Can't Catch Me Now, the hunger games

2 | goodbye for now

'though you have been broken,
your innocence stolen'
RESCUE - LAUREN DAIGLE

"Laurie Plinth!"

No. No. No.

The girls heart skipped a beat as her very name was spoken into the microphone.

"Where are you, Laurie, darling?"

She called my name. Why was it my name? What did I do?

Laurie shock with fear as the children around her all turned to her, staring into her soul. Before she could comprehend what she was doing, her feet led her out from her section and into the aisle surrounded by Peacemakers.

"Ah, there you are, dear. Come on up."

As she slowly walked up to the stage, she glanced at the faces that passed by her sight, said faces giving her looks of pity and shame. She turned her tearful gaze towards the steps, each one sending a ping of pain into her chest. Mozi leaned forward, reaching her hand out for the girl to take. Her small hand slide into her silky glove covered one, quickly leading her to the microphone stand. Mozi placed her hands on the girls shoulders, placing her into the direction of the district.

"And now, for the boys."

As Mozi walked over to the boys bowl, Laurie's eyes searched the crowd. Looking past every face, her gaze locked on the eyes that matched her own. Dalton's face filled with rage, his ears practically fuming with how ridiculous this all was.

"Jax Abacus!"

Laurie slowly turned to the older boy who swiftly lived through the crowd, making his way to the stage. As she watched him, she noticed how his shoulders remained tall, confident about his destiny. Mozi gently grabbed Laurie's hand and guided her next to Jax, stepping aside and gestured to them with her hands.

"Here we are, your tributes from district 10! Go on you two, shake hands."

The tributes turned towards each other, taking the other's hand. The boys bigger, mature hand engulfed her tiny one, shaking. When she met his eyes, she was met with a look full of assertiveness. His eyes told her the words he didn't bother saying.

Good luck.

"Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor."

The tributes were taken out of their stare as Mozi ushered the two towards the big doors that brought them to their future.

•

For the last several minutes, Laurie sat in a small room, the darkened windows making it look like the sun had set outside. As she stared at the paintings that decorated the walls, she picked at the skin surrounding her fingernails, pulling until it drew the blood.

The sound of the door creaking open brought her attention to whoever was entering. Angus and Lively stepped into the room, running towards their daughter. Angus wrapped his arms around the little girl and lifted her off the ground to where Lively placed her arms around the two. The sobs that wracked their bodies blended together into a symphony of grief. Her parents set her back onto her feet, keening down to her eye level.