The Hunger Games - PRIM EDITION

Chapter 1 - The Reaping

I wake to hear the front door slam. I turn over to find my sister, Katniss, has gone. I rush to the window to see her, hunting bag over shoulder, walking boldly toward the meadow. She has left a note by the bed - 'Prim, I've gone out hunting. Will be back in an hour. Don't forget I love you, little duck X'.

Every morning, no matter what the weather is doing, she climbs through the broken electric fence that stretches around the diameter of District 12. Beyond the fence is the forest, where she will hunt to keep the family going.

Our family only consists of three people, me, Katniss, and our mother. My father died in a coal mine accident years ago. I was only 7. I remember the day well; the warning sirens went off, as they always do when there has been an accident at the mines, while we were at school, and I waited for Katniss in my classroom. When she came for me, we rushed home fast.

We waited through the night, each time we heard the creaky lift ascending a tiny piece of hope would rise in our hearts, only to descend, along with the lift, when each man had been collected by an overjoyed family. By morning, all hope was gone, and so was our father.

I remember the feeling of a stone being dropped in the bottom of my heart when we saw the surname 'EVERDEEN' on the notice board.

After our father's death, I faintly remember watching our mother fall into a wormhole of depression. I am thankful that Katniss inherited our father's hunting skills, which enabled her to keep her, our mother and me alive, because our mother did nothing. I forgave her after a while, when she started getting better again, but I can tell that Katniss hasn't yet.

Once, Katniss took me hunting with her, but I was hopeless. It has been clear since a young age that I was a lover of all animals, so when Katniss shot the deer, I broke down in tears. I wanted to help the dying animal. I wanted to take it home and heal it! My mother would help me make it better! She is an amazing healer, so everyone brings the sick and injured to her. I always try to help my mother, and Katniss convinces me that I'm so good at it, I should become a doctor when I'm older.

I love my sister dearly, and I wish she wouldn't go out into the forest. I know she is not alone, she has her friend Gale with her, but there are many people who are scared of the forest, and they say that it is dangerous. I don't know what to believe. I suppose Katniss and Gale do have a bow and arrow to hunt with, just in case something does happen.

It is peaceful here; lay in bed with the sun shining through the window, listening to the birds with my cat, Buttercup, lay on my lap. But all peace is shattered when I remember the contents of my nightmares for the past few weeks. Today is reaping day. The day when each district, gather in the town, in front of their Justice Building, for a young man and young woman (between the ages of 12-18) to be selected to compete in the annual Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is basically just a fight to the death, in a public arena, held for the Capitol's amusement. It is a reminder of the rebellion that happened 74 years ago. Every twenty-five years there is a Quarter Quell, where the Capitol adds an additional twist as an extra reminder. Twenty-four children go in, only one lucky tribute comes out alive to be crowned victor. The victor gets a house in the Victor's Village, the only place in District 12 that is of any value.

Only one person lives in our Victor's Village - Haymitch Abernathy - but everyone knows that he blew all of his prize money on alcohol. We learnt at school that he was the second ever victor from District 12, and was the winner of the 50th Hunger Games (the 2nd Quarter Quell), at the age of sixteen. He is a 40 year old alcoholic now - What a role model!

This is my first year of having my name in the reaping ball. It is only in there once, but each night my nightmares consist of my name being pulled out. As much as Katniss comforts me, I can't help but panic. The reminder of this makes me shoot out of bed instantly. I let a small whimper escape my mouth.