(I do not own the hunger games. Everything belongs to it's rightful owner)
Thresh tromps his way onstage and shakes Ivy's hand. Again I feel ten times smaller than I really am. Thresh looms over me like a dangerous force. He doesn't seem worried about the weeks to come. His face holds little expression.
The mayor says a quick congratulations to the two of us and then he makes his way over to the top of the stage to read the treaty of treason.
My ears are now clear of my pulse so I can listen, however my stomach churns uncomfortably. I still can't bring myself to look at my family.
When Mayor Song is finished the Anthem begins to play the crowd looks up in discomfort. I know what they see. They see me, little Rue, the girl who can climb to the tallest of the trees, standing beside Thresh, and they know that there will be other boys like him in the Games. They are thinking that I have no chance.
When the anthem is finished I am whisked away through the justice building and into a nice room. They leave me alone.
Yes, I have seen this on television. This is where the tributes get an hour to say all of their goodbyes. I can't help but look around the room. It is neat, with brilliant white carpet, which I have muddied.
Though the room is nice, I can't help but wish I were up in my tree's, singing with my birds. The first person that comes in is my mother. I run into her arms as soon as the door closes behind her, but I don't let a single tear escape. Those who cry on reaping day are always labelled the weak ones in the Games.
"My little Rue," My mother keeps saying as she holds me on the fine couch. Her fingers brush through my hair and I close my eyes. I pretend I am back at home.
She then begins to sing me my favourite song.
"Mama? Where are all of my siblings?" I ask her calmly. I want to say goodbye.
"Rue," She begins. "They are too young to come through here. They don't know what's happening."
"What about Bryce? He's eleven." I ask.
Her eyes flash with pain. "Your father has taken the children home. Bryce isn't taking this well."
This makes me feel awful. My head snaps up with determination. "Mama, don't let Bryce take tesserae."
She looks to the floor. "How will we eat Rue?" She asks me. She has already accepted my death.
"I will win. I will come home. We will eat." I say through clenched teeth.
"Rue, there are big boys in the Games. Why, you have seen Thresh. You cannot go head to head with a boy of that size." A tiny sob escapes her lips.
"Maybe I can't fight with them. But I can climb and I can run." I say as I wrap my arms around her neck.
Then all of our time is up. The peacekeepers are at the door and they are taking Mama away.
"Now you fight Rue." She warns me as she is almost gone.
I quickly press my finger to my nose and I barely catch her doing the same. The peacekeepers close the door and I sink into the couch. I am alone again. No one else would be coming to say goodbye.
I am shaking like a leaf on the couch. The loneliness is already starting to set in.
After a few minutes I am herded into a car and driven to the train station. The ride isn't long, but I am fascinated with the car. I had never been in one before. I ran my fingers over the leather seat. It felt nice.
Soon we pull up to the train station and it is crawling with reporters. They hold their camera's poised to catch whatever emotion is on my face. I settle on a blank expression and make my way to the train with my peacekeeper escorts.
Thresh is standing in the door of the train and I join him. We stay like this for sometime while the camera's capture us. Finally the doors shut and we are allowed inside.
Thresh stands in front of me and I go to get around him. He puts out his arm to stop me a moment. "Good luck little girl." He says with a wink.
I feel instantly better. Although Thresh is very big he is not a bloodless killer. In fact, he is very kind. One day while I was up in a tree I noticed him giving some food to a small boy who had none. It was a sacrifice because we have almost no food in district 11, and Thresh is big and requires more food than most people.
We are each shown our own rooms which consist of a sleeping area, a dressing area and a bathroom. I turn the taps and gasp when warm water flows out. We would never get warm water in District 11.
The water was one thing, but the speed of the train is another. It roars down the tracks and the landscape outside passes with blur.
Soon Ivy comes by my room and collects me for dinner. Even at the mention of the word my stomach gurgles loudly.
"Hungry are we?" She raises her purple eyebrows at me as we walk.
I simply nod in response.
The smell of the spread hits me before we actually step into the dining room. My mouth waters. When we actually clear the door into the room all I can see is delicious food. Chicken with creamy sauce, green beans, thick vegetable soups, and golden rolls.
Ivy leads me to my seat and I don't know where to start. Thresh already has a full plate and he is stuffing his mouth with mashed potatoes. Ivy, Jasmine, and Victory stare at him as if he is an animal. I can't blame him; I want to stuff as much into my mouth as I can, but my mother has taught me better than that.
My eyes roam over the spread once more and they come upon something precious; a bright red apple. I harvest these every season and they look simply delicious. My family can't afford them so I have never tasted one before.
I pick it up and roll it around in my hands, feeling the smooth skin. I can't resist any longer. I take a huge bite and it tastes so good. The sweet juices fill my mouth and I swallow the pieces. I go in for another bite and it's even better than the first.
I eat a small slice of chicken and then some soup and I am full. My stomach is so used to being empty; it threatens to bring its new contents back up. I have no idea how Thresh manages to hold so much food. He is still eating when everyone else is finished.
Ivy curls her lips back in disgust as Thresh runs his fingers over the plate to collect any leftover chicken sauce.
"Now we watch the reapings." Ivy says politely as she guides the way into the next cart. I don't want to leave the food. I can't eat anymore but the smell is delicious.
I reluctantly followed and settled myself on one of the large chairs. The big television across the car begins to play the reapings in order from 1 to 12. Only a few of my future competitors stick out in my mind. The first is a monstrous boy from district 2, who when asked for any volunteers lunges for the stage. The next is a crippled boy from district 10. The last is a girl from district 12. Her sister had been called but she volunteered. Then the screen goes black.
"Best you two go get some sleep," Ivy advises as she stands to get to her own room.
At the moment I really felt like I need sleep. I didn't sleep well last night. I slowly make my way back to my little room and pull on a fluffy night gown. I fall into the comfortable bed and slowly unconsciousness finds me.
