Chapter 10 – The twins
We told the press I was pregnant a month after the wedding. We could not hold on it anymore. We had to tell the world before they were born. They are two fantastic identical girls. Acacia is the quieter one and Willow likes to scream and to be heard. They are dark haired and blue eyed.
The announcement about the quarter quell came as a chock. "The 25th Hunger games were played by tributes who the rest of the district voted for. The 50th Hunger games were played 100 percent more tributes. The 75th Hunger games will be played by tributes from the existing pool of winners, and they can only be exchanged by a relative to the winners or another winner. The relatives can take the place of any of the winners, even if they are not relative to the specific winner. The only rule is one male and one female tribute." The president reads from the card. I saw on my mother that she thought about doing it. Taking my place. I told my mother and my sister to not take my place. I do not want to be their mentor. I rather play myself, even it hurts so badly since I can't leave my little ones behind. But I will be forced to, to protect them, my sister and my mother.
The reaping ceremony begins after lunch as always. I have a sleeping Acacia in my arms and Peeta carry Willow, who is excited to see the world. I just hope my mother or sister do not volunteer. It would break my heart into pieces. We are on stage, and our families are standing closest to the stage. If they volunteer they won't have to walk far to reach the scene. Effie is not herself this reaping, she is not the happy Effie I know. A tear is falling down my cheek. I know I must do this. I can't live with myself if I let anyone else take my place. "The ladies first, as always," Effie says and picks up the single slip at the bottom of the bowl. "Katniss Everdeen Mellark," she says and I know I cry. "Are there any volunteers?" Effie asks and the wind tells her I will be the tribute this year. I take my place next to Effie. "And now for the men," Effie says, and I see a tear falling down on her cheek. She read the name I have feared. "Peeta Mellark Everdeen" and I cry so hard Effie has to take Acacia from me. "Are there any volunteers?" She asks. And I see a hand raise. I already know who it is. Gale Hawthorne. "I will. I volunteer as tribute" I hear him say. He joins me on stage and he hugs me and then he takes Acacia in his arms. "The tributes of the 75th annual Hunger Games are picked. And you can now shake hands." When we are backstage I ask him what he thinks he is doing. "I think I am saving Peeta's life. And try to do the same for my best friend in the whole world. I cannot let them take both of you. Acacia and Willow need you, and my aim is to give them their mother back." He says. He sacrifices himself to save Peeta, and he sacrifices himself for me. I can just hug him and cry.
We are going on the train to the capital, and maybe it is the last time I see my home. We sit in the back of the train. I feed Willow, the feeding bottle is soon empty and she just watches me with her wise eyes. Peeta is feeding Acacia, who is a little tired. We got the permission to bring them with us, this would not have been workable if they would stay home with Prim and my mother. Gale sits next to me and he plays a little with Acacia, who is smiling and giggles. I smile at him and I look at Peeta. He is crying again and I kiss his cheek. "Peeta, I am so sorry for this. I hope you know that" I say and he tries to smile. "I know you are, I only do not know what I am going to do. I can't live without you, Katniss." He replies. Gale actually stands up and he sits down next to Peeta. "And therefore, I took your place, Peeta. I know how much you need her. And I know how much Willow and Acacia needs you. I will make my best to return Katniss alive to you." He says and hugs him. I cannot believe what I just saw. Gale and Peeta hugged each other. This world really is crazy.
Peeta and I go to bed, and we put Acacia and Willow in their cradles. I hug Peeta and tell him it will be fine. A few moments later we are sleeping, and I hear his heartbeat beating, as always. I am happy he did not have to do this one more time. His fake leg in an arena would just be a real mess. And I am happy he can take care of the two little girls when I cannot. I am still the happiest girl, now 18 years old since I have this lovely person next to me. Even if I could be dead in a week, I will still be grateful for the time we got.
I wake up hearing the yells of two hungry girls. And Peeta and I just sigh and pick them up. We meet Gale in the hallway, and I tell him to take Willow as I prepare the breakfast for them. They scream like crazy until they get their food. We are eating our own breakfast when Effie and Haymitch are arriving at the dining room, and they only watch us. I see the tears in their eyes. "Good morning," they say and pick up a plate to get some food.
We come to the capital, and I know what will happen. A few terrible hours with the assistants, and then the opening ceremony. When I say terrible I mean it will hurt since the waxes all body hair away. But it was a very hard morning since the assistants cry the whole time. Cinna tries to cheer me up a bit when he dresses me. He fails with that part. But the costume is beautiful as always. When I arrive at the stables I try to find the horses. The other tributes mingle and talk to each other. They are friends. After this, they were friends. But of the cause, the girl on fire will not go unnoticed. Even if I so badly want to be unnoticed I hear when someone walks up to me, and I know it is not Gale, Peeta or Haymitch. I should have heard them since they will bring Willow and Acacia. And those girls know how to get attention. It is Finnick, of the cause, it is him of all people. "Hi Katniss," he says like we knew each other. "Hi, Finnick." I replay to him. "What happened to the beautiful girl dresses?" He asks me and I glance at him. "Well, it looks like I outgrew them," I say. "Well, I can definitely see that." He asks me if I want a lump of sugar. And I thank him but says no. He says he is sorry for me, being a mother and a recent winner. "You could have lived life in the capital you know," he says "Jewelry and money. Parties and celebrations. But it looks like no one of us will ever see that again." He says and smiles. Any girl would have died to see Finnick Odair smile, but I do not like it at all. I have Peeta, and I love him and no one else. "I have more money than I could possibly need, and I hate jewelry." I just tell him and he smiles a little brighter. He says goodbye and Peeta, Gale and Haymitch appears. Haymitch carries Acacia and Gale hold Willow in his arms. Peeta comes and he hugs me. "What did Finnick Odair want?" he asks, and I tell him about my short talk with one of the darlings of the capital. Before Gale and I go up in the chariot I kiss Peeta and tells him to hold an eye on Haymitch or take Acacia from him. Gale gives Willow to Peeta and then he helps me up. Cinna comes and tells me and Gale not to wave or smile. We will protest to this, in silence. And I get to do what I do best. Being unfriendly and glance lethally at those who do not stop this from happening. And this time I have Gale next to me, and he is death himself. He is stone-faced during the whole ceremony. He is angry, and he has always been. Only I know how angry he is inside, only I have heard him scream his lungs out in the woods. I know he seeks revenge for all children who died in an arena. I know he wants to fight. Not in the Hunger Games, but in a rebellion. A rebellion is what we need. A rebellion is the only way to stop this horrible game. And I know I won't be a part of them, because I will most likely die in that arena. And I am sorry for the twins, I am sorry for Peeta, my sister, and mother. I am so sorry to leave them all. But I have to, to save them. To save the most precious thing in the World. What money can not buy. My lovely twins. The boy I will always owe and love until my last breath. My family.