Ember (THG Mockingjay sequel)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6-

In a while, i am dragged back out and into a car. Then a train.

"Well, here's the tribute train." Our escort says.

"Why aren't you so cheery? Like the others?" I ask.

"Well, because I'm Effie. And I know your mom and dad. And I'm liking you so far. Recap of the reapings in 10. Girls room on the right, boys the opposite." she walked off. I stood there with Galen. Not knowing what to do. He patted me on the shoulder and went to his room.

"Huh." I whip around and see my mother rubbing her eyebrow. "My worst nightmares have come true." she sits down in a chair. "You win Paylor!"

"Mom?" I ask.

"What?"

"Are you ok?"

"Am I ok? I'm perfectly fine!" She grabs a butter knife and starts stabbing the table forcefully. "I worked hard at a position I didn't want to do in this war, I've been in 2 games already. And when I finally get a perfect life, you just mess it all up. Don't you?" I had no idea who she was talking to. Was it me? Or no one at all?

"Ummm........." I stand there unsure of what to say.

"Oh, sorry. You didn't ruin my life. It was presidents, never trust presidents. In my opinion, there should be no presidents, but just let people do what they want. Yeah, it won't work, but more people would be happy." she releases the knife which has made a crater in the table. "Prim, leave and go get changed. Don't forget to take the pin off and bring the clothes to me."

I walk to my room and open the door. When inside I strip and jump in the shower. There really wasn't a purpose, I just felt like it. Nothing has really set in so I walk around like a zombie. I throw whatever clothes are on the top on myself and secure the pin on my shirt. My hands pick up my reaping outfit and I stumble out of the door. My feet make their waydown the hallway and I stand there. Galen, my mom, Haymitch and even Effie are there. Haymitch, my Mom, and Effie exchange slight laughs.

"Like mother, like daughter." Effie says.

"Deja vu." Haymitch says.

"You are my daughter." Mom laughs.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"I wore the same exact thing you are my first day on the train." My mother tells me.

"Oh. Ok. When is the reapings on?" As if by command, the T.V turns on and the reapings start. I race to the couch and sit down with my mom's arm on my shoulder.

The reapings start at district one, which looks really happy the games are back. A really excited girl is picked but someone named Shimmer volunteers and she gets frustrated. The boy tribute picked is a violent looking 17 year old named Velvin. Then district 2 comes up, they look as enthusiastic as 1, and a girl named Clana gets picked. She looks ready to kill someone right there. A ferocious boy named Crensen goes up, making sure to flex his muscles. I flinch. Then district 3 goes by and it's district 4's turn. A girl named aqua who looks around 14 is chosen, and she looks sheepish. Then I see him. One of my best friends, who I pretend is my older brother. Finnick. 18 year old finnick. I see his crazed mother, aunt Annie, scream from the back and start clutching the random person next to her. He looks at her and walks up, strong and confident.

"Finnick!" I exclaim and stand up. My mother pulls me back down. And shushes me. I resume watching. 5,6,7,8,9,10, nothing sticks out about them except that they are all older than me. In 11 I see a small brown haired girl who looks about 13. I think her name was Ravenna. She was the only person who might actually be less likely to win besides me. Her district partner looked un-suprisingly 18. Then 12 comes up, home. I can see dad and Barler at the screen and reach forwards. Then I see the lady. She reaches in and pulls the name. No one was screaming. My mother looked like she was about to, but didn't. I was standing there staring into space. Not doing anything. It lasted forever and the peacekeepers started to come forwards. I see ivory shaking me and saying snap out of it. I see my eyes focus back in and myself push the peacekeepers away and walk up. I looked so small and weak. I made myself look like an easy kill. Then it shows confident Galen walk up, and the end.

"Why am I so stupid!" I randomly outburst and run away to my room. I shut the door loud and tight, locking it behind me. I throw myself on my bed and cry. Long and hard. Why had I stood there like an idiot? I'm an easy target to the others now. If I had stayed normal and walked calmly up maybe I wouldn't be an easy target. I hear continues knocks.

"Prim? Prim? Come on honey. Do you want to talk?" I throw a pillow at the door and resume crying. After an hour the knocking ends. I end up crying myself to sleep, with thoughts of Barler and dad.