Prim's Games

Chapter five (Katniss)

I'm out hunting early today. After everything that has happened in the past two days, I need a break. Mother's homemade medicines cured me fast, but not fast enough for me to save Prim in the reaping.

I tried to squirm out from watching the television last night, but Mother said we had to support her. It was a mistake in the end, when we saw her fall out of the chariot and embarrass District 12. She proved to the other Districts how weak she was, she is going to regret that in the games.

I fear for her. The dogs that attacked me, they were the Capitol's test mutts. That means at some point during the games they will be an obstacle for the tributes.

Please don't kill Prim, I silently pray to myself, She's too young to die.

I hunt 23 animals, one for each tribute except Prim. Then it is time for me to go home.

Urgh, it is so awkward at home at the moment.

Mother blames me for Prim going into the games, and I blame her. But there is no use putting it off, I have to go there eventually. I make sure that I procrastinate as much possible on the way home, the longer I don't have to see my Mother, the better.

At the Black Market I strike a great bargain. I think it's because they are sympathetic towards me. After that, I decide I've put off going back home for too long and start to head in that direction. I'm almost home when I bump into Gale.

"Katnip." he says, in a barely audible whisper. I haven't seen Gale since I was attacked by the mutts. Because he is eighteen and wasn't selected for the Hunger games, he'll have to start work in the mines soon.

He opens his arms and we embrace each other.

"She's gonna die and it's all my fault!" I scream, all the anger that had been building up inside of me exploded out all at once.

"I wasn't there to protect her!" I cried. Gale didn't say anything, but I liked that. He and I both know there's nothing we can do about it. "I've let her down! I'm her older sister, I'm supposed to look after her!"

"Gale!" calls a man from across the street, gesturing for him to come with them.

"I have to go," Gale explains,"I'll be back soon, promise."

"Bye." I say sadly.

I walk to my house. When I enter I see my Mother watching the slow motion replay of Prim falling over. Mother's crying, but when she sees me she doesn't try to cover it up.

I give her a hug "She'll be fine," I reassure her,"She's strong, she can out last most of the people in there.

I hope I'm right.