Oh How The Tables Have Turned

Chapter two, Katniss.

  I hear my sister's name being shouted from the burgundy lips of Effie Trinket. Time seemed to stop as Prim slowly stepped out of line, chin up with hands tucked at her back, walking to the stage.

  "Ah, a little too young are we?" Effie mocked her as she sat quietly on one of the chairs placed for the contestants. Her burgundy lips was a match to how i expected Prim's blood to flow from her body.

  No, i should volunteer as tribute, i should. But my hands won't stop shaking as no words tumbled out of my mouth.

  "Any volunteers for tribute?" Effie exclaimed again, eyes shining with anticipation like this is an exciting game.

  My breakfast threatened to make a reappearance as i stared, i should volunteer. If i do, Mother and Prim will survive, but for how long without a hunter at home?

  I still do not trust Mother as after her divorce with our.. father, affected her as deeply like any other divorce would do. She barely ate and helped us get food and all i knew how to cook was just a salad

  No one helped, Prim was still four or five, i was just nine. Until one day, Mother started singing.

  Prim was the definition of joy that day, though i still do not trust Prim's life in the hands of our Mother.

  I shouldn't go, if i do, there will be three casualties. If i don't, Mother and I will survive, only one casualty.

  "Shame no one does, as expected. Now moving on to the boys..."

I've missed my chance. I catch sight of Prim's frantic eyes fanning through the crowd, catching sight of mine as i looked away. I couldn't bear to see the betrayal scribbled on her face. As the ceremony creeps by, i know she's disappointed and disgusted and-

"Peeta Mellark!"

Isn't that the bakery's son who once threw me a burnt bread when i was selling baby clothes in the rain? Huh, no one would've predicted this happening.

  The ceremony then continues as usual, no volunteers. I know Peeta may or may not have siblings, maybe they're feeling the same way as me. I spot Gale as his eyes flit to mine, a little too wary and worried from his usual attitude.

  "Are you insane?!" My mother's voice rang through the air. We were now back home, Prim shutting herself in our room, weeping or punching, i do not know.

"You should've volunteered as tribute! Prim won't even last a day-" Mother continues to shout. I block out her voice as i exhaled, waiting for her scolding to be over. We both know we can't change the inevitable, it's too late for that thought.

My mother then goes to comfort Prim, who pushes her away as she returns outside with a wearier look than before. I contemplate teaching Prim how to hunt, survive and kill or just let her be a sacrifice and pray that it would not be me next year. Or we could become a Victor, we wouldn't have to worry about money anymore. The voice snagged on the edges of my thoughts, tugging my attention to it.

  It wouldn't be as bad as now, if we were a Victor. I brushed that thought away, it has the probability of a needle in a haystack.

  But for now, I need to teach Prim how to survive and how not to become the scrape-goat.

Author's note: 577 words, an improvement :D anyways, expect more actions soon, it's 12.17am for me so goodnight i guess.

Another one: i'm having exams currently so i won't be posting during october. (SORRY)