Gale's Fate Awaits [On Hold]

Part 2: Visitors

I walk slowly up to the stage. I look out at my neighbors, my friends, my family. I see my mother in the back with Posy. My mom looks up at me, tears welling in her eyes and nods. I stand next to Effie, opposite to Katniss. She looks at me, staying strong. Effie instructs us to shake hands. I push away Katniss's hand and she looks hurt. I pull her into a hug and Effie cheers. No one else does. "May I present the tributes from District 12, Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne!" She puts her arms behind our backs and ushers us out. I'm taken down a strange hallway and into a small room. The chairs are plush and velvet, the carpet smooth. Why us? Why anyone? The Games are pointless. You lose, you're dead. You win, you're tortured by nightmares and flashbacks. It's unjust. The door rattles open and my mom, Posy, Rory, and Vick come running in. They all hug my tightly. Mom tells my siblings to go and eat some of the Capitol-made delicacies on the table in the corner. They run of, enjoying warm food. "Gale, honey, listen. I know you love her, but please," She whispers, "Please, try to make it. For me. For your brothers. For Posy. You need to get people to like you. You're handsome and the women will love you. Be charming and polite." She whispers one more hint, something big that I don't even want to think about right now. Something huge. I kiss her cheek once and hug everyone again as the Peacekeepers come in, dragging out my family. Posy, who I was especially close to, runs back to me, clamping her arms around my waist. I pat down her hair as the Peacekeeper comes back, ripping her off me. "Gale! Please! No! Gale! I love you, Gale! Gale!" She whimpers as she's dragged out. I throw myself down into a chair and put my head in my hands. I'll be fighting against her, my Katniss. Only one comes out. It will be her, she'll keep my family alive. We made that promise, years ago, to each other. The door opens again and in walks someone I never thought would see me before my death. Madge.