Rue's Song {A Hunger Games Fan Fiction}

Chapter 2: Goodbye District 11

I could not believe this.  I was truly in deep shock.  Everyone who knew me turned to me with eyes wide and dropped jaws.  I turned to look at Louell and saw tears streaming down her eyes and puke coming out of her mouth. 

I didn't want to appear weak.  I straightened my dress and walked up.  I felt puke coming up my throat and tears that needed to be released.  I had to hold it all in.  I walked to the stairs and stood on the stage. 

As I walked on, everyone was shocked.  I guess they were expecting someone bigger.  As we all know, and I hate to admit it, twelve year olds always get killed first.  I held my head high.  I want to be remembered and when I die in these games, I want the people to remember me and demand to end these games.

Even Loula Rien, looked shocked.  Usually escorts could care less if no one volunteers.  She cleared her throat and said the thing that meant I might not have to go.  "Is there any young lady out there willing to take young Rue's place?" 

I could see my sister in the crowd.  I could see puke on the side of her mouth.  I knew if she was older than me, she would have volunteered the moment they said my name.  I stood in the complete silence of it all.  After a minute, Loula cleared her throat and as she blinked back tears, she said, "OK.  Now we will see who our young man is that will represent us."

She strutted over but not as striking as it was when she reaped my name.  She dipped her shaky hand in the bowl.  I could tell she wanted to get this over with.  She pulled out another slip and walked to the podium, cleared her throat and said, "Thresh Cramen"

I knew Thresh.  He has been a close family friend.  He is very tall, and very muscular.  This was a strange Reaping.  Most Districts have their tributes around the same age and height.  We have a short, skinny, tiny twelve year old and tall, muscular, athletic eighteen year old.

Thresh walked onstage tall and looked striking in his blue dress shirt and khakis.  He didn't seem worried.  He shouldn't be.  He has age, height, and athletic ability.  He walked on stage and stood beside me.  He looked down at me with a sympathetic look and we both looked straight.

Loula cleared her throat and said, "Do we have any volunteers?" The crowd was quiet.  "Now I give you District 11's tributes Rue and Thresh.  Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

She led us to the door of the Justice Building and Peacekeepers slam the door shut behind us.  Loula turned to us and hugged me and Thresh.  "I can't imagine what you are going through right now.  No cameras will film beyond this point.  The next place with cameras is when we leave the Justice Building.  You will have two hours to talk." 

A Peacekeeper led Thresh one way, and Loula led me the other way.  I decided to let it all out.  I couldn't hold it anymore.  I fell on my knees, burst into tears, and vomited all over the soft red carpet.  Loula crouched down beside me and pat my back.  I started to feel better and finished puking.  She gave me a handkerchief to wipe my mouth on.  I got up and laid on Loula and cried.

I know this is the last time I will ever see my family.  Loula hushed me.  "It will be fine." She said.  "Let it all out here and when we have more privacy, let it all out."

"OK." I said.

She led me to a room where everyone from my family was sitting.  My mom was in tears and my father was devastated.  All my siblings were crying, some puking.  We all hugged and sat down.

"Stay brave through this."  said Dad.  "Appear brave and try your hardest."  He said. 

"I'm trying." I said "If I appear weak. They will take me out first."

"Sissy," sobbed Yesinia. "promise that you will come home?"

"I promise." I said and gave her a big squeeze.

I turned to Azalia and said. "I want you to keep this."  I handed her my silver locket with a willow tree engraved on the out side and a four musical notes engraved on the inside. 

"But you love that locket." She said confused. 

"I don't want to loose it." I said and hugged her.

I turned to my mom and hugged her.  I could tell by the look on her face she was speechless.  "I want you to make the Capital sorry for ever having  these games." She said.  "Leave your mark on Panem.  They need to burn these games."

"I will." I said.  I hugged her.  I turned to Wren and Prince and said.  "I need you two to help feed them while I'm gone.  Whatever you do don't take a tesserea, it's not worth it."

They nodded at me and hugged me.  I turned to Pheonicia and said, "I want you to help babysit with Azalia.  She will help you learn skills." They both hugged me.  A Peacekeeper came in and said time is up.  I hugged and kissed everyone as they left.

Will this be the last time I ever see them?

Louell came in and hugged me.  We hugged each other and cried.  "I can't believe it was you." She sobbed.  "I was certain it would be me."

I held her by the shoulders and said, "You need to help my family with this."  I said through tears. "Be by there sides to support them.  If I don't come back, give them this."  I wrote it the past week because I thought it would help my nightmares.  It is my will.  Who will get what if I die in the games.  She started tearing up more and hugged me.

Another Peacekeeper came in and lead Louell out.  I was alone.  I went to the bathroom to wet and dry my eyes.  I took the handkerchief Loula gave me and rinsed the vomit out of it.  My eyes started to look less red and puffy. 

I walked out of the bathroom and saw Loula and two Peacekeepers.  "Its time." She said.

We walked out of the room and outside.  Both families were standing by the train, and people were standing around.  I met Thresh and we walked out.  I hugged my family, and Thresh hugged his.  We stepped on the train.  The door slammed shut and locked behind us.  I looked out a window and watched the train start and leave. 

Goodbye District 11....

Possibly forever.