Heart of Ice

Out of habit, I throw my arms out to help with balance. But halfway across, I drop them to my sides, figuring I can make it across on my own. I'm light-footed enough to make it across the power lines and roofs without drawing attention from those below. I scale down the bakery when I get near the square. Willow isn't at the tree yet, so I lean against it to wait.

The boys pass, and a few of them look my way. I'm used to a few glances, but I don't return them. I don't have time for a romance now. Once I've gotten myself and Willow out of that damned house, I'll be able to have my own life.

Willow arrives a few minutes later, the choppy locks of hair fixed into pigtails. She has a smile on her face. "Mrs. Allston fixed it."

"Good. It'll last for today, anyway. Then you can cut it like mine," I joke.

Willow smirks. "Like I'd want my hair to look like that rat's nest."

"Hey!" I playfully hit her.

"Hey!" she says back, smacking me.

"Let's get going. I don't care if Acacia is here yet, she'll make us all late."

Willow winces in memory of last year. "Sure. What do you think the arena will be like this year?"

"I don't care, as long as I'm not in it."

"Me neither." Willow shudders, and behind her brave face I can see pure terror.

I wish I could reassure her that she won't get picked, but I can't. She has six entries. Three are mandatory, but Acacia forced her and I to get tesserae so our food costs would be lower. I can't support us both on my salary, otherwise I'd pay for everything myself. But when I turn eighteen, I'll move out and take Willow with me. I'll be able to afford it when I'm of age and my pay is raised. If the district will let me.

Would Willow even have a chance if she was picked? She's not particularly good at sports, so that crosses out the athletic department. She's fairly smart, but it wouldn't save her life. But she's pretty popular, so maybe charisma and allies could keep her alive.

If I was picked, I would trick the others. Act stupid, scared, and spineless, and see how long I'd last until I could take the offensive. I'm decent with an axe.

We approach the check in table, and I hold out my finger as they prick it for a blood sample. I barely notice the pain. I'm used to it by now. Willow closes her eyes, and no emotion crosses her face as the blood drips from her finger onto the booklet. We're herded into the pens, and I separate from Willow. I haven't seen Cypress and Conrad yet, but they'd be with the sixteen-year-olds. As long as I won't be held accountable, I don't care.

I'm near the front of my enclosure and have a good view of the stage. Six chairs sit up there, two for the mayor and our escort, Aurelia. The other four are for our victors. Blight, Mora, Jordan, and Aspen.

As my watch clicks into eleven, the mayor stands and begins to tell about the history. I've learned enough of it in school that I can afford to ignore it. The Districts rebelled against the tyrannical Capitol, and lost. In punishment, the Capitol murders twenty-three kids annually, except for the year where they killed forty-nine.

"Happy Hunger Games!" Aurelia chirps, and plucks a name out of the bowl. "Henry Normod!"

The boy who kissed me in third grade approaches the stage. I'm pretty sure it was on a dare, but he was okay. Took care of his little sister when his mom got sick. He doesn't deserve this. None of us deserve this.

We weren't the ones who rebelled against the Capitol, and yet we're being punished for it. The kids last year were barely fourteen. We haven't done anything but have the misfortune to be born.

There's forced applause, before Aurelia bounces over to the girls' bowl. She picks a name, and reads it out.

"Johanna Mason!"

I inhale sharply. My name was called.

My name was called.

Others are looking at me now, putting a face to the name. My supposed strategy from earlier flies into my head. Stupid, scared, spineless.

I trudge towards the stage, letting false tears stream down my cheeks. As I mount the steps, I catch Henry sneaking a look at me. He sees me crying, but I don't catch his expression in return.

After another round of unenthusiastic applause, the mayor begins to read the Treaty of Treason. It explains the illogical reasons for these Games, and how the Capitol righteously rules over us. The propaganda is so thick I could throw an axe at it.

I shake hands with Henry, and we're directed into the Justice Building. The rooms where we are to say goodbye to our loved ones- Willow for me- are fancier than some of the richer families' homes. It's set up like a living room, with couches, armchairs, and a coffee table. A thin layer of dust covers some surfaces, and it comes with no surprise since the room was last used a year ago.

It's pointless to try and escape. Even if I could get past the swarms of peacekeepers, where would I go? Sure, they want me alive- they need a tribute. But they could hurt Willow.

I sit down and wait. Soon enough, Willow comes in the door, still dressed in her reaping clothes but mussed. She's been crying, and I hug her immediately.

"What are you going to do?" she whispers.

I want to tell her my plan, but I reject the idea immediately. Willow isn't known for keeping secrets, and I don't want anyone to know what I'm doing except possibly my mentor. Instead, I tell her not to worry. I'm killer with an axe (exaggerating some, but we both need reassurance), I'm smart, and I'm fast. All I have to do is get ahold of an axe and I'll see her in three weeks.

By reassuring Willow that I'll be fine, I'm well aware that I'm setting her up for crushing sadness if I don't make it. There's only one winner, and what are my chances against twenty-three others?

But I've also managed to calm myself some by talking. Maybe I do have a slight chance, enough to keep myself alive for a few days.

The sight of the peacekeeper leading Willow out gives me a fresh reason to break out in tears, although I'm not the crying type and Willow knows it. Maybe she'll put it down to fear. That's what I hope.

Maybe everyone will put my actions down to cowardice, weakness, and stupidity. I'll need to trick all of Panem. That's my only chance at winning this death match.

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Author's note:

Hi, thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this chapter, please vote, or even better, leave a comment. The more feedback I get, the sooner I'll update since I know someone will read it. Thanks!