Save me - A Hunger Games Story

Chapter 1

My nail- bitten fingers hastily twiddled round a section of my hair. Today was the reaping. It was my fourth reaping, and yet I was still terrified that Hazelle Festrum would pick out my name from the reaping bowl. She was district 12's escort and had been for as long as I could remember. 

As I changed into my old pink dress that was too small, just covering my knees, I reminded myself that I only had four more reapings after this, and how slim the chances were of my name being called. I only had a few slips in that bowl of thousands. 

'Posy.' whispered my older sister. 'It's time.'

'I'm frightened Lucy.' I replied, as she grabbed me for a hug. Lucy was 18 so this was her last reaping. 

'Me too.' she whispered in my ear. 'But we are going to be alright.'

Just then my father and younger brother Axel walked through the door. Axel was only 9 so he couldn't be reaped yet. Thank goodness. Silently, gripping each others hands, we walked out of our tiny home.

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The streets of District 12 were packed with hundreds of people. Everyone had to attend today.  We continued down the streets and into the vast town square.

 Hundreds of children were piling into queues to register at the small table to the side. In the front of the square sat the large stage, where the mayor, and a few other people sat on chairs. One of them was Hazelle. She was smiling brightly and waving out to the large crowds of already registered kids.

After a few minutes, Lucy and I arrived at one of the desks. A stern looking man stared down at the paper on the desk. 'Name?'

'Posy Alder.' 

He grabbed my finger and pricked it. Then, I forced my blood down onto the paper and he let me go. I was guided over to where the other 14 year olds were standing. I scanned the crowd for Lucy and saw her not too far behind me, but before I could wave, Hazelle had made her way to the stag and called out, 

'Welcome, welcome to the 60th Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour.' She giggled and continued, 'Now let us begin with the ladies.' She scurried over to the bowl to her left and reached her aqua blue glove deep into the bowl. After rustling around the slips of paper, she produced one and returned back to the centre of the stage, where her microphone stood.

'The female tribute from district 12 is ... Posy Alder.'

I heard muffled gasps and a cry, but everything, including my vision clouded. The girl next to me nudged my shoulder and looked at my apologetically. I barely managed to move, but I forced my shaking foot to step forward. The group of girls around me spread out, leaving a clear walkway to the stage. 

I could barely breathe. My throat burned of dryness and I felt tears brimming in my eyes. But I forced them back in. Not now. Not in front of so many people. Looking at my feet, I continued to the stage and slowly mounted the stairs. 

Ushering me forward, Hazelle smiled at me excitedly. 'Oh how lovely. Hello Posy.' She shook my hand and led me to the centre of the stage. 

I stared out into the crowd, trying to search for any familiar pair of eyes. There. Lucy. Her mouth was gaping open and tears were falling down her cheeks, but she stood motionless.

'And now for the male tribute.' Announced Hazelle, reaching her hand in the other bowl and returning next to me at the microphone. 'Ash Furze.'