help by being playful uplifts my spirits for the time being.
Soon after, my mom comes downstairs. "I laid out your outfit for today sweetie."
Brought back to reality again. Today is the Reaping Day.
"Thank you, I'll get ready later," I say, not bothering to hide my growing anxiety.
Once I'm bathed and dressed for the day, my mom starts to braid my hair in two braids down my sides.
I hear the warning bell telling us we don't have much time left until the Reaping.
But something is completely wrong. Katniss hasn't come home yet. She knows what today is, she knows she has to get ready. My mom even laid out her own blue dress for Katniss to wear to the Reaping.
I start to panic. How could I face this without her? The only person who was always there for me.
My mom sees the fear in my eyes and tries to compose herself to try to be strong enough around me. "She's probably on her way home, sweetie."
At her comment, I frown. Am I that easy to read?
At least thirty minutes have gone by now. Katniss should be here. Unless something went wrong.
What if she got caught sneaking out of the District 12 fence? I usually check the fence if she takes long getting home, maybe I should go check…
But she has Gale with her, hopefully. He would protect her, I know that for sure. But what if they're both in trouble?
What if some Peacekeepers took them. Or worse.
I jolt up when I hear someone knock on our door. Hoping its Katniss, I'm disappointed to see its just a Peacekeeper telling us we need to leave to the Reaping Ceremony… now.
"Where is Katniss?" is all I could think about on the way to the Justice Building, where the whole thing is taking place.
I hope she's okay. I don't know what I would do without her.
Lord, where is she? Please show up, please show up, please.
Then I'm separated with my mother and forced into a group of girls my age. But only one thought is racing through my mind at this moment… Where is my sister?