*MAJOR EDITING* The Hunger Games

2

"Elsa?" I hear a girl ask. My eyes flutter open and adjust to the lighting inside my room. The room was cold and smelt like dust, I pulled the blankets closer to my body before forcing myself up.

"Yes?" I answer rubbing my eyes, they were sore

"Im scared." The girl spoke again.

"Why are you scared?" I ask looking at her. This girl is my younger sister Prim or Primrose. Shes 13 years old now, her hair was platinum blonde, it was long. I was always jealous of her hair, her nice soft hair. Mine was nice too, something i took good care of, but I always wished I had blonde hair like hers. Her face porcelain pale, almost doll like. Her eyes were a light blue, she resembled my mother more than my other sister or I did.

"The reaping, what if I get picked?" She whispers.

"You won't." I reply motioning for her to come sit down in bed with me. She obeys and sits down I wrap my arms around her a rock slightly.

"Thats what Katniss said and I did get picked." She sniffs.

"Yes, but Katniss volunteered in your place. " I mumble into Prim's hair. "I'd do the same."
Last year was the 73rd annual hunger games (Keep in mind this is a TWISTED fanfiction) our older sister Katniss volunteered in place of Prim when her name was called. It started a riot and she was a Capitol favorite, I think that's why she did so good in the games. That and her amazing talent for hunting.

"No." She says. "I don't want to lose you."

"You won't." I reply. Prim turns to me and holds her pinky finger up.

"Promise." She says in a serious tone.

I laugh but wrap my pinky finger around hers. "Promise."

She smiles up at me then walks out of my room but peeks her bead back in. "Do you want some milk?" She asks. "From Lady?"
Lady was Prim's goat. Katniss had gotten it for her with her best friend Gale, who also happened to be my best friend and long time crush. He was beautiful.

"I would love some." I smile. She smiles back then leaves. I love my sisters, Katniss taught me how to hunt, while Prim taught me how to help hurt people with broken bones or deep cuts. Currently Katniss was on her tour to all the districts as they do every year with the victors. She was coming home today For the reaping. My mother, Prim and I have been living where the victors live next to Haymitch, Peeta lived across from us. I get up from my bed and put on some leggings and a t-shirt before grabbing my bow.

"Are you going hunting?" Prim asks once I get down stairs.

"Yeah, i'll be back soon." I reply. She hands me a glass full of milk, I quickly drink it and set the glass on the table.

"Bye Prim." I say as im walking out the door. There are lots of peace keepers here already setting up for the reaping. I stare at them until I feel someone tap on my shoulder. I quickly jump and turn around to see a laughing Gale.

"Its not funny." I say then push his chest. Gale and I have gotten closer since Katniss left. I always had this crush on him but couldn't do anything because he liked Katniss. Now that's she and Peeta are getting married maybe I have a chance, doubt it though.

"Sorry." He snickers. "Were you going hunting today?"

"I was just going to shoot a few trees, maybe some squirrels. " I reply. "Why?"

"There are peace keepers everywhere." He replies in a more serious tone.

"Maybe if I had a little help." I smile swaying back and forth like a little girl. Gale laughs but nods, he grabs my wrist and runs behind my house. Before I know it we're in the woods.

"Do you know how to climb trees?" He asks. Thats a dumb question of course I do.

"Yeah." I reply.

"Climb this one." He says pointing at a tree with barely any branches.

"Easy, I've been climbing trees my whole life." I say then start climbing the tree, seconds later im at the top and I have a clear view of a squirrel. I ready my bow and shoot it. It falls to the ground and Gale picks it up. He gives me a thumbs up. We usually sell the squirrels for food, we used to. Since I've been living in the victors village, food hasn't been a problem. Gale's family however, they need it. I look around, it was beautiful up here. The sky was clear and the sun felt nice on my face. I had my eyes closed for a few seconds taking in everything before the sound of twigs snapping woke me from my daze. I looked to the ground to see Gale looking up at me with huge panicked eyes. Quickly I scrambled down from the tree, falling and landing on my back half way down. Gale quickly helped me up and throws us into a bush. Just in time for a huge hover craft from the Capitol to fly over. Once its gone Gale lets go of me.

"That was close." He says.

"We should go back." I say. Gale nods and leads the way back. We say our good byes and leave each other.

"Is Katniss back?" I ask as I walk into the house. Prim shakes her head.

"There is some dresses upstairs for you to wear at the reaping." My mother says. "Rinse off first. "

"Okay." I say. I head upstairs into the shower. The water is warm and relaxing, better then bathing in the tin tub we used to have. I scrub off all the dirt from underneath my nails and wash my hair really good, if I'm reaped I'll have to make a good impression from the first day.