Catoniss (#wattys2016)

Chapter 1

Hearing that name at the Reaping.
I never hated the name now more than I ever did. Primrose Everdeen, my twelve year old sister. I see my sister walking to the stage, she's going to be in the 74th Hunger Games. No, she can't be.

I step out into the path and scream her name. Two Peacekeepers hold me back so I can't go to her.
"No!" I scream. "I volunteer! I volunteer!"
I push the Peacekeepers away so Prim and Effie can see me.
"I volunteer as Tribute."

I run to Prim.
"Prim, go find mom," I say.
"No! Katniss, no!" Prim screams.
Gale comes up from behind her and swings Prim over his shoulder.
"Up you go Catnip," he says.
Gale carries Prim over his shoulder to our mom as Prim screams for me.

I walk on stage and stand beside Effie Trinket.
"What's your name, dearie?" she asks. "Katniss Everdeen," I say.
"Well, I bet my hats that that was your sister."
"Yes."
"Marvelous! And now for the boys.....Peeta Mellark."

How could I kill Peeta?
He threw me a loaf of bread when my family is starving. He must be my age, sixteen. He steps on stage and stands on the other side of Effie Trinket.
"Go on you, two shake hands," she says, with that perky Capitol voice.
Peeta and I shake hands.

We're lead into two separate rooms to say our final good byes. My mother and sister are my first visitors. I hug Prim, I know she's crying. When we pull away, she hands me the mockingjay pin I gave her earlier.
"I will win for you, Prim," I say.
I look at our mother.

"If I don't come back, you have to take care of her," I say.
"I will," she says.
"No, you have to promise, it can't be after dad died."
"I promise."

A Peacekeeper comes in and takes them out of the room. Then Gale, my best friend, comes into the room and hugs me.
"You can win," he says after we pull away from each other.
"I don't think so," I say.
"You can hunt."

"Animals," I correct.
"It's the same thing," he says.
Then a Peacekeeper comes in.
"Take care of them, Gale," I say.
"Remember-"
But the door closes.

A few minutes later, a Peacekeeper comes in and brings me to the train.
Great, now Peeta and I get to meet our drunk mentor, Haymitch.