Hunger Games Hatmitch's Pov

Chapter 1

I roll out of bed with a headache from last nights drinking.

'I really shouldn't drink all the alcohol' I thought to myself

'It's the only way to keep all the memories away' the little voice in the back of my head said

Memories started to flash in my mind and I quickly picked up the nearest bottle of alcohol I could find and downed it all.

My head started to feel a little fuzzy 'good' I thought 'memories are at bay.. for now anyways.'

I started shuffling around the house wondering what it was I had to do today, 'eh who cares, it most likely wasn't that important.' I thought.

I sat in a chair in the kitchen of my house which was to big for just me.

I use to live in the Seam and my house there had more of a homey feeling to it, it where I lived with my family my mother and little brother. My father died in a mining accident when I was seven.

I'd rather be in my old house that was smaller than my bedroom here and with my family than in this house by myself.

The damn Capitol and what they did to my family after I won the games.

'Stop thinking of that Haymitch' I thought to myself.

I went looking for another drinking when It hit me 'the reaping' that's what I was forgetting this morning.

'Great another pair of kids that I am going to have to watch die and I can't do anything about it.'

I shuffled out of my house and out of the Victors Village and made my way to the Town Square and find out who will be dying this time. I can hear Effie Trinket in the microphone before I even see the Square.

When I entered the Square Effie said "Primrose Everdeen' into the mic. I didn't know who she was but I saw her around the town sometimes she is only 12 I thought that's not right at all.

I can hear the crowd murmuring unhappily as they always do when a twelve-year-old gets chosen because no one thinks this is fair. And then I see her, the blood drained from her face, hands clenched in fists at her sides, walking with stiff, small steps up toward the stage.

Then I hear someone from the crowed yell out "Prim" I see movement coming from the girl side of the Square and the person yelling out "prim" again.

An older girl runs up to the littler girl pushing her behind her "I volunteer!" She gasp's. "I volunteer as tribute!" She says

I'm totally shocked even in my drunken state I felt completely aware of everything going on.

There's some confusion on the stage. District 12 hasn't had a volunteer in decades and the protocol has become rusty. The rule is that once a tribute's name has been pulled from the ball, another eligible boy, if a boy's name has been read, or girl, if a girl's name has been read, can step forward to take his or her place. In some districts, in which winning the reaping is such a great honor, people are eager to risk their lives, the volunteering is complicated. But in District 12, where the word tribute is pretty much synonymous with the word corpse, volunteers are all but extinct.

"Lovely!" says Effie Trinket. "But I believe there's a small matter of introducing the reaping winner and then asking for volunteers, and if one does come forth then we, um . . ." she trails off, unsure herself.

"What does it matter?" says the mayor. He's looking at the girl with a pained expression on his face.

"What does it matter?" he repeats gruffly. "Let her come forward."

The little girl, Prim is screaming hysterically behind the older girl who must be her sister She's wrapped her skinny arms around her like a vice. "No, Katniss! No! You can't go!"

Katniss Evergreen, I've heard of her, she hunts illegally In the woods and sells in the hob.

"Prim, let go," Katniss say harshly, she looks like she is trying hard not to cry, When they televise the replay of the reapings tonight, everyone will make note of her tears and then she will be marked as an easy target. A weakling. She's smart I thought.

"Let go!" Katniss said again.

Someone is pulling her from her back. A boy who I see with Katniss often has lifted Prim off the ground and she's thrashing in his arms. "Up you go, Catnip," he says, in a voice he's fighting to keep steady, and then he carries Prim off.

"Well, bravo!" gushes Effie Trinket. "That's the spirit of the Games!" She's pleased to finally have a district with a little action going on in it. "What's your name?"

"Katniss Everdeen," she says

"I bet my buttons that was your sister. Don't want her to steal all the glory, do we? Come on, everybody! Let's give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!" trills Effie Trinket.

I almost gag at what Effie is saying, Katniss doesn't want the glory she is only protecting her sister.

To the everlasting credit of the people of District 12, not one person claps. Not even the ones holding betting slips, the ones who are usually beyond caring. She stands there unmoving while they take part in the boldest form of dissent they can manage. Silence. Which says we do not agree. We do not condone. All of this is wrong.

Then something unexpected happens. At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to her. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

I do it as well this girl is brave she deserves this.

I decide to step up on the stage and help her cause now she truly looks like she is on the verge of tears.

"Look at her. Look at this one!" I holler, throwing an arm around her shoulders."I like her! Lots of . . . " I can't think of the word for a while. "Spunk!" I say triumphantly. "More than you!" I release her and start for the front of the stage. "More than you!" I shout, pointing directly into a camera.

The Capitol is who I am directing this but they won't know because they will think I'm too drunk.

I see the black spots in my vision and I know I'm about to pass out like so many other times I have. i feel myself start to fall I black out before I hit the ground though