CHAPTER TWO-The 70th Hunger Games

A/N Sorry these chapters are so short, but I cannot write the entire account of every Games that she witnesses. These are just to help you get to know her a little better before the 74th Hunger Games come around.

The 70th Hunger Games reaping...

My second year in the reapings and now I do not feel so scared...only angry.

The Capitol took away my best and only friend Jaysa Camor in the last Games, and she never came back to me. I miss her badly, and have not had any more friends since she died. This year, I am up early and pulling on my socks as I wait for my parents to wake up. This year is not the year I plan to volunteer...actually, I do not plan to volunteer unless I turn eighteen and have not been reaped by then. I would prefer to be in the Games when I am either seventeen or eighteen because I will need a bit more practice and learning.

I would rather not kill people in the Games when I am in them, because somewhere in their district will be someone crying for them to come home...just like I cried for Jaysa. I will not be the one to bring that on someone; rather, I will let the careers and such do the killing. I will win with skill of mind and stealth. I have been training in these things since I watched Jaysa die, and now, I am not bad, though I would prefer to have a bit more practice before I enter the Games.

I smooth out the front of my long, black, tunic-style shirt and glance at myself in the mirror. If I get chosen this year, I intend to look civilized.

I pick a burr off of my black skinny jeans and comb through my fire-red hair once. My eyes are amber-colored, and I have added black eyeliner to make them stand out more.

I'm short and skinny, and not much in the way of muscles...but I am smart, even now.

When my parents finally wake up, I hurry down to breakfast and eat two pancakes before darting out the door to get to the square. My light boots make soft padding sound on the pavement as I run, and I find that I am one of the only people there.

There is a boy, about fifteen years old, and his little sister. They both have dark hair and eyes and their skin is dark olive.

I do not greet them, because I o not like meeting people. No sense getting attached to people when I know I'll be going to the Games one of these days. I never said I was sure I would come back, though. I'm hoping so, but not completely sure. If I go when I'm eighteen, I can almost guarantee it, but any time before that, I am not sure about.

The brother and sister wave at me, and I reluctantly wave back. Then the boy sighs and tells his little sister, "I'm sure I will be going to the Games today, Sybil, but don't let that make you sad all your life."

Sybil starts to wail, and I realize this is her first reaping. This girl is only a year younger than me. And what was that her brother had said? I'm sure I will be going to the Games today?

"You're going to volunteer?" I ask him.

He shakes his head, "No, I just know I'm going."

I don't talk much since Jaysa died, but I tell him, "I'm sorry for you, then."

He nods his thanks, and then other kids start coming. he square fills up quickly and I watch as am quickly surrounded by the huge crowd of thirteen-year-olds. Those who had been surrounding me last year...well, the ones who had made it to age thirteen, anyways.

When the escort comes out on stage, she looks exactly like she did last year, only she has yet another giant loop earring in each ear. I realize she must have one in each ear for every year she has been the escort, so nine years.

"Hi, District Five! Let's see who our lucky girl is this year!" Her voice has gone up a few octaves, I observe.

I have no one to worry about. I could not care less who she chooses...I mean, unless she chooses me.

"Sybil Carrin!" She cries. I think the name sounds familiar. Sybil?

"Oh no." I think, as I see the sister of the guy who had been prophesying his own doom walk up to the stage. She has red around her eyes and she is still shaking with sobs. I know she does not stand a chance. Why are all of the young girls from our district being taken to the Games? But I don't volunteer.

"And our lucky guy is...Gabriel Carrin!" The lady exclaims.

So he was right. He was going to the Games today.

I don't visit them in the Justice Building until it's almost time to leave. Put together, their guests number exactly two counting me. I don't know why I bother...I don't even know them, but I walk into Sybil's room, give her a hug, and say, "I hope you win."

Then I go to Gabriel's room and say, "I don't understand, how did you know?"

He shrugs and says, "I've had four brothers and sisters in the Games, and all at the age of fifteen. I knew I would not escape them...but I thought maybe Sybil would make it three more years at least."

I'm crying when I leave and I see their only other visitor, their mother, leaning heavily against the wall sobbing.

Never more.

Never more will I cry. I will not mourn or every single person in the district. I will be strong. I will be ready when my time comes. This I am determined to do.

PARAGRAPH

Gabriel and Sybil stick together for almost the entire time. They escape the bloodbath, but don't make it to the top ten. Eight die in the bloodbath. Six careers team up, and the rest scatter. Then Gabriel gets shot trying to take care of Sybil when she breaks a leg from trying to cross a river and stepping in a gap in the rock bed. He dies instantly and Sybil cries, though she escapes.

A day later, Sybil is crouched behind a bush spying on the career's camp, when the boy from district nine sneaks up behind her and stabs her.

A/N All reviews are greatly appreciated. I really like to know what you think, even if you hate it.

-Rogue Elf Princess