The 100th Hunger games

Chapter 3

"Librae please don't", I whisper to myself. My eyes follow her as she makes her way out of the crowd.

"I volunteer", I hear her squeaky voice shout.

All of my senses go away. My vision goes blurry, all I can hear is ringing noises, and everything around me seem like their floating. Charity is holding my arms for support.

Why would she volunteer? She was so worried about getting picked, but here she is volunteering. When everything comes back to me I see that she's on stage and Hectra's going for another name.

She pulls out the second slip of paper. " The second tribute is...Jempson Nithercot", her voice booms out. I search for him, he's already out of his section. His fists are clenched and his face is full of different emotions. Anger and sadness.

Jempson is a friend to me, but I doubt he would protect Librae if it came down to it. It's not that I don't trust him, it's that the games change people. And I an't risk that.

I start to walk out of my section, but someone grabs my arm. "Wren don't", I hear Charity say.

"I have to protect her", I say on the edge of tears. She releases my arm free and nods. I brush past the 16 year old girls staring at me.

When I'm at the end of the row I yell out, "I volunteer as tribute!"

Everyone starts staring at me. Whispers fill the square. A group of peace keepers come and escort me to the stage. Jempson's frozen by the steps. "You made a huge mistake", he says.

I shake my head, "I don't think I did." I walk up the stairs and stand by Hectra. "Two volunteers", she cheers, "What's your name."

"Wren Donner."

"Oh are you two sisters?"

"Yes", Librae replies sharply.

Hectra smiles and yells out, "Our tributes from District 12. Wren and Librae Donner!"

She gestures for us to shake hands. I shake Librae's hand, but I refuse to look at her. She walks us in to the building and were escorted into a room. As soon as the door shuts I start yelling at her.

"What is wrong with you", I yell at her.

"I'm sorry for trying to save my only friend", she says with tears forming in her eyes, " I didn't mean to it was like some instinct to volunteer for her. She wouldn't make it pass the cornucopia. And you would do the same for Charity."

I stare at her for a moment. She's right.

I hear the door opening. Mom and dad come running in. Mom runs right past me to hug Librae. But dad hugs me first. "Are you okay", he asks. I nod. Mom turns to me and whispers, "Bring her home."

The words kind of hurt me. I know that I volunteered for her, but it's as if I'm some random stranger protecting her daughter and doesn't care what happens to me. I just brush it off.

"Time to go", a peace keeper says coming in.Mom and dad gives us hugs and kisses real quick and are forced out.

After a couple of minutes three people walk in. It's Charity, Nelly, and Jempson. All three of their faces are stained with tears. Nelly runs to Librae and they have their own conversation.

Jempson pulls me to the corner of the room and Charity follows.
"Why did you volunteer for me", he whispers loudly.
"I did it to protect her", I say.
"Did you not think I could have protected her", he asks.
"I was afraid that you wouldn't have."
He looks at me with sad eyes.

"I would have Wren. She needs her sister, but now she won't. I don't know why you would think that I wouldn't try to protect her.
"Wren I can't believe I'm telling you this, but I have loved you since the day I have met you. I know we're not the greatest of friends, but I do. If you die out there, I won't be able to live with myself. Please try to win."

Tears are pouring from my face. Why would he tell me this now? Does he really mean it?
"I can't. I have to protect her."
A small tear falls from his face. I wipe it off with my thumb. He kisses my forehead and walks out.
I turn to Charity. Her natural smile is gone. It's replaced my dozens of tears
"I'm gonna miss you", I tell her.
"Don't talk like that", she says sobbing.
"Don't cry or your gonna make me cry", I say.
The doors open and she's escorted out. I sit on the couch and stare out the window. Too much craziness is going on.
Librae volunteered for the games. I did too. Jempson says he loves me. I might like him back. I won't see Charity again. Or anyone else I care about.