The Hunger Games

Goodbyes

The peacekeepers walked me into a room in the Justice Building. It was small, with a red couch, dark coffee table, and a small shelf of books.

"You may have visitors." my guard said. "Everybody gets one hour."

Joshua walked in first.

"Bella." he whispered. "Oh, Bella."

He leaned forward and hugged me tight, pulling me into his chest.

"I love you." he leaned forward and kissed me gently. "I wish that I could have saved you."

"Joshua..." I turn away, before pulling him back into a hug. "There's nothing you could have done."

We sat down on the couch and just hugged, Joshua giving me the occasional peck on the cheek.

Finally, a peacekeeper stormed in and grabbed Joshua, smacking him.

"No!" I scream, trying to run forward, but the guard grabs my arms. "NO!"

"BELLA!" Joshua yells. "BELLA! NO!"

The peacekeeper throws him out the door and he tries to come back in.

"BELLA!"

And then he is gone, dragged down the hallway.

"NO!" I scream, running towards the door.

It is locked. I keep pounding on it until my fists hurt. By then, Layla is inside, trying to pull me away. I finally back up and pull her into my chest.

"I love you." I whisper.

"You have to win this." she whispers, wiping aside the tears streaming down her face. "You have to come back to me. Please."

"I will." I whisper. "I will always come back to you. No matter what, I will always be there to protect you from anything. I will save you, no matter what."

My mom comes in, hugging me so long that when she lets go, it's because a peacekeeper has dragged her off.

Gabrielle, Joshua's mom walks in. She hugs me, wiping tears off her face before leaving. Then her daughter's Rosa and Thali come in, each hugging me. Then Joshua's brother Sammy. They all visit quick, leaving before the tears can come.

That's everyone. I see Riley try to come in. But the peacekeepers grab her arms and throw her onto her back. The door slams shut and I can hear her screaming. I hear many thuds and then a loud booming voice.

"If you don't give up, Ms. Riley," the man says. "It will result in a whipping."

She coughs down tears.

"I need to see Bella!" she sobs. "Let me see her! Please!"

Then the doors open to let me see what happens next. The man tackles her, knocking her unconscious. She is then dragged out of the hall. I hear the mayor scream, I hear a crack, a strangled cry of pain.

I peer out the window in horror as they continue whipping her until her back is raw.

I slide open the window.

"RILEY!" I scream. "RILEY, NO! LET HER GO! RILEY!"

She looks up at me before slumping to the ground.