The Hunger Games: Mashup

Chapter Four

District 3

"Hurry up with that program, Imai! If you don't finish it by tonight, you're not getting dinner!" spat the Head Peacekeeper Cyrus. He snarled at her with his rotten and crooked teeth. She regarded him with her cold eyes, deciding that the man wasn't even worth a comment. She turned away from him and returned to her work. Her next project wasn't exactly her first choice to work on, but she didn't have a choice-that was the point. District 3 was strict with its population. Everyone got rations exactly how they needed then, and Hotaru was not an exception. She didn't like how her food always tasted like rotten radishes, and how whenever she got the urge to complain, she saw the Peacekeepers scarfing down gargantuan piles of chicken and mashed potatoes. If she were strong enough, she would have killed them all in hopes that she would win freedom for her district. But no, Hotaru wasn't physically strong or physically fit. In fact, most people of her district weren't. District 3 was charged with the creating and handling of the Games. Most people in District 3 dreamed to be smart enough to be accepted into the Capitol as a Gamemaker. The superiors there come up with the plans, but its mainly the people from District 3 who set up the arena. It's a sick idea-to make the people of District 3 create the Games and then have to send our children into its foul arms,  thought Hotaru sadly.

That's why Hotaru was in training. Whenever she could, she stole her parent's weapons and went out into the forest. There was no guard at the gate behind her house. And though the gate was electric, Hotaru was smart enough to be able to protect herself using rubber gloves to climb over the gate. She always traveled at least three miles deep into the forest. She preferred not to use the gun since it would make a lot of noise, but she did use the sword and the bow and arrows. She didn't like the sword because it was always too heavy for her. But that helped her build up her strength and her agility. After that, she went swimming to improver her heart rate so she could control her breathing. She knew that a lot of tributes have been killed simply because they weren't careful enough. After that, she went running so she could improve her footwork. Hotaru wanted to be ready if she ever had to run from anything the Capitol throws at her. She was tougher than the average District 3 citizen, but that didn't reassure her if she was to be put into the Games.

"Hotaru?" came a whisper to her right. Hotaru snapped out of her thoughts and looked over at her best friend, Mikan. Mikan was twelve and going on thirteen soon. Hotaru was already thirteen. Mikan had almond colored hair always tied into pigtails with red ribbon. Hotaru had short black hair and a doll-like face. Although both girls were incredibly cute, because there was a dress code in their district, their looks didn't matter much. The gray sweaters and black plaid skirts they wore weren't exactly flattering to their figures. Mikan gave her a small frown.

"You're not working at all. Aren't you worried about dinner?" she asked her. Hotaru shook her head.

"What's the point? The gruel they give us doesn't even last us through two hours," she told her calmly. Mikan's frown deepened.

"You were thinking about the Games again, weren't you?" she asked her. Hotaru's eyes widened in surprise. As stupid as she was, Mikan was always right about what her best friend was thinking.

"I don't want you to go...Hotaru," she whispered. Hotaru saw the tears spring up in her eyes. She narrowed her eyes at Mikan.

"Dry your tears, idiot. You don't want the Peacekeepers to see you slacking off," muttered Hotaru under her breath.

"But don't you see-I'm worried about you!" said Mikan in an undertone. Her voice shook and she gripped the fabric of her skirt to keep Hotaru from noticing her shaking hands.

"It's not fair...if you really are chosen, then why spend these last two hours thinking of how you're going to d-di-die..." choked off Mikan. Hotaru watched her calmly, her heart aching for her friend. Unable to say anything to console her, Hotaru reached into her pocket and brought out her handkerchief. She wiped away Mikan's tears herself gently.

"Honestly, look at you, Mikan. You're a mess," she said to her kindly. Mikan gave a sniffle. Hotaru gave her a rare smile.

"I'm sorry. I won't think about it anymore. You're right. I am only twelve. I'll be fine," said Hotaru. Mikan gave her a watery smile and accepted the handkerchief, wiping away her tears herself. Hotaru turned away from her just as the bell for dinner rang.

"Hotaru, I'll share my dinner with you, okay?" said Mikan hopefully. Hotaru shook her head at her.

"I'm not hungry. I'll see you later, okay?" she said to her. Mikan watched Hotaru turn around and leave, her unfinished muttation creation for the Capitol lying on the work bench. Mikan frowned and took the example doll in her hands.

"If Hotaru won't finish it, then I will," said Mikan.

I'll protect Hotaru-if it's the last thing I do, she swore to herself.