The Hunger Games: What If Katniss Never Existed?

Chapter 20

A/N

Hey guys, I am not feeling 100% today, I don't know why. Thank you for getting this book up to 419 views, it really means a lot to me. As you can probably see, I have decided to update every day, thank you for your comment @cheesefreak71 (did I get your username correct?). Anyway, lets hop right in! Thank you. -Sage

Prim POV

"What is it? Can you really help?" I asked excitement lighting up my features. "I don't know, I will have to work on it and hope I don't get caught. Hold tight Prim, try not to get too excited I am not sure this will work." He replied. "I understand." I sighed. "You might want to get hopping, Effie will find you soon." "Okay," I looked down at my bandaged hand. "Thank you." He smiled, "Your welcome." With that I walked out the door and wandered around the train until I found my room. I could tell by the brass plate on the door which said District Twelve, Female Tribute. I pushed the door open and gasped. It was HUGE! The room held a kind size bed, covered in silk sheets with a canopy above. The floor was carpeted in green and across the room was a mahogany dresser filled with clothes that appeared to be my size. I saw another door and opened it to be greeted by my white bathroom equipped with a shower! I had no idea that I would ever get to see one, much less actually use it. I squealed like a little girl until I remembered the entire reason I was here. I went back into the room and walked to the dresser. Pulling it open I noted a simple turquoise colored silk jumpsuit that was a beautiful outfit. The top was like a tank top before it bunched slightly in the waist and turned into shorts at the bottom. I looked around my room and saw that I had missed a closet. I walked over and opened a door only to find rows of jewelry and shoes. I stood in awe for a second before finding a pair of dark brown ankle boots that matched the dress perfectly due to the buttons of the same shade of turquoise on the side. I moved on to the jewelry and found a nice bracelet that matched my necklace nicely due to the similar coloring and designs. My necklace! I hurried out of the closet and found my pile of clothes on the ground. Quickly I found my locket and admired the clock on the outside, marveling at how the intricate clockwork till kept it ticking. I opened the locket and stroked the beautiful warship. I will be like this ship, I will fight to survive. I thought to myself. I hastily clipped the locket around my neck and walked into the bathroom to look in the mirror. Everything except for my hair looked nice so I looked around in hopes of spotting a brush. Just my luck, I found a cabinet with every kind of hair accessory I could see. A set of gold hair pins caught my eye and I pulled them out. They were nothing fancy, a gold bobby pin with the same colored ball at the end. I grabbed a brush and a few hair ties before walking back over to the mirror. Thankfully I had always watched my mother do my sister and my hair so I was able to braid my hair into two separate plaits and pin them into an intricate looking braid. The pin held the hair nicely and upon evaluation I decided I looked nice. Shoot! I forgot about the gloves. I looked at my locket and realized that by now the wound would have healed if what Sam said was correct. Nervously I lifted the bandage and was shocked to see that the cut was completely gone, not a scratch in sight. I threw away the bandage and walked over to my bed. I sat down and tried to imagine what I could do while I waited. As I sat down I found a lump under the bed. Curious, I lifted the mattress only to find a...book? I grabbed the book and set the mattress down again. Upon further inspection I realized that this book was actually a journal, attached to the side was a pen. I flipped it open and saw that only one page was filled out while countless others were blank. Intrigued, I sat down on the bed and began to read.

Dear Reader,

My name is Elizabeth Hunt and I am sixteen. I was just chosen for the Hunger Games and-

A knock on my door interrupted my reading and heard a mellifluous sing-song voice through my door. "Prim dearest, it is time for supper! We must not get set behind schedule. May I come in?" Effie. I panicked and desperately threw the book back under the mattress as Effie opened the door. Why bother asking if she was going to open it anyways? "Oh my! I see you have cleaned yourself up, and must I say you look beautiful. Now now, hurry along." Slowly I stood up and followed Effie down the hall and to the dinner table. Haymitch sat across from Effie with the two of them at the end tables. Peeta sat opposite of me and I when he looked up at me with hatred on his features I gave him no reaction other than an icy look through my crystal blue eyes. A tight silence hung over the table as avoxs walked in carrying platters of food. Just seeing the plates made my mouth water. Food. I quickly piled as much food as I could fit onto my plate, not caring what it was. I saw that I had grabbed some perfectly roasted turkey, snowy white mashed potatoes, nicely cooed peas, a slice of bread, and a bowl of lamb stew with dried plums. I decided that the stew looked the best so I gobbled it down first before eating the rest of the food on my plate. I was right, the lamb stew was the best.I looked up to grab seconds only to find Peeta reaching for more as well. Haymitch and Effie weren't even half way done yet. I reached over and grabbed some more bread, this time pausing to butter it. I also took some more stew. Dipping bread in the stew tasted heavenly and I unintentionally moaned. Effie looked at me shocked and I saw Haymitch laughing at me. I didn't care I just swallowed and stuck my tongue out at him. Peeta got right down to business as soon as he finished his second plate. "Haymitch, we need advice. How do we survive the Games?" Haymitch paused for a second before picking up his wine glass. He swished around it's contents and finished it off in one big gulp. An avox hurried over and quickly refilled the cup. It was evident that Haymitch was ignoring everyone as he took another big gulp, leaving half of the wine left. I sighed and spoke up. "Haymitch please, your our mentor. This is your job." He just stared into his glass. Okay, now I was getting annoyed. "Haymitch, we need you." He remained silent and now even Peeta looked annoyed. I was no longer annoyed, I was downright angry. I calmly stood up, walked over to where Haymitch was and grabbed his arm, effectively twisting it into a chicken wing. "Tell. Us. Now." I said, my voice sharp as a blade. Haymitch just smiled and said, "I see that you passed the test. I'll talk if you let go." I dropped his arm and walked back to my seat. "You see, I was testing you. In the arena, if someone has what you want you need to get it out of them and pain is the best idea. Do either of you know how to build a fire?" Peeta shook his head no but I was able to give him a nod. "I know how to make one out of many supplies, I also know which leaves will smoke the most and the least." I said, a small smile making it's way onto my face. "Good, you will need to know that. Do you two know what plants are edible?" Peeta replied with, "I know it in general." I said, "I have an idea, I am not an expert but I am acquainted." Haymitch nodded in approval. "You two may just make it past the first day after all. Any talents I should know of?" I shrugged, "I am decent with knives and bows. I was able to teach myself the knives but my dad taught me the bow." I said. Peeta responded, "I have strength but that's it." Haymitch seemed pleased. "Okay you two, you may just have a shot." Effie butted in just then. "Oh look at the time! We will be arriving at the capital in 4 hours!" (I know that they arrive later but I couldn't help it, I REALLY liked her outfit and didn't want to change it. (-;) I shivered at the thought of arriving soon. "Anyways, lets have dessert shall we?" The avoxs once again came around this time to replace our plates and give us dessert. My eyes popped when I saw the trays and trays of dessert. Suddenly my second stomach roared to life and I licked my lips. "I agree!" I exclaimed before attacking a delicious looking terimisu, taking a slice of cheesecake, sneaking a cookie on top of ice-cream, and stealing a little dish of flan (custard in Spanish). As I was digging in Haymitch said that he was tired and that we could talk about strategy later. He then excused himself from the table. I looked up and saw Peeta looking at me in disgust. I realized how crazy I must look and saw that Effie had a face of revulsion as well. "You know, it is rude to stare at people in disgust at dinner." I said sarcastically before stuffing another spoonful of flan in my mouth. Peeta scoffed and reponded, "I believe the one being rude here is you." "Oh really?" I replied sweetly. "I find it funny that coming from your mouth considering your the one who tried to convince our mentor Haymitch to keep you alive and help you kill me, an innocent 12 year old girl with a family that depends on me." I got up to storm away but felt my dessert calling to me so I grabbed an empty tray from the table and quickly loaded the sugary treats onto it for further eating. I stomped down the hall and back into my room. I sighed and sat down on the bed before remembering the book. I put the try on a mini table next to the bed that I failed to notice earlier. I then pulled the book out from under the mattress and found my place again.

Dear Reader,

My name is Elizabeth Hunt and I am sixteen. I was just chosen for the Hunger Games and now I am on my way to the capitol. I was given this as a gift from my boyfriend before I left and now I am using this to write to every other tribute. I only hope that the capitol doesn't find it....I know I will not make it out of the Games. If you tributes do end up finding this, please write a note to the next tribute. It may make you feel better, it worked for me. I only hope that you make it out safely from the games.

Good luck,

Elizabeth Hunt

When I finished reading I was blinking away tears. I reached for the pen attached and began writing.

Dear Reader,

My name is Primrose Everdeen and I am twelve. I am scared, no, terrified. My family depends on me and I can not imagine losing them. Rest in peace Elizabeth, I am sorry you had to die. I have a feeling that soon I will join you. Future reader, I wish you the best of luck in the Games. Maybe you will live, I hope you do.

Good luck,

Primrose Everdeen

(P.S.- The deserts are amazing, don't lose your appetite.)

I set down the pen and placed the journal back under the bed. Looking back at the tray I got to work on eating. I hope that someone from District 12 eventually wins.......I can only hope.

A/N

Just wanted to say this: AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Longest chapter yet, I am so happy and I hope you are too! By the way, I feel so much better now that I wrote. I am very happy! -Sage