What? How? Why? My name wasn't in there. I'm not from here. How is this even possible?
My mouth was dry, my eyes locked in a straight stare. People murmured, confused as to who exactly Peter Pevensie is. I took one step forward and immediately a path formed in front of me, allowing me to walk without much difficulty towards the stage. Or, rather without much more difficulty, because my knees had begun to shake so badly it was hard to stand.
"Peter!" It was Lucy's voice, crying out from somewhere nearby. I couldn't see her from where I was, but I took great comfort in knowing she was safe. I mounted the stairs one by one, examining each individually as I stepped on it. "Come along, dear," the woman in pink beckoned, wagging her finger at me. I stumbled across the platform and she grabbed my shoulder, her long magenta nails burrowing into my flesh. I wanted to rip my arm away from her.
"Hurry up, shake hands," she encouraged, growing impatient. Katniss was eying me carefully, but she outstretched her hand no less. I gripped it with mine and gave it a quick, polite shake.
"I present to you," the woman said, "the tributes of District 12!"
Again, no one clapped. I met Edmund's gaze momentarily, but he just shook his head slightly. I was inclined to be frustrated with him, for there wouldn't have been a way for me to avoid this, but any anger I had had was lost in the fear that consumed me as the lady in pink took Katniss and I by our arms and led us off the stage and into the open Jaw-like doors of a government building.
I was deposited in a room - paneled with wood, a plate-glass window lending me a view to an alleyway behind the edifice.
I had no idea what I was doing there, but I took advantage of the privacy, sitting down in one of the rickety chairs and burying my face in my hands. I had to think.
We were not in Narnia. We were in some place called Panem. Here, there was something called the Hunger Games in which twenty-four boys and girls would fight to the death. Somehow, someway, by design or not, I had been chosen. There was nothing I could do.
The door burst open. "You have three minutes," said one of the men in white, who must have been standing right outside. Susan, Edmund and Lucy rushed in all at once as if the door was merely a dam separating us. "Oh, Peter," Lucy wailed, throwing her arms around my waist. "What are we going to do?"
Susan reached for our sister's hand and twined their fingers together. "Listen," she said to me. "I don't know what's going on or why we're here, but you need to know that whatever happens, you have the advantage. After all, you've got fifteen years' experience on a battlefield."
"Something tells me that isn't going to help me here, Susan."
She frowned. "How so?"
"Well it's not as if I've had much practice this past year," I explained. "And they're kids, not ogres."
"Kids who're going to be trying to kill you."
"Maybe they don't give you weapons."
"Maybe they do."
We stared at each other for a moment before I finally gave in. "Look after Lu for me, would you?"
Her face softened. "Of course."
Edmund looked up. "I'm so sorry, Peter. I should have volunteered for you, like that other girl. I should have-"
I grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug. "Don't say that," I ordered. "Don't you ever say that."
"But I-"
"Remember all those years ago, at the train station, when I promised Mum I'd keep you safe?" I reminded him, and he looked up with tear-filled eyes. "Well, I intend to do just that. Better I go than any of you."
"How do you suppose your name got in there? It's not as if we've ever been here before," Edmund wondered aloud.
"Promise you'll try to win?" Lucy piped up from where she was still grasping Susan's hand. "Really, really try?
"I will. But in the meantime, you should try to get home. I reckon this isn't a very welcoming place."
"You're mad. We're not going anywhere without you," Edmund said factually.
The door burst open, and the guard standing outside barked, "You're out of time." He seized my brother by the arm and began to herd all of them out of the room. "We love you, Peter!" Susan called as they dragged her away. "We'll be here when you get back!"
Then the door slammed shut, and I was alone once more.
A/N: Sorry about the short chapter. I was away for a few days, and when I got home today and saw the reviews I got all excited and wanted to post the next bit. So tada. I'll make the next one longer, I promise.
