Hunger games, 3rd Quell!

The Card

Diamonds POV

I strolled home casually from school, hardly containing my excitement! I had just turned 14, and as this year was the year of the third quarter quell my parents had promised to let me see the selection live! at first i didnt understand the selection, as it only happens once every 25 years, however i have learnt that prior to the Quarter Quell the president reads a card that was written on when the dark days had ended. This card has the "Theme" of every Quarter Quell, the last one demanded that double the number of tributes entered the arena. These games were sure to be a hit! well, after the last ones they better be great.

I had to keep it a secret though, i wanted to see my friends reactions when they saw me on global TV! I chuckled to myself as i realised i had been day-dreaming for so long we had already reached my best friend, Ebony-rose's house! i hugged her tightly as i ran along the street and barged through my door, yelling "Hello!" to my parents before scurrying upstairs to my room. I had to get ready! I have had my outfit planned for months, A strapless red dress with a dull yellow wig that fell to my shoulders and shoes matching my wig. I did my make-up, long fake eyelashes with the tips tainted red, bright lipstick of the same color and eyeshadow that matched my dress. I was ready.

I slowly stumbled around my room, getting used to my high-heeled shoes. I approached the stairs, bracing myself for getting told how beautiful i looked and how i must stay safe and not talk to strangers.

My mothers expression was priceless, she stared at me with her mouth forming an "O" for what must of been hours. She walked over to me and hugged me tightly, i thought i felt a tear land on my shoulder. She simply said "Have fun di, come straight home. A cab will be waiting." I nodded, said a cheery goodbye and crossed to the other side of the room and went through the door leading into the lounge room.

I was overcome with nerves as i tip-toed over to my father, i lent down to kiss him on the cheek but he stopped me. He looked at me sternly, You mustn't talk to strangers, you will come straight home after the selection. I dont even care if you need to ignore President Snow himself. No later than 10:30."

I nodded, lent down to kiss him successfully this time and said "I promise."

I walked out the door, yelled "See ya later! Ill be home soon!" and entered my already-waiting cab. He drove swiftly though the crowded streets of the Capitol. I caught a glimpse of the square, their was a crowd already around the large TV's that were hanging in mid-air so you could basically see them where ever you were. The cab driver made polite small-talk, he asked where i saw going and was shocked when he found out where.

We stopped abruptly outside a classy building. I thanked the cabbie, payed him and joined the que or less than 30 people. Then almost as soon as i arrived a man started allowing people inside. I checked my Phone- The time was 8:30 and i had two messages from Ebony-Rose.One said "Hey, come over tonight? i need help with the history assignment" the other plainly said "No? okay."

I didn't have time to reply, i was at the front of the Que and the mad, dressed in a formal suit was glaring at me.

I said "Hi." He rudely said "Name please." I answered "Diamond Sinclair" "Age" "14" "Please place your finger on the ink pad, madam" I did as he said,he took my finger print and after checking my pass he allowed me through. I was handed a ticket and told to find my seat- 23A. After stumbling around the place in my shoes i finally found my seat. Their was no-one seated in my row yet but before i knew it the whole place was filled up. I eagerly awaited President Snow to enter the stage and read the card, but it didnt happen like that. Their was the waiting, and the videos, and the speeches, and the more waiting, and the tension building.

Finally A fresh looking President Snow appeared on stage, he had gotten alot of negative criticism after last years games as their was no victor. That's why these games had to be special. These were my games.

After a while he spoke, "Welcome to the theme-selection of the 75th Annual Hunger games, and may the odds be ever in your favor" The crowd went wild, their was whistling and thunderous clapping coming from every possible direction. Suddenly a film started playing behind him, he moved to the side so it was clear to view from every angle. "War, terrible war" it started. I drifted off for a bit, as i always did during this film when we watched the reapings on TV. We were given a black screen and president Snow was back on stage. "And now we read the card" Panem took a collective gasp. People in the low lying districts watched on old broken TV's, us in the capitol watched on our big, brand new ones. And me, well i was lucky enough to watch it in person. The tension was the same everywhere though. President Snow picked up the card marked "75" and read it. He looked disapprovingly as he read it aloud though his snake like lips "To show not even the richest among us can bring down the Capitol leadership, two will be reaped from the Capitol along with the districts" I heard a shreik from the other side of the building, and sobbing from another. It took a while to sink in. It meant two of us were leaving. And it meant their was a chance i would be in the games. I looked around and saw fighting, blood and tears. I ran. I ran as fast as i could. I saw President Snow being escorted out of the area as i heard a gunshot. I ran even faster than before. My cab was gone, somebody probably offered him some extra money. More than i could have offered him. I ran along back-streets and alleys taking every shortcut i could remember.