TUSETHA (Edited)

12 ~ The 74th Games (Pt. 1)

I arrive in a hovercraft straight from the Capitol, only a mere 4 hour flight, though I have been up since 3 this morning just itching with anticipation for this year's reaping. I open up my small parasol as I carefully ease myself down the ramp.

It seems I've forgotten how filthy it is here. The dirt roads covered in bones and carcasses of animals, I'm just surprised no one's eaten them... Are you really being this harsh, Effie, I thought you liked it here? Well I suppose it's alright, after all, Annabella's father is here - the drunken idiot...who completely abandoned us after we gave away Primrose... That barbaric fool, leaving me alone to raise our child. Poor Anna...she was completely lost after he left, she always was 'Daddy's Little Angel.'

I loathe him more than I loathe my parents, disowning me after finding out I was with him. They're no good and you know it. They never loved you as much as they loved your siblings. They never did. Maybe they had good reasoning...I mean - look where you are. An escort who had three children with the drunkard mentor.

"Ah, Miss Trinket." The mayor greets me at the Justice Building doors. "Early, as usual. I expected nothing less of you."

I simply nod politely, keeping a tight lipped smile as I step inside after closing my parasol. The heat and humidity threatening the abilities of my makeup.

The mayor walks beside me as I put away my things. "Haymitch will be here soon - I hope - No one has seen him in days-"

I accidentally cut with off with a small chuckle. "I'm not surprised." I cover my mouth. "My apologizes."

"I know you and Mr. Abernathy have your differences but once you're out on that stage you set all of those behind you." He gives me a small glare of disappointment.

"Again, my apologies, Mr. Undersee."

The clock strikes twelve an hour later and the mayor leaves to the stage to give his speech, the same each and every year. I then follow behind, smiling 'excitedly' as I give the same speech as I do every year, showing the same boring video that makes me want to vomit. I end up mouthing the words subconsciously as I close my eyes.

"Oh I just love that." I grin against the microphone. "Now, the time has come for us to select one courageous young man and woman...for the honor of representing District 12 in the 74th annual Hunger Games. As usual, ladies first."

I sigh inwardly as I slip off my right glove and walk over to the large glass bowl. I pluck a name right off the top, hoping it's someone older than last year, the poor little twelve year old that tripped off the pedestal and was obliterated to nothing before the clock even hit 20. I push the thought from my mind and walk back to the microphone, opening the slip.

"Primrose Everdeen!" I look down at the rows upon rows of children. "Where are you, dear? Come on up." I spot a small girl from the youngest section as she makes her way out of the group. Yet another twelve year old girl. "Well come on up!" I raise my voice and it becomes shrill.

It then clicks in my mind. Effie, that's Primrose, that's your daughter, why are you so calm about this? You've reaped your own daughter and she's going to die! You complete idiot! Panic, panic now. This is your time to quit and save your daughter from what you despise most.

"Prim! Prim!" An older girl strays from the section of sixteen year olds. "Prim." The peacekeepers hold her back as she strains to get to Primrose. "I volunteer! I volunteer!" She thrashes in their arms before pushing past them angrily. "I volunteer as tribute."

"Oh, I believe we have a volunteer." I make a small sound at the back of my throat, though it registers through the mic, and I watch the two girls brace. "Uh, mayor?" I look back at him and he nods simply.

She's safe, Primrose is safe. Why did she volunteer for her? Did Maria adopt another? Or is she simply a friend from her school or neighborhood.

Primrose screams in protest as a young man carries her away.

"A dramatic turn of events for District 12. Yes, well, District 12's very first volunteer. Bring her up." I watch closely as they walk the girl up to the stairs, I hurry over to meet her at the top. I motion her to hurry. "Come on, dear." She slowly makes her way up and I grow impatient as she stares up at me. I gently guide her to the center of the stage. "What's your name?" I lean the mic over to her.

She stares out at Prim and Maria. She must be close to them. "Katniss Everdeen." A cousin or aunt to Prim perhaps?

"Well, I bet my hat," Choose your words wisely, Effie. Investigate. "That was your sister, wasn't it?" Not wise words.

"Yes."

I freeze momentarily, a stupid smile still on my face. "Let's have a big hand for our very first volunteer, Katniss Everdeen." I clap, hoping others will join, but they simply stare before giving a three-finger salute. Something I've never seen before. I look between Katniss and the crowd, my confusion angering me. "Now, for the boys."

I walk over, quickly sifting through the cards until one falls perfectly into my hand. I pull it from the bowl and walk back, opening it. "Peeta Mellark."

A young man with slicked back hair is escorted up to the stage. I greet him and guide him to the microphone, the same I did with Katniss. "Here we are! Our tributes from District 12." I look between the two. "Well, go on you two, shake hands." They step closer and politely do as I said. "Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor." I escort them inside.

No sign of Haymitch, the one thing that hasn't confused me today.

(A/N: Comment! Vote! And as always, keep on reading my little Hayffie shippers! I'd love suggestions for the next chapter!)