Fate (Hunger Games Fanfiction)

Prologue

"Jasmine Pierce."

The words surge through my mind. All of the people around me whip their heads in my direction. My feet become bricks, my legs stone. The white covered men advance towards me and grip my arms. A threatening grip. I feel my body being pulled through the mob. The girls all around me have a mixture of pity and relief plastered on their faces, while the boys show pity and terror. All eyes are on me as I step onto the grey platform. Everything is a blur.

The man covered in makeup talks, but my eyes are stuck on the ground, afraid that if I look up, I will see my aunt. Afraid to cry.

A large, extremely muscular teenage boy struts onto the stage on the other side of the weird man. He makes it look like it's the best day of his life. He has a large grin on his face and he pumps his fist the air yelling some odd mixtures of letters I assume are supposed to show excitement.

The men in white drag me into a fancy room. Opal bursts through the large brown doors as the men in white leave. I am pulled into a light hug. She pulls away with tears in her eyes and looks at me.

"Stay safe. Okay? Don't get stupid to win. You don't have to win, just know that they love you. I love you." Those last three words tremble through her lips. I feel her slide something onto my finger. Afraid to lose eye contact, I silently stand and look her in the eyes, remembering the color, her lashes, everything. Afraid that if I look away she'll disappear.

She slips something on my finger. I don't have to look down to know what it is. By now tears are rolling down her cheeks. She hates crying.

The white men come back in. They clasp her arms. This will probably be the last I see of her and she is being held in the grasp of the men in white. I study her face, trying to capture every possible detail.

"Don't get stupid to win." Her voice is raised. She then whispers, "I love you." The large doors close and I am alone.