Eating Me Alive
Synopsis: Set after Hunger Games, the next Reaping after Katniss and Peeta's victory. Nobody's safe. Danger is just around the corner. Next in line is the one person Katniss cannot bear to lose and it's up to her to save them – in any way she can.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games or any of the characters, they belong to Suzanne Collins.
Chapter 1
Heart pounding. Blood shooting through my veins and my breathing short and unstable as though my chest is about to collapse. I take my seat on the platform; Peeta's hand finds mine and gives it an encouraging squeeze. I cannot smile. In the audience I can see my mother once again standing alone, to the side in one of the pens I spot Prim. Every day she becomes more beautiful. Today her curls are pinned back by small butterfly clips. She looks nervous but there is colour in her cheeks and air in her lungs. My sister, I know will be fine. Once was virtually impossible, twice in a row would be a completely unbelievable disaster. To my knowledge this has never happened before. I pray not to let this be a first. Unfortunately Gale is not so safe from the Reaping.
In the bowl in front of me are forty-nine slips of paper with his name on them. However in that bowl are thousands of folded white squares. Most children in the Seam have to apply for tesserae so there are numerous more than the number of children standing around. They are but children. Young, innocent and afraid. None are careers from our district – you need money to do that, which we don't have. Except that now I do – I have enough money to last me a lifetime. So I help those in need and donate whatever I can. We were lucky last year to have two victors, so district twelve has been well showered with food and delicacies and out of the ordinary valuables. It has been a good year for all of us – much fewer deaths from starvation and at last we are not looked down upon by every other area.
Peeta and I sit together. Alone. Mayor Undersee is at the front waiting to start and I remember watching from the other side just a year ago. Sadly Haymitch passed away a few months prior to this Reaping. We had become good friends and even though Peeta and I joked about it, he was an interesting neighbour to have around. They said he had a heart attack. Haymitch had begun to give up drinking too. He was turning his life around and starting afresh. Something that two people in the crowd would not have the opportunity to do.
Instead of Effie's over-excited grin terrifying the audience by her cheerfulness, there was a small bulky woman as district twelve's escort. Her face is hard and un-moving. Once the mayor is finished, the woman takes to the front. Her lips crack open and a much quieter sound than I expect emerges.
"To be selected as district twelve's representatives will be a great honour and privilege for the two chosen. After last year's unforgettable act, it will be tough to follow, however the tributes will get the expert advice from the victors and will be trained by them to enable them to reach their maximum potential when they enter the arena." I swallow down my breakfast and shoot a glance at Peeta. He's still calm, but the colour is draining from his face rapidly.
Peeta.
Since the games we had remained friends – but that was all. I couldn't bring myself to tell him that I did care for him, possibly even love him. Yet he could not forgive me. And I did not speak up. So we remained nothing but good friends and neighbours.
"Good luck to you all." I remember the woman's name now – Vivian Longwood. Pretty dull. Like her.
I felt so lifeless. I had done since the last Reaping, when Prim's name had been called; my heart's soul left my body and had never bothered to return. I didn't want to see any child being called up here. They were all someone's daughter, son, sister, brother, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, last hope, last saviour. Last source of life. A hand plunges deep into the bowl. A slip of paper comes out. A name is read out loud. A petrified girl takes to the stage. Emily Stevenson. I don't know her, but others do and a stir spreads. Volunteers are asked for. The girl of about thirteen pleads for someone, anyone to come forward. No-one does. My chest tightens. Prim's relieved, at least she can stay here and keep mother alive and well. After last year my mother had come dangerously close to giving up life. I know for sure this time that they will have everything they need. Gale hunted for them when I was in the arena. He even cooked sometimes. He took care of them for me. I cannot imagine how he managed to feed my family, his and himself. I cannot thank him enough. Gale. Still my friend. My best friend. He had nearly escaped from the Reaping until the rules were spontaneously changed. Too many people were starving, especially in other districts where luxuries were not poured on to them. So that more families can have the tesserae for another year the age limit was raised to 19.
Although he would never accept food or help from me now I was no longer in need, I still went hunting with him. Then whatever we caught all went home to his family. At least he accepted that offer, but it took a lot of persuading. Now he was just as good with a bow and arrow and since he became even larger, his strength had increased too. I can see his brave, knowing smile.
It's coming closer to me.
Up the steps.
And onto the stage.
I missed his name being called but I know it was. It must be a mistake. Another Gale. My heart returns to my body sinking lower and lower into my stomach. Even though we're being filmed and I was careful to contain any emotion, I don't care this time. I cry. Tears and pain and love. The world stops turning upside for a moment and I hear them call for volunteers. Knowing what I must do to protect Gale, I stand.
"Kat," Peeta was tugging on my arm.
"Katniss, you cannot volunteer for him, it must be another boy." I am told.
"I know" I choke a little on the words, but it won't matter – everyone can still hear what I'm saying. "I'm volunteering for Emily."
Author's Note
Just finished Hunger Games and I loved it so much that I didn't want it to end! So here's a fanfic sequel, not even a patch on what will be the real sequel, but I am hopefully going somewhere with it. If you get time to review or give me some feedback I would be very grateful! Thanks for reading! (coolbeaniostwilightrules7)