Laura's Final - My Sister's Sacrifice

 Disclaimer: A preview into "The Hunger   Games" through the eyes of Primrose Everdeen. I do not own the characters.  






I open my eyes a tiny crack. Willing myself to go back to sleep. The sooner I’m awake, the sooner I have to face the day ahead. Reaping Day.

The birds are starting to sing, blissfully unaware of what today brings for the residents of District 12.

My sister Katniss is already absent from her bed. She must have gotten up at the crack of dawn to go hunting. I always experience conflicting feelings when she’s out there in those woods. It’s more than just illegal to leave the District, it’s punishable by death. I feel edgy right up until she’s back safely through the front door. But if she didn’t hunt, we wouldn’t eat. I’ve never known anyone to be so skilled with a bow and arrow, with the exception of our father.

I haul myself out of bed, accepting the fact that no further sleep is inevitable.

Half my mind wonders what my sister might be up to. Stalking some innocent creature no doubt, I try not to think of dinner as the defenseless creatures they once were. The other half of my mind struggles to block out images of what’s going to unfold later this afternoon.

Once a year, the ugliness of our government is forced upon us. The Capitol citizens disperse themselves among the districts to flaunt their power. They revel in the entertainment of watching district children as they fight to the death. A sick reminder that they hold all the cards. That rebellion will not be tolerated. The Hunger Games haunts people all year round. You can see it in the worried faces of mothers, the fearful whispered conversations among children. Who will it be this year? A friend or a cousin perhaps? Somebody’s daughter or brother.  The question hangs in the air like a poisonous gas.

 Katniss stumbles through the door, rosy-cheeked and windswept. The knot in my stomach loosens just a little. She’s safe.

“How was the hunt?” My voice shakes with even the simplest of questions.

“Good haul today, we’ll eat well tonight”, she replies. I can tell that her cheerful tone isn’t entirely genuine. I can sense her worry, just like mine, there’s no hiding it. 

The sun is starting to come over the distant hill, its rays peeking in through the thin curtains. A golden glow settles around Katniss, making her look almost angelic. I don’t know what I would do without her.

We go about our morning duties with heavy hearts. A regular day would be filled with chatter, but a somber silence hangs between us instead. It seems we’re both lost in our own thoughts.

This is my first year as part of the Reaping. A child becomes eligible the day they turn 12, my birthday was two weeks ago. I hate to think how I would feel if my name came out of the Reaping Ball. I wouldn’t stand a chance. What worries me even more is that the odds are against my sister. The older you get, the more times your name is added. I try once more, unsuccessfully to push it from my mind. I just want this day to be over.

***

The ribbon in my hair tickles the back of my neck. The blue dress is scratchy against my skin, and my shoes pinch my toes when I walk.

Katniss tells me I look beautiful, but I can’t even bring myself to thank her. I don’t understand why we are expected to wear our best clothes, for such a morbid event.

We join hands as we walk towards the Square. The town is gathered, united by their fear and apprehension. Their collective attention is turned towards the newly erected stage. I glimpse Effie Trinket, the representative from the Capital. Her grin is almost as sickening as her fluorescent pink hair.

I feel Katniss pulling away, as she goes to stand with the other 16 year-olds.

My fingers clasp hers, but they slip from my grip as we’re forced to separate. “Don’t worry Prim, I’ll see you at dinner”, she smiles at me but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I take my place amongst the other 12 year-olds, their faces a reflection of my unease.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to the 74^th Hunger Games!”, Effie’s voice booms out over the crowd. My hands are shaking, and I feel like my heart might jump out of my chest. “Ladies first”, she announces with a flourish. Her hand scurries around in the Ball, finally taking hold of a single slip of paper. She returns to her microphone, takes a deep breath and…

“PRIMROSE EVERDEEN!” Heads turn in my direction. I hear a wail from the crowd that can only be my mother. Jumping out isn’t a concern for my heart anymore, because it’s stopped completely.

My legs feel like concrete as I take a tentative step towards the stage.

“I volunteer! I volunteer”. Comes a strained cry from somewhere behind me. That voice is too familiar.

Katniss is ahead of me long before I realize what this means. I have to sprint to catch her, grabbing hold of the back of her dress.

“You can’t do this”, I pant. “Mother needs you. And so do I”.

A strong hand is pulling me backwards, away from my sister. I struggle and kick and continue to shout. Katniss looks at me one last time, her face a mixture of determination and sadness.

“You can’t, you can’t”, my voice is weak from struggling, she turns and I watch her retreating back as she hurries towards the stage.

“Excellent, a volunteer always livens things up. A family member of yours was she?” Effie thrusts the microphone into Katniss’ face. I can’t take it in, her words are nothing but an inaudible drone in my ears. My sister puts on a brave face but I am not convinced. I feel like the world has stopped.

Nobody can say what’s in store for her, but I am sure of one thing. She has to win. I won’t let her die for the sake of my existence.