Thread: Hope is the Only thing Stronger than Fear |||| Randomname and Horror_Show

You would think that the day or the reaping would be it. It would be just one day to rule the lives of all the young, after that one day if you beat the odds you were free to go back to your daily lives. That wasn't really the case. For many, that day controlled everything. Even if you had made it past your final reaping, you had to worry about a sibling, a cousin, a friends child. It could happen to anyone and there was nothing to protect you from it. For the Everdeen family and the two girls, both Katniss and Primrose it was horror. For nights on end Katniss had to conform her little sibling, she would wake up with night terrors. So many nights had she slept with her little other half, holding her close as the young blond would fall back to sleep in tears. Katniss had her own fears but she kept it hidden, she had to be strong for her sister, for her mother and herself. There were some occasions where Kolten was allowed to stay later than usual and he would end up also being with both the girls as Primrose had a nightmare. The morning of the reaping came with the sun shining brightly. Katniss had knew better than to get out of the bed her sister had snuck into early the night before. Katniss would lay there as the sun rose, she would listen to the small village start to wake as she played with her sisters hair. Their mother was already up in the kitchen making breakfast. Katniss knew Kolten was at his own house on the other end of the town getting ready. The little one stirred but didnt move from her sisters warmth. Im scared. She mumbled and Katniss leaned over kissing the back of her head, as her sisters back was to her front. No need to be little duck, this is going to be like any other day..you will be fine. Moms even cooking a special breakfast, cant you smell it? Katniss said into her ear. She could sense the fear all over her younger siblings body. Lets get up and eat and were both get ready. Katniss said slowly getting up as Prim pushed up as her long blonde hair fell past her shoulders. Katniss crawled out of bed and tickled her sister and pinched her shoulder. Ill get all the biscuits! She teased jumping out of the bed. Prim gave a weak smile but you could tell she was in another place, a place of fear inside her innocent mind. Both girls headed into the kitchen to see their mother cooking breakfast. Katniss had received the bacon and sausage from Kolten and his family as a gift, Katniss had bought the brown eggs and ingredients in town to make strawberry jam and biscuits. Prim sat down at the table looking like a zombie Katniss helped her mother and they all sat down pigging out. They tried to talk of other things to distract from the big day. They finished and Katniss had even saved a small plate for Kolten and would give it to him after the reaping, little did she know there would be none of that. The mother got Prim into the bathtub while Katniss cleaned up the kitchen. Katniss kept busy until her mother announced she had readied the bath for Katniss. Katniss was holding a rag and nodded throwing it down, she sighed and headed into the bathroom. Her mother had filled the tub with hot water which she knew must have taken hours to boil in the kettle and cool. She also sat floral soaps and oils, she knew Kolten must have also somehow snuck these to her mother for this day. She stripped and climbed into the hot tub and slowly lit herself sit down enjoying the warmth. She grabbed the soap that smelled of rose and honeysuckle. She soaked in the tub until she almost fell asleep. She quickly jolted awake at the sound of her sister peaking her head in. Katniss started grabbing the soap and scrubbing her body down. After rinsing and ducking to wash her hair. She got out drying off and changed into a blue dress her mother had set out. Prim sat on her knees braidings her sisters hair but pinning it up. You are do pretty..I look gross. Prim said pathetically and Katniss looked back making a face scolding her sister. No, little duck..you are beautiful. I am jealous of your blonde hair and blue eyes. Katniss said kissing her sisters forehead. Their mother stood in the doorway trying to hold herself together. Koltons outside. She said and both girls looked up. Prim would have jumped up in seconds to tackle him outside in a hug but she just stayed beside Katniss. Katniss finally nodded and gave a smile. Alright, were be out. Katniss said and her mother nodded silently leaving. Katniss got Prim up and they went out and hugged their mother and finally headed outside. Katniss saw Kolton and the look between both of them was a thousand words. He could sense her fear, her sisters fear and how she was keeping strong, just to get through the next few hours. She saw Kolten had freshly picked flowers and didnt give them to Katniss but had them for Prim. Prim was confused but took them giving a cheesy cute weak smile. Katniss smiled and winked at her sister. See..youre so stunning, Kolten got YOU flowers. Katniss teased as they made their way to the justice hall. Prim took a flower and broke it and put it in Katnisss hair. Kolten would laugh and all three of them walked hand in hand. Both girls on either side of Kolten, until they got closer to the hall and Prim started getting anxious. Kolten squeezed her hand but she somehow moved over to her sister starting to breathe heavy. Katniss moved her forward and stayed with her in line. Kolten stayed for a few minutes watching. Primrose Everdeen! The check in woman said and Prim stood there frozen. Katniss pushed her forward and Prim started to cry. No it doesnt hurt, it just a little prick, its so they can register you.it be over so soon little duck, I promise. Katniss said holding her shoulders as the women annoyed took her blood sample and nodded for her to go off. Katniss kissed her finger and bent down pointing. You go over there, I will be right there. I promise. Katniss said and watched her sister slowly walked forward standing beside her peers. Katniss got in line and would glance over at Kolten. He would look at her and she would finally pull away as she stuck her own finger out to get pricked and registered, the woman would scream NEXT letting Katniss know she was good to go. Moments later they would all go through what they did every year. Effie would act happy and ecstatic and the video would play and then was the final moment. Katniss was quiet and was just wanting to get this moment over with, then they was 50 safe, it least with her and Prim. Effie walked over and picked the first name and announced who it was. Primrose Everdeen! In that moment everything went to hell. Katniss stood there shocked, paralyzed as everyone was silent. Prim was also peterifed but hadnt moved until Effie had called out , Where are you dear..come on up Prim still hesitated as everyone moved to the side showing who she was . Come on dear, dont be shy.come on! Effie coaxed as Prim slowly walked forward. As she walked she fixed her shirt as a nervous tick on the way. Katniss had watched her little sister from a distance like a hawk. Then she slowly left her placement and walked out into the opening behind two guards watching her slowly make her way up to the podium. PRIM, Katniss tried to walk forward but the guards caught her, PRIM, let me go..PRIM!! Katniss screamed as the guards held her back. Her sister stopped to look back at her and before she could do anything else Katniss screamed out in desperation. I VOLUNTEER.. She broke free as the guards let her go hearing her. She pushed them off and walked forward eyeing Effie. I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE! She said tembling. In seconds she ran forward and Prim jumped in her arms crying. Effie looked stunned and said a little confused, Ugh I believe we have a volunteer. Katniss gripped her sister and forced her down and had one hand gripping her shoulder and the other cupping her neck. You need to go find mom, go find mom now! Prim was crying and refusing to leave her sister. Go now baby girl, I ams o so sorry. I love you.go! She ordered. In seconds Kolten had come forward and grabbed Prim lifting her off her feet as she screamed bloody murder. Katniss eyes were already swelling with tears and she could see Kolten was already upset. She held her place holding back more tears as her lover took Prim to safety. Everything was happening so fast. Katniss licked her lips and nodded and slowly made her way to the podium. The guards escorted her. Dristrict tweleve very first volunteer, nring her up herelets see her. Effie spoke as Katniss was guided up the podium next to Effie. Effie grabbed her hand and put the microphone in front of her. Whats your name dear? She spoke and Katniss spoke up softly saying her name. Effie made a face and spoke. I bet my hat, that was your sister. Katniss nodded and Effie put her hands together. Lets put are hands together for our very first volunteer, KATNISS EVERDEEN! The crowd clapped, but you could tell there was no pleasure in it, it was forced. Katniss stood on the stage in shock, her eyes watering. The wind slightly brought a few stray hairs in her face. And now for the boys! Effie spoke trying to break the awkwardness of the moment. She waked over and pulled out another name and came back reading it Katniss saw Prim in her mothers arms, she also saw Kolten out of place still not to far from his mother and sister but far enough to be on the edge of the boys line where he would be in the fat back. He looked mortified. KOLTEN SMITH!!! Effie said smiling and everyone turned back to the man who was out of his place but still present. Katniss felt her breth leave her body, her knees felt weak. Kolten quickly made his way to the stage. Effie motioned for him to come over to the microphone as she tapped it, it made a noise a few times. Here we are, are tributes from district twelve!!!Well go on you two shake hands! She said. Everyone knew the two was dating and that Katniss had volunteered for her sister and then he had by coincidence gotten chosen. Katniss looked over to him, her face flushed and silent tears trickling down her face. Katniss went to raise her hand out and as he grabbed her hand, she fell to the ground on her knees crying, balling. She was in Koltens arms a nervous wreck. Effie looked a little concerned. She was about to have them cut the cameras but left it going as Kolten held Katniss as she was on her knees a mess. Effie heard him say I love you and her eyes went wide. Oh mylove, did you just say l love you to the young lady.are you two together? Effie asked and the young man looked up at her and nodded. Oh dear, how tragic and brave of you both! Are first lovers and are first volunteer, how exciting and bittersweet!! Effie aid clapping her hands together.