THE 70TH HUNGER GAMES: GOODBYES
Like I'd expected, Coral ran in first, her auburn hair flying as she leapt into my arms. I held her tight, willing myself to be strong for her. I didn't want her to remember me as a weeping wreck; someone I was on the inside.
It took her a while to form words through her snivelling hiccups as she pulled away, looking deep into my eyes. Something tore inside me seeing those joyful eyes filled with sorrow. Already, the Capitol had killed my sister's happiness.
"Don't go," she whimpered. "Don't die, Annie. Please."
"I won't," I said, fake optimism oozing into every word I uttered, determined to be strong for my sister even though I was certain I wouldn't last a week. "I'll be back before you know it, you'll see."
I could tell she didn't believe a word I said. Every year we were forced to watch the Hunger Games on television, and we both knew the kind of caliber the other tributes displayed. I didn't stand a chance against them, not even against the tributes from the weaker districts like 12.
"Promise me something, Annie," Coral whispered, clutching my hands tightly, as if she never wanted to let go. "Promise that you won't kill anyone. Not unless you absolutely have to. You can't take someone else's life. That's not you, Annie; that's not human."
What could I tell her? That it was either I kill or I'd come home in a casket? No, I couldn't do that to her. I couldn't taint that innocent mind of hers with visions of murder and death. Not until she was old enough to understand the malevolence of this world.
"Okay," I agreed, feeling the hollow guilt of lying to someone you love. "I promise." Before she could say anything else, I pulled her into a hug, stroking her head and planting a kiss on her forehead. "I love you, Coral. No matter what happens, don't forget that." She shook helplessly in my embrace, telling me that she loved me too, and I tried to remember this moment. To remember the warmth and comfort and endless joy brought into my life by my little sister. Yes, this is what I would remember when I would be on the brink of death. This would be the memory I'd want to die with.
Before I knew it, our time was over and Coral was being shoved out of the room. But not before she cast one last smile at me. A bittersweet smile, reminding me of all the times we'd spent together. Of how grateful she was for that, and that she'd be watching my every move in the games. Urging me on. And I found myself smiling back through eyes brimming with tears. My last smile to the brightest spot in my life. A smile of farewell.
The door flew open and Orion stomped in, every line of his face seething in rage. For the Reaping. For the Capitol. For everything.
He strode straight to me, and this time I was the one running into his arms. I crashed into him mid-way, throwing my arms around him and burying my head in his sturdy shoulders; shoulders that had lifted me in the air countless times to make me laugh. I knew I had to be strong for Coral. But in front of Orion, I couldn't help but break down, his strength the only thing keeping me standing. And no, I didn't mean physical strength.
His breath warmed my neck as he whispered consoling things to me, gently patting my back. Then he started muttering in a hurried tone, "Annie, promise me you'll break before you'll bend. Promise me that you won't do what they want of you, that you won't let them make a television show out of your life. All I ask of you is that you try your best to survive, to come home to us, I'll be watching your every move, praying to whatever force controls our fate that you don't get hurt, but if you do, I want you to die the kind, compassionate girl you've always been, never afraid to speak your mind. I want them to remember you, Annie Cresta, as the girl who never did anything but what she wanted. I want my little sister to shine the brightest, the purest among all those vile Capitol rats. Promise me, Annie, that you'll do your best to come back to me."
His words came as a surprise to me, but in retrospection I should have expected it of him, fast solidifying my resolve to come back to my family. I had to, for my brother, for Coral and for my parents, whom I could see standing in the doorway. From behind us, a Peacekeeper cleared his throat loudly, exchanging a glance with another Peacekeeper standing beside him and the two of them roughly grabbed Orion by his arms and ushered him out.
"Orion, no! Wait, let him go!" I cried, rushing after them, but a third Peacekeeper held me back. I could only watch as they threw my brother out of the room, kicking, flailing, struggling against their grips and shouting profanities, cursing the Capitol with every sentence. All the pent up anger he had in him for years finally coming through, erupting over my being reaped for the Games. My hands flew to my mouth, cupping it as I couldn't bear to imagine how they'd make him pay.
"ANNIE!" He shouted from outside, ugly sounds of punches filling the air. "I love you! Remember what I said! Don't trust-"
I never got to hear what he was going to say as the door slammed shut, cutting off his voice. The Peacekeeper holding me let me go and I bounded to the door, pounding my fists against it, screaming for my brother. My heart felt sick with apprehension of what they might do to him.
Please, please don't let anything bad happen to him, I wished, squeezing my eyes shut and hoping fervently that someone would hear my pleas.