Chapter two : Reaping part two and the present.
While I was waiting for the names to be called at the Reaping, I scanned the crowds of children, because that's what we were, for Katniss and soon found her looking to her left at the boys side, mouthing I didn't know what to Gale Hawthorne. A feeling of dread washed over me, whether seeing Katniss talk to Gale or for the upcoming Reaping, I wasn't sure.
The woman from the capitol wore more colours then I had ever seen in the District and teetered over to the bowls on the highest shoes I had ever seen a woman wear. She called out 'ladies first' in a shrill voice and began a series of unfortunate misfortunes.
"Primrose Everdeen." Time stopped altogether. Katniss' baby sister, her first year being put into the bowl and her name out of everyone's is called. My heart is beating in my eardrums and poor little Prim hesitantly walks toward the stage, tucking her wayward shirt in with trembling small hands.
"Prim? No, no!" Katniss is screaming hysterically and is beating at the peacekeepers that are keeping her away from her sister. "Get off me! No! I volunteer!" My heart stops and dread washes over like a tidal wave leaving me cold and nauseous. "I volunteer as tribute."
President Snow is sat across from me, looking cool and relaxed against the unforgiving metal chair that is matching to mine. He fixes a steady stare onto my face. I am tired, bone tired and hungry. Starved. Thoughts of Katniss are the only thing getting me through this ordeal. Snow mutters one word, the same word as always. 'Again.'
Before I have time to react or brace myself, I am punched. The blow knocks me sideways and I am seeing stars, the chair that I am bound to teeters and I fall to the floor, my temple resounding off of the concrete and the darkness that takes me is a respite.
If I dream, I dream of Katniss but that's a luxury I am not allowed any more. Instead my dreams are nightmares of the games and my fears for the girl on fire. I awake to screaming, her screams – my eyes are wide and alert and I barely register the pain thumping in my head. "Katniss!" I scream anxiously pulling at my restraints but the screams do not stop only falter to sobs then to rising screams of terror. I pull at my shackles until my wrists are raw and slick with blood.
I scream and pull, the pain urging me on. I must find her and save her, no matter what happens to myself; she must live. I search the room for an exit and if it wasn't for a flutter I would have missed it completely in my panic. A Jabberjay.
I scrunch my eyes tightly willing the mutts assault to stop. Just like in the games it wasn't real, couldn't be. The screams get louder, piercing and echoing through my already pained skull until I don't know what's real and what's not . I clench my jaw painfully and grind my teeth as she calls out my name repeatedly. "Stop." I sob out brokenly my bloody wrists dangling limply at my sides.