The Hunger Games « Niam/Ziam

Chapter One: The Reaping

-Liam-

Niall had been squirming ever since they left for the square. He was mainly worried that my name would get picked.

"Liam, how many times is your name in today?" Niall asked.

"Thirty-two, I already told you this," I say.

"Oh, you did? I must have forgotten," Niall starts to nervously bite his nails. I think it's adorable, but Niall hates when he does it.

"You're biting your nails," I tell him. He immediately stops, blushes a bright pink, and laughs nervously. I'm glad to see some color in his face; his laugh always brightens my spirits, even on reaping day. 

As we get in line for identification Niall speaks, fear present in his voice, "If I get picked o-or y-you, what are we going to do?" 

"I don't know Nialler, I really don't," was all I could say. I didn't like this anymore then he did, and I knew I couldn't promise him that neither of us would get picked. He has ten less then me, but the odds still aren't in our favor. As we near the checkpoint I grab Niall's hand and whisper in his ear, "I'll see you later." He gave me a weak smile, then walks away to the other seventeens and I go to the eighteens.

When I get to the front of the line, I barely feel the electric pinch that takes my blood and smears it on the paper. She scans my blood and waves her hand, telling me to leave. I watch Niall wince as his blood is extracted from his finger and placed on the paper. We lock eyes before a peacekeeper takes me to the place I'm suppose to stand. I watch as Maralie, our representitive from the capitol, comes out. She is very similar to Effie.

"Welcome, welcome, to the 89th annual Hunger Games!" she says brightly. No one returns her smile, only one person from district 12 has won since before the second uprising. She quickly introduces Simon as our only victor. Simon is Niall's uncle and he has taught Niall, Greg (Niall's brother), and I some very useful fighting and survival skills. Maralie gets back on the mike.

"Hello everyone. I have a very special message all the way from the capitol," she says, too cheerily.

President Sulvester comes up on the screen. His little grey hairs flat on his head and a white button down shirt on, "Districts, I would like to thank you for your loyalty and commitment to Panem and it's well being. The Hunger Games are the life support of Panem. It gives life, sacrifice, tragedy, triumphant returns, and fun along the way. May it be decreed that the districts never, ever forget the importance of allegiance to Panem and what Panem stands for. This is how we protect our present, this is how we safe-guard our future."

The screen goes black and we all focus back on Maralie.

"Well, as always, ladies first," she says as she walks over to the bowl with all of the girls, 6 to 18, of District 12. I watch as her hand glides around the transparent bowl until finally she digs down to the bottom for a name. She holds it out in front of her dramaticly and begins to speak, "The female tribute for District 12 is," she unfolds the piece of paper and reads, "Lynna Raylen!" I almost start to cry when I hear Maralie call out her name. Lynna is only eight years old, she is as innocent as could be. I help her make flower crowns sometimes. Lynna slowly walks to the stage where she stands like a statue. No one says anything, then Maralie continues, "And now for the boys." She walks over and picks one from the top. She clears her throat and read the name, "Niall Horan!" she cheers into the mike.

I froze as I watch my innocent little Nialler dazily walk up to the stage, and then I see a small tear escape his eye and glide slowly down his porcelain cheek; I can't take it.

"I voluteer!" I yell. Shortly after, a small, but familiar sob rings through the air.  I shove through the crowd and run towards Niall, who is crying hysterically and running towards me.

"Get it together or they might kill you," I whisper in his ear as I pull him to my chest.

 He chokes out muffled words as he sobs, knees getting weak, "But, Liam, y-you can't."

I try to console him as best I can, but I have to get on stage. Simon comes over and practically drags Niall away from the reaping. I go up on stage and stand next to Maralie.

"Well, the tributes of District 12 for the 89th annual Hunger Games!" Maralie presents. I watch as the crowd goes silent and everyone kisses their three fingers and holds them high on the sky, a going away present for Lynna and I. 

I look back as Maralie guides us inside the city hall. Lynna is crying hysterically. I try to comfort her, but we are put in separate rooms as soon as we get inside the building. I sit on the window cushion in my room and watch as the people start to go back home. I hear the door open and I turn. I see a red-eyed, red-faced, Niall walk in and engulf me.

"You stupid, stupid, motherfucker! Why did you do that?" He yells through his continuous tears, punching my chest weakly.

"I love you and I'm trying to protect you," I say plainly.

"Win for me. I know you can, you can't leave me," Niall says placing his warm hands on my face.

"There's a good chance I can win, I'm not a complete idiot," I say, pecking his lips.

Before we can end our conversation, a peacekeeper comes in and drags Niall out and only seconds later Niall's friend, Kassi, walks in.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, "not that I'm not happy about your visit, but why?"

"I promise to take good care of Niall while your gone, I owe you that," She says.

"You don't owe me anything, you made a stupid mistake," I say.

"One that almost had you killed!" Kassi points out. I only shrug and move to hug her.

"Take really good care of my Nialler," I say sternly, before she is also pulled out of the room. The peacekeepers come and collect me and Maralie. Lynna and I walk to the car together. Lynna is still crying, but I'm not allowed to touch her. 

Then again, I've never been one who played by their rules. I grab her hand behind Maralie's back. Lynna squeezes my hand while she ducks to get in the car, and I do the same. Maralie sits in the passenger seat while her two tributes sit in the back like always. District 12, always in the back.