Chapter 6:
Katniss' POV:
Static… pop!... faint.
The huge screens in the Square buzz with activity, and boom to the Capitol anthem as the people of District 12 begin to fill the empty spaces on the street. Just as Prim, mother, and I enter the Square, the anthem ends, and President Snow stares back at us.
"Greetings, people of Panem! As you know, this year's Hunger Games is approaching. We have something extraordinary planned for this year. Fortunately, we have a representative from the Factions to inform you about this year's Games."
A woman walks stiffly to the podium from behind President Snow. She stands laboriously next to Snow as she speaks. She doesn't seem to be uncomfortable, just as if she's trying very hard to make a formal impression.
She has wrinkles under her eyes, hinting at her age. Her basic clothing shows she is not from the Capitol, but the colors insist that she's not from the Districts, either. Snow said she was from the… Factions, I think he called it. It's probably somewhere outside of Panem, otherwise I would have heard of it.
"Thank you, Mr. President. For those of you who don't know, my name is Edith Prior. I reside in the Faction system, a place outside of Panem. Recently, we have endured a tragic war, in which many were killed. Providentially, your President has agreed to let us join your numbers, and become part of this glorious country.
"Now, without further ado, I will pronounce the events of this year's Hunger Games: Because we are united, the people of our Faction system will participate in this year's Games, and hopefully, the rest to come. We look forward to the incredible future we hope to have."
The screen goes dark, and people begin to file out of the Square. Prim fits my trembling hand into hers. The anthem plays, though no one wants to stay long enough to salute. Most of us don't care enough to pledge our allegiance to this dictatorship of a country. Who would?
I don't hear anything. I don't want to see anything. I just let Prim's guiding hand lead me to our small house in the Seam.
We don't need more people dead, we need resolve. If this is their solution to a distorted system, I don't know what is right anymore. This—undeniably—isn't.
"Who are these Faction people, anyway?" I ask, though it was a rhetorical question. "Why do we have to help them?"
I pace through the dense forest, not really helping much with hunting. Gale doesn't seem to mind, however. In fact, he hasn't said a thing about it.
I stop a few feet in front of him, and see that he wasn't paying attention. His back is to me, and he is hunched over something—probably a snare—his fingers toiling.
He turns his head a bit. "Katniss, I know we don't know who these people are. I don't truly believe anything happened to them. But, what if it is true? They could be doing this against their will." He looks back to what he's doing. "I mean, that Edith person didn't have anyone with her. No assistant or anything."
I nod, even though he can't see me. I agree with Gale, although I don't want to. I stare at the back of his head, peeved at the fact that he appears so content with our situation.
"Gale," I say. He hums in response. "How many times is your name in?"
He takes a moment to answer, probably contemplating. He shouldn't feel the need to protect my feelings, though.
"42," Gale says. I stare at him, dubious. "I guess the odds aren't in my favor."
I feel the need to reassure him, to tell him everything will be alright. Though, that's not how Gale and I work. We don't keep things from each other, and lying is pretty much the same. Telling him everything will be alright is like telling a little boy their ice cream is still good when it just fell into a mud puddle.
I don't say anything, and it appears my silence is comfort enough. He rises from his spot, crouched on the ground, and walks over to me. When I look back to where he was bowled over, I see several snares set up about the area. At times like these, his hands are never idle.
"At least…" he starts. "at least we didn't revolt against the Capitol. The Factions are probably devastated."
"Yeah," I murmur, looking out as far as the clutter of trees will allow. How could we not have known there were other people out there?
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter! By the way, I know I haven't continued my regular fanfictions, and it's because I have major writer's block. So, leave any suggestions in the comments below.
I need 20 reviews stating what I should do for my fanfictions, because I need ideas. Its best I get them from you, because you are reading this, and I want to make you happy. Just make sure they are sensible and relevant.
Card: Black, Ace of Clubs.
Letter: R (There are three A's in my first name… just to put that out there.)
-A
