Mentors

34

Raina

I'll never understand how they create these games.
I could be staring at the real stars and moon, but yet it could be a hologram.

Hopefully it's the real sky that hovers over us. It makes me feel closer to home, knowing Katniss and Peeta are under the same moon.

I think about how my family is.
Should I care?
My deepest hatred is for my older sister and mother.
Who in their right mind would remain so selfish when it comes to this scenario?

I wonder how they've been reacting to my own actions in the arena. Did they think my interview went well? That my tribute parade was stunning? Do I meet their expectations?

My sister Mayella. She's nothing compared to Katniss. They're both seventeen, but their personalities are so different it scares me.

Katniss is not the teenage girl you expect her to be. She's kind, wise, and helpful.

I've known my sister for all fourteen years of my life. She's never lifted a finger for anyone but herself. She's a selfish, slutty, Barbie doll mess of a girl. I come to think. Kolton's older brother is also in the same year.

"Kolton." my voice projects, although I'm trying not to wake the others.

"Yeah?"

I'm still gazing at the moon, laying in my sleeping bag on the sand.

"Is your brother in the same year as my sister?"

"He is."

"With Katniss and Peeta at one point."

"Yes."

"So my sister. Was she.."

"Bad in school as she is at home? Yes."

My heart sinks a little. Panem has heard what was just said. Well, maybe it's time she listens to what I have to say.

"How did you-" I start to ask,

"She didn't volunteer to go in your place, it shouldn't have been you. That's how I figured she's a mythic bitch outside of school, just as she is in class.. When she even goes to class. That's what my brother told me."

"She's too worried about herself to even think about anyone else. Our siblings were never on her list of worries."

"Maybe when you make it home, things can change between you two."

My eyes widen at what he said. Me? Make it home?

I sit up and look at him. He remains laying down.

"Did you know that you and I were in the same year?"

His eyes open and he looks at me.

"What?"

"The ninth grade. You were in my geography class."

He thinks for a moment before looking at me and nodding. He doesn't recall. No one knew me anyway. But now that I await my death on national television, everyone knows my name.

"You're fourteen?"

"Well, I can't exactly know for sure how long we've been in the games, but I can probably say my birthday should be passing."

His face shifts into a frown, and he glances at me.

"I turned fifteen on reaping day."

"Oh gosh." Is all I respond.

I find myself drifting to sleep when I hear distant screams, threatening to come closer.

I'm up on my feet immediately. I can't make out the cries for help until it's within ear shot.

I squint my eyes and gaze into the jungle. Gripping onto my sword, my realization kicks in. I scream random sounds of worry that my mouth was capable of. Words don't even come into play during my scream session.
I sprint off into the jungle screeching like a wild animal, with tears threatening to spill.

My name. Over and over again being projected throughout different parts of this hell of a jungle.