The Hanging Tree. *ON HOLD*

Chapter Two ~ Welcome to the Capitol

Chapter Two ~ Welcome to the Capitol 

‘Olivia Throne.’

I heard a gasp initiate right behind me and I turned to see Olivia’s brother, Rayne. I befriended him in school and he hung around with my friends and me. He was always very nervous and shy. His face was a deathly white and his red lips were paling quickly, horror filled his eyes and he looked like he was about to volunteer. But since a boy can’t volunteer for a girl and no one knew the consequences if they did, he shut his mouth pretty quick considering the circumstances. I looked over at my parents who looked a little relieved. They were so certain that their daughter was going to be in the games, and I could practically hear their sighs of relief. Then I looked at Finnick who caught my eye and smiled ever so slightly, and finally Ollie, standing amongst the crowd, looking equally as relieved as my parents. Which meant the next thing I did made my mother nearly pass out in shock.

‘I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!’ I shouted. Every person, standing the roped off areas or not, turned to face me and I heard my name being thrown around.

 I took a deep breath and ignoring the stares, I walked up onto the stage. I could feel my parent’s horror, Finnick’s open mouth, and Ollie’s despair.

What was I doing? I had just volunteered for some kid I’d never even met! And now I was going to die, because I know I am not going to make it in the Hunger Games. I’m not strong or fast or good at anything. I shall be the first dead in the bloodbath. And if not I will be killed by my own stupidity. I lifted my head to the sound of my name. It was my mother, screaming for me, screaming for my freedom. Now all eyes were on her and I saw the sixteen-year-old version of my mother, calling her sister’s name with one thing on her mind, to protect her. I could feel the tears in my eyes but by chance or pure spite I managed to talk myself out of crying. I just looked at my mother as Dad pulled her away from the scene. He was whispering in her ear and even though sobs racked her body she quieted down and the stares and whisper changed back to my fate. I looked across at Finnick and saw his eyes filled with tears. I just shook my head slightly and he stood up a little straighter.

 Althea smiled widely at me and I felt like she was going to swallow me and then spit me out, and savour every moment.

‘What’s your name dear?’ She asked already knowing perfectly well who I was. Everyone in Panem knew who I was.

‘Primrose, Primrose Mellark. Here to avenge my aunt.’ I said loudly to the crowd.

That last part was either going to cost me sponsors in the games or the Gamemakers were going to kill me straight on the spot.

 I didn’t have a fair chance anyway.

However Althea, the stupid woman she was, decided to question me.

‘Who was your aunt sweetie?’ The way she was patronizing me with her nicknames sickened me. She probably wasn’t much older than me.

‘Primrose Everdeen, the young girl you people killed in your war.’ I spat at her.

I could see Finnick shaking his head madly and even Ollie was gesturing for me to shut up. But the one person who really caught my eye was my Mother. She and Dad were right at the back and Mum had her hand over her mouth but even from this distance I could see the pride on her face and the happiness in her eyes.

She would be fearful soon enough.

 I turned back to Althea who looked shocked. I just grinned at her like nothing was wrong but inside I had realized what I had just done. I was going to die. The Gamemakers and Snow were going to make sure of that.