Crouching my body, I slowly hid myself behind the trunk of an oak tree. I cursed in my mind as my foot brushed up against a dead leaf. I held my breath and tightened my grip on my throwing knife as my target froze; its body seeming as if it had turned to stone. A gust of wind blew from behind me, bringing my scent along with it towards my prey.
The deer took off without the slightest hesitation as it had no doubt smelled me. I sighed angrily.
Picking up the dead leaf that had given me away in the first place, I crushed it in the palm of my hand before letting the wind caress the pieces from my fingertips.
"The wind has changed its direction? And so soon. That's strange." I muttered to myself. It always seemed as if the forest was laughing at me every time I slipped up.
Standing up from my crouch, I stretched before making my way gracefully to my pack already full of squirrels and a few rabbits. Opening the sack, I counted my kills.
Five squirrels, and three rabbits.
Smiling, I slung the pack over my shoulder and tucked my knife into a hollow opening of a tree. Looking around deftly, I slid the quiver of arrows off of my other shoulder and placed it next to my long bow under a rotting log.
"Lorrelais!"
Whipping around, I watched as my younger sister maneuvered her body around the low hanging branches separating us.
"Katniss? What are you doing out here? It's my day to hunt."
"Prim's getting worried. You said you would be back by mid-day! Have you forgotten what day it is?"
Frowning, I turned away from her and started the long trek to the electric fence.
"Being put into a lottery where you can be picked to kill other children isn't exactly forgettable, Kat." I muttered angrily. I ducked down and slipped nimbly through the hole in the fence leading into our district.
"I can't believe you." She scoffed, shaking her head in disdain, "I understand that we need the food, but today is the most dangerous time to go outside of the district. I got enough kills yesterday when I went with Gale."
"Yes, but how long can we live on two squirrels between the four of us?"
"Lorrie, I-" she started.
"Enough, Katniss. We are back now, that's all that matters. Now go get dressed, please." I commanded, staring down into her gray eyes with my own blue ones.
Wiping the emotion from her face, she nodded stiffly and jogged the last few feet to our home.
Rubbing my hand down my face, I couldn't help but think that I was always so hard on her. Ever since our father died in a mining accident and our mother decided to abandon us, both emotionally and verbally, Katniss had taken on the mother role while I, the oldest sibling at eighteen, had to be the 'man of the house'.
Stepped through the doorway, laying my bag down on the worn down kitchen table.
"Mom?" I looked over to see my youngest sister Prim looking up at our mother, fully dressed and ready for the Reaping. Before mom could say anything, Katniss swooped in and kneeled down to her.
"Aw, look at you." she smiled warmly, "You look beautiful."
Laughing quietly under my breath, I walked over and place my hand gently on her blond hair, "But you better tuck in that tail, little duck."
Katniss chuckled, tucking in the shirt tail of Prim's blouse.
"I laid out something for the both of you, too."
Glancing behind me, I gave a slight nod to my mother.
Katniss, her eyes still trained on Prim, replied, "Okay." Before hesitantly making her way to her room. I awkwardly shuffled out of the room, not wanting to make any conversation with my mother.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I admired the deep gray dress my mother had lain out for me. It went to my knees and was short-sleeved, made out of cotton material. Braiding my raven hair into a messy bun, I lightly lined my lower lids with ash from our fireplace.
With a final glance, I pulled on my dress shoes and went to the kitchen to meet up with my sisters.
Right as I got to them, the horn blew.
Paling, I looked over at their faces.
"We'll be okay," I hesitated, "Prim's name is only in their once, and Katniss you don't have too many either."
Grasping each other's hands, we made out way to the Justice Building.
"Lorrelais?"
"Yeah Katniss?" I asked.
"How many times is your name in there?"
I remained silent, even as her worried eyes made a hole in the side of my head. "Enough."
"Lorrie, look at me," she commanded. Glancing over at her, I saw her face had turned even paler. "How many times?"
"Katniss, don't worry about it. I won't be picked. I know it." I assured her, tightening my grip on her hand slightly.
As we entered the town square, I released their hands and got in line to check in. One by one, more and more children flooded into the square. Grabbing my hand, the peacekeeper pricked my finger before scanning my blood.
Lorrelais Everdeen. 18 yrs. Old.
"Lorrie!"
Turning around, I saw my best friend Lauren trying to catch up to me. Offering a slight smile, she grabbed my hand with hers. "Are you ready?" she questioned as we made our way over to the eighteen year old section.
Sighing shakily, "No. I have a bad feeling about this year."
Lauren nodded sadly. "How many times is your name in there?"
"Sixty-three."
Her eyes widened and filled with unshed tears.
"Sixty-three, Lorrie? Sixty-three?" She cried.
"It was the only way to keep Katniss from signing up for tesserae herself." I consoled her, "Besides. I have a feeling that it won't be me this year. But someone much worse."
Still upset, she looked at me with questioning eyes, "What do you mean?"
I shook my head. "Nothing, I'm sure it's just my imagination."
Nodding her head slowly, Lauren gripped my hand tighter as our district escort, Effie Trinket, dolled up in an all pink dress suit with a pink wig and pink makeup took the stage.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome! Happy Hunger Games! And, may the odds be ever in your favor. Now, before we begin, we have a very special film brought to you all the way from the Capitol!"
I turned slightly to Lauren and mouthed the entire video, never once making a mistake. She placed a hand over her mouth to muffle a snort.
When it finally ended, Effie dabbed at her eyes with a pink handkerchief.
"I just love that!" She said, "Now, the time has come for us to select one courageous young man and woman, for the honor of representing District Twelve in the seventy-fourth annual Hunger Games. As usual, ladies first."
Walking over to the glass bowl settled in the middle of the stage, she made a show of fishing her hand around for a slip. Showing the crowd the paper dramatically, she opened it slowly before clearing her throat, "Katniss Everdeen."
A strangled sound left my mouth. I suddenly couldn't move, or breath. It felt like all the air had been stolen from my lungs.
I watched as the girls from the sixteen year old division split and my sister stepped hesitantly forward.
Not her, not my little sister! Sure, we never really got along but I still loved her. Now she's going to die, like a pig to the slaughter.
Frowning, my hand tightened into a fist. I suddenly knew what I had to do.
Pushing my way through the girls surrounding me, I called out, "Katniss!"
She turned back, her horrified face paling as she saw me heading towards her. I ran forward and grabbed her in a hug before peacekeepers grabbed me by my arms and tried to rip me away from her. We held each other as tight as possible.
"Let go, Lorrie. You have to let me go. Take care of Mom and Prim." She said hurriedly, trying to retain her strong façade.
"No! No!" I screamed as I was ripped away from her.
"No! Please!" I stuggled violently. "I volunteer as tribute!" I yelled, my voice projecting throughout the entire crowd.
Katniss froze from where she stood surrounded by peacekeepers.
Steadying my voice, I stared straight into Effie's eyes. "I volunteer as tribute." I repeated.
Gale rushed from his place and pulled Katniss, who still appeared to be frozen, away and back into the crowd to my mother. I quickly gave him a thankful look, but his gray eyes were steely as he looked back into mine.
"Uh, I believe we have a volunteer." Effie stuttered, disbelief clouding her features. I stepped up the stairs one by one, realization dawning on me and the panic fading as I comprehended what I had just done.
"Dramatic turn of events here in District Twelve. Yes, well, District Twelve's very first volunteer," She motioned for me to come closer, "Come on, dear."
Standing stiffly beside her, I struggled to keep my face emotionless.
"What's your name?" Effie questioned, moving the mike in front of my face.
"Lorrelais Everdeen."
Effie looked delighted, "Well, I bet my hat that was your sister, wasn't it?"
I closed my eyes and turned my face away, "Yes."
Effie smiled broadly and turned back to the crowd, "Let's have a big hand for our very first volunteer, Lorrelais Everdeen."
She started clapping, but no one joined along with her. One by one, everyone placed their three middle fingers to their lips before stretching out their arms towards me.
I had just barely managed to choke down a sob. That meant admiration and goodbye to a loved one. I didn't know whether to cry out or feel the slightest bit flattered, so I went with both. I flashed a small, sad smile and made eye contact with my mother. She held both of my sisters against her. Even Katniss was crying.
"And now, for the boys!" Effie cried out, before heading to the glass bowl that held all of the boys names. Repeating the previous process, she pulled out a slip and went back to the microphone before opening it.
"Peeta Mellark."
Closing my eyes, I frowned and tilted my head downwards. Why him?
One day, after weeks of no food, Katniss and I had rummaged through a garbage trying to find scraps to bring home. All that had accomplished was being berated by Mrs. Mellark, the witch of the district's bakery. But then, as we sat in the rain, Katniss having passed out on my shoulder from exhaustion, The Mellark's youngest son, Peeta came walking out holding to burnt loaves of bread with a red wheel on his cheek. Wincing at the screeching of Mrs. Mellark, I watched the boy in pity.
Ripping the burnt pieces from the loaves, he threw them into the pig pen before catching my stare. I looked at him pleadingly with my eyes. Turning to make sure the coast was clear, he tossed the loaves at my feet before rushing back inside. Snatching them up quickly, Katniss tumbled from my shoulder groggily.
After showing her the loaves, we ran home to share them with Prim and my mother.
I owed him my family's life.
Once he was situated on the stage next to me, Effie clapped enthusiastically. "These are the tributes representing District Twelve!" She place a manicured hand on both of our shoulders. "Well, come on you two. Shake hands."
Looking over slowly, I met Peeta's blue eyes with my own. I reached out and grabbed his hand and gave it a reassuring shake.
"Happy Hunger Games!" Effie called out, "And may the odds be ever in your favor." She finished.
The last thing I saw before being ushered into the Justice building was the hurt and grief in the eyes of my family. I would make it out of the arena. I had to.
I caught Peeta's eye before lowering my eyes down to the ground in front of me. Almost without realizing, I was ushered into a small room with a fancy couch and plain walls.
I sat down and placed my head into my hands and took deep breaths.
But if I made it out…
My mind flashed to Peeta.
The someone I care about will have to die.
I heard the door creak open and looked up into the eyes of my family.
My resolve strengthened. If I had to kill people so as to remain with my family, then so be it.
I hugged my sisters and my mother close, not knowing if this was the last time I would ever see them.
After Katniss had given me a Mockingjay pin to wear as a token, I held it tightly in my hand.
"I'm sorry, Peeta," I whispered, "Let's hope it doesn't come down to the two of us."