Chapter 6

Katniss POV

"Katniss, it'll be starting any minute!" Prim shouts. I run from Gale's room into the Hawthorne's living room, we're going to be staying here for the time that the games last, so we know how well Charlie and Gale will be doing. We have about an hour until the tribute parade, and Caesar starts to run through the tributes this year.

The careers from one look like nothing special, their names are Glimmer and Marvel. If you're willing to go through the pain of childbirth and risk your child starving and being reaped, why would you name it Glimmer or Marvel? The tributes from two are fierce and menacing, volunteers like Glimmer and Marvel. Their names are Clove and Cato, and Clove looks a little like Charlie, although it might just be the brown hair and eyes.

The tributes from three through ten are easily forgettable, apart from a sly looking girl from five, and the boy with a limp from ten. Then comes district eleven. A twelve year old that resembles Prim is reaped, and I would volunteer if Prim was reaped, but this time, no one volunteers. She keeps her head strong, as a broad shouldered eighteen year old is picked, Thresh his name is.

Twelve is next and I am made to relive one of the worst days of my life, the taking of my two best friends, with slim chances that either could come back. Then this year's head gamemaker, Seneca Crane, sits in a chair opposite Caesar. They first talk about the careers, then, to my surprise, Thresh, Charlie and Gale. They say that those three look stronger compared to previous years tributes from those districts and that they shouldn't be cast aside.

Seneca then leaves and we are presented with Caesar and Claudius Templesmith, and they talk about the lives of the tributes back home. He says that Cato's father is a victor, and that little Rue is the oldest of five children.

"This year was already shaping up to be one of the best yet, but then we found out about some juicy gossip about this year's tributes from twelve. A source we have on the ground told us that they arrive at the Capitol holding hands and when reunited after being dressed for the parade, which is coming live to you in ten minutes." The television then cuts to a montage of all the past 73 victors.

"Charlotte and Gale! I would have never guessed; Gale never said anything about having a girlfriend!" Hazelle says happily, although if this is true, she knows that Gale is never going to let Charlie die for him, he'll save her, at any cost. All of us who are aware of the situation know that, and those who don't are playing cards on the floor.

Dramatic music starts to play and our eyes are redirected back to the screen, where the first chariot is being pulled out, and more follow. Each district are dressed in clothes that represent them, but obviously made suitable for show by Capitol designers.

Usually we wear coalminer's outfits, but a few years ago our tributes were naked and covered in coal dust, and I don't really fancy seeing my best friends naked and Capitol-ified. Just as district eleven's chariot pulls out, I see flames. A coal black horse appears, and behind it are Gale and Charlie, on fire.

They're not dying, I don't think the fire's real. At the appearance of Gale, Posy's face lights up: a smile spreads around her face, the same as Hazelle, Rory, Vick, Prim, my mother, and even I can get out a natural smile. Inside I'm so happy to see them okay, unharmed, not in danger, and looking great to say the least. The cameras can't take their eyes of the fiery pair, and my breath is stolen away from me at the sight of the necklace around Charlie's neck, and the pin across Gale's heart.

The crowds are screaming their name as they travel down the city circle towards President Snow's mansion, where they stop: the cameras never leaving their faces. Snow delivers his usual speech, and the chariots retreat, and we meet the seal of Panem, then the screen goes black.

Hey there! Thank you for reading as always, please review/favourite/follow! This chapter is shorter compared to the others, but I felt that this was just better as just the Parade. I've changed the synopsis for the story, and that's because of a previously mentioned change of direction for it. But anyways have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, I'll be away for new years but I'll keep updating. Thanks again,

Abi :)