Chapter 2: The Surprise
After dinner a week after the killing of the Presidents, we were watching TV, when an announcement came on. A lady who looks vaguely familiar is in front of the camera.
"Hello people of the Capitol and the Districts of Panem! I am President Paylor. You may know me as Commander of District 8. I was appointed President in a private election because President Coin was killed. I am to inform you of a few things. First, I would like to let you know that soon leaders of the Capitol and each of the Districts will come together to form a new form a government." She paused. "I would also like to inform you that the Capitol Hunger Games will commence in 2 months. Do not be upset with me, it was all President Coin's doing, but a document was signed to make sure the Hunger Games goes on. I apologize for this. Good night to all." President Paylor said and she signed off.
My whole family was in shock. No one spoke. Maple broke the silence by crying out and running from the room. My mom followed her. My father moved to put his arm around me, but I hopped up and left the room as well. I wasn't upset, I was mad. How dare they let us think that the Capitol Hunger Games was canceled! It's not fair! I took a deep breath and tried to calm down.
Maybe Coin's document was in evaluation to see if it could be ignored. Maybe it was just recently concluded that the Capitol Hunger Games must happen. And I won't be one of the Tributes. I only have my name in 2 times. I will be fine.
1 month after the re-announcement of the Capitol Hunger Games, another update from Paylor comes on our TV.
"Hello everyone! I would like to explain how the Capitol Hunger Games will work because the Capitol isn't divided into districts. We have 7 victors remaining from previous Hunger Games. Each victor will pick a boy and a girl and those children will be mentored by that victor. Sponsorship will be the same as usual. There will only be 14 tributes opposed to 24. Thank you for listening and good night."
"Well that's good." My father says.
"Why?" Maple replies, "Kids are still forced to die unnecessarily."
"Yes, but 6 less kids are dying than normally would." I tell her, immediately understanding what my father means, "It also means there is a lesser change for me to get picked."
"That's correct, Willow." My mom says, "And soon this will all be over and we can go back to our normal way of life."
"No. We won't ever have a life where the Capitol is the center of a government that kills kids for fun. We will be better than that." Dad says.
"Thank goodness." I say, as I stand up and go to my bedroom and think more about the Hunger Games. If I got picked, who would I want my mentor to be? I could have Enobaria, Haymitch, Peeta, Katniss, Johanna, Annie, or Beetee.
I wouldn't want Enobaria. She scares me. Having Katniss or Johanna would be nice, because they are both fighters. I like how Katniss volunteered for her sister. I sponsored her, not a lot, but enough to (hopefully) buy her something. I don't remember how anyone else won their games except for Katniss and Peeta. If I do get picked, I hope my mentor is good enough so I can survive. Because if I do get picked, I am going to win.