Into the Game - A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Chapter Four: Why?

Peacekeepers shove me into a room in town hall that is all too familiar. It is the same sad place where I had last seen my sister.

I sit around for only a moment, trying to comprehend what I have just done, when the door is opened.

"5 minutes" the peacekeeper barks before shoving someone into the room.

It takes me a second to realize that it is Sage.

She walks over to me, seeming at a loss for words.

"You should be saying bye to your brother." I tell her, not wanting her to waste her likely last moments with him.

"Why did you do it?" She asks me.

She looks almost.... guilty. As though she feels bad that she was saved and her brother is still in danger.

"Do you have any other siblings?" I ask her.

"No, it's just me and Flynn"

"And your mom and dad."

"Yeah"

I decide since I have a few minutes, I should explain.

"Do you know when the last time I was in this room was?" I question.

She shakes her head.

"I was saying goodbye to my sister."

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry" she says. This seems to make her feel even more guilty.

"Not your fault. But anyways, that happened mere moments after doing the same to my brother. So I didn't want your family to have to say goodbye to the people in both rooms" I tell her.

Realization seems to fill her eyes.

"The siblings in the 80th games."

"Yup."

"I'm so so sorry" she looks near tears. "But then why did you do it? what about your parents? How can you leave them?"

"More likely I'll join them. They're dead."

"Oh"

I nod, then decide to tell her the emotion behind my decision.

"When I realized the two of you are siblings, I couldn't take it. I couldn't let your family lose two children. I couldn't let it happen to them too. When Ollie and Lilah died, it broke me. But even more, my father."

Sage looks so sorrowful.

"I simply did for you what I wished so much that somebody had done for one of them. Anyways, I have nothing left to live for either way. Better me than you."

"Don't say that!"

"It's true. Don't worry. I can't guarantee anything, but I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to make sure Flynn come home to you."

Sage embraces me in a hug full of emotion.

Then, the peacekeepers enter.

"Time's up."

Sage looks me in the eyes and says "Thank you, so much. More than you can ever know. I'm so grateful. I know that you are a wonderful person. And please, don't blame yourself for anything."

"You too. Please, keep an eye on your family. Make sure they're ok."

"I will"

With that, Sage walks out, going to visit her brother. To say goodbye.

But I truly wish that it won't be forever. That I can save him.

After a few moments of me trying to not cry, another set of people are shoved into the room.

"Quinn?"

I look up and don't recognize either of the people.

"I'm Flynn and Sage's dad. And this is their mom."

"Oh, nice to meet you." I extend a hand.

He embraces me in a hug instead.

"Thank you. So much. I don't know why you did it, but I am so incredibly grateful."

His reaction to seeing me immediately allows me to know I made the right decision. These people are so sweet. They don't deserve pain.

I explain to them why I did it, showing them the tie and hairbow, and say how it doesn't matter to me anyways. That nobody will care if I die. I also tell them I will do anything I can to get their son home to them.

The mother interjects "My darling, you don't deserve this pain. I am eternally grateful to you. Thank you so much for saving Sage. No matter what happens, know that we care about you, and that we are so thankful. I love you, my dear, and I do not blame you at all, nor should you blame yourself."

By this point, I am near tears, but I refuse to let them fall.

"Thank you for coming to see me. Please, make sure Sage knows none of this is her fault. She seems like a wonderful person."

They both nod before embracing me once more.

Each sits on one side of me holding me close to them, and for the first time in a year and a half, I feel the comfort of a parent's love.

If only it could last.

A/N: Thank you for reading!!!