The first hunger games- Abandoned

Chapter ten: the announcement

"Citizens of Panem" President Snow starts. "Let's get straight to it, no point in wasting precious time." He states just before coughing onto his sleeve. A Capitol attendant comes rushing to his aid. Ugh, I hate how pampered they are and that they all practically just left the districts to die. At this point in time, my anxiety over this announcement completely washes over my hate for the Capitol, which is saying a lot since I've been really ticked off with them lately, but I'm to worried about this announcement and what it could mean for my mom, Emerald and I. "Don't worry Lillie, it'll be fine" my mom says looking over to me, I can see my own pain reflected there. She is just as worried as I am. "Maybe" I say, but i'm feeling like I'm about to puke. "Hey, don't be so negative" she tells me being jokingly serious. She gets me, she always knows how to cheer me up. It's like she's my real mom. "Before I proceed, I would like to tell everyone in Panem that the rebels agreed to this Treaty" Snow begins to talk again. "And that I did not force them into signing this" he says, but I don't believe it for a second. He's way to evil, of course he forced them. They wouldn't put so many people's lives in danger just to save their own, would they? I hope not. President Snow clears his throat and begins to speak from what is written on his cards. "For defying the Capitol, and the nation that loved them, protected them, and fed them, there will be a punishment inflected onto the new generation of Panem." My heart sinks, questions start to whirl around in my head, what could the punishment be? Could it be worse then what I imagined? Why the new generation? How old doe's he mean by the new generation? Then I find answers. Yes, it will be worse then I had imagined. It's President Snow, he never sees reason. It's the new generation because he doesn't want another rebellion to spark, then the worst answer of all, me. When he said the new generation, I will certainly be within that age range, now more then ever do I wish that I was an old lady. But how young? Will he start at baby's? Toddlers? Children? Maybe teenagers, then I might be safe for another year, maybe not. "This will not be an act of violence the Capitol will give the districts, but an act of violence the districts will give the Capitol citizens and a district to another district" what? what on earth does that mean? "In penance for their uprising, the twelve districts of Panem must offer up and tribute one young man and women between the ages of twelve and eighteen at a public reaping, These tributes will then become custody of the Capitol. They will be delivered into a public arena where they will fight to the death until a lone victor remains, henceforth and forever more this pageant shall be known as the Hunger Games" Snow reads. I don't understand much of what he said except for that I am eligible, and that children will be killing children. I want to run to my room, or to Emeralds house, but I stay glued to the couch, so that I will know exactly what Is going on. "Every year, the various districts of Panem will send everyone in the district between the ages of twelve and eighteen to a public reaping, there will be a section for each age group and both genders. A Capitol escort will choose a name from the reaping ball and read it aloud, first the female then the male. This will happen in each district on the same day and will be broadcasted around Panem. These two young persons, who will be called tributes, will be delivered to the Capitol. They will then be transferred to a public arena were they will fight to the death over a period of weeks against one another till a lone victor remains. This will also be broadcasted across Panem. This tradition will carry on from generation to generation, and will forever be known as and called The Hunger Games." Snow states before another Capitol attendant comes running in to change his cards. I'm overwhelmed, I can't believe this is happening. There is no way, no possible way! This is worse then I could ever had imagined. My name could be picked, I could be sent into an arena to fight to the death against twenty three other teenagers, one from my own district! It's pretty much a death sentence unless you're eighteen and skilled with weapons. My death could be broadcasted across the nation. Still, I can't seem to move. "Surly many of you have seen the construction going on around your district" President Snow starts talking once again after receiving new cards from an attendant. Oh no, I think, is it a torture device? Are they inflicting even more violence across the districts? "The area of construction is where the victors village will be. The victor of the Hunger Games and their family per-say, will live in a house in the Victors Village. They will be showered with riches and will never go hungry again. They will be out of the reaping for life and will serve as mentors for the tributes in the following Hunger Games until a new victor comes to that district, since this year will be the first, your escort will serve as your mentor." "I'm sure you are all wondering when these reapings will take place, the reaping will be held in front of the justice building in exactly one week from Sunday, you should all wear your nicest clothes" Snow's still speaking but I've tuned him out. Tears start spilling from my eyes and I can't get them to stop. One week, one week, one week. That's all I can process. It is now when I start to run. Snow is now talking about the reaping rules and such but I've completely lost it. If I may only have one week left with Emerald either because I get chosen or she does, I want to spend as much time as I can with her.