Into the Game - A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Chapter Three: Never Again

Sage and Flynn stand on the stage, both looking completely arnd utterly heartbroken. They have their arms wrapped around each other.

Isla speaks into the microphone once more: "Well, do we have any volunteers to take the place of Sage or Flynn?"

Sage gives a pleading look into the crowd, hoping beyond hope that someone will help, that her parents won't lose both of their children, that she won't have to watch her brother die, or that he won't have to watch her die.

Deep down, it seems that she knows that nobody will step forward. Why would they? It would be a suicide mission.

It is in the eyes of Flynn that I see the same look that overtook my father's face after Lilah and Ollie died.

And I can't do it.

I can't make them watch each other suffer.

I can't let their family struggle to survive without the two people who have brought them so much joy.

I can't let what happened to my family happen to their's.

"For fuck's sake" i murmur, before shoving my way back to the edge of the crowd of girls.

I get some weird looks and one girl tries to ask what I'm doing. I only shoot her a glance.

My heart is beating faster than ever before.

Faster than when Lilah's name was called.

Or even Oliver's.

Or when I saw my father's lifeless face.

I step out into the pathway, take a deep breath, and cup my hands around my mouth.

"I'll do it" I call out.

My voice barely reached the stage.

Almost instantly, the crowd gasps. People look shocked. Volunteers are very rare, let alone from someone as weak and young-looking as me.

"Excuse me darling?" Isla asks.

Flynn and Sage look confused but the glimmer of hope in Flynn's eyes allows me to steel myself and shout out once more.

"I volunteer"

Almost instantly, peacekeepers flank my side and march me up to the stage.

I force myself to keep a straight face, knowing the cameras are on me.

I already have a strategy.

I step on to the stage and walk straight over to Sage.

I stand on my toes and whisper to her "I can't let you go with him. You'll be ok, I promise".

She still looks shocked. Too surprised to speak. But Flynn isn't.

"Thank you so much" he says, looking near tears.

Isla interrupts the moment. "What's your name dear?"

I walk to the microphone, stand up on my tiptoes and say, clear as day "Quinn Baker".

I hear a few gasps from the crowd at that, likely from the ones who remember my siblings.

Very few people actually payed attention to the games, but some seem to recognize the name.

Isla pays no attention to the crowd.

"And how old are you, darling"

"13"

Another set of 'awws' and gaps overtake the crowd.

"My goodness, I believe that you are the youngest volunteer we have ever had" Isla needs to learn to read a fucking room. "How do you know Sage and Flynn?"

"I don't?" My response sounds like a question.

Isla looks a bit stumped by that. After a moment, she replies "Well then why did you volunteer?"

"Maybe because I don't want them to both fucking die? Or because their family doesn't deserve to suffer like that?"

Ok, i'm probably ruining any chance I had to get sponsors, but I can't fucking care.

These idiotic capitol folks seem to think having siblings die is fun. It pisses me the fuck off.

"Alrighty, then. Do we have any volunteers for Flynn?" Isla asks, choosing to ignore the profanity I just spoke on live television.

Silence.

Fucking silence.

After multiple moments of uncomfortable silence, Isla says a quick concluding statement before ushering Flynn and me off the stage into town hall.

Sage is left standing on stage, looking completely confused and utterly heartbroken at what has just taken place.

A/N: Thank you for reading!!!