The Hunger Games « Niam/Ziam

Chapter Four: Wondering and Wandering

-Niall-

All I did for the next few days after Liam left was stare at the TV which conveniently relocated to my room. My mom mostly let me be. The only time she really checked on me was when she made sure that I ate all my food, but otherwise she didn't say much. I didn't expect her to let me cry in her arms, but just a tiny bit of reassurance would have been greatly appreciated. Today she walked up to my door without a tray of food, which was unusual.

"Greg is coming this afternoon," She told me. I was surprised. I hadn't seen my brother in a while. He didn't live far, but far enough in District twelve that I don't really see him.

"OK," I manage to say. My mom nodded and then left my door frame.

As I stared at the blank TV screen, with my knees curled to my chest, I heard a familar knock on my door. Greg and I had made up a knock so we could always tell if it was one of us and not a peacekeeper or something. I slowly looked away from the TV and at my brother.

"Hey Nia," He greeted, jokingly.

"Shut up!" I responded, indignantly.

"Just messing with you little bro," He said with his usual cheeky grin, then he became serious, "how are you doing?"

"I'm doing as good as I possibly can be," I say.

"I know it's hard," he said.

"When have you ever loved someone besides me and mom?" I questioned him.

"I....I met someone," he started, "at first I figured it was just going to end up being like all my past relationships, then I started noticing little things we did, it...it reminded me of you and Liam. I finally realized how much you love Liam because that's how much I love her," He finishes with tears stinging his eyes.

"When he volunteered for you, it wasn't just you who lost someone. He's my best friend, but remember that he probably has a better chance in winning the Hunger Games then anyone else in this district," Greg says.

"What about the other districts?" I ask.

"I don't know about that...this is a situation where you just have to have faith," He said.

"It's hard to have faith when the odds go against you so greatly," I say.

"You just have to believe in Liam, and you have to believe that he will survive," Greg says.

Tears fill my eyes and I begin to sob. Greg, having his big brother instincts kick in, pulls me into his arms and lets me cry.

"Why did I get picked? Why did Liam have to take my place?" I ask through my cries.

"Fate has a funny way of rearing its ugly head," Greg replied, "but maybe this had to happen for something even more extraordinary to come from it."

I hadn't thought about that...

"I'll stay with you through the games if you like," He suggests.

I continue to sob, but manage to nod my head yes. Now, I wait to see what happens... with my brother.