What if...
I gently pour the bucket of Lady's milk into a jar. To bring into the market to sell. This is what me and mom live off, ever since Katniss died. Gale drops by every now and then but he has his own family to support. I lay the jar in the shade inside so it keeps cool and then begin to get ready for my bath. Today is the reaping of the 74th annual hunger games. The thought scares me I am now twelve. Old enough to die, according to the Capital.
I wash my body and climb out of the tub. A mirror stands on the other side of the room and I look at myself. All my ribs are visible and I look like I am about to break. My stomach aches from very little food.
I smell soup on the stove it's been a while since mom was well enough to cook. She usually lies in bed in a deeper depression since Katniss died. I carefully dress myself in a white blouse and a navy skirt. I tuck my blouse in and Mom will braid my hair when we finish dinner.
I tenderly walk down the stairs and into our small kitchen, a pot of soup is ready to eat and the table already set.
Mom has poured up soup into my bowl and we sit and eat in silence mom stirs her soup around not eating very much. I scrape my bowl and go back for seconds it's rare we have soup with wild turkey in it anymore.
Mom slowly eats her soup and I watch and clean the dishes.
"Mom I'm scared I don't want to be picked" I wail tears filling up in my eyes.
"Prim you name is only in there once, the chances of you being picked are very slim" Mom says comforting me in a soothing voice.
She hugs me tight then turns me around and begins to braid my hair. She braids two French braids on each side of my head. I size myself up in the mirror and do a spin, admiring my new look.
I turn back on in the mirror and see that the back of my shirt is untucked. Katniss would have called me a little duck and tucked in my duck tail. I miss her, Katniss was killed in a accident 5 months ago while she was selling meat illegally. She had to do Gales sales and here was a new peace keeper he had asked no questions just bet her. I remember the day of the execution Katniss was crying, I have never seen her cry this much.
"Prim, you have to be strong for me. Okay? I remember once we went to the park and I pushed on the swing so high and you thought you could fly... and all the times we sat and talked, I love you so much little duck don't forget that"
"Katniss I love you too. Why do you have to go? I love you don't leave please" I hugged her so tight I didn't want to let go.
"Prim we have to go now" Mom orders steering me towards the door.
"Okay let's go" I softly say.
We walk down the road mom squeezing my hand, I can feel my hands sweating with nerves. We enter the square Mom turns me around and hugs me tight I cling on to her not wanting to let go. I don't want to be here.
I walk up to the lady who needs to take our blood. I hate needles I cant do this the games scare me. I look for somewhere to run and hide. But I have to be brave for Katniss.
I stick out my finger and the lady pricks it with a small needle I wince with pain but do not pull away, she dabs the blood on a sheet and I walk away. I stand with my age group, and stare ahead.
Effie comes on stage followed by the mayor, they both give a short speech.
"And may the odds be ever in your in favor" Effie finishs.
She walks toward the bowel of girls names and my stomach twists in knots and my hands sweat like crazy.
Effie plunges her hand in the bowl and swims through the names until she pinches a corner of an envelope. Her hand recoils pulling the envelope towards her.
Slowly she unfolds it, my heart is in my throat and my stomach is doing flips in my belly.
"Primrose Everdeen"
The crowd parts infront of me, waiting for me to walk up tot he stage for a promised death. I start to take a step but my legs wont work the world seems to be closing in around me. I cant breath, i feel as if the capital is choking me with its own hands i am unable to fight i am stuck and surley to die.
Peacekeepers come and close in around me, carting me towards the stage i feel smaller and smaller the closer i get. I look over the crowd once i am up, they all look solem and pity me but i can also see relief on some girls face. "So how old are you Primrose?"
"I am... I am 12"I studder.
"Well Primrose you are going to the hungergames!"Effie exclaims"Now for the boys"
I stand on stage zoned out none of this seems real i cant be going to the hunger games it is impossible. I dont eve notice Effie announce who is going to the games with me until a boy about 16 is standing next to me on stage.
I can see the terror on his face that must reflect mine, I can tell that he is a merchants boy not from the seam. The boy is not tall but average height but has a strong build. He has a much better chance than me.
"Well Peeta,are you excited to be going to the games?"
Peeta does not answer only stares at his shoes and sighs. Effie gives up and gives a closing speech, then escorts us from stage.
I am brought to a holding room where my Mom will visit me a most likely Gale too. I sit on the plush velvet couch which I reconize Mom has a dress made out of the stuff. The door opens and Mom walks in teary eyed. Seeing her face makes me cry "Mom i dont want to go"
"I know, but you are fast and smart Prim remember that okay?"she says to me"You have just a good of chance as the rest do"
"I love you mom"
"I love you too Prim"
"I will try to win so i can come back to you"
"I know baby, just remeber i love you and my love will follow you"
The door opens