Inferno: A Hunger Games Fanfic

Chapter 4

Sorry I haven't updated as much recently. I've been ill and I'm also trying to get this chapter perfect as it is important for the story. Please read the more at the end coz there is exciting news!!! Also thanks for almost 100 reads! Please vote! X

I wake up to a child crying somewhere nearby. Probably on our road in the seam. The sky outside is orange with a tinge of pink and, in places, there are fluffy white clouds gliding across the sky. Birds dance, not caring that today fate will decied which 24 children will have to become killers, or be killed.

I tear my eyes away from the taunting sky and find my mother is standing behind me. She smiles at me but her eyes betray her real emotions. I can tell by looking into them that all she really wants to do is hug me and never let go, just incase it's her last chance. I feel the tears in my eyes and look away wiping them with my hand.

We go down to breakfast and there is my favourite. Berries and fruits with some of my favourite crusty bakery bread. She tells me she's going out and leaves me to eat. Just before the front door slams I hear a sob.

I know she's trying to cheer me up but it feels to much like she thinks she knows I'm going to be picked. I know the odds are in my favour but, there's always that chance. And 2 more chances since I'm only 16. This year, when I'm 17 and when I'm 18.

At least I'm not 12.

When I'm done I go upstairs to put on my dress from yesterday. But there is another dress on my bed. And a note.

Dearest Hazel,

I meant to give you this last night but there wasn't time. Please wear it. It will look so beautiful on you. Reaping is at two. I can't bear to say goodbye so I will see you after the reaping. Good luck!

Your mother

I can't blame her for not wanting to see me before the reaping. How do you say 'see you in a minute, if your not picked' in a senstive way. Not to mention how hard it would be to say goodbye to another family member.

I put the dress on and it really does look beautiful. It dosen't just look beautiful but it makes me look incredible too. It's made of denim and lace. If it was just denim it would probably just look like a play-dress but the lace makes it look almost like a posh dress. I remeber seeing a similar dress on someone from before Pqanem was created, in my history textbook. It's strange, but I kind of like it. I brush my hair and raid my mother's room for make up. Hurriedly I put my hair up into two simlple plaits and tie them together at the back. Perfect.

There's only half an hour until the reaping now so I run downstairs to go. Just before I run out the door I go back and get my tree necklace from the feast. Now I truly have perfection.

In just a few minutes I am standing with the other sixteen-year-old girls waiting for it to start. I want it to be over. To be free for another year. Not have to wait in the sun that seemed heavenly this morning but now feels like it's burning me. Nearby, a merchant man's watch glints in the sunlight and I see that we only have 10 minutes to go. Ten minutes until a boy and girl are chosen.

Just as I'm reaching this conclusion the screen turns on and I see Katniss and Peeta. They are restrained but to the floor by their legs and by shakles on their arms. They can sit properly and probably eat and things which I assume is why it has been changed. After all, I seriously doubt Tram worries about their comfort.

I spend the next few minutes watching them rebelliously do nothing which is kind of weird to think about. They just sit there staging their uprising by not giving in, not accepting defeat. Not really doing anything but glare at the camera. But yet it still feels like they are rebelling in their own, limitied way.

At precisely 2pm President Tram takes over most of the screen. He explains the rules of the hunger games for those that don't know (No one) and introduces Effie Trinket who is our mentor now as all the victors, except for the obvious, were 'taken care of' (I translate this to: they were murdered by the capitol) last night.

Katniss and Peeta's faces sofen a little when Effie comes on stage and, to be honest, I can't see why. She looks like the typical outlandish capitol citizen with a ridiculous voice and bright green hair to match. At least she's not dyed green.

Effie stands to the side and the screen is adjusted so the Mellarks cell is the same size as Trams face.

"Ladies first" Effie digs around in the great glass reaping ball until she catches a slip and pulls it up to read it out.

"Lily Rettop"

A tiny twelve year old sinks to the floor as everyone moves away from her as if she has some contagious disease. Behind me I hear the sobs of her family who know that will watch her die for such a small girl couldn't possibly survive. Katniss is looking straight at the camera and biting her lip, cold fury radiating from her eyes. The girl picks herself up only to fall down again.

I don't understand why everyone is so quiet. Why does no one help her. It is not right. It is not fair. When she falls for the third time I run over to her. People get out of my way. "It will be alright" I say to her "just get up. Come on"
"No" She cries "I can't do it. I'm going to die"
Her knowledge that she will die sparks my fury at the people who did this to her. Straighten up and look at the screen. There must be a camera because the president looks straight back.
"THIS IS NOT FAIR! YOU MAKE LITTLE GIRLS DIE FOR NOTHING. IT IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT," I breathe and say, quieter "it is murder!"
"Murder" he echos. I did not make a speech like Katniss or Peeta would have. I probably didn't even make sense. But it has the right effect. Everyone is silent except the girl, Lily, who is whimpering quietly.

When I look, Katniss is smiling at me. She raises three fingers to her lips then sends them out in a salute. Peeta and the rest of 12 follow suit. I look back at the president and do it too. Everyone stands like this, one arm in the air, waiting to see what his reaction is. Eventually he speaks and he says it with a smirk.

"It seems we have our first volunteer"

DUHH DUHH DUHH. Sorry to ruin the moment but I would just like to tell you about a book I am writing with MarzMedia. If you look at the previous page there is information I can now tell you the title is 'Murder in the Chatroom' and I am writing bits of it and helped make the plot and it is pretty cool so please check it out. Please vote comment keep reading and most of all enjoy yourself!
Xxx