Chapter 1
I headed towards the stage, trying not to look at Prim who was now attempting to shove her tiny, meek elbows into a guards stomach. Prim wouldn't hurt anybody, even if she tried. The worst she could do is hurl an insult at someone. I smiled at the thought.
I turned my head back towards her, she seemed to have calmed down now, I could see tears welling in her eyes as she looked at me. I quickly scanned her face for a brief moment, but it was emotionless.
A guard jerked my arm, gesturing towards the platform, and I silently made my way up the steps to Effy's side. She congratulated me, though I don't know why, it's like saying congratulations to a person who has three days to live.
I could barely comprehend the words that floated out of her mouth, I was too busy searching the crowd for my mother. She didn't seem to be there.
Before I knew it, Effy called out the name of the next District 12 tribute.
"Peeta Mellark!" She called, grinning from ear to ear.
I squinted my eyes against the bright sun as I tried to see who this Peeta boy was. Near the back of the square, the crowd began to part, and there in the centre was the bakery boy.
I sucked in my breath as I realised who he was. He began to head across the dirt gravel towards the stage, keeping his head down as he went.
When all of a sudden a deep voice called out from the mob of people;
"I volunteer as tribute!"
My head snapped to the direction of the voice and and tried to make it out who it was. Th voice sounded very familiar.
When I saw the boy come towards the stage, my heart dropped a million miles deep into the earth.
"No!" I whispered, shaking my head. "No!" I shrieked thrusting my way past the guards into the crowd. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"This is for you." He replied loudly shaking off my hand which was now digging into his skin.
"Gale, why?"
***Sorry this chapter is short I just want to start getting into the story (: ***