Chapter 2
The square is one of the few decent sights District 12 has to offer, being surrounded by shops. Living in one of those stores, it doesn't take long to get there and already it's teeming with the vast majority of Twelve's population.
We head through the crowd and sign in. The reaping is also an effective ruse for the Capitol to get an update on the entire populace. Those that are twelve to eighteen move off to roped areas sectioned according to age, with the older ones closer to the stage in front of the Justice Building. Family members not qualified for the reaping huddle together around the square. Meredith and I walk to the seventeen-year-old section and search for our friend. She finds us first.
"May! Edith! Over here!" We turn to see Jasmine Green. She makes her way over to us, her braided blonde hair catching the sunlight and pink dress giving her the illusion of an angel. Many heads turn just to get a peek at her. Tyson Mellark, the baker's son, looks at her with such adoration. Jasmine always did capture many hearts with her clear blue eyes, flawless skin, attractive smile, and equally beautiful nature. Her knowledge of plants and herbs and healing especially make her a favourite among boys even from the Seam. Being the daughter of merchant apothecaries has given her that advantage.
"Hey, Jasmine, great to see you," says Meredith as way of greeting.
"Yeah, it is. Shame it has to be under such pressing circumstances though," I add.
"Cheer up, May. At least the weather's nice." Jasmine replies with a smile.
"Ever the optimistic one. Guess you're right. Oh, you'll never guess who I ran into this morning," I say, looking around. Ace Cartwright sees me and smiles. His parents own a shoe shop and have been trading with us since we were little. He is mates with Tyson, being neighbours and all.
"Who did you run into?" asks Jasmine politely.
"Your boyfriend Tobey Everdeen," I answer with a grin that only widens as she reddens.
"Someone might hear you, May." She shoves me shyly before turning her head this way and that. "Besides, he's not my boyfriend." Jasmine suddenly finds her shoes interesting.
"But you do like him. Edith tells me you give a generous amount of money to him in exchange for the medicinal plants he finds," I counter with the sly grin still plastered on my face. "The ones you brew into remedies."
"I also heard Hazelle likes that Hawthorne boy," intervenes Meredith helpfully.
"Seth? They'd be a lovely couple," Jasmines says dreamily, pleased with the change in subject.
"Don't know. Can't imagine what she sees in him," I mutter darkly, remembering this morning. Jasmine lightly scolds me while Meredith takes my side. Just like that we forget where we are or what we're doing here. The strike of the clock signalling two and the commencement of the reaping quickly changes that. Jasmine turns to us and says in an urgent tone, "If I get reaped, promise that you won't volunteer in my place."
"You won't get reaped, Jasmine," Meredith consoles, a hint of doubt in her voice.
"Only if you promise not to volunteer in my place," I say solemnly. We exchange tense nods and stare at the temporary stage where a podium, two large glass bowls, and three chairs are set. Mayor Undersee heads towards the podium, leaving District 12's escort newly arrived from the Capitol and Twelve's victor in their seats.
The mayor begins as he does every year; with the history of Panem, about how it was once known as North America. He proceeds by listing the disasters; the droughts, storm, fires and encroaching seas, all of which destroyed much land. Those disasters initiated a war over what little sustenance remained. Panem, a country with thirteen districts ruled by the Capitol, was the result of that brutal war. That eventually led to the Dark Days wherein all thirteen districts rebelled against that Capitol, resulting in the defeat of twelve districts and the complete annihilation of the thirteenth. The Hunger Games was implemented to ensure nothing like that ever happens again.
"It is both a time of repentance and a time for thanks," the Mayor concludes. He then reads the name of past victors of District 12, inviting them forward. In forty-nine years, we've had but one. Konrad Stark.
He originally came from the Seam before that particular reaping that changed his life, but now occupies another part of Twelve. Victor's Village; a separate community lot built for the victors of this district and is approximately a kilometre from the square. There twelve houses were built, eleven of which stand empty. Konrad Stark has lived there for over two decades, having won the Twenty-ninth Hunger Games at the age of seventeen.
Mayor Undersee moves to the side as Konrad takes his place. He begins by reintroducing himself and giving a brief description of how it was that he was able to overcome the odds and thus became a victor. As the only victor of Twelve, we already know much of what Konrad Stark says as our school tend to focus on his Games seeing as how his success brought severely needed glory to District 12. As with any victor, Konrad's triumph in the Games ensured that not only does he have a life of ease back home, but his district was rewarded with gifts for an entire year, much of which consisted of food. Grain, oil, and even delicacies like sugar were just a few among them.
"And even though under my mentorship there has yet to be a single victor, I have a feeling this year will be different. I congratulate the tributes of District 12 in advance and look forward to meeting you. Thank you and may the odds be ever in your favour." Konrad Stark slumps back down in his chair to the sound of our polite but strained applause. Mayor Undersee thanks our victor and calls upon our district escort.
With violet-coloured hair, in a lime green dress, and on extremely high black heels, Wendy Griffin manages to somehow gracefully walk to where the mayor is. With a few quick taps on the microphone on formidably sharp blood-red nails, she welcomes us. She goes on about honour and the exciting adventures which lie ahead for the lucky tributes selected today. No one really listens since we've heard it about a hundred times before. Her strong Capitol accent may also be a contributing factor.
The high pitch of her voice, clipped words, odd vowels and a hiss on the letter s added with the fact that all her sentences end on a high note, making it appear as though she is always asking questions, makes it almost a challenge to comprehend her at all.
Wendy begins the actual reaping with a "Ladies first!" before crossing to the glass bowl. Her hand lingers in it, carefully selecting a folded piece of paper. The square is ghostly quiet now as it always is during this time. Vaguely I am aware of Meredith clutching one of my hands, Jasmine holding the other. I silently hope that none of our names will be read through the inflated yellow lips of Wendy when she moves back, unfolds the paper and calls into the microphone. "Evelyn Vinsmoke!"
I breathe a sigh of relief as an unfamiliar gaunt girl from the thirteen-year-old section with black hair and grey eyes unsteadily makes her way through the crowd. Timidly she climbs the steps and stands next to Wendy. Evelyn bites down on her trembling lower lip as tears fill her eyes. The poor girl is shaking like a leaf.
The tight grip on my hands loosens slightly as both girls beside me relax, feeling safe for another year. Wendy starts for the other glass bowl before stopping as though remembering something and suddenly changing her direction to that of the girls' bowl once more. Confusion sweeps through the crowd before realisation dawns on us. It's the second Quarter Quell; twice the number of tributes. The grip on my hands returns as Wendy snatches up the first paper she comes in contact with. Wendy reads out the name. She calls out mine.
I tense at the sound of my name and the wailing in my ears. My throat feels dry as I feel the eyes of not only every citizen in District 12 trained on the three of us but all of Panem too. These reapings are televised live by the state after all. Jasmine catches me in a sudden hug.
"I have to go. You have to let me go now. I'll be fine." Uttering these words tensely, I pry myself free from Jasmine's hug and Meredith's hand. I robotically and numbly make my way out of the crowd and take my place next to Evelyn. Keeping my face stoic and staring straight ahead, I instruct myself to ignore the sight of my sister and friend clinging to each other. I take deep collected breathes to calm my nerves and to stop the nausea getting worse. My hands shake so badly I place them behind me.
Wendy Griffin continues on without haste, trotting to the glass bowl she has yet to draw two names from. She dips her hand into the bowl and swirls it in the sea of paper for a moment before fishing one out. Once she comes back to the microphone, Wendy repeats the name back into it; "Adam Finch!" Another unfamiliar face makes their way to the stage. As he approaches I note that he came from right at the front of the crowd. An eighteen-year-old, I think with despair. To make things worse, he has the typical Seam look about him. Surely he has had experience hunting. He looks healthy enough with his tall, lean build.
Wendy makes the last trip to the bowl. This time though, she draws a folded paper from the very top of the pile. Having returned to the podium, and after unfolding that paper, she calls on the last of the four tributes of District 12 this year. Of course the name just has to belong to the one and only Haymitch Abernathy.
I spot him among the crowd where I'd been standing, his expression unreadable as he makes his way on stage.
Somewhere amongst the watching crowd, a gaunt yet beautiful woman with dark brown hair and stormy grey eyes sobs loudly once. She becomes unstable on her feet and has to be supported by those nearest her. A young boy in the thirteen-year-old section, who looks remarkably like Haymitch, becomes distressed and has to be held back by his mates when he makes a commotion and catches the attention of Peacekeepers.
Mayor Undersee then dismisses Wendy now that she has done her job. Our escort resumes her seat as the mayor reads the Treaty of Treason. It's standard procedure. We all basically know the Treaty by heart and hence the reason I tune out of listening to it.
All the while my mind is swirling. Is this all really happening? Or is it just a terrible dream? How long will I last in the Games, facing twice the regular number of opponents? Who are they and what will these opponents look like? What must my family and friends be thinking right now?
Once the mayor finishes the reading of the Treaty, he invites the tributes to shake hands. We comply and shake hands with one another.
We face towards the crowd once again while the anthem plays and ends.
As per protocol, we are then lead into the Justice Building by Peacekeepers. It will be here where we'll say our final farewells before journeying to the Capitol where they will prepare us for the fight of our lives. We're to take a high-tech Capitol train that averages 250 miles per hour. They are the only trains that pass through our station besides the old models used for transporting coal.
Each tribute is assigned a room where we are to stay for an hour. A Peacekeeper leads me into mine and it's the fanciest room I've ever been in with panelled walls, fluffy carpets, and plush couches and chairs. Heaving a deep sigh, I collapse on one of the couches as the door is reopened. My father, mother, and Meredith enter the room. The Peacekeeper reminds us of the allocated time of three minutes before closing the door.
My parents sit on either side of me before I'm caught in their vice-tight embrace. They never cease telling me how much they love me and are proud of me no matter what happens. Meredith sobs uncontrollably, repeating the words 'I'm sorry' like a mantra.
"I should've volunteered. Should never have allowed you to be here," she adds. As best as possible while caught between our mother and father, I shake my head.
"You did the right thing. We made that promise. I'm glad you kept it. Besides, I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me." My voice tightens, making me cringe at the sound of it breaking. Looking at Meredith, I try my best to smile as I add jokingly, "besides, what kind of person would allow her sister to take her place?" She exhales with mild amusement, appearing to have calmed down until she sees me fiddling with the pin on my dress. The golden bird gleams as I hold it out to her.
"May, no."
"Yes, take it. I know how much more you like it then the necklace you got."
"You're allowed to bring one thing with you to the Capitol and into the arena; something to remind you of home. Let the token of your district be that pin," she says with great and surprising vigour. I nod mutely as she wordlessly clasps the pin back onto my dress.
"Thank you. Stay strong no matter what you see on that little television screen," I eventually manage to get out after I'm sure my voice won't betray me again. My family tells me they love me and much more. After awhile we fall silent. It's not until a moment later that I work up the courage to talk again. "If I don't make it back, please give Melody to Jasmine. She'll take good care of her. Not that I think you're incapable of doing it but Melody has always liked Jasmine and I know Jasmine likes her too."
"Don't talk like that, Maysilee," my mother says. She looks like she's aged fifty years since the reaping. "Don't talk like you've given up. You can do this. We know you can."
"Your mother is right, May. You're strong and completely capable of winning," my father adds.
I choke back a strangled sound. "You're right but it never hurt to take precautions, don't you agree?"
Before anyone is able to answer, the door is opened by the Peacekeeper.
Instantly my family go hysterical and all rush to hug me for what will probably be the last time. My mother kisses my forehead and my father does the same with the top of my head. I return the favour by kissing them, and even Meredith, on the cheek. Then they reluctantly walk out the door. They don't see how utterly frighten I truly am, and I intend to keep it that way.
I wave until the door is closed and bury my face in my hands. Just one more person to see...
As if on cue, the sound of footsteps ring behind the door as Jasmine hastily makes her way over to the couch. We hug tightly and she begins apologising profusely for being too selfish to volunteer. Then the same words of comfort given to Meredith are repeated to her.
She has always been as much of my sister as Meredith is.
Swallowing a lump in my throat, I get on with telling her that Melody is hers if I'm no longer able to look after her myself.
"Maysilee, no! Don't talk like that. You have to at least try to win."
"And I will," I reassure her, "but I already asked my family to pass on Melody to you if I don't return. Promise you'll look after her. There is not any other person I would entrust her to other than you." She nods and sniffles as the two of us hug again. All the while Jasmine is reminding me of everything she has taught me about plants and healing until the door is opened once more. We hug even tighter before Jasmine slowly walks out the door, a sad smile on her face and I know she's been brave for my sake just as I was for her. I lie on the couch, an arm over my eyes, and remain that way until Wendy comes and collects us.