The Goodbyes
"Would the family and friends of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark please come to the front of the Justice Building?" The mayor stands up and moves to where Effie Trinket was standing. She is talking to one of the camera crew with her arms flailing wildly as she tells the poor man a story. They both head in the doors.
I make my way with Mrs. Everdeen and Prim to the stage. We wait as a Peacekeeper gives us a long speech about how we have only a few minutes to see whoever it is we came for. I notice the baker and his wife beside me, her face is cold and hard, but the man is tearing up. There are two older boys beside him and I recognize one of them, Rusk Mellark, as a boy from my class. The other looked too old to be reaped, but I stare daggers at Rusk for letting his younger brother face the Games. I put my hand on Prim's shoulder. She has no idea how lucky she is.
Another body comes up between the baker and I. It's the mayor's daughter, Madge. I have seen her with Katniss a few times, and I realize this is Katniss' only other real friend besides me. This morning, Madge angered me, the talk of her dress and looking nice for the capitol… it made me angrier than it should have. But reaping day can do that to people. Seeing her now was a relief, someone else who cares enough for Katniss to say goodbye.
I don't say anything though. I can't think of much else other than Katniss. We head up the steps and into a small waiting room lined with chairs. The Peacekeeper barks out, "Families first!"
Prim and Mrs. Everdeen hold hands as they enter through the door to a hallway and the Mellark family follow her. Now it is just me, Madge and a boy who must be Peeta's friend. Madge is fiddling with something in her hands, but I don't care to see what. I bury my face in my own hands and breathe. If anyone can win this, it's Katniss. I have never met anyone braver, faster, and more skilled than Katniss. She's determined, resourceful, and has one secret weapon that no other tribute will have. She has one thing that will make sure she survives the arena: Prim.
I have seen Katniss do more for Prim than anyone else would do for someone. She once stayed outside the fence with her bow for almost twenty four hours in the rain before Prim's birthday one year so she would not go home empty handed and Prim could eat a special meal. It took them both to nurse her back to health afterwards, but she told me that it had been worth it to see Prim's face.
It is about ten minutes later when Prim and her mother come out the door. Mrs. Everdeen looks at me and squeezes my hand before carrying Prim home. No, the next time they will see Katniss will be when she is on the other side of the screen. Peeta's family comes out of the door and heads home. I still glare at Rusk. But then I notice that the baker is not with them. They allow Peeta's friend into the room and I sit tapping my foot impatiently. He must have gone to see her or I would be allowed in by now. Family has a longer visit than friends have, but the baker is neither to Katniss. I can't imagine what he is saying. Begging her to help his son? To let him live? I don't even know.
Madge's father comes up to her and puts his hand on her shoulder. "I only managed to get you a few minutes in there, so be quick."
"I will," she responds with a fierce head shake. She holds the object in her hands so it's hidden from her father's view, and clasps her hands behind her back as she heads through the door. The baker comes through, very sullen, very sad. He looks at me and nods. He recognizes me, and I see something in him too. He is sad for many different reasons, and though he is not unkind like his wife, I see that he has resolved himself to something, something that gives me hope.
I try to think of past Hunger Games weapons. Knives, maces, swords, and sometimes bows. She needs a bow. If she has a bow… she can win this.
Finally Madge emerges and I spring from my seat. The Peacekeeper ushers me through the door and into a hallway. I am taken two doors down and turn the handle. The door opens and when I see her, I open my arms and she meets me mid-stride. For a moment, I just hold her, holding on to every feeling. I listen to her breath, I hear her speeding heart, and I feel her arms tighten around me.
I know I don't have much time. "Listen, getting a knife should be pretty easy, but you've got to get your hands on a bow. That's your best chance." I don't move away and neither does she, but I look down at her and have a horrible realization of how small and thin she is. I've been watching the Games all my life and there is always some Career tribute who is built like a mountain.
"They don't always have bows."
I had already thought of that. "Then make one. Even a weak bow is better than no bow at all."
She moves back, but stays in my arms. She looks up at me, her face terrified. I am sure mine didn't look as calm as I hoped. "I don't even know if there'll be wood." I know some of the landscapes she is thinking of and I think quickly.
"There's almost always some wood. Since that year half of them died of cold. Not much entertainment in that." I meant that in a snarky way, but then remember that she is going into this game, this deadly game that is meant to amuse the Capitol. Murder for entertainment.
She seems to understand it too, that they are just a game for the rich. "Yes, there's usually some."
I see her inner struggle. "Katniss, it's just hunting. You're the best hunter I know." And I mean it. I have never seen a better hunter, and I have never seen a Hunger Games that wasn't one great big hunt.
"It's not just hunting. They're armed. They think."
"So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice." I'm desperate for her to find faith in herself that I am already feeling surging up inside. "You know how to kill."
"Not people," she counters.
I think for a second before looking right into her eyes. "How different can it be, really?"
She struggles with the idea, but I can see that she understands the truth in it. Then the door whips open and a Capitol Peacekeeper enters. I feel my eyes widen in alarm.
"Just another minute?"
"Time's up," the Peacekeeper grabs me by the arm and yanks me toward the door. I grasp for Katniss' hand and she holds on tight. I can't do this, I can't let her go. I begin to panic as our grip slips.
"Don't let them starve!" she cries out.
"I won't! You know I won't! Katniss, remember I—"
I can't finish my words because the Peacekeeper finally breaks our hold and throws me into the hallway, slamming the door behind him. I stare at the closed door, my breathing uneven and I reach for the handle once more. Then I feel the stinging of his hand across my face.
I am escorted outside and left alone on the steps of the Justice Building. I turn and try the doors once more, but they are locked. With a cry of frustration, I slam my fist into the concrete wall, leaving no mark but for the one on my knuckle.
I can't go home and celebrate with Katniss like we'd planned. I can't go home to see my own siblings as they sigh in relief that I made it through all my years of the reaping without ever getting called. And I certainly can't go to Mrs. Everdeen and Prim. Instead, I go to the only place I know I can: the woods.
A/N: From here on out we don't get Katniss' view on home so now it's going to be less of the stuff we already have seen in the book! WOOHOO! Okay hahaha! Let me know what you think!
