43rd Hunger Games, Chapter 3

I can't believe what I just did. Everyone is in a shock that there is no noise, no movements, it feels like you could be all alone, except for the fact of all the eyes and camera's starring at you. The mayor has left the area for some reason and Clover needed to be seated because she was going to faint, but instead she's now whimpering, "he won't be mad, he won't be mad,". I wonder who Clover is talking about, maybe the mayor? I highly doubt it. District 4's mayor is surprising always jolly and he always seems out and about wondering about how you are. Now he's no where in sight. Piper Cohen, my newest friend, around my age with long, curly brown hair, is frozen, surprised that she was just declared tribute and I just volunteered for her. I could see her shaking and the fear in her eyes again. After this moment of silence a random adult from the back shouted, "TAKE THIS GIRL AWAY! She's the tribute, stop wasting my time!" Clover looked up from the ground and shook herself out the funk.
"Sorry folks!" she started to say. "That long silence was not necessary. We now have a change of our female tribute for the 43rd Hunger Games for District 4...who ever volunteered, come up front, show yourself and tell the cameras your name, or things WILL get nasty." I gulped in despair. "Come on now girl, show yourself". said Clover again. I looked over at Piper then marched into the isle. "There you are!" I nodded and walked up to Clover, sweating more then ever. When I reached her Clover whispered, "Don't be so tense, say your name and we'll get this over with, OK?"
I took and deep breath and looked at all of District 4.

"I, Maria Thompsing, age 15, volunteer for Piper Cohen to be our districts female tribute this year." I said shaking. "Great, now MARIA, why don't you stand off to the side while we get our male tribute up here." I walked to the left side of the...well stage and sat down in the chair that was ready for me. I then watched Clover put her hand in the males giant glass bowl, full of names, and pull out a piece of paper. "Congrates to your districts male tribute, FINN YOUNG!" cheered Clover. All of a sudden a short boy came into the isle and walked up to the front. He had shaggy, blonde hair and dark green eyes. You could tell his clothes were hand-me downs because the looked a bit bigger then we was. Finn walked onto the stage, bowed and gestured me to stand up beside him, I did so.
"This is your tributes for the 43rd Hunger Games! May the Odds be Evea in You Favor!.... Oh and visits are to be in five minutes at the Hall to your newest tributes, please say your good byes while you can." Clover stopped talking, turned off the mike and pushed Finn and I in the direction towards the Hall.

While we were walking, surround by guards, I ask Finn about what he does and his age. He responds with telling me is sixteen (shocking) and he works at his father's pub in downtown. Then he asks me around the same questions, I answer and then he blurts out, "Why did you volunteer for this Piper?" I shook my head unable to answer. I honestly don't know. It sort of just flew out my mouth, me saying I'd volunteer for a friend I just met yesterday, but I wasn't going to say that.  After that silence, our conversation drifted away and we were at the hall.

The guards then separated Finn and I, because they brought us to two different doors. The guards lead me to the back door, which pretty grand looking if you asked me.
Inside the building I went, which was huge and with high ceiling, granite everywhere and ash coloured carpet. I honestly felt like a queen, until the guards brought me into a room which felt dark but still a bit of fancy.
"You have two minutes to talk to each visitor, then BYE-BYE" said one of the guards and they all left me alone in the room.

After a few seconds in came the Cohen's family including Piper, who was in tears. At first we were all silent and then Piper ran up to me and hugged me so tight I could barely breath. "Why? Why? Would you do something so stupid like volunteer for me?" she asked with a slight laugh. "I have no clue." I sighed. Piper then released from the hug and Mr and Mrs Cohen spoke to me. "I just want to thank-you so much. Maria, you're so brave and what ever happens in the area, you'll always be this families hero." said Mrs. Cohen. Mr. Cohen nodded in agreement. Mrs. Cohen's then turned to look at Piper's older sister who was playing with her hair. "Candice! Please thank Maria for saving your sister." said her mother.
Candice looked at me, carefully and said, "Thank-you."

The family then waited for a bit until a guard came in and told them their two minutes was up and it was time for them to leave. "BYE!" yelled Piper as she walked into the hall, and the door shut, leaving me to think who else would visit me. Just as I thought "NO ONE", the doors opened and the guards pushed in a man, "Last visitor" they said, and shut the door behind them.
The man walked up to me slowly and I felt like I was going to cry.


The man was my father.