All a Dream (Chapter 3)

I am very sorry I have not updated in a few weeks..

More like a month….

I've been lazy.

Anyway, here is chapter 3, I hope you enjoy it.

Katniss POV

When we get back to the Tribute Center, Effie, as usual, enthusiastically talks about us.

"Oh the capitol will just love you two! Oh wait, they already do!" I hear her say

I try to tune her out because she is starting to give me a headache, but I'm having an extremely hard time trying to do it.

"-Good impressions are always good and they mean sponsors! Finally some excitement in-"

Ignore. It.

"-was surprised to find that you, young lady,-" she gestures to me "-were the star."

"considering your attitude." she adds

I scowl at her.

"Oh you two must be tired, I'll take you to your rooms." she says

...xxxxXXXXxxxx...

The following day, we go to the training center, to practice with the other tributes.

I see Glimmer, Cato, Marvel, Clove, Foxface, Thresh and...

Rue.

Rue..Who died because I jumped out of the way.

Who died because I was not quick enough.

Who died because I was treating her too much like a sister.

The shock of seeing her again hits me and I break down crying.

Way to go Katniss.

The careers stare at me like i'm crazy.

I try to stop crying but I am unsuccessful.

Everyone else stares at me curiously.

I see Glimmer whisper something to Cato, he laughs and nods in agreement.

I wipe the tears off my face and close my eyes, grabbing my temple and telling myself it will be okay.

"It's nothing" I manage to say

...xxxxXXXXxxxx...

During the training session, I stay at the knot-tying station for quite a while because it helps me calm down.

I never really did get over Rue's death, even if it was a dream, she was like a sister, like Prim.

When I get tired of tying the knots, I make my way over to the station with the paints from different kinds of berrys.

Peeta is there, painting his hand. He sees me next to him and smiles, "I decorate cakes at the bakery" he says and puts the non-painted side of his hand against a trunk of a tree so it looks like his hand is almost growing out of the tree.

I laugh.

"Not much good in the arena is it?.." He asks

"No, that's a good way to camouflage yourself so nobody can find you in the arena. At least if they have berries in the arena.." I say

"Yeah, maybe."

"I wonder if some paint is made of of night lock berries, but I dought it." I say to him

"Night lock berries?" He asks

"Oh, just poisonous berries that grow in a forest. They are sort of purple-ish/blue"

"Oh." He says

"Yeah.." I say

...xxxxXXXXxxxx...

That night I wonder how my crying breakdown over Rue will affect my life.

I wonder how it will affect the 74th Hunger Games.

I wonder how it will affect how the game makers see me, how they will try to kill me.

I wonder how it will affect Peeta's view of me.

I wonder how it will affect Rue's view of me.

...xxxxXXXXxxxx...

I am in the arena.

I cut the net that has trapped Rue, Rue is screaming for help.

I am panicking.

I help her on to her feet and give her a hug.

I am about to tell her it's going to be okay when a career throws a spear in my direction.

I jump out of the way.

The spear hits Rue in the stomach.

I shoot him.

As Rue is dying, she tells me, "Why,Katniss? Why did you let them kill me? You told me you would protect me. Why did you jump out of the way Katniss?"

I start crying, that's when Cato comes up behind me and stabs me in the back with his knife.

I fall backward, next to Rue.

"That's what you get Katniss. That's what you get from not saving me..."

The world goes black.

But the scene changes.

I am standing at a reaping, only I am my old self. I sigh in relief. It was all a dream.

But wait..

Why am I at a reaping?

They restarted these horrible games for entertainment.

I would have fainted if I wasn't in a dream.

I watch as Effie calls a name from the girls names.

"Iris Mellark" she calls into the microphone

I am shocked, but my oldest walks up onto the stage, very pale in the face.

I start screaming, "I VOLUNTEER, I VOLUNTEER, I VOLUNTEER!" But I know it is worthless

"I am sorry ma'am" A peacekeeper says "But people over 18 cannot volunteer"

I scream "PLEASE! PLEASE! ILL DO ANYTHING!"

"Just because you are a victor doesn't mean you can do everything!" The peacekeeper says harshly

"Carry on!" He says to Effie

I am on the floor, sobbing.

Peeta tries to help me up, but I wave him off.

I can see that clouded look in his eye, he got from being hyjacked.

I barely am listening when she pulls out the boys card.

"Glen Mellark"

I do not believe my ears.

I use my remaining strength to get back up on my feet and run towards my son while peacekeepers try to stop me.

I shove the peacekeepers off and keep running towards both my children, now on the stage.

I hug them and start sobbing.

Then peacekeepers pick me up by my arms and legs and drag me off kicking and screaming nasty things at the capitol, trying to do everything I can to hurt them, to let me go.

My poor children watch as I am being dragged off.

I am sure they both know, because of their parents actions, the odds were never in their favor.

I wake up and hear a knock on my door, my hair is all tangled and sweat is dripping off my face and my sheets are all messed up.

"Yes?" I ask

"Are you alright Miss Everdeen, thought I heard you screaming... Something about an Iris and children and.." He stops as if thinking "Are you alright, if you want anything we can send our servers to assist you.."

"Oh. I'm fine."

"Very well Miss Everdeen."

I hear footsteps growing quieter down the hallway.

I forgot they had capitol attendants here.

I don't sleep for the rest of the night.

...xxxxXXXXxxxx...

Sorry I had to make this one rather short.

Expect a new chapter in the next few days! =)