Defiance: The 13th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter Four

I feel a Peacekeeper shove me forward, "Hey, watch it!" I snap.

I hear the Peacekeeper let out a small chuckle. I roll my eyes and grit my teeth. I don't want anyone touching me. I just want to feel Rowan or Marsh's arms around me, comforting me. Or Spruce. Oh Spruce, I never got to say goodbye!

All of those days we spent out in the woods, practicing, talking, and laughing. I wonder what he'll do when he finds out about me. Will he feel a pang of loss? Will he try to stop the Capitol?

I shake my head. Of course not! He won't do anything. He can't do anything. If anyone from each of our districts find out that we meet, well, it won't be pretty.

We are quickly escorted into the Justice Building, where we will say our goodbyes. I feel a lump rise in my throat, and quickly swallow. "There will be no crying. Absolutely none." I tell myself fiercely.

Blaze is lead to a room as soon as we enter. I wonder who will say goodbye to him? Does he still have a father? What about a mother? Siblings?

A Peacekeeper leads me to a room with a dark door. He pushes it open, and wow. It's the fanciest place I've ever been in. The carpet is a deep purple color, while there is a couch with orange stripes everywhere.

"Take a seat. You'll have only a few minutes to say whatever to your family." The Peacekeeper gruffly says.

I nod and he walks put of the room. I stare at the grey walls, wondering who will come to visit me. This will be the last time I  will speak to my family. There's no way, none, that I'm coming back.

There's suddenly a knock at the door, and someone walks in. I breath a sigh of relief and jump of  of the couch.

"Come here." Rowan says with outstretched arms.

I dart into them and wrap my arms around him. I swallow, forcing myself to stay strong. He pulls away from my grasp an  looks me in the eye, "Listen, Annabeth. I don't care if you don't think you can make it, you have to try! Do you hear me?"

I suddenly feel like I might sob, but I shake my head, "I can't Rowan, I can't. They'll all be bigger than me. They'll target me! I'm as good as dead!"

I feel a hand lay on my back, "You have to try, for us. For Father. Do it for Jade!"

I turn to see Marsh looking at me with sorrow in his eyes. I nod. I will try. Mostly for Father.  "I promise I'll try." I whisper.

I Peacekeeper suddenly bursts into the room, "Time to go!"

He rushes forward and grabs Rowan.

I try to dart forward, to stop the Peacekeeper, but he shoves me to the ground.

"Please! Take care of them!" I scream, forcing a sob to stay down.

"We will Annabeth!" Marsh yells, as the Peacekeeper pushes him out of the room and slams the door.

I bang on the door, wanting them to come back. But, I know that will never happen. That was the last time I will ever see my brothers again. I drop to my knees and lean on the door.

One slip out of hundreds and it had to be Jade. How? Why? I know why. It's because the Capitol is cruel. They lead twenty-three kids to their deaths each year, and for what? Entertainment? Satisfaction?

Another knock on the door makes me jump. I get up from the floor and stare at my next visitors. The sight alone makes me want to cry, but I won't.

"Father." I murmur.

He runs towards me and embraces me. I feel feel warm breath on my back and I turn around. It's Jade.

"Listen," I order my voice rising, "I don't care what you see on the screen, you have to take care of yourself, you hear?" I'm literally yelling now, I'm sure everyone outside can hear it.

Jade lets out a sob, then nods, "Why did you do that? Why did you volunteer? I thought that you-"

I cut her off, "Well I did. And you know what? There's no going back!"

I spin around to face Father, "You have to get it together! I'm not going to be here anymore to take care of you, let alone Jade!" Father grits his teeth, and I continue, my voice growing hoarse from yelling,"At least be the Father now that you never were!"

As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I want to pull them back in. They must have pierced his heart like an arrow. A flaming one.

He grips my shoulder with his rough hand, " Annabeth, its not my fault."

Part of me knows that it's true. But that's still no excuse to leave his children alone, to fend for themselves. To go off into his own land filled with sorrow and pain, while back in the real world his children are skin and bones and lead off to the mines to work without a father. That is how we have been living the past years.

I shake my head fiercley," Well, I don't care who's fault it is! You can't leave her to die." My voice lowers into a whisper, " Like you did me."

I avoid looking into his eyes. I don't know what I'll find there. Anger? Sadness? Despair? I don't want to know.

"I promise," Father whispers into my ear," I'll try not to leave them again. I'll try to take care of them."

I can feel my heart begin to beat faster. All of my anger begins to pour out, " No! You won't try, you will! I don't want to die thinking that I'm just leaving them to die! Cause' you know what?" A tear rolls down Father's cheek, but I still keep yelling, " I'm not coming out of that arena alive! Jade will be helpless with Rowan and Marsh in the mines! You won't be there for her! You never were!"

Father backs away in surprise. I know I've hurt him. Bad.

I can hear Jade crying next to me. I feel her hand grasp mine. " Annabeth?"

I look her right in the eye, "What?" I snarl, a bit too harsh.

"I'm gonna miss you!" Jade begins to sob.

I pull my hand away before I get emotional, then I put a piece of her dark brown hair behind her ear; something that Mother used to do to me, "Me too, Jade. I need you to be strong. Please."

A Peacekeeper bursts in the door," Time's up! Get out!"

Father tries to fight back, and I yell, " Look after them! I'm begging you!"

"Annabeth!" Father chokes as he's pushed out the door.

"I love you both!" A hoarsely call after them as the door shuts in my face.

I rub my fingers across the dark wood. I slump to the ground and put my face in my hands. What am I going to do? I don't want to die! On the bright side I will be with Mother, but still! It's the stupid Capitol's fault. Why do they enjoy watching innocent children die?

Why do they spend every spare moment indulging themselves in worthless fashion and food? Why did they destroy District Thirteen? I may never know.

Another Peacekeeper marches in the door, "Miss Meadows. Let's go."

I shakily rise from the carpeted floor, and take a deep breath. I can't seem emotional. That's not an option. I'm lead through the long hallway, and out the Justice Building door.

I take one last look at my home, my district, before the Peacekeeper drags me to the high tech train that will bring me to my death.