The Hunger Games: Gale's Story

Chapter 1

The moment I heard them call Prim, I knew that everything would change. And it did, it really, really did.

"Primrose Everdeen!" I heard Effie Trinket shout cheerfully into the microphone. As if this is something to be cheerful about, I thoguht. Katniss's gaze met mine, and I shook my head. No, Katniss. It's not worth fighting for. But she did it anyways. "PRIM! PRIM! NO! I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER!" shouted Katniss as Peacekeepers made an attempt to keep her back. "I volunteer as tribute!"

Everyone was silent for a while. Even Effie. How could she do this, I thought, how could she do this and leave us behind like this? Then I sighed. Pull yourself together, Gale! You'd do the same for Rory, or Vick, or Posy. But it was hard to convince myself of this, because, sibling or not, not many people have the guts to volunteer. But then again, not many people (other than Katniss and I) had the guts to go out into the woods every day and hunt, which was illeagal and could be punishable by death.

I felt like sobbing right there, just busting out and crying, but I didn't. Of course, she could win. That is, if she had the heart to kill 23 other children, which didn't sound like much of a Katniss-y thing for her to do. The odds were not in my favor, or in Katniss's favor, or in Prim's favor, or in Katniss's mother's favor. No, the odds were in nobody's favor, and now there was that possibility that made my stomach turn-the possibility that I could be thrown into an arena and be forced to kill Katniss.

I hadn't even been paying attention when I noticed Prim trying to hold Katniss back. I knew Katniss wanted Prim to be safe. And as long as Katniss wanted it, I'd give it to her. I raced to meet them, exchanged a glance with Katniss. Goodbye, Catnip, I mouthed. She didn't respond. I took Prim away from her and carried her back to her mother.

I wasn't listening when Effie asked Katniss her name. I stared at the ground, dirty, grassy, coal-dusted...I began to feel dizzy. The whole world was spinning around. I only lifted my head when Effie announced, "Now, time to pick our male tribute!" Not me, I prayed, not me. "Peeta Mellark!" I relaxed my muscles.

Later, we were all allowed to visit the tributes. As I walked into the room, I extended my arms. Katniss willingly flew into them. "Katniss, you're stronger than they are. You are. They just want a good show, that's all they want. Show them how good you are." I told her. "Gale, there's 24 of us. Only 1 comes out," she said, and I could tell she was fighting the tears. "It's just hunting, Katniss. You're the best hunter I know. How different could it be, really? When you get in there, find a bow. And if there are none, make one." I told her. "But what if there's no wood?" She asked. "There's always wood." Then, the Peacemakers came in. "Time's up," they told me. But I needed to tell Katniss something. Something I should've said a long time ago. "Remember, I-" The Peacemakers slammed the door before I could fnish. "Love you," I finished, knowing she couldn't hear me.

Time passed. We watched things live from the Capitol. The interviews. I swear, I felt my blood boiling when that bread boy announced his "love" for katniss. Katniss, who I'd known way longer tan him. Who I loved way more than he did. I remember crushing the cracker I held in my hand, dropping the glass of water I held in my other hand. hating that stupid Peeta Mellark, that stupid baker's boy, that stupid boy who barely knew Katniss. I wanted him dead. I wanted him to be the first to be dead, to die a brutal fate.

Sooner than it seemed, it was time for us to pretty much watch Katniss die. To watch countless others die. I probably wouldn't have even watched it if it weren't for Katniss and Peeta. Katniss, who I wanted to win. Peeta, who I wanted to die. Peeta, who'd stolen Katniss from me.

My mother had come in when I dropped the glass. "Oh, Gale, what has gotten into you?" But she didn't question me when she saw my face, which I guessed was pretty revolting. She just shook her head as she swept up shards of glass and cracker crumbs and wiped up the water. I remember Rory coming to comfort me, for he, too had been in the room with me. He extended his inviting arms, asking me to hug me. I just ignored this gesture and headed for my room, slamming the door.

How many times had I wished Katniss would be mine forever? How many times had I thought of how to show my love for her? How many times had Peeta done the same? Not nearly quite as much as me, I knew it. "Katniss, kill him. Kill him, and come home. For me. For Prim. Don't fall for it, he's just trying to fool you!" I remember shouting angrily. I don't know how loud it was, but Rory came in a while later. "Gale, he's just trying to-" I turned to him with the same expression. He gracefully left my room, shutting the door quietly without so much as one more word. "He wouldn't listen," I heard him tell my mother. "I wouldn't blame him," she replied after a long silence.

I lied on top of my bed for a long time, thinking about Katniss. About Peeta. The girl on fire. Gale, you should be watching the Games. Supporting Katniss. A voice told me. For Katniss, I would. And if Peeta happened to be the victor, instead of Katniss, he'd pay. Big time. I'd set snares for him somehow, or lead him into the woods and slit his throaght. You know how to hunt. How different can it be, really? I heard my own voice echoing. A snarl escaped my lips. No different at all. But better, in a vengeful way, when you watch your enemy crying out in pain. I had a plan, a plan I would carry out if Peeta wasn't finished off in the Games. A plan that would have me killed if anyone found out about it.