THG: Rue, Thresh, and the conspiracy

by Johanna Brookes

The 74th hunger games was not regular. the reapings weren't reapings: each tribute was handchosen by rebel peacekeepers. Let the rebellion against the capitol begin. And may the odds ever be in you favor.

2. The train wreck

Chapter #2

I glance around, eager for a volunteer. Thresh was the only person I trusted who could take care of my family. But no. There are no volunteers for any of us. We both hold a silent stare, sending messages to each other through our own eyes.

Me: I can't kill you!

Thresh: This is horrible.

Me: You think?

We head over to the district hall. My first guest is my mom. She burst in hysterically. "Mom... please… stop crying…"

I want to re-assure her. To say everything is okay. It's all because of the lame reaping. It makes me so angry. But I pause and reach over to hug my mom. She holds me tightly, as if there is nothing to separate us. When the peacekeepers come, they have to pry us away.

"MOM! EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY! I PROMISE! I'll do my best!" I scream through my tears, whispering the last word.

In the train, I'm curled up against Thresh for comfort. He doesn't deny me it. Instead, his hand clutches mine. We are desperate for each others comfort. In the Hunger Games we will be enemies. But right now, tears stream down my face. I miss my mom. I miss my six siblings.

They show us the other tributes in the other districts. When District Twelve comes, Alyssa shakes Thresh and I. "Watch it! It's the best."

They show a girl named Primrose being chosen. But her sister, if im correct, volunteered. Instantly, I sit up straight. I have alarmed Thresh. He looks to see what has chosen my attention. I feel a sort of kinship to this girl. This Katniss Everdeen. I have a good feeling. She is tall, with a dark brown braid. Thresh pulls me back to his side, knowing the tears would come again. And they did.

He shook me gently because dinner had come. We have lamb stew, an amazing cheese, some miracle named hot chocolate, and other things. We both eat warily but delicately. Not too much, not too little. At the end, Thresh and I take a mug of hot chocolate.

We drink it slowly, unsure of our next move. Thresh must be thinking the same thing.

"What is it," I whisper sadly, "What's our next move? Act like we don't know each other?"

His expression changed instantly. "No. That is one I won't do."

I smile at his response. Then I leave his arms and go to my own separate compartment. I sit there, counting the time down until I reach the capitol.