The Story of Rue (A Hunger Games short story)

Chapter Two

Rue Stenberg. My name. A million names in that bowl, and mine was only in there once. My heart pounded like a cannon marking death, the same cannon I heard mark Delilah's death, the same cannon that I would hear several times in the next few weeks....if I wasn't the first one dead. I couldn't move, and yet my body shook like a leaf. It wasn't untill a few peace keepers approached me, that I could feel my feet again, and began to walk. I didn't want them to force me on to stage the way I would be forced into the arena. I stumbled up stairs and onto a stage. "Ah wonderful! Such a young girl...congradulations, is this the first year your name was put in?" she asked. I could only nod. "Wow!" she said into the mic before leaning down and whispering, "Most people aren't that lucky...you get to bring honor to your family at such a young age!" she beamed. Suzanne turned back  and said to the audiance, "And now for our Male Tribute!" she turned excitedly to the glass bowl full of names. The next part was a blur. She called out a name, my ears were ringing so loud I couldn't even hear her, I couldn't process what had just happened. I looked out to the audience. I tried to focus enough to see their faces clearly, but I may as well have been staring into a group of strangers. I wanted to see my mom, I wanted to cry out for her. I wanted to run off this stage, run out of district 11 and never come back. I wanted to take my family with me, and keep all of us safe.  The Capitol would never let that happen.

"Now shake hands!" exclaimed the cheery voice next to me. I knew this was the part where I turned and shook the hand of the male tribute from my district, but I had to force my movement. I didn't want to look up and see one of the people I'd have to get thrown in the arena with. When I finally looked up, I saw him.Thresh was so tall, he could probably just step on me and I'd be gone. I held up a shaky hand, to meet his, and Suzanne clapped excitedly behind us. "I present to you, our District 11 Tributes!" she exclaimed.  I dropped my arm, and let it swing at my side.

We had a few minutes to say goodbye to our family's and friends. My brothers and sisters came in together, I hugged them all, and each hug felt so short I wanted to cry. What if this was the last time I saw any of them? "I love you." I said a dozen times to each of them. "I really do." They were to young to understand what was happening, but I hoped they were old enough to understand how much their big sister loved them. It wasn't until they were gone, and my mother had come in, that I allowed myself to cry. "Mommy!" I exclaimed before I threw myself into her arms. It had been a couple of years since I had  last called her mommy, but what did it matter now? I cried so hard, I thought I might just choke and die right then. Even that would be better then dying in an arena. I'd rather stay right here in my mothers arms forever. "I love you, I love you, I love you." she whispered. "I love you too, mama." I said, voice shaking. I took a deep breath, as she leaned back to look at me. "I love you so so much, baby, no matter what. Don't be scared okay? You have a guardian angel to be with you always." she whispered, and I thought of Delilah. I hugged my mother so tight, I swore I wouldn't let go. My shaking stopped, and it was just me and my mother in silence, she held me and everything was okay. I closed my eyes. Maybe this was all a nightmare, how could anything possibly be wrong or scary when I was in my mother's arms? There was no better feeling in the world. In my mother's arms, I was safe, I was loved, I was happy. The doors burst open and I held my mother tighter. No, no, no, please don't take her away. Please. I screamed, as they pulled us apart, saying our time was up. They finally tore us apart, and the tears streamed down both of our cheeks. "I love you!" she cried as they forced her out the door, "I love you too." I whispered, but they shut the doors, and she was gone.

There was a short ride from the Justice Building to a train station. I was lost in my thoughts the whole way. When I arrived at the train station, I was thrown out of my thoughts by the surprise of many flashes and cameras. There were camera's in my face, following behind me, and to my left and right. I am not allowed to run and hide, so I stand and look around in wonder at the strange people fighting to take my picture.

The train moved so fast, it was scary. I had never been in a train before. The male tribute sat infront of me. "My name's Thresh....I'm sorry you got chosen." he mumbled. I stared out the window, not able to concentrate on his words, I felt my heart pounding in my chest, my breathing quickened and I couldn't think. I hadn't even noticed the tears spilling down my face until Thresh held something out to me. A tissue.  He nodded his head over to the tissue box, which sat on a nearby table, as if to show me where he got it from.  My hand shook as I reached for the tissue.  Already, I needed my mother's  hugs. I stood up suddenly, and ran away from Thresh. I didn't want to be near anyone who was getting thrown in the arena with me yet. Especially someone who was so big and scary.

 I was told by Suzanne that I had a room, she said it had my name on it.  I discovered a door with a fancy sign on it. Rue. This was mine. I found clothes, and threw them on without much thought, not paying much attention to what matched or looked nice. I just wanted to get out of the dress. I fell to my bed, and hugged my reaping dress, it smelled of my mother. I stayed there curled up in bed, and waited for tears, but they never came.

We all know what happens next...I hope you enjoyed this short story.