Chapter 2: Fate

Sage's POV

I'm ushered into a room with all red. A sofa sits in the middle, red also, and plush. I collapse onto it, feeling my limps starting to give way. How could I be picked? How could my own District choose for me to face my death? It didn't make any sense and I felt betrayed.

My black bangs fall a bit over my eyes and I feel tears come to my eyes. But I refuse to cry and I gulp down the tears forcefully. I have to look tough against my other competitors, not a weakling.

Soon the door opens and my mother, father, and older sister come in. They don't say anything, and my father idles by while my mother and sister, Millie, collapse next to me, crying. I sooth them, trying to assure them, but we all know that there's a bad chance of me winning.

At least I have a better chance than Iris, I thought silently.

The poor girl was only 12, this was her first time entering the reaping, and her own District betrayed her by sending her out to the Hunger Games. He had no idea how she must feel.

"Be careful," Millie whispers after she controls herself. She's 19 now, so last year was her last time. I'm thankful; I didn't want her getting picked like I did.

"Of course," I murmur, gripping her shoulder tightly, "I'll fight till the end."

She gives a sad smile while my mother grips me hard and says, "Remember everything you know, you're going to need everything in the arena."

"I will," I assure her, "I'll do whatever I can."

I just barely glance at my father as he stands there awkwardly. I don't expect anything from him; we didn't have that same brother-son relationship as others did. He wanted me to grow up and get out of District 11 and hopefully go to the Capitol for a job, but I didn't want to. We had many arguments about that, all ended in some sort of possession breaking.

The door opens and a man stands there expectantly, staring at my family. I sigh, knowing this might be our last goodbye.

"Stay safe," My mother whispers, resting her hand on my cheek, "And remember, I love you."

"I love you too," I murmur as she gets up and walks out, perhaps for the last time.

Millie turns to me, her dark blue eyes like mine shining with new tears. "Get a bow and some arrows," She said, "And remember all you learned in the Plantations, it'll come in handy."

I nod as she hugs me and murmurs, "Goodbye," and leaves.

I get up to face my father, who is still standing there. He hadn't said anything, he just stood there. But then, he reached around this neck and unhooked his small chain necklace. He took my hand, opened it up, and placed it in my palm.

"Dad…" I murmur, "I can't take this."

"Please," He said, closing my hand around it, "It kept me safe throughout my years, it'll keep you safe in the arena."

And with that, he walked out of my life, the room, everything, leaving me standing there with the necklace in my hand. When I'm left alone in the room, I stare at the chain necklace in my hand. It had very small chains and was gilded gold. I looked at it closely and realized it had a sentence engraved on the insignificantly small chains.

It said: "Follow the Mockingjay's song, through the shadows and hills beyond. Follow it, listen to it, and feel it beat in your heartbeat as it guides you to the safety of the heaves."

I bite my lip to keep back more tears as I clasp it around my neck. It felt warm from my father's own heat, but it gave me reassurance; maybe I could do this after all.

Then the door opened again and I knew it was time; time to face the cameras and time to say goodbye to my home. I take a deep breath before forcing myself out. I end up outside by the train station quickly. Iris is escorted over to me. Her gray eyes are hard now, but she looks up at me with a flash of grief in her eyes before it fades away to nothingness.

I never knew that such a young girl could be so tough, but she isn't that young, really. She was only two years younger than myself, so I guess I shouldn't be talking. But still, she was small and looked pretty weak, I wonder if she would have any chance of winning?

Then the cameras start flashing in our faces and I force myself not flinch back. Iris and I are pushed towards the train and to the door. I take one last breath of the warm, plant-scented, air of District 11 before entering in.