Pieces in the game. (The Hunger Games)

Chapter 2: The aftermath

Lilly's POV.
When I heard Prim's name it was like time slowed, and if I thought all the breath had left when Katniss was called then I have just died. From a distance I can hear the crowds murmur. This is the first time that we can remember that there has been two siblings from the same family as tributes. It must have been a mistake Prim's name was in once. She was one of thousands! How could this have happened? The crowd is also upset over the fact that a twelve year old has been reaped. Just then, I see her. Face pale as if all the blood has drained from it, her hands clenched in fists at her side, walking with stiff steps towards the stage, towards Katniss. I see the little ducks tail of her shirt sticking out as she passes me and this snaps me out of my thoughts. I look to the stage and Katniss nods her head, her hand twitching slightly in our signal. She knows what I'm going to do! The plan never factored this in! "Prim!" I scream and the crowd parts letting me through. I sprint forwards and catch her just as she is about to mount the steps and I sweep her behind me. "I volunteer," I gasp. "I volunteer as tribute!". There's confusion on stage as well as in the crowd, district 12 hasn't had a volunteer in decades and now they have had two on the same day. "This really isn't protocol," Effie says. "What does it matter?" the Mayor says.

I look to him to see a pained expression on his face. I was good friends with his daughter Madge, he knows me and he knows I'd die for my family. "What does it matter?" he repeats gruffly. "Let her come forward". Prim is screaming hysterically behind me and she has her little arms wrapped around my waist. "No, Lilly! No! You can't go!" she screams. "Prim, sweetie, let go!" I say to her firmly. "Let go. Go find mum!". I can't get her arms off me and then I feel her being pulled away. Mum has come forward. Prim immediately wraps her arms around mum as she picks her up and walks away. I take a deep breath and then ascend the stairs. I can see that upset Katniss as much as it upset me. "Well bravo!" Effie gushes. "That's the spirit of the Games!". She sounds happy that finally something "exciting" has happened in her district. As I get up to the platform she grabs my arm and brings me over beside the microphone. "What's your name?" she asks. I swallow hard and answer, "Lilly Everdeen". "I bet my buttons that was your sister, oh is this your sister also? Don't want them to steal all the glory, do we? Come on, everybody! Let's give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!" Effie is still gushing. No one applauds, which I am thankful for, but they do something that really shocks me! They touch the three middle three fingers of their left hand to their lips and hold it out to me. This is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means goodbye to someone you love. I could see them doing it for Katniss who provides for people with her hunts but for me, never!

It nearly makes me cry and I've never been more thankful for Haymitch being a drunk. He comes staggering across the stage to congratulate me. "Look at her! Look at this one!" he hollers, throwing his arm around my shoulders. I only barely managed to keep my footing. He's surprisingly strong. "I like her," he says and I fight hard not to gag! His breath reeks of liquor. "Lots of..." he trails off looking for the word. "Spunk!" he shouts triumphantly. "More than you!" he says as he releases me making for the front of the stage. "More than you!" he shouts while pointing directly at the camera. Just as he opens his mouth to continue his tirade he plummets of the stage and knocks himself unconscious. He's whisked away on a stretcher and Effie tries to get the ball rolling again. "What an exciting day!" she warbles as she attempts to straighten her wig. "But more excitement to come! It's time to choose our last male tribute," she announces. I feel Katniss take my hand and squeeze it, she's telling me we've done the right thing. I don't have time to take another breath before Effie is back at the podium. "Peeta Mellark," she calls out and I gasp. Oh please no! I look over to see him walk up the steps. I've had a crush on him for forever, but I don't think he's into me. He's taller than me with ashy blonde hair that falls in waves over his forehead and blue eyes. Wait he as the one who was staring at me earlier! Effie calls for volunteers as he gets to the stage but no one steps forward for him. Even though he has brothers, I suppose family devotion only goes so far. What Gale and I have done is radical.

The Mayor then begins to read out the Treaty of Treason as he usually does but I don't listen. I hold onto Katniss's hand and look over to the boys. Gale has his eyes on us and he looks concerned. I barely managed to notice that the Mayor had finished reading and was motioning for the four of us to shake hands. When I shake hands with Peeta I think he gives my hand a squeeze. No, it had to have just been my imagination. Then we all get back into our places the anthem of Panem begins to play. All I can think is that the odds have not been in our favour today. We all know if we manage to make it, only two of us can come home. This is either the end of a relationship, a crush or a sibling bond.

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Hey guys,

You know the usual drill ☺️

~Annacricket