Prim's Hunger Games

Part 6: The Rewind

As soon as I've got back to my room, I'm pulling the sheets over my head, I hear a knock at the door. It's Effie. I sigh heavily. "Come on Primrose! We have to watch the other Reapings! Can't have you sleeping yet." I drag myself out of bed, even though all I want to do is lay down.

I pull on a thick, fluffy dressing gown and look in my mirror. I look so small in this getup. Harmless, weak, tiny. It will take an awful lot of convincing to get anyone to sponsor me. I plonk myself down on the plush sofa in front of the holographic television. Someone offers me a hot beverage.

I take a sniff. "Effie, what is this?" I ask her.

"Coffee." She replies. I don't understand why my mother loves this so much. It just appears bitter to me.

Sitting down on the sofa, this is the most relaxed I've been since I left home.

We review the tributes. District one, two volunteers, no surprise there. The girl stands out. She is breathtakingly beautiful. Long golden hair and a perfectly symmetrical face. I bet her stylist won't have a problem there. District two has me terrified. A monstrous boy lunges forward to volunteer after a terrifying girl with a smug smile. District three seem average, in District four there are two volunteers but nothing stands out. Five, a smallish girl with red hair catches my eye. She must be about fifteen. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Nothing extraordinary. It is district eleven that catches me up. A little girl who looks even smaller than me takes stage. Her hair is curly and brown. She looks like a wisp, such a delicate and pretty girl.

After her, a massive boy. The muscles ripple in his arms as he walks to the stage. There's no way I could even touch him. My heart sinks. Then there's me. Walking to my stage. Head held high. Soon there's Katniss, yelling my name. I yell hers back and reach for her, a distance in the audiences mind that could never be reached. Then I'm on the stage standing all by myself. Now I'm so glad I didn't cry. I look strong, at least trying to be, in my own weak way. I'm appreciative for the drama, now the Capitol people will remember Katniss screaming my name, "Primrose!" and her being taken away. It fast forwards in my mind until the cameras are in my face asking me questions about the Capitol.

There I am, looking directly into the camera wishing the Capitol people a good day. Effie assures me I am charming. An attendant pats me on the back. The coffee makes my head feel dizzy and suddenly my chest feels so tight and it's so warm in this little stuffy train and I can't take it, I can't take it. My heart beats out of my chest as I stumble out of the room. I'm shaking, a mess. My breathing becomes shallow, inoutinoutinoutinout.

I'm gasping for air, but nothing is coming to me. I pause and stop for breath, my hand supporting me against the mahogany sidepannel. Suddenly I feel so sick and before I know it I'm running to the bathroom and kneeling over the perfectly clean, white toilet, retching as I watch my five star dinner make a reappearance. I must've overdone it if my sensitive stomach cant handle the rich foods. So much for gathering my strength.

I'm still shaking as I lift up a tissue to clean around my mouth. I feel so weak, so small and pathetic. Without saying goodnight, I walk slowly to my room and crawl into bed, pulling the sheets up around my head.