"Hey get back here!" a fisher shouted. "He's stealing my fish!"
I whipped my head back and I stuck my tongue out. A huge grin spread across my face. My heart was beating so fast that I felt like it would pop out of my chest. The wind smacking against my face was unbelievable. My legs moved as fast as they could. And my breathing was heavy and fast.
I turned my head around and I saw two peacekeepers running after me. Trying to keep up. I smirked. And I ran faster.
I ran past the main square of District 4. The grass was green and radiating. The sun, heavy and bright. The houses looked well kept and large. Many people were walking in and out of the town square. But, my favorite part of the square, is the large fountain spraying water up gracefully. There was a dirt path leading to the lower class people who didn't live a very good life in the District. The houses down there looked neglected and abandoned. The justice building was as beautiful as ever.
As I was admiring the view of our District, everything seems to go upside down. But, in reality I tripped on my own feet! I guess I was going too fast.
I used my arms to push me up, and I quickly looked behind me to see how close the Peacekeepers were, but instead I felt pain in my head. The Peacekeepers were pulling me up by my hair. I winced.
I kicked, and struggled to break free, but all they did was pull harder. I kicked a Peacekeeper and he gets down on his knees. I take this chance to make a run for it, while purposely dropping my fish. No need to get whipped for stealing a fish. I made a break for it and ran.
I slammed the school doors open and I jogged to my locker. I opened my locker and grabbed my books and supplies.
"Not so fast" a voice said behind me.
I whipped my head behind me and saw Troy, and his buddies behind him, Roman, and Kai.
"I guess your face needs an adjustment again" Troy said with a smirk on his face. Roman, and Kai looked at me like I was fish bait. Troy pulls back his long blonde hair, and he cracked his knuckles.
"Time for a beat down," he said. Immediately after that, he swung a punch right at my face. He hit me in the nose and I backed away, I pulled my hand over my nose. My nose began to bleed.
Troy comes at me with full rage. He swung another punch but missed.
"You know." I said. "You don't have to beat me up right now." I began. Troy swung again, but missed me. "Why don't we do this later?" I asked with a smirk on my face.
Roman ran up to me and punched me in the stomach. My breath is taken out of me. I took a few steps and punched Roman in the nose. He stepped back, and ran into Troy. They both fell onto the ground.
I took the chance to make a run for it. I ran into my classroom. My Teacher, Mr. Branson, looked at me and then down at his watch.
"You're late, Zale." He said with a frown upon his face, I sighed and walked into my seat. He babbled on and on about the Hunger Games, and the history of Panem, and of course, about America. I realized that the Reapings for the Hunger Games started tomorrow. A certain feeling began to gnaw at my stomach like a growing monster.
After school I took my bag, and walked home. For some strange reason, nothing bad happened to me when I walked home. That is unusual. Usually, I would run into Troy and his friends. Or, I would bump into my crush, Molly. But, nothing like that happened today. So I walked home slowly.
I walked into my house, and immediately, I'm ambushed by my four siblings.
"ZALE!" They all shouted and they surrounded me. I do have to admit, I do love them, but, sometimes they can be annoying.
"Can you take us out fishing?" They all asked. I think about this for a minute but, I realize Molly is fishing today.
"Sure let's go." I say with a smile on my face.
"Hold up just a minute" Said a screeching voice. Oh goodness, it's mother. "Did all of you ask for permission before you took off?" She said with a frown fixed upon her face. We all nodded. "Oh really, who then?" She asked. "Zale." My siblings accused.
Great, now I'm in trouble. See, this is why four siblings is a daily struggle for me.
"Fine, you can go, but Zale, make sure they stay safe." My mother said with a smile.
I sighed a breath of relief. I took my siblings to the ocean, and from there we fished until dusk. We brought most of the fish to the peacekeepers but I snuck a few fish home.
That night we had fish for dinner, again. We talked about tomorrow, and told each other's fears about the Reapings. I told them if they were picked I would volunteer.
Around Midnight, my father walked in. My siblings basically tackled him to the ground. My father gave his jolly chuckle. His laugh always makes me smile. My father always tells tales about what he saw in the ocean. Sometimes, they could be tall tales.
We all went to bed except for me. Around 1:00 a.m I sneaked out to go meet Molly by the ocean. I made sure no one followed me, and I checked for peacekeepers. I think they all are down on the job. I could easily sneak out of my District if I wanted to.
"I knew you would come." a sweet voice said. I turned around and saw Molly with a small smile on her face.
I walked up to her and gave her a hug. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?" I asked. She looked up into my sea blue eyes. And whispered into my ear. I feel her cool breath touch my ear.
"Yes." She answered.
"I am too." I said back. "What if I get picked? What if my family gets picked? What if-" my sentence is shushed by her finger touching my lips. Her brown eyes looked into mine.
"It's alright." She whispered. "I'm here with you now, that's all that matters." She said as she fluttered her eyes. I know where this is going. She began to lean in, as do I. We stopped when we heard a twig snap.
I whipped my head behind me to see who was there. When a sudden wave of pain hits my face. I groaned, blood formed in my mouth, the sour taste made me shiver. Then I heard a shriek.
"Molly!" I shouted.
"Shut up." Said a voice. I threw a punch at the figure, but I missed. "Why don't we do this another time?" The figure mocked. I kicked randomly, and struggled. Another punch hit me in the face.
"Leave Molly alone!" I shouted. I heard a body land on the grass, and then feet running away. I hope it's Molly running away. "Get me a knife." The figure said. I remember that accent from somewhere. It's Troy.
I see a sharp metallic knife right above my face. I kicked the figure and grabbed the knife. My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and soon I saw Troy, Roman, and Kai. They all looked frightened. I threw the knife into the ocean, where it will never be seen again. I took my choice to escape, so I ran and never looked back.
I sneaked into my house. I jumped into bed and fell asleep instantly.