The Hunger Games

Chapter three

The town square is already busy with kids below nineteen crying, sobbing, shaking, yelling... etcetera. I'm older than my brother, but he's always acting like he's the older one, pushing me forward.

"Peter.." I whine, "Stop. You make me look like I'm weak."

"Sorry for caring." He frowns.

"Aw.." I hug his big strong body. "Thank you for caring, bro."

He's a little taken aback by my sudden affections. It's been ages since we've hugged. Hesitantly, he hugs me back. Then we make our way to the line to get a sample of blood taken from us so the Peacemakers can... I don't know what they do with our blood once we press it onto a piece of paper. My brother goes first, and then we're separated to our lanes. As the Peacemaker makes my finger bleed, I wince, but I let her force my finger on the paper. Then I go to the girls' lane. I'm not really friends with a lot of girls - actually, most of them hate me - but I managed to get a, somewhat, friendship with Donna Christine.

I stand beside her and she gives me a smile, "It's not often you see Faith Everdeen in a dress, now is it?"

"Trust me, it takes a hell lot of persuading..." I pause, "Or the Reaping, of course."

They have a small giggle, then they hear the Panem anthem booming in their ears, so they shut up. Once the anthem was over, Effie Trinket said her usual crap.

"First, the girls!" She announces. I look to the side, at Donna. She gives me a forced smile, and holds up her crossed fingers. Then, she mouths 'Cross your fingers'. I smile, and cross my fingers.

Effie picks a tiny envelope out of the girls' glass ball. "The female tribute for District twelve is..." She opens the envelope, "Marian Louis!"

Marian Louis is the crippled girl. I believe she's twelve years old and can't stand without help or something to lean on, and she can't move without her wheelchair. How terribly unfair... I look at Donna. She has tears forming in her eyes, but she won't let them run free. Donna, also, has a unmistakeable frown on her face. I look over to the boys' lane, and make eye contact with Ray. He shakes his head at me, knowing what I'm thinking. He mouths, 'Don't do it', but my eyes seem to be pleading for him to give me permission. I try to find my brother in the sea of boys, and see him with his fists clenched. Effie smiles.

Twisted woman... Sending a crippled twelve year old to the games! I'm gonna change that... With or without permission.

"Any volunteers?" Effie asks as Marian's big brother helps her wheelchair get upstairs.

Me and Ray lock eyes. Then I see Michael look at me. The brothers both shake their heads. I grit my teeth and clench my fists. They can't tell me what to do... "I volunteer!"

Ray tries to protest, but his voice betrays him and tears that were invisible before roll down his cheeks. I make my way up to the stage, and help Marian's brother get her downstairs. He whispers a quiet 'Thank you' in my ear, and then he takes Marian back to the girls' lane. Effie smiles at me. Her wig this year is gold - probably for her favorite tribute, my mother. And her dress is a luminous pink, that blinds me.

"What's your name?" She asks in her annoyingly high-pitched voice.

"Faith Everdeen." I mutter into the microphone.

"Katniss Everdeen's daughter? That explains your beauty."

I look at the crowd, and my eyes stop at Ray's as we lock our gaze. He has tear streaks rolling down his face, and his brother - Michael - is also crying. I feel tears forming in my eyes that I can't contain. Maybe I should use Joanna Mason's tactic and make them think I'm weak. I take that to mind, and let tears flow.

"It's the boys' turn!" Effie decides. She dips her painted hand into the bowl and picks out a slip. "The male tribute for District is...."