A squad of Peacekeepers march us through the doors of the Justice Building, where we will say our final goodbyes to our families. I am seated on a plush red couch, when my family comes to visit me. My parents arms enfold me.
"Oh, Rue," my mother whispers. I can feel tears prickling at the back of my eyes. Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! My five younger sisters crash into me from behind.
"Rue!" cried Ivy, my nine year old sister. She knows where I'm going. She knows what's going to happen to me. "Rue, don't go," she whispers, tears pouring down her face.
"Ivy. I have to go," I whisper back.
Daisy, my six year old sister presses something into my hand. "It's a good luck charm. My teacher showed us how to make them."
My eyes fill with tears. "Thankyou, Daisy."
"Rue? What's going to happen to you?" asks Rose.
"I'm going to..." I can't bring myself to say die.
"She's going to win The Hunger Games," says my eight year old sister, Jasmine, confidentially.
Rose's eyes go alight with wonder. "Really?" she whispers.
"I don't know," I say, not wanting to burst her happy bubble at the thought of winning.
Posy, my eleven year old sister, hugs me and whispers in my ear, "You have to try and win, OK? You promise? You'll try?"
"Of course I'll try, Posy," I whisper back. "But remember, if I die, you have to take over as head child of the family, OK? But I forbid you to take any tessera. Then you could get picked at the reaping, and mother and father would have lost two children, OK? I can't let any of you get hurt."
She nods, unable to form words at my predicament. Two Peacekeepers come in to take my family away. Their alloted time is over.
"I love you!" I cry. "Look after yourselves, no matter what happens to me!" My family gives me one last hug before the Peacekeepers push them out.
Nobody else comes to visit me. My friends will be too ashamed.
Now, I am truly alone.
