His screams echoed throughout the small house we live in and then there was silence. I try to hear mum or dad getting out of bed. Nothing. I quietly slip out of bed and strain my eyes to try and adjust to the darkness. I creep along the corridor to Jack's room where the door is closed. I try not to make too much noise as I open the door.
"Jack" I whisper. I hear whimpering.
"Jack, what's wrong?" I say as I run to his bed. His window wide open and a strong wind blowing making the room freezing.
"Jackie, what happened?"
"The games. I heard dad speaking with a man. The Hunger Games are on again"
For the past 2 years there has been a bit of tension between the districts and the last ruins of Panem. Panem is slowly coming back to power and the districts are beginning to fear. I choke and hold back tears.
"What if I'm chosen Rue?" He whispers, tears streaking his pale face.
"You're 11 Jackie, it starts at 12". A sudden feeling of realisation and fear takes over me. I'm 15, I could be in the games. I crawl into his bed and pull him close.
"Sleep, it's gonna be okay" I whisper.
I'll protect you no matter what.
• • • •
A cool breeze and the smell of bread wakes me up in the morning. I roll over and feel a cold patch. Of course he woke up early. He's like mum. When mum was younger she used to illegally go hunting over the fence with uncle Gale and sell their prizes to The Hob, a black market. Jack looks like mum too. Tall, strong with dark features. Unlike Jack, I look like Dad and have his creative mind and love of art. After what felt like an hour I heave myself out of bed and walk into the kitchen. Dad is making a loaf of bread for our Sunday breakfast. The door opens and Mum walks in with her morning prize - a deer.
"Get what we need and I'll give the rest to Haymitch and Gale" mum murmurs. My parents came from district 12, which we still live in but it's much different now. Back then the living standards were terrible. Now we live with plenty of food on our plates and fresh water. Even though we have a full access to food, Mum still hunts She never wastes food and if we don't eat our dinner she reminds us of how lucky we are and to have gratitude. A plate of fresh bread and deer is put in front of me.
"Where's Jack?" Mum tells from her room.
"He's out with Buttercup" dad replies.
"Jack breakfast is ready"
Jack walks in and his face is paler then usual.
"Jackie, what's wrong" Mum says with concern.
"You already know mum don't you? The reaping is on Tuesday"
All the air that was in my lungs disappear and I am left breathless.
"Jack, how did you even know about the games?" dad says with worry.
"I heard you Dad with a man outside my window and then this morning a person in a white costume with a gun was talking to Felix."
An eerie silence settles in the kitchen. Only the sound of Buttercup walking into her cat flap.
"Well yes the reaping is on Tuesday, but you're fine. Jackie you're 11"
"Rue is 15 Peeta" mum interrupts.
"The odds of her-"
"Is just as much as Prim had" mum yells. Her glassy eyes staring directly at me. Mum rarely speaks of Prim.
"We are victors, we will be fine. It's not a quarter quell. They will probably start from one again" dad replies. I feel Jacks arms wrap around me.
"I'll protect you Rue"
A small sad smile spreads across his face.
• • • •
The house is still until mum speaks
"Rue come with me"
I am startled by this because mum and I aren't exactly close. I tend to go with dad and get lessons on cake decorating whilst mum and Jack do their own things.
"Okay" I reply, following her out of the house towards the forest.
Mum turns around
"I'm going to teach you to hunt , survival skills, what you need in the games"
"Mum, dad said I'm-"
"Safe?"she laughs "like I was safe in the quarter quell? I was a victor right?, Right?"she whispers "I know the Capitol are back Rue and they're stronger and more ruthless than ever"
I feel tears spilling from my eyes. I turn away. I can't show I'm weak to mum. I'm Katniss Everdeen's daughter. The girl on fire. I should be invincible too.
"Now wipe those tears away. You're brave Rue. Intelligent."
• • • •
After a few hours of running through the forest learning types of berries and roots I can eat. We sit down on a hill and watch the sunset.
"I can't use a bow and arrow, I suck" I remark.
"I know" mum laughs.
The sound of mums laugh brings a feeling of comfort and happiness over me. I lean on to mum and she wraps her arm around me.
"Why is my name Rue?"
I feel her body tense but I hear her reply.
"When I was first in the games, there was a little girl, Rue, she was so young but so brave. I named you after her so that you could be like her."
"I'm not brave mummy, I'm not like you, Jack is tall and strong but I'm not"
"You are Rue, you just don't realise it"
And with that we sit there. My head in her lap and her hands wrapped around me, we stay until the sun sets.
Well guys this is a 1000 word chapter. I'm gonna try and make my chapters this long. Sorry it took so long to write. Hope you like it. Don't judge my terrible writing but oh well. Enjoy your day
Hannah xx :)
