Prim in the Games

Chapter Four

I've been in my room on the train for who knows how long. I've been lying on my bed thinking of home and crying. Now I have decided to look a bit more at the old Hunger Games videos. I was always to scared to watch the reruns back in district 12.

I turn on the TV, which is a whole lot better than that stupid projecter at home, and they are already showing the 49th Hunger Games. I've missed the interviews and the beginning of the games but I keep watching. Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith are narrating the entire thing.

There are only 2 tributes left, both 16, and one eventually kills the other by using a brick to slam his head. "See that," Caesar says, "I love that moment, when a tribute becomes a victor."

It's starting to disturb me now. I reach for the remote but I can't find it. I search the whole bed but it's not there. It must have fallen under the bed. I reach down to get it but then they announce they will be showing the 50th Hunger Games next. That's Haymitch's games.

I decide to watch the next round of games. It's a Quarter Quell so there is something special about the kids that are reaped. The last Quarter Quell there were twice as many tributes. Next year is a Quarter Quell. I probably won't be alive to see it.

I watch the reaping, the tribute parade, and the interviews. But I pay extra attention to the games themselves. Haymitch pairs up with a girl named Maysilee. I remember my mother talked about her, they were friends. They stayed together until only 5 were left.

Then Maysilee was killed. Soon enough it was only Haymitch and the girl from 1. Their battle was bloody. The girl lost an eye, Haymitch was close to bleeding to death. In the end the girl threw an axe and it missed, fell right off a cliff. They stared at each other then Haymitch leaned forward and the axe came back.

The camera zoomed in on the girls face. The axe was hurling right at her. She didn't move, she accepted her fate. Her eyes grew wide in fear. I shut off the TV. I couldn't watch any more.

The next day I wake up early. I get some breakfast, and by the time I am done, Haymitch and Peeta are arguing. Effie sits at a different table applying what she calls a "light coat" of makeup.

Haymitch is giving us advice, which is actually useless. Peeta is arguing with him, which is also useless. Effie tells us we are in district 1, just about to reach the Capitol.

"You might freeze to death," Haymitch says. We are trying to find out how to get shelter. It's really not worth asking him anything about the games.

Peeta is getting angry. "Well what if I were to start a fire," he says.

"Ah well that's a good way to get killed," Haymitch replies. I wish they would stop.

They both get so mad they start yelling until Effie breaks them up. "Manners, boys!" She shouts. Then she announces we have arrived at the Capitol. So we have a few minutes, then we can get off this train.

Peeta and I stare out the window so we can get a glimpse of the Capitol people who might sponsor us. We wave as they scream and shout for us. "District 12!" "Peeta, come out!" "Prim, oh we love you!" They all shout for us. I'm pretty sure they don't care if we win. They are just getting ready for us to die.