The Boy With The Bread

Chapter 2

After the live reaping, the tributes get 10 minutes to talk to their family and friends. Since I have no friends besides Gale, I can devote the full ten minutes to my family.

I am in complete shock of what just happened. I never really thought I'd be picked, especially with Gale as my partner. It just didn't seem possible. I'm waiting in a small, white room that resembles a jail cell. The Peacekeepers force me to sit in an uncomfortable wooden chair while I wait for my mother and Prim.

While I wait, I examine the outfit my mother dressed me into. I am wearing a simple, yet elegant black dress that symbolizes mourning. We are supposed to treat the Hunger Games as a celebration, and wearing this black dress is a nice hint of rebellion. My mother and I have never been on good terms since my father's death, but I must at least admire her rebellious side. I notice I am also wearing a circular, gold pin. My mother must have sneaked it on me when I wasn't looking. I take the pin off carefully. It must have been very expensive.

The gold pin is exquisite. There is a beautiful bird placed artfully onto a gold ring. I then realize that the bird is a Mockingjay, which reminds me of my father. Mockingjays, to me, are very special birds. They can sing wonderfully and were friends of my father's. When my father sang, all the Mockingjays would fall silent in admiration, then copy it. If only my father were here now...

My mother and Prim burst into the room, their faces wet. I embrace them protectively, maybe even warmly, as I speak to them. "I love, love, love you. I love you so much. Please be strong for me. Be strong for me."
"Katniss," Prim says quietly, "I know you will win. I just know it. You're fast and smart. I'll see you again." For a half second, I think that maybe I can win. Then I realize, my winning is Gale's death, and the fair probability of me winning is 1/24 when in reality I have about 1/100 chance of winning. I wonder if Prim knows that.
"Thank you mother, for the dress and the pin. They are beautiful." After this sentence, I cannot seem to speak anymore, so we sit in silence all hugging one another. It is time for them to leave. Prim is bawling, my mother is bawling, and I am bawling. The Peacekeepers break up our tear fest.

I am escorted into a long, huge train. I step inside, then any worry or fear I had disappeared. The interior of the train was gorgeous, with glittering chandeliers, long glass tables, plush velvet sofas and best of all, platters upon platters of food. I almost feel happy, but then I remember why I am here on this train.

"Hey Catnip." A voice greets me sadly. I don't need to turn around to know it is Gale. He is my comrade, my hunting partner, friend, maybe something more? I don't know. He isn't my boyfriend, but everyone in 12 assumed we would get married. We probably would have if we weren't chosen for these Games.

Suddenly, I think of Peeta Mellark, and how he caught me today at the reaping. He had strong arms and blue eyes.

I shake the thoughts away.

Gale is 18, tall, strong, maybe even handsome. I run to him and wrap my arms around him, my tears staining his shirt.

"It's alright, Katniss, we'll be fine." Gale soothes me. I am somewhat comforted and we sit on the train quietly together. Suddenly, a middle-aged man, who I think is drunk, crashes into the room, a flask in hand that spills everywhere. When finally I thought my eyes were dry, the man's odor brings more tears to my eyes.

"New tributes, eh?" He says. I recognize him. Haymitch Abernathy, District 12's second and only living victor. He won the 50th Hunger Games, a Quarter Quell. Wonder what happened to him. Haymitch is a smelly, drunk and dirty mess. He got lucky, I guess. Or maybe everyone died because of his stench.

"Ah." Haymitch nods. "Names?"

"I am Gale, this is Katniss." Gale replies.

"Ah. Ellie! Ellie!" He brightens as Effie Trinket click-clacks in, outfit lighting up the room. Her plastic grin melts into a scowl, which she directs at Haymitch.

"Haymitch Abernathy ! I'm sick of this! My name is Effie, for the hundredth time, AND I like these tributes. They're just gonna die off quickly if you don't help them! No offense to you guys." Effie points to us. She scares me with her looks but her personality is sort of nice, if she wasn't a Capitol citizen. Also, she likes me and Gale. Haymitch is confused and keeps calling her "Ellie". Effie tells us to ignore him until he's a little sober. Gale and I share a look, and there's hint of laughter in his dark eyes.

Hours later, Gale and I have been shown to our quarters, dining area, and other rooms that are, in fact, quite useless. Why in the world is there such thing as a Whispering Room? Capitol people are so strange! When Effie is done giving us a tour, I retreat to my room. It's huge, with a separate closet and bathroom and a large T.V. At my home we have an old, cheap T.V. with the flat screen. Here, the television is a holographic contraption where everything seems to be right in front of you.

I am stroking the soft silken bed sheets when a girl, who looks to be my age, walks in. She is pretty, even if her long blond hair is tangly and matted and her green eyes are sad and tired. I feel like I have seen her before, but that's impossible. She looks so familiar!

"What are you doing here?" I say, somewhat defensively. I had meant sound kinder, but I'm not very good at being kind. The girl ignores me and begins polishing the expensive furniture.

"I said, what are you doing here?" Why is the girl ignoring me? When I get up to talk to her, she whips around, flashes me a hard look then whips back around as if nothing happened. I am so puzzled when I see the girl take out a piece of paper and write on it. After a while, she slips it to me.

Hello, Katniss Everdeen. Do you remember me? I am sure you do not. I used to be your best friend and cousin when we were younger. My name is Levia Daymont. My father and your mother were siblings, but my dad was killed. I never knew my mother, she died in a mine accident. I am an Avox. I betrayed the Capitol and so my tongue was cut out and I am now their slave forever. I cannot tell you how I became an Avox, but just know that I love you very much. I never forgot you, and it is an unfortunate miracle we are meeting again. I will be your attendant here on the train and in the Capitol. Do not show this to anyone, or your tongue will be cut out too, or worse for associating with an Avox. Only speak to me in private, unless it is to give orders. I love you. ~Levia Daymont

When I finish reading, the girl is gone.