The Beginning of the End

Katniss

I stood next to the velvet rope with my age group. Nothing is going to happen. Nothing. If anything I will be the one called. I thought.

Earlier one of the younger girls had asked me how many times my name was in the bowl. Prim had replied with her eyes narrowed.

"It's none of your business, Kayla."

"Whatever. I bet one of my friends fifteen cents she gets picked." Prim looked up at me.

"How many times are you in Katniss?" she had asked.

"Don't worry about it Prim. I'm not going to get picked."

"I hope not."

She had left to stand with the girls of her age.

The anthem began to play. I saw Effie on the stage.

"Welcome everyone to the seventy-forth annual Hunger Games!" she was wearing a big pink wig and dress.

"May the odds be ever in your favor!" Gale's mocking voice rang in my head.

"I'd like to show you a program to remind us of why the Capitol began the games," she moved to the side of the stage and the film began.

"Panem with all it's greatness was not always so wonderful," the narrator began. I rolled my eyes. "Years ago, this land was full of chaos and war. The thirteenth district rebelled and the on;y way to end the war was to bring the end of thirteen." a picture of the destroyed district thirteen flashed across the screen. "Our wonderful president of that time began the Hunger Games as a way to keep the peace. Now Panem is as prosperous as ever and peaceful. Nothing will go wrong again," the narrator finished and the screen went black. Effie moved to the center of the stage.

"I just love that!" she exclaimed. "Don't you?" the crowd was quiet. "Well. Let's move along. I will now choose our lucky young lady tribute!"

She placed her hand into the bowl and chose a slip of paper. Slowly she unfolded it.

"Primrose Ever-" she didn't get the chance to finish. I broke through the rope.

"No!" the peacekeepers held me back. "Prim! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute."

When the peacekeepers let me through I stepped onto the stage. Prim, who was being held back by Gale, was screaming at the top of her lungs. Gale hoisted her up and hauled her to my mother.

"And what is your name dear?" Effie asked leaning toward me with the microphone.

"Katniss Everdeen."