The Boy with the Snare: A Hunger Games Story

Chapter 2: Reapings and Goodbyes

Katniss and her little sister, Primrose Everdeen, were in their groups. It was the day of the Reaping. Those who're picked get to go into the Hunger Games. Although, this isn't a fun party or anything, you get picked, and chances are 100 to 1 that you'll come back, or in one piece in the least, especially living in a district that has a losing streak.  

"Welcome, everybody!" said Effie Trinket, the District's escort, "And Happy Hunger Games!"

District 12 only has, or had 2 victors.  Lucy Gray Baird from the 10th Hunger Games, but she had mysteriously disappeared a long time ago.  The second being Haymitch Abernathy from the 50th Hunger Games, aka The 2nd Quarter Quell.  He's been getting drunk throughout the years.  Katniss silently wondered what it must've been like, having to watch all 48 tributes that he had to train and lose, but mainly, what it must've been like to face 47 other tributes.

"And as we say, 'Ladies first'." Effie said with that annoying smile on her face. 

Katniss then turned to Gale.  He smiled and mouthed, "everything will be okay".  The escort then dug her hand in a bowl of names she pulled out a name and placed it where she could see it.

"Primrose Everdeen!" she called out.

Katniss' face went pale as soon as she saw the peacekeepers grab Prim and take her towards the woman who had called out her name. Katniss got out of the group and tried to grab her little sister. But the Peacekeepers were very strong.

"I volunteer!" she shouted so Effie could hear her, "I volunteer as tribute!"

Everyone stared at her in shock. Many thought of her being crazy. Why would anyone want to volunteer in a death game? Gale and Katniss' mother were one of very few who knew this answer. Katniss was trying to save Primrose's life. Katniss promised Prim earlier this morning that it wouldn't be her this year. She made that promise, and she was going to fulfill this promise, even if it was going to take her life.

"No, Katniss, no!" Prim shouted as she tried to get back to her sister.

"Up, you go, Katnip." said Gale as he picked up the crying Prim.

The group of Peacekeepers split up, one squad escorting Gale and Prim to Mrs. Everdeen, her and Katniss' mother, and the other escorting Katniss to the stage. They then escorted Gale back to the groups of potential tributes.

"Okay..." said Effie to Katniss, being a bit shocked and confused, "...then come on up."

Katniss was nudged an inch forward before she began to slowly walk up the stage. She felt a bit dizzy.  She had felt like she was going to throw up or fall.  Katniss finally put herself together and got up and explained her name as she came up to Effie.

"Ah, then I bet my buttons that it was your sister!" replied Effie, "Not wanting her to steal all the glory for her, hmm?"

All Katniss could do was stare at the District 12 escort. It was as if she didn't get it. Only the people of District 12 got it: Katniss was protecting her precious Little Duck. Soon, it was the boys' turn. Effie pulled out the name and read it.

"Gale Hawthorne!" she called out as she did before.

Katniss' eyes widened. They teared up as the dark-haired boy walked up to the stage. Gale was not at all escorted by the Peacekeepers, before they could even nudge him, he was already 10 feet from them. Katniss couldn't believe it. Gale Hawthorne was coming with her. Now this was a real situation: There's no one left to take care of their families.

"Ladies and gentleman, Gale Hawthorne and Katniss Everdeen!" Effie shouted.

The crowd was very silent. All they did was hold up 3 fingers, the District 12 salute. Effie told the two to shake hands, Katniss reached her hand out, and Gale pulled Katniss into his arms and hugged her. Katniss felt like crying. She hugged him back. Once the cameras were back to them, Gale pulled away, smiling at his friend.

"I like these two." said a drunk man, Haymitch Abernathy, "You two got a lot of...spunk!"

The blond man then fell off the stage. Both Gale and Katniss knew that this was going to become very long last week as the crowd couldn't help, but giggle or chuckle.

Later, in the Justice Building...

Gale and Katniss were taken into separate rooms of the building. This was where they were going to get and give their goodbyes. She had already spoken with her mother and Prim, her precious little duck. Suddenly, a boy came in.

"Wh-what're you doing here?" Katniss asked.

"I...uh...I came to..." he said, as if he was trying to figure out what to say next, "...I came to tell you that...don't worry about your family, Katniss. They'll be fine."

Katniss then found herself, smiling. She couldn't believe it, despite they never met, Peeta Mellark still offers to still help her and her family.

"Thank you, Peeta. You're a good man." she said.

Peeta then hugged Katniss. He then left. Katniss could trust Peeta, even though it seemed that they hardly even knew each other, it seemed that they've known each other for quite a long time.

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Thanks for Reading!

Alright, so, here's the thing, I get it if some of you don't like the fact that Peeta gets a somewhat appearance, but I mean, if he were to still assume that Katniss' worried about her family, wouldn't you tell her that you'll take care of them, just so that way she's not so scared?