Ember (THG Mockingjay sequel)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2-

"It all started a long time ago,"

"How long ago?"

"Do you want to know what happens?"

I stopped talking. She continued.

"The dark days were coming to an end. The dark days is when we rebelled against the Capitol, the first time. The capitol had won, so they decided to make a 'game' that would show us that they are the strongest and blah de da de da. So they made the Hunger games. In this game, 2 tributes from each district, 1 boy and 1 girl are sent to an arena in the middle of nowhere. These tributes must fight to the death until one person is left, the victor. Winning means fame and fortune, while losing means certain death." she finishes.

"We didnt get to that part in the unit at school."

"times have changed, and you probably want to hear what I did, right?"

"What did you do?"

"Prim, let me start from the beginning." I watched her, excited to learn more. "I lived with my mother and sister in district 12."

"You have a sister! And I have an aunt! Where is she?" mom looked sad.

"I'll get to it. It was the day of reaping. My name was entered more than once into the reaping ball. My sisters, only once. I went hunting with Gale before and I had checked in for the reaping. Your aunt was only 12 then."

"Did she die in the hunger games?" what a terrible thing to happen.

"No. As I was saying, her name was picked, and I volunteered for her. I made her life just a little longer. You can volunteer for someone and take their place if you ever wanted to. I went to the games instead of her. Your dad was also a tribute that year."

"Then how are you still here?"

"I'm getting to it. Anyway, I went through a lot, then I was in the games. People died, some lived. I made an alliance with a 12 year old girl named Rue. Your middle name was hers. She died, spear in the stomach. I wish it was me sometimes. It would've saved a lot of people trouble. Anyway, it was down to me, your dad, and a boy Cato. Your dad was badly injured, and we were walking by the cornucopia, when they appeared."

"The mutts. Like big kangaroo dogs." dad says. "Mutt is short for mutations, the Capitol makes them."

"Cato almost killed your dad. But I shot him on the hand with my arrow, and off the edge he went, into the mutts. Your dad and I had won. Yet, no. They had announced that 2 tributes from the same district could win, but now they couldn't. We couldn't. I wasn't at all in love with peeta then, the berries were to defy the Capitol. So we were about to eat these berries that will make you die before they hit your stomach. When the announcer says we won! Your dad and I won!"

"I kinda figured that out mom." they were still here.

"Ok, this next one is different. There's a quarter quell each quarter year, 25,50,75,100, and all that. Well the 75 quarter quell was existing victors go in to the arena. Your dad and I again. That's the year I met finnick. He was aunt annie's husband. He kept your dad alive. Oh! I almost forgot!" my mother gets up and walks towards the bookcase. I hope it's not one of those history books. Its not. She comes back with an old photo album and turns to one page.

"Your dad and I made this a while ago. It has the pictures or drawings and descriptions of all the people you need to know about. Here. Read up." she hands me the book.

"For me?" I ask. It looks too sacred for me.

"Yes, that's why we made it, for you."

"Thanks!" I hug the book tightly.

"Now go to bed, and take the book."

"Ok!" this book was the key to my parents past. I'm so excited!

"I'm going to Haymitch's. See you later guys." she kisses my father on the cheek and kisses me on my head then she walks out.

"You heard your mom. Go on." dad says and gestures to the door. I walk out and run to my room. I tightly close the door and lock it. Then I open up to the first page. A man labeled "Dad" is shown. He doesnt look like dad. Underneath it says Mr.Everdeen. My grandfather. The description says,

"Father of Prim, and katniss, husband of Mrs.Everdeen. When he would sing, all the mockingjays would fall silent. His laugh would ring cheerily through the seam and make everyone smile. Died in a mine explosion at age 50."

I carefully turn the page. It was a goat. That belonged to aunt Prim. She would always lick her cheek. Next page. My other grandfather.

"Mr.Mellark. Husband of mrs.Mellark, father of peeta and his 3 brothers. Gave Katniss cookies on reaping Prim was picked. Taught Peeta to bake. Died in district 12 bombing with family except Peeta."

I turned the page again. Finnick Odair.

"Finnick Odair. met at quarter quell. Offered Katniss sugar cube in nothing but a net on. Ally in the games. Helped Katniss get through not being with Peeta. Husband of Annie Cresta. Father of Finnick Odair jr. Died while on a mission to destroy the Capitol when a lizard peacekeeper mutt attacked at 26."

Poor finnick. Next, cinna.

"Cinna. Katniss' stylist in the games and as the mockingjay. Made Katniss noticeable and helped get sponsors. Helped get her known as,"The girl on fire." risked his life for the downfall of the Capitol. Could do wonders with silk."

I go through the pages, a man Boggs reprogramming a holo, a girl rue who died from a spear in the stomach in the hunger games, and 23 tributes from district 12. Finally I reach her. The person I was named after, Primrose Everdeen. My aunt.

"Primrose Everdeen. Daughter of mr and mrs Everdeen. Sister of Katniss. She was reaped at the age of 12, sister volunteered. Her cat was buttercup. She loved to nurse with her mother, both natural healers. A great help to her sister, while in district 13. Died while healing dying Capitol children when the parachute exploded a second time at age 13."

My aunt was only 13 when she died. That's only a year older than me. I can't imagine how my mother ever survived in those times. Losing siblings and parents. I have the sudden urge to run downstairs and hug my parents, then open Barler's door and hug him until he can't breathe! But I'm too tired and I fall asleep instantly.