Prim's Games

Chapter 2-PRIM

Once Panem's anthem ends, we're taken to the Justice Building. I guess they don't want us escaping. The room they put me in is incredibly fancy with plush carpets and velvet chairs. I can't help but marvel at the wonder of it. I try to stay calm as I prepare for the time I'll get to say goodbye to Katniss and Mom.

I can not cry, If I do, and it shows on camera, it'll be taken as a sign of weakness. I need to toughen up. I think of Katniss and the few times she tried to teach me to hunt. It didn't work, because I didn't want to hurt the animals. I have to if I want to survive the Games though. Katniss and my mother walk in, and I rush over and hug them.

"Oh Prim," says Katniss "What did you do?" Her voice cracks on the words, and I can tell she's trying hard not to cry.

"Katniss, I can't lose you. And maybe the odds will be in my favor. After all, I had a great role model to learn from." I say smiling up at Katniss. We hug each other again, and I hope this isn't the last time we will hug.

"Mom, please promise me you won't um...lose yourself again if I don't make it," I say "You have to be strong." It's hard for me to say, and the idea of me never coming back still doesn't feel real to me.

"I'll try my hardest sweetpea. I think I can manage this time. I didn't have the herbs I have now when he..." she says, and it's clear she's on the verge of tears.

"Promise me you'll try your hardest to win Prim?" Katniss asks.

"Of course. If I win, we'll be as rich as Haymitch!" I try not to let the fear show in my voice. People who have trained for this will be there. Kids who are older than me, stronger than me. But I have to try to pull through. For Katniss.

"I don't care if we're rich! I'd trade everything we have for you to stay Prim!" she says, and she buries her face in her hands. I can't cry. I won't cry. But it's so hard.

The Peacekeeper comes to take Katniss and Mom out. "I love you both so much. Please take care of Buttercup for me if I don't make it." I say.

"We won't have to," says Katniss "I have a feeling that the odds will be in your favor. I want you to wear this as your token from home. I asked Madge if I could borrow it because it would be perfect for you." She hands me a little golden pin shaped like a bird in flight. And for a moment I feel confident. So what if District 12 has no victors? Maybe I'll be the first.

They leave, and the room suddenly feels too empty. I stroke the pin, turning it over and over in my hands. Soon, the car takes off and we quickly make it to the train station. I try to appear expressionless, but it's hard. I sneak a glance at Archer to see how he is, and he looks like he's about to cry. I pray that he won't be killed quickly. He seems nice so far. We stand in the doorway for the cameras for a few minutes, until we're finally allowed on the train. The speed shocks me. I've never been on a train before, and this is a Capitol train, going at over 250 miles an hour.

I decide to explore my room on the train, and I'm stunned by the luxuries in it. Each tribute has a bedroom, a dressing area, and a private bathroom with hot and cold running water. Effie says I can do what I like and wear what I want, so I take a long, hot shower, savoring every second of it. I wear a plain and ordinary outfit. My best hope at the Games is blending in, until only a few are left. I put the pin Katniss gave me on, and realize it's a mockingjay. I'm still puzzled why Madge would agree to give this to me, but it's beautiful.

I head out for dinner, and find Archer and Effie already there. Apparently, Haymitch decided to take a nap, so he's not here. The dinner comes in multiple courses, and I savor it all. It's the best food I've ever had in my life. Once the meal is over, I'm completely full and I wish I could bring some of the leftovers home for Mom and Katniss, they would love it.

After dinner, we go to watch the reaping, see our competition. No one stands out particularly to me except a girl around my age from District 11. She's the only one close to my age. The others are the the usual well-muscled brawny older kids who have the best chance at making it. When it makes it to our district, the desperation in my voice, in my face is clear. So much for blending in. When it gets to the part where Haymitch drunkenly fell off the stage, Archer and I giggle a little.

Effie turns around and says "Like it or not, he's your mentor. Your main chance at surviving. And I'm sure he won't teach you much if you're laughing at his drunkenness! Yes he really needs to sober up, but he's the difference between your life and your death!" As if on cue, he stumble in, drunk once again and faints. Effie sighs and leaves, leaving us to figure out what to do with Haymitch.

"Let's take him to his room for now I guess." says Archer. I nod, and we drag him to his room and leave him on the floor. He'll definitely have no memory of this tomorrow. I wish I'd thought to bring some of my mother's herbs with me. They might have helped him. We separate and head for our rooms, but the emptiness of mine makes me think of Katniss, Mom and Buttercup. I wish they were here to comfort me. I hope they're staying strong, and not crying over me. I lie down, and let my tears fall, knowing that I'll be able to wash them off in the morning, but feeling weak for letting them fall anyway. Soon, the rocking of the train sends me into a dreamless sleep.

Far too soon, Effie is at my door calling "Up, up, up! It's going to be a big, big big day!" I put on another random outfit and attach the pin to it. A surge of nervousness runs through me as I realize that we can't be too far from the Capitol. I head over to breakfast, where there is so much food I've never seen before.

It all looks amazing, and a pang of guilt runs through me for not being able to give any of this to my family or any of the people back at home, starving to death while I get all this luxury. I make sure I eat barely enough to sustain myself before I look at everyone else. Effie and Archer are still eating, and Haymitch is drinking some kind of alcohol. Again. The previous winners are supposed to train us, but I doubt Haymitch will remember to do that on his own, so I decide to subtly hint him by saying "So, Haymitch, what advice can you give us before the Games?"

"Stay alive kids." He says and then starts laughing. Archer and I exchange a glance. Why did we have to get a drunk as a mentor? Suddenly, I'm angrier than ever. This man is supposed to make sure we survive the Games. He's in charge of our future, but he's not taking it seriously. Before I can do anything though, Archer storms over to him and yells "You're in charge of our future Haymitch! Whether we live or die is on you! You might not care but I do!"

"Be useful for once in your life Haymitch." I say coldly. I feel bad about it, but I'm so angry that I don't care. He looks shocked. Have none of the tributes before us dared to stand up to him? Are we in trouble?

"Hmm... Let's see," he says, deep in thought "Neither of you honestly look like fighters to me, but if you make the most of your training at the Capitol, you may be able to make it. Make sure you go to the survival skills training sessions. That way, if you're lucky, you can blend in until only a few are left. Then show your vicious side."

"Okay, what about the Cornucopia?" Archer asks.

"Get what you can. Not enough to weigh you down, but some basic survival essentials will be useful. And if anyone you know you can't beat in a fight- heck anyone you're not sure you can beat-tries to take stuff from you, the best strategy is to drop it, run and enter an alliance with someone who has supplies."

"And-" I start to say, but Haymitch cuts me off and says "We're almost at the Capitol now. Your stylists will be here for you two soon. You won't like what they do but don't fight it." He stumbles away, and we're left there in cold, stony silence.

Soon, at the end of a tunnel the train begins to slow, and we run to the windows and marvel at the shiny beautiful buildings and cars and the people with weird hair and strange facial implants. The people start staring back at us, clearly having recognized us, eager to see us die. I rearrange my face into the smile I reserve only for Katniss and wave at them. The better I look to them, the more sponsors I'll get out of this rich group. Some of them are actually waving back and whispering to each other. Archer has decided on a cool 'I couldn't care less' type of face, which must be hard for him with all this unseen-before luxury around us.

Suddenly, he leans over to me and whispers "You look beautiful when you smile." I blush, and the members of the Capitol start smiling widely and whispering to each other as if they might sponsor us.