The Quarter Quell

The Reapings

The Quarter Quell

Chapter 9:

Katniss's POV:

I run off, before I even think about it, through the Seam and see families hug there children who are in danger of being reaped. I stop behind my old house and my legs are up to my chest. Tears fall down. I'm going back to the place of nightmares; and this time I'm going with a kid. A kid that will hope for me to save him or her. All the strategies that could hold the arena. What will the arena be? Worries rush all over me. Even the thought of who is coming with me, Peeta or Haymitch, kills me. But I know I don't even need to think about that. Even if Haymitch is reaped, Peeta would just volunteer, to save me; but the thing is that I owe him, I have to save him this time. The week goes fast and it's Monday again and Gale is back on his feet. The Victor's reaping is today. My mother makes me the same hairstyle as last year but I wear a different dress. As the time comes nearer, I sit and wait in the couch. Prim walks up to me.

"I don't want you to go, Katniss" Prim says sitting down next to me.

"If I had a choice I'll take it." I say. "Here." I drop my mockingjay pin into her hand.

"I can't take this, Katniss." Prim says "It's yours."

"I want you to keep it because, no matter what happens," I say, I pin it into her shirt. "I will always be in your heart." We hug each other tightly until my mother comes in and tells me it's time. I grab hold of Prim's hand and we walk to the square. Peacekeepers stand in one line. A few minutes pass and Peeta arrives with he's family and then Haymitch. We stand in one line. Effie makes the same speech as every year but she doesn't mention the video. She calls out ladies first and I'm not surprise when she calls out my name, since there's only one piece of paper in the orb. Then the boys. Haymitch is reaped but Peeta volunteers like I thought he would. We are taken into a car and into the train station and the train takes off while I hold my last goodbyes in my lips.

Prim's POV:

It's Wednesday and it's time for our reaping. I miss Katniss with all my heart and I wish she were here with me right now, but she's not. I eat breakfast with fear in my mind. My mother makes me my usual pigtail french braids and I get dressed. In about an hour, they blow the train horn; the signal that means that we need to start going to the square. I walk with my mom and find Posy, Rory and Vick with Hazelle and Gale. I say goodbye to my mother and Vick Rory and Posy say goodbye to their mother and brother. My mother, Hazelle and Gale are taken to where they need to be. I grab hold of Posy's hand. My hand vibrates and Posy puts her arm around me and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I know she's trying to calm me down. We all walk to where kids stand to sign in for the Reaping. I still hold Posy's hand, not wanting to let go. Rory and Vick stand behind us. Posy lets go and they take a small sample of her blood and the monitor beeps and her name appears with her age. This is our 2nd Reaping. I'm 6 months older than Posy, but she will turn 13 in a few days. Posy moves away and they do the same thing with me Vick and Rory. We hear Peacekeepers do test on the microphone and the screens are in blue. I take my place next to Posy and we grab hands. My heart beats faster than ever.

"It's okay." Posy mouths at me. I shake my head at her, nothing is okay. I'll be reaped and forced into the arena with my sister.

"Prim," whispers Posy to me. "You won't get reaped because I prayed. I told God with all my heart for you to not be reaped. And out of all the names in that orb, I doubt your name will come out." Posy hugs me tight. Everyone is in their place now. Me and Posy were moved a few paces back and the 12 year olds are in front. 2 Peacekeepers place the orb in the boy's side. I glance at where the boys stand and I catch Vick's eyes.

"It'll be okay." he mouths at me like Posy did. I don't even notice, until now, that tears have fallen down my cheeks. I'm more than scared now, I'm terrified. I hear the Justice Buildings door open and the mayor of 12 and the important people sit in the chairs that have been added for them. Effie, the woman that does the reapings, I know her for the times she has come to our house, comes out also. Effie walks up to the microphone and taps it delicately to see if it's on.

"Welcome, Welcome. Happy Hunger Games, and May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!" Effie excitedly "Now before we begin, we have a very special film, brought to you all the way from the Capitol!" The film begins and is the same one as always; how the rebellion was and how a district was destroyed, and after that the games were stated.

"Now, it's time to select one young man or woman, to represent District 12, in 3rd Annual Quarter Quell." My heart beats even faster. Me and Posy hold each others hands tight. I tilt my head down, I don't want to here my name. I feel Posy tilt her head also. We hear Effie's footsteps echo and she reads the name out loud. It's not me, it's nobody.... but the person next to me. My best friend...