Hello everybody! Surprise! I'm back! I want to apologize for my absence, but I am going to get started back with it again! So, without further ado, here is Chapter 4! Enjoy
Disclaimer: I do not own the concept of the Hunger Games. Also, the last name of one of the characters comes from a manga I know of, and I do not own that name or concept!
Chapter 4: Visitation
"Shay Undersee."
The name echoed around the square, and everyone turned to me. The name felt foreign when she said it, like it didn't belong with my body. Nonetheless, I stiffly made my way up to the stage, hoping, praying that someone would volunteer as tribute.
But alas, nobody did, and I was left standing on the stage as I look of shock glazed across my father's face and a slight gasp echoed through the crowd when they realized that I was the mayor's daughter.
Effie turned to me, and in a jolly voice she said, "So what's your name sweetheart?" Even though everyone all knew as she stuck the microphone in my face.
"I'm Shay Undersee," I managed to utter the words as my voice cracked. Effie seemed pleased with my answer, because she clomped to the other side of the stage which hosted the bowl that contained the slips with all of the boys' names.
She slips her hand into the bowl and rummages around till' she finds one that I guess suits her.
Please don't be Daikon.
He needs to stay here in District 12.
He must protect our families.
I was brought out of my thoughts when Effie made her trek to the microphone, a slip of paper in hand. "Our boy tribute is…. Nico Phantomhive!" She said as all of the boys turned to who I assumed was Nico. As he made his way to the stage, I got a closer look at him.
He had sandy colored hair the framed his face in slight waves. He had a tan complexion, and light blue eyes. Honestly, he looked like he belonged in District 4, the fishing district, but I didn't say anything as he slowly made his way to the stage. Once he made it to the stage, Effie again asked for his name, though we all knew it by now. Then, She grabbed our wrists with a death grip, and help up our hands in a victory cheer, though this was no victory.
"Please welcome the tributes of District 12! Shay Undersee and Nico Phantomhive!" She half cheered, half screamed throughout the square, but no one celebrated. Everyone just stood stiff as boards.
After Effie let us lower our hands, masked guards led us into the Justice Building. I have been in here several times before, usually with the rest of my family concerning my father. This time though, it felt different walking inside the heavy wooden doors. Usually, when I came with my father, I was always excited to sit on the plush furniture or walk on the sleek wooden floors. It always felt so cozy and comforting to me.
This time, however, the rooms felt unwelcoming and cold, and I had no desire to sit on the rich furniture. Instead, I just stood as they launched me and Nico into separate rooms to begin the good-byes.
At first, I almost expected myself to walk through that door. Every year, after the tributes were chosen, my father and I would sometimes come visit the unlucky children and give them a batch of cookies or a small tin of strawberries for them to have. But not this year….
The first people to appear were of course, my family. My mother's face was read and blotchy, probably from crying. My father was trying to look professional, but it wasn't working very well. He kept his head held high, yet he looked like he was dying inside. Liam just looked….sad. They all ran to me in a frenzy and we collapsed on the couch in a big hug.
"You have to be brave. You have to come back alive." My mother said between sobs as she gulped for air. I guess they did not expect me to be chosen.
"I want to be the brother of a victor!" Liam said jokingly, but I'm pretty sure there was some truth behind it as well.
My father was the first to get up from our family hug. He straightened his tie, and kissed me on the head. Then, he simply left.
A few moments later, the guards ordered my mother and brother to leave. They both hugged me and wished me good luck. Once they left, I did not want to hug anyone else or talk to anyone else. I just wanted to remember and feel their love still draped on me.
Soon after, I had another visitor. Daikon was ushered through the door and told he would have five minutes with me. He immediately ran up and hugged me. We knew each other better than probably anyone else, so he knew how I felt.
After what seemed like we had been hugging forever, he finally let go of me. " I know you will do great." He murmured to me, yet I knew he was sugar coating it. "Don't lie to me Daikon; I will be one of the first to die and we both know it. I'm the mayor's daughter, for Pete's sake! I have never had to use a gun or hunt for my own food. All I can do is collect strawberries!" I said, practically yelling at him, and I slumped down on the couch, exasperated.
Daikon didn't sit down, but he crouched beside me. "Shay, you are one of the smartest girls I know, and I have more confidence in you than I would myself! You may not know how to use a gun, but you do know how to find berries in the wilderness. You are going to be fine." He said just as two of the guards came in to take him away.
"You will do great!" He said to me just as the guards dragged him out of the room and back out to the square.
He says that I'll do great. I just wish I could believe him.
Okay everyone, I hope you enjoyed! Please review and PM if you have anything to say! Bye for now!
~DomoFan122