I am woken by a beam of light, entering through a hole in the ragged curtains. At first, I panic, thinking that I have over slept and going to be late for school. But then I realise what today is, and my heart sinks.
Today is the reaping of the 65th Hunger Games.
Nobody seems to be awake yet so I pull on my worn leather boots and a tough brown shirt and head outside. It is eerily quiet as I walk past the ramshackle houses of district twelve to the one place I can feel truly peaceful. The Meadow. As countless people have done before me, I lie in the soft grass, welcoming its comforting touch. Around me, people are starting to reluctantly awaken, preparing for the hours to come. After an hour or so of this, I sit up and head back home. Mother is busy brushing my little sisters long golden curls. But Bree's eyes are far away; in some land nobody will ever be able to pull her out from.
Some people would call her mad, insane, or stupid. My mother and I are the only ones who care for her, take time to listen to her, to hold her when she cries for no apparent reason. I always worry about her, and today, her first reaping, I am scared to death.
"Hi Bree!" I say, taking one of her hot little hands in mine. "me pwetty!" she says back excitedly, and starts to skip about.
As we walk into the town square, I ignore the usual stares and take Bree to the 12's pen. I quickly take my place in the 16 boys as a silly woman with a stuffed goose hat and a bubble pink dress springs across the stage. "Hello everyone!" she shrieks energetically. The mayor gives the same boring speech, but all the time, my eyes are on the glass ball to the left of Hilly, the goose woman, imagining Bree's one paper slip, written in my careful handwriting, twiling around in there.
Hilly takes a step forward, rubs her hands together and pulls out a slip from the girls bowl.
"Bree Newman!" She proclaims.
Time stops. I stand there, open mouthed, unable to take in what she has just said. The I get it, and run, as fast as I can, shouting all the time "No... NO I VOLUTEER, I volunteer as the boy tribute. I pick Bree up and hold her tight as we both go up on the stage.
People are gasping and shaking their heads. This is wrong.
I close my eyes. If there is anybody out there, help me please.
I'm going to need it.
