When I woke up, the first thing I did was look for Sofia and Leo, it's a habit of mine, as if I was afraid they would have disappeared into the night while I was asleep. Sofia was already awake, eyes wide open, unblinking. Leo was fast asleep, his tiny hands clenched in a fist.
"Sofia," I whispered. Her head whipped around. "Let's go." I mouthed. We got washed and dressed. Our father had already left, it wasn't really surprising though, he always did that. Leaving without any warning, any indication. "Is it okay to just leave him here?" Sofia asked anxiously. "He'll be fine, Kath'll be here soon, till then Fighter would keep him company." I said. Fighter was our pitbull, he doesn't do much but he looks deathly scary.
As we walked side by side I looked at my sister's face. Chalk white, tinged with gray. "Did you even sleep at all last night?" I asked her.
"Did you?"She replied, her eyebrows raised.
No, I didn't. Probably neither did most people in Panem. Today was the day of the reaping. We walked in absolute silence for a while, thinking. Today was the day of reaping for the 70th Hunger Games. Which means it has been 70 years since the Dark Days, when the 13 districts rebelled against the Capitol that ruled over them. When they had lost, District 13 was completely destroyed and they invented the Hunger Games. The rules were simple, a boy and a girl tribute from each district is selected in a process called the reaping, then they are tossed into an arena to fight each other to the Death. Last one alive wins, allowed to come home to a life of luxury in Victors Village.
In celebration of todays Reaping it was a holiday. That means the factories were closed. The streets were completely deserted. No one around but the Peace Keepers. "They are probably setting everything up in The Square." Sofia said bitterly. I shot her a warning look. A deserted street with only Peace Keepers is not the place to start mouthing of. When we arrived at the Apothecary's the Sun was already rising. As we slipped in a tiny bell rang.
The Apothecary's smelled of mixed plants and herbs. Susan was arranging a row of bottles on a display. "Titus! Sofia!" She said hurrying over. Susan was thin frail looking woman, she had her greying hair knotted up in a bun and she moved in quick twitchy movements. "Hey Susan." Sofia said as she walked up to the counter. "We got more stuff for you." She said pouring out the contents of a paper bag onto a clean sterile counter
"Oh, Excellent." Susan muttered then hurried over to sort through the leaves and herbs while muttering to herself. Susan practically saved our lives, we collect ingredients for her, she gives us our coins, its as simple as that. District 6's main production may be medicine but most of us in the Districts could never afford them, they're for Capitol use only. Anyone caught trying to smuggle medicine out of the factories, no matter how dire the situation would be mean a public hanging.
That's what small apothecary shops like Susan's are for, for the ill here in District 6. Susan pressed some coins into Sofia's hands and as we were about to leave Susan called after us, "Good Luck." Her eyes solemn, her expression grim. Sofia ran over and hugged Susan, I merely nodded. Sofia was younger than me by a year, she had wispy pale blonde hair, almost white and gray eyes. We were almost opposites really, she's so small, frail even as if a strong gust of wind would blow her away. I have brown hair, brown eyes and a much bigger built, Sofia calls me Hercules, a character she had read from a really old history book. I had always thought that as the brother I would be the one constantly protecting her.
But I soon learn Sofia can take care of herself.
When we reached the square it was already packed. I looked around and I saw Leo clinging on the skirt of Kath's dress, my father was probably somewhere a long the back with his rowdy friends. All of them behind the roped off corner for the onlookers. I gave Leo a little wave and slunk of the 15 year old section, Sofia hurried of the 14 year old section just as the anthem of Panem rang out. The mayor stepped forward, an elderly man with a rough warn face but eyes full of malice. The square was lined with Peacekeepers, guns ready in their hands.
Oh the stage there was a row of people seated on chairs. The past victors, Roland and Syera sat side by side, they had won one year apart, their skin was a sickly yellow, bulging bloodshot eyes. They had been addicted to morphling as long as I could remember. Sonic a woman in her 60's seemed healthy enough although there was a hollow look in her eyes as if her mind was far far away.
On a table there were 2 huge glass balls filled with tiny strips of paper. One of those strips of paper has my name on it, Titus Aphee, just one, Sofia and I had never signed up for tassarae we nearly had to once or twice but we survived.
When the mayor finished speaking a man jumped to his feet, he had his wavy hair dyed white, spirals tattooed on his face and he was wearing a gleaming blue suit that sparkled. He clapped his hands together and beamed at us but it was obvious his focus was on the Television Cameras set up around the square. "Time to start the Reaping!" He said cheerfully.
"Gentlemen." He said as we hurried over the glass ball with the boys names in it. His hands dug furiously into through the strips of paper and finally pulled one out. He unfolded it and read clearly, "Titus Aphee."
I felt my heart sink, I couldn't breathe. Thousands of eyes turned and looked at me, thousands of pitiful, yet obviously relieved faces. I lifted my head high, and squared my shoulders. If I had to go in to the arena I might as well go in with a brave face. There was a thud, Sofia, collapsed on the floor, head in hands. The crowd had parted around her as if she was an infectious disease. I looked away. It was better me than her anyways.
Floreen Spades clapped me on the back "Well you're the lucky one!" he said. His snow white teeth flashing at me. Yeah, I'm the lucky one. "Now for the ladies!" He said rushing over to the glass orb. I wonder who would It be, the girl that I would have to kill to come back to Sofia and Leo, would I know her? Would that make it even more difficult to kill her off?
Floreen unfolded the paper and there was a look of surprise on his face. " Well what do you know!" he said smiling at the audience. "Sofia Aphee."