Darby Dhillon, 14
District 12 female
Me and Dante were whisked away from the crowd. Apparently we were in a hurry but I still wanted my goodbyes.
The first people were Josh, Antony and Emma. Emma was still crying and Josh looked afraid. Antony stood off a bit.
"Darby-" Emma hugged me so tight I laughed a bit.
"I'll be fine." I reasurred her. I felt like I was just trying to convince myself, though.
Then Josh handed me something. "Take this as a token."
It was a small gold pendant on a leather cord.
Emma smiled. "We just got it, we had rushed straight to get it. Me, Josh, Antony and Gracie."
I took it and examined it. It was real gold! They had gone to buy it... for me!
"Gracie had to get home, she had to help with dinner. Otherwise she would've been here." Josh added.
Antony stepped forward and we did our weird high-five/hand shake thing we always did. "Win, DeeDee."
"Alright, Tony." I grinned. I turned to them all. "Thank you guys so much."
We had an awkward group hug before they were escorted out.
I let a tear fall down my cheek.
I don't want to die like this. Away from my friends. Away from home, where I was free to go wherever, to not be restricted by weapons and other means of danger from the Games.
I was expecting other visitors, maybe my brother. But he didn't show up.
I collapsed onto the floor. "Stupid-ass games ruining my stupid-ass life."
Peacekeepers came back in to grab me. I let them drag me to the train.
"We need to win." Dante muttered, joining me.
"We? How could WE win?" I glared at him. "There's only one winner, idiot."
He rolled his eyes. "I know. One of us needs to make it out, though."
"And how do you propose we go about that? We're no careers."
"You can use a bow, right?"
"Yeah."
"And I'm pretty handy with an ax. We'll get far if we stick together."
I looked on uneasely. "...sure."
We got onto the train and waved goodbye to everyone. I saw Gracie running out from her house to wave. Smiling, I waved back.
When we were out of sight from 12, our mentor Jackie Saint walked over.
"Well well well, two kids this year." He said, sipping his wine.
"We're 14." I murmured.
"Still youngsters to be slaughtered in these alimighty Games." He chuckled. This was not in the slightest bit reasurring.
"Jackie, shut up." Dante shot.
The mentor ignored him and pointed to some goods. "Eat up."
We all sat down at the table together.
"You-" Jackie pointed at Dante. "I seen you before. You're always with those jacks with the drugs and shit."
Dante flinched.
"And you-" Jackie pointed at me. "You, I don't see you often. But I know you're handy with tools."
"Tools. Yeah, 'cause we'll need TOOLS in the damn Hunger Games." I scoffed.
"How the hell are we supposed to get through?" Dante asked. "We're from a dirt poor District and we ain't very intimidating."
"It's simple." Jackie sipped his wine again. "You won't."
Dante rolled his eyes. "Words of advice."