Realization
The few seconds that it takes me to walk up to the stage feel like a dream. I'm in a state of shock that I assume I will never escape. All I'm focusing on right now is sauntering towards the stage without tripping or falling, which would be easy to do without the hazy fog clogging my brain. I try to keep my eyes fixed on somewhere in the distance and I fight to erase the layer of tears that are slowly forming on my eyes. I can't let my fear show, it'll point me out as a weak link right from the very beginning.
I stand on the stage in front of my mentor and previous victors and listen as Kristle asks for any volunteers. Dozens of hands shoot in the air that are matched with their owner's voices screaming for a chance to become a tribute. One comes forward, a tall girl with hair the colour of butterscotch and chocolate brown eyes. A broad smile forms as her face as she begins to walk up on to the stage. I can't let this stranger participate in these violent games in my place. I'll feel guilty, knowing that I was the one who allowed her to waltz into the place of her death. I can't let the reason of her slaughter lay on my shoulders.
"No!" I cry, before I even know what I'm saying. I put my hand out in desperation and twirl around to look at her. "You can't, I'll be this year's tribute." The girl pauses where she is as Kristle looks back and forth between us frantically.
"Well, I guess this determines this year's tribute! Fabulous!" she exclaims. Kristle grabs my right arm and holds it high in the air. "Lets give a big round of applause for our newest tribute for this year's Hunger Games, Ember Maddox!"
The crowd roars. Whistles, screams, and clapping can be heard from miles away. An uncomfortable feeling brews in the pit of my stomach as I realize that the eyes of my entire district are on me. Kristle bluntly throws my hand down as she prances to the second glass bowl that holds the names of the potential male tributes. The crowd dies down as she fishes through the bowl where she is about to pick the name of someone who I will have to fight and possibly kill in a few days time. She pulls a single one out and flattens it with her slender hands. "Sage Underwood!" she reads.
A boy with golden hair and emerald green eyes breaks through the crowd He's tall and muscular with tan skin and wears a look that's difficult to read. He walks up on the stage and stands beside me. Sage offers me a weak smile as he brushes his hair out of his face. "Any volunteers?" Kristle asks eagerly.
A boy with the same golden hair silently pushes through the crowd before any one else can utter a word. I realize that the hair colour isn't where their similarities end. They have practically the same eyes, nose, lips, and hair. "Twins..." I whisper to myself. I find it wonderful how much two siblings can love each other, enough for one to volunteer to die in the others place.
Before Sage walks off the stage, the brothers share a short hug. The crowd remains silent as they watch the gesture that could possibly mean 'goodbye' for them.
"Fabulous!" Kristle repeats, the word already beginning to get on my nerves. "A volunteer! What's your name, handsome?" She holds up the microphone to the his face as Sage leaves the stage.
"My name is Felix Underwood." he says in a deep, husky voice. Kristle raises his arm like she did to mine and my district responds enthusiastically. We shake hands and he looks at me with his deep, wise eyes. I feel an instant connection deep within myself, but I try to shake the feeling far from my mind. We've be thrown in The Hunger Games together , I can't afford to brew any connections with anyone.
But of course, nothing has been going my way today.