Chapter 13
I call Effie. "Hello." she asks.
"Hello, Effie." I say.
She sniffs. "Peeta, oh, was devastated when I heard about the Quarter Quell.
"Yeah, it's bad news." I say.
Effie lets out a breath. "And with the wedding." she says. "How is Katniss?"
"The news was... hard on her." I say.
"Oh, poor dear." says Effie.
"Effie. I was wondering if you could send me recordings of every victors Games." I say.
"Oh. Yes. Just make sure to bring them back when you come here. I'll send them." she says.
"Thanks Effie." I say.
"You're very welcome, call if you need anything else." she says.
"Sure thing Effie." I say, then hang up. I throw the arena cake into the trash. Katniss and Haymitch come to my door a few days latter.
"We decided we'd train for the Games." says Katniss.
In the Games we exercise to strengthen our bodies. In the afternoon we work on our combat skills. Katniss attempts to teach us how to climb trees, but I probably won't need to know this.
Haymitch doesn't improve very much. But that doesn't bother me. He isn't going into the arena.
Everyone helps us. Iris puts us all on a special diet to lose weight. Prim treats our sore muscles. And Gale comes on Sundays to teach us about snares. Gales is just as talented with snares as Katniss is with archery. I make sure to be nice to Gale.
Once the recordings from Effie arrive, we watch a Game every night. I write notes about each victor and their fighting skills.
More Peacekeepers arrive to District Twelve. The Reaping is quieter than usual. Haymitch and I are roped off in a section, and Katniss stand in a section all alone. Effie clears her throat. "Welcome." she says, unlike her usual self. "To the seventy-fifth annual Hunger Games. Our third Quarter Quell." she isn't even trying to act excited. "Ladies first." She walks slowly to the Reaping bowl, and struggles to pull that one name out. "Katniss Everdeen." And Katniss walks to the stage, looking at her feet. I notice Effie take Katniss's hand for a short second. She drops Katniss's hand and walks to the next Reaping bowl.
"Haymitch Abernathy." says Effie. I let out a relieved breath. I know that if I where chosen, Haymitch would have volunteered. Even though he promised me he wouldn't.
"I volunteer." I say before Haymitch can take even a step toward the stage. Haymitch takes the cloth of my shirt in his hand. "You can't stop me." I whisper. Haymitch lets go, and I join Katniss and Effie on the stage. When I get there, I notice tears rolling down both Katniss and Effie's cheeks. I give them both a sad smile.
Then we go into the Justice Building. Our Head Peacekeeper is waiting inside. "New procedure." he says and we're shoved out the back door and taken to the Train Station. Haymitch is there waiting.
When the train starts to move, I realize I didn't get to say goodbye to my family.