In the ruins of a place known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by sending two tributes between the ages of twelve and...
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Katniss. Was my first thought. This is not right, Prim is only twelve! How? Looking over beside me, Katniss has turned pale, the blood drained completely from her face, her eyes shocked with a grim expression. She starts to sway, and I catch her, her hand gripping mine with dear life.
Somewhere, far away, I can hear the crowd murmuring unhappily as they always do when a twelve-year old gets chosen because no one thinks this is fair. Katniss' grip on my hand tightens, and I can feel her heartbeat through her palm, beating fast and hard. That's when I see Prim. She looks like a ghost, so pale and so scared; her hands clenching in little fists at her sides, walking with stiff, small steps up toward the stage, passing me and Katniss. Her blouse is untucked hanging over her skirt. My heart clenches for the girl, for Prim.
"Prim!" A strangled cry comes from Katniss and she drops my hand. She moves toward her sister, "Prim!" The crowd was already moved out of the way, allowing a direct path for her. And a sinister thought came to my mind, she'll volunteer. Everyone knows that Katniss will do anything to protect Prim. I'm racking with guilt, because I wish that I tried harder. I wish that we had become friends. I wish that we had hunted together, though I don't really like it. I wish I had brought her to my safe place, the willow tree—where maybe we could have talked, shared secrets, feelings, anything! This is all so unfair.
Katniss reaches Prim just as she is about to mount the steps, with one sweep of her arm she pushes Prim behind her. "I volunteer!" She yells, "I volunteer as tribute!" She repeats even louder, perhaps to make sure they hear her. They do. We all do.
Confusion occurs on the stage as District 12 hasn't had a volunteer in decades; the protocol has become rusty. The rule is that once a tribute's name has been pulled from the ball, another eligible boy or girl can step forward to take his or her place. In some districts, in which winning the reaping is such a great honor, people are eager to risk their lives. Volunteering is complicated. Volunteers are all but nonexistent in District 12, as there is no chance of returning once tributes have been reaped.
"Lovely!" Effie chimes, "But, I believe there's a small matter of introducing The Reaping winner and then asking for volunteers, and if one does come forward then we, um..." she trails off, unsure herself.
"What does it matter?" Says the mayor. He's looking at Katniss with a pained expression, "What does it matter? Let her come forward."
Prim starts screaming hysterically behind Katniss, her skinny arms wrapping around her sister with all her strength. "No, Katniss! No! You can't go!".
Her cries give me deja vu to when my sister was chosen. I stood there frozen in the crowd. Time stood still. My feet glued to the ground, sinking deeper and deeper. A million thoughts racing through my head and coming to one conclusion. I was going to lose Cassia.
