The Other Mockingjay

Chapter 1

Chapter 1:

The Day of the Reaping comes quickly. I've realized how little I've prepared for actually saying goodbye. What was once a day of fear, is now nothing but a day of mockery. Katniss stands to the right of the stage, next to the girls' bowl, which is empty except for one paper. One name. Taunting me. I see one tear roll down her cheek as her name is announced.

Haymitch and Peeta stand similarly to the left of the stage. Heads forward, faces blank. Haymitch's name is called, but Peeta volunteers before Haymitch can take so much as a glance towards Effie.

Effie stands at the center of the stage, struggling to keep her gold metallic wig held high. Her voice cracks as she announces," Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Tributes for the 75th annual Hunger Games."

Then I do something unexpected. I touch the three middle fingers of my left hand to my lips and hold it out to them. It's an uncommon gesture in our district sometimes seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

Then something more unexpected happens. My mother does it too. Then Gale. And then Greasy Sae. It's not long before the whole crowd is joining in on the same gesture. Even Katniss and Peeta. However this must have been too much for Thread (head peacekeeper), to handle. Instead of sending the tributes into the Justice Building for their goodbyes, Peacekeepers hurry them into the train and slam the doors before I can even say her name.

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I stare at the train for what seems like hours, blinking away tears that are fighting to come. My mother tries to talk to me. I think I hear her saying my name. It could be in my head. I'm unsure what is reality and what I'm imagining. I guess that I must've blacked out at some point, because I wake later in the evening in my bed.

I try to clear my thoughts. To reason with myself. I can't stay this way forever. It would tear my mother apart. She can't lose another daughter. I try to be optimistic. Maybe she could win? But then again the odds aren't exactly in her favor. But the odds are never in anyone's favor, really.

That's when my mixed feelings all align. One single thought forms in my mind. Hatred. Pure hatred. I hate the capital. And they will pay for what they've done to my family.