Chapter 20: Reading of the Card
Summer arrives brutally hot in District 12. The abrupt changing of the seasons only makes me aware of the passage of time. Can Riley really be three months old already?
June's ushering in also reminds me of what else is to come. The first anniversary of Gale's death is in a few weeks, and with it, the 75th Hunger Games, or 3rd Quarter Quell. Our district is sure to be in the spotlight, as the last time there was a special edition of the Games, our very own Haymitch Abernathy won the crown.
But even before the Reaping, there is the Reading of the Card.
The mandatory programming gets Peeta, Mother and Prim home early that Friday evening. I put Riley to bed just after dinner as the others set up the TV downstairs. One little infant not watching won't send the Peacekeepers into a frenzy.
The seal of Panem appears just as I arrive in the living room. The anthem accompanies the symbol, and we soon see President Coriolanus Snow.
"Good evening. This is the seventy-fifth year of the Hunger Games. Before we announce this Quell's twist, a recap of our past Quarter Quells is in order."
Thank goodness there are only two. As long as he makes it quick, we won't be here for awhile.
"On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that it was their choice to initiate violence, the districts were made to hold a special election, and vote for the tributes who would represent it."
I wonder what that would have been like. Picking the kids who had to go. It is worse, I think, to be turned over by your own neighbors than by the fickle fate of the Reaping Ball.
"On the fiftieth anniversary, as a reminder that two rebels died for every Capitol citizen, each district was required to send twice as many tributes."
I imagine facing a field of 47 instead of 23. That was the year Haymitch won, and I suddenly discover a new respect for the old drunk. Winning against double the odds is quite the feat. No wonder he's a legend!
"And now we honor our 3rd Quarter Quell." At a boy's presentation, Snow selects an envelope that reads '75' before producing the card. Without pausing, he reads, "On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder that fathers led their children into battle, 24 boys will be reaped. No females."
Prim casts her eyes down to the floor, perhaps relieved she is spared the Reaping for another year. I should be, too. But Mother looks sick. And frankly, so am I. While also brimming with anger. 23 boys dead. 23 less families to create, or worse, 23 more fatherless children. Just like Riley…. It's disgusting!
Panic suddenly sets in. Peeta….. Oh God, no, no. Just when I've found love again, and he might be taken away from me, from Riley! The chances are double now….. No, I won't lose him the way I lost Gale! I try to appear calm as I stand from the couch.
"Peeta…. May I speak to you alone?"
Peeta nods. He knows. Knows what I'm about to ask him. We step into the stairwell leading to our bedroom. I spin to face him.
"How many times is your name in that bowl?" I demand.
Peeta reaches out to me, rubbing my arms. "Katniss, calm down…."
"No, I won't calm down! Not until I know if the odds are in our favor! How. Many. Times?" I repeat more forcefully.
Peeta counts in his head. "Six. I've never had to take out tesserae. And even with two boys, my name can't be drawn two times in a row. Katniss, trust me: my chances of getting reaped are close to zero."
He's not wrong. By contrast, Gale did have to take out tesserae. At his Reaping last year, his name was in 42 times. Muddled in with thousands of names, a mere six is close to zero.
But not exactly zero. If the unthinkable happens…..
I sigh. "We have to pray. Pray that you aren't picked."
At this point, that's all we can do.