HG Fan Fiction
Chapter 2
I couldn't breathe. I felt like someone had just punched me a million times in the stomach. Like they had rammed a knife through my chest into my heart and ripped it out of my chest. Words could not describe what was going through my head. Prim. The girl as fragile as her name, just got sent to her death. Condemned to fight for her life in an arena where 24 other children stronger and more ruthless than her will kill her in a heartbeat. How did this happen? How did her name get picked? The odds were as much in her favor as you can get. Her name was only in there once. Once. And she still got reaped. My eyes furiously scanned the crowd of children, searching for her. Once I saw her I knew she was scared. Her face had lost all it's colour and she was frozen. Effie was calling her up to the stage in front of the justice building. But she couldn't move. Other children separated, creating a path for her. Effie knew who she was now, calling her name as happily as she could. Prim flinched like she had woke up from a nightmare, before turning an beginning the walk to the stage. Once she was out of the crowd of children, four peacekeepers surrounded her. Escorting her the short way to the stage. I turned to see Gale. He could tell what I was thinking and shoke his head, warning me not to do it. But it was too late. I was already forcing children out the way as I ran to Prim.
"Prim!"
"Katniss!" she screamed my name. Peacekeepers where running towards me. Grabbing hold of my arms and restraining me from my sister. I tried forcing them away, but there grip only tightened. "No! NO! Prim!" I got free from the peacekeepers. "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute." Effie stared at me. District 12 has never had a volunteer before. Quickly she fumbled with her outfit and began talking again. "I believe we have a volunteer for Primrose. Well come on up then." She gestured towards me and I started walking to her. The peacekeepers formed around me and all I could hear was prim. "No! Katniss! Katniss no!" she screamed and screamed as loud as she could. But there was nothing she could do. As I reached the stage I saw Gale had taken Prim. He was literally dragging her kicking and screaming towards mum. He gave me a look, a tear in his eye before he carried on struggling against Prim. I finally reached Effie and she had her hand held out to me. "Well well. District 12's very first volunteer. And what's your name?"
"Katniss, Katniss Everdeen."
"Ah well I can bet that was your sister wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"Let's have a round of applause for Katniss. District 12's very first volunteer." she started clapping but stopped when she realized no one else would. Then, to my surprise something unexpected happened. Each member of the audience of children and adults, took their hand and raised it to their mouth, touching their lips with their three fingers. Then raising their fingers into the air. It's a symbol of honor, respect, forgiveness and good luck. Most people know me from the hob so I understand why they would salute me. Anyone else was a surprise to me, I guess I'm more known than I thought. Although that might be because of my father. Effie stood back a bit, taken back by the audiences response. But carries on regardless. Right well on to the gentlemen. She walked over to the other glass bowl. She placed her hand inside the bowl and began searching for a name. She whipped one out and opened it. She read the name Peeta Mellark. No. the feeling that came with Prim's name being called came hurtling back. Peeta Mellark. The boy who saved my life. He was brought up to the stage. No one volunteered for him. I know he has two older brothers. One to old for the reaping now, but the other obviously didn't care for him that much. He knew this. But kept a calm face. Effie started off again about how it was a wonderful day for district 12. She made us shake hands before leading us off into the justice building. The doors closed behind us. Peacekeepers lead me into a room, closing the door behind me. This was the time I got to say goodbye to loved ones before I head off to my death. Mum and Prim came in first. Prim burst in, clutching me tight, crying telling me not to go. But all I could do was tell her I would try to win. For her. She pressed something into my hand. Her favorite pin, of a mockingjay, coloured gold it's feet wrapped around an arrow.
"Prim, this is yours."
"I know but, you can wear it. For good luck."
"OK Prim I will wear it, I promise."
"And you will try to win won't you?"
"I will try Prim. I will try, for you." She sniffed and I passed her back to mum. My voice became more angry now, talking to mum. I warned her that she had to be there for Prim because I won't be. I made her promise not to leave Prim, she can't manage on her own. That Gale will bring game but Prim will need her. Then the peacekeepers came in and they had to leave. Prim started crying and screaming, peacekeepers taking her away. Mum following. I sat down on the sofa that was in the room. I just fixed the pin to my outfit, when Gale entered. I sat up straight away, going towards him. We hugged before he gripped my shoulders.
"Katniss listen to me. Your fast, and you can hunt. All you need is a bow. If there isn't one you can make one."
"Oh Gale, promise me you will look after them. Especially if..."
"Don't talk like that Katniss. You can win this. You really can."
"Gale..."
"No Katniss." The door opened and Gale was taken away from me. It's probably the last time I will ever see him and the lasts words we said was the basis of an argument. I wiped my eyes. I mustn't show signs of crying because that will make me look week. But when I met with Peeta to travel to the train to the Capitol. He had been crying and wasn't trying to hide it. I'm not sure if that is a tactic or genuine. Before I had time to think, Effie was shoving me into a car and telling me about the wonders to come.
