Paper Cranes 𓅨 THG WTM

My Job is to Keep You Alive

Astrid's breath caught in her throat as she realized what name had been called. The girls in front of her parted, their eyes scanning her as if trying to commit each detail to memory. A nice sentiment she supposed, trying to remember a girl whose name they didn't even know.

Katniss looked at the screen with a feeling of relation. The similarities between Astrid and herself were striking.

She imagined what they could be thinking, What was her name again? Aliyah?

The jumpsuit?! What happened to her dress?

At least it wasn't me!

There were probably kinder thoughts, too, such as, "Oh, poor girl." And what'll happen to her family?

Astrid's feet moved forward stiffly as she walked towards the stage. Her eyes caught her younger sister's as she moved through the gap in the mob. She hoped she didn't look as bad as she felt.

As she reached the aisle peacekeepers moved to surround her, well all but the front, all that was there was the justice building, she couldn't escape that way.

One of the peacekeepers laid a gloved hand on her back and she whipped towards him, scowling and gritting out, "Don't touch me."

Lucy Gray smirked at the screen, proud of the girl.

Johanna enthusiastically clapped for her friend.

She saw the mentors straightening out of the corner of her eye, an almost hopeful glint in their eyes.

The peacekeeper withdrew his hand but barked out a command to keep moving. She shot him a sarcastic smile and strode up to the stage, quickly taking the stairs and standing stiffly next to the gaunt escort.

Astrid faced her district with a straight face and stuffed her hands in her pockets.

Clemensia grinned and spoke into the microphone, "Well there you have it, District 8- and Capitol viewers- your tributes for the Sixty-sixth Hunger Games." 

Tigris gasped, "How long has this..." 

Finnick glanced over and said, "We just finished the 74th."

Astrid and Joshua faced each other and shook hands, refusing to meet eyes the entire exchange.

Peacekeepers came forward and ushered them into the justice building. Astrid was shoved into a room almost entirely made out of wood. A bench was stationed on one end, and a bookshelf rested across from that.

The door burst open, her sister rushing into her arms as a stoic soldier announced, "Two minutes."

Her father nodded as he slid into the room and watched his daughters interact. Astrid smoothed her hand over Stella's hair as she sang quietly to her like she was singing her to sleep.

"You're headed for heaven, the sweet old hereafter

And I've got one foot in the door

But before I can fly up, I've loose ends to tie up

Right here, in the old therebefore."

Lucy Gray's eyes widened, "T-that's my song."

Finnick furrowed his brows, "She said she learned that from her grandmother who heard it on the radio."

She gasped, "Radio..."

Stella pulled back and spoke, her voice barely audible, "You can do it, Az. You can win. I know it."