Note: Sorry it took so long for an update. Hope you like it! Please review! Also it would mean a lot if you checked out my other story Burn Alone! -Pinksunsets
I feel the same restless feeling I get every year waiting for the names to be called. I
wish they would realize that we could care less about the history of Panem and the Treaty of Treason. But no the mayor is still up there droning on and on about how great the Capitol is and how we deserve the Hunger Games. It makes me sick.
I look around at the crowd. All the parents have the same look of anxiety on their face. No matter how terrible I feel for the tributes I can't even imagine what the families go through. Watching your daughter or big brother fighting to the death for entertainment has to be the worst possible feeling. I think of Mother, Micheal, and the twins having to watch me be killed national television, and feel bile rise in my throat. I fight the urge to go find them all and let them know everything will be okay - but I can't I have to stay here and see who they sentence to death.
The mayor finally finishes, proclaiming he's sure "District 4 is going to have a winner this year!" Immeadiatly after the mayor is off the stage Paspurus Weverly, District 4's escort, comes bounding on stage. He looks ghoulish with his pin straight maroon wig, and black facial tattos. Guess that's the Capitol for you.
"Why that speech gets me every time! Well no time for dilly dally, i'm sure your all ready to find out who the lucky tributes are!" his accent is terribly annoying "Ladies first - actually why not change it up a bit eh? Let's pick our male tribute first!"
Great more waiting. Paspurus' long bony hand reaches in the giant glass bowl and rummages around a bit before grabbing a slip. It becomes so quiet that you can hear a pin drop as we wait for him to read the name.
"The lucky tribute this year is Ashten Amestis!" My eyes scan the crowd to find a small gangly boy walking towards the stage. He can't be more than thirteen. He's just reaching the first step when one of the careeres volunteers. I look to see who
it is. Coral Danems. Great. Coral is the definition of a career - cocky, heartless, and unfortunatly lethal. "It seems we have a volunteer! What is your name?"
"Coral Danems, better remeber it your going to be hearing it a lot when I win," I try my best not to through up in my mouth. Paspurus ushers Coral to the back of the stage and makes his way over to the girl's bowl. My breathing quickens. Please let the odds be in my favor. His hand reaches in. He rumages. He picks one. My heart stops as he calls out the name.
"Magnolia Sienna" Time stops. I can feel the blood drain from my face. My name has just been called. Somehow I am on stage, my limbs don't seem to be connected to my brain. Maybe i'm in shock. I hear Paspurus ask for volunteers. Nobody because they think i'm a career. I scan the crowd for Micheal, he'll no what to do he'll be able to help me. His face is a cold mask but I see the pain in his eyes. That's right he can't help me; no one can. A glimpse at the screen reminds me to control my expression. No need to mark myself as an easy target now.
I snap back into reality. Coral is waiting for mento shake his hand. As quickly as possible I make contact with his hand. To myself I wonder if those hands will be the ones killing me. The mayor wishes us the best of luck and then i'm being ushered away by a herd of peacekeepers. They take me to the train station wuere i'm mobbed by the flashing lights of cameras. I plaster a smile on my face and try to win them over- i wave, blow kisses- because it's really nothing but a game right?
The room on the train is probably one of the nicest rooms I've ever been in. Velvet seats and marble floors. What a waste that I have to see it in these circumstances. The peacekeepers tell me I have an hour for goodbyes. I nod in reply. Mom and the twins come in first.
"Oh Mags -" I cut my mother off.
"I'm going to be fine mom. Your going to take care of the twins and make sure Micheal doesn't do anything stupid. I am coming back home mom. I sware," As I say the words I realize I mean them. I am going to try and make it home. I kneel down to talk to the twins "Now my little fishies your gonna stay cute while i'm gone. No growing up, got it?" They mumble yes and i give them each a hug and a kiss. My mom pulls me into a tight embrace and kisses my hair. I feel a tear fall as they walk out.
Maybe a minute after they leave Micheal is here picking me up and crushing me in his arms. "Your going to be fine Magpie your strong enough to get through this. Listen to your mentor and pay attention in training. I know you can do it. I beleive in you,"
His last sentence does me in. I breakdown in his arms and let him hold me like he did when I was a little girl. The peacekeepers come in and tell us we have ten minutes. Micheal wipes away my tears and pecks me on the cheek and walks away. I think how I may never see him again which brings on another round of tears.
An automated voice announces that we are departing for the capitol. I catch one last glimpse of my home and it fades into the background for what might be forever.