I wake up to the sound of screaming, then i slowly realize it was my own. I only wake one other thing in this house and that's my cat. i live alone even though i'm only 16. Both my parents passed from starvation, i'm an only child so i was the only one left. I got a settlement for both deaths, though it is starting to run low. I try to remember what i was dreaming. Then it comes to me, the reaping is tomorrow and i have a very high chance of being chosen. My name has been put in the reaping bowl 32 times. Maybe if I am reaped it will be an easy way out, i know I have no chance of winning except the fact i'm good at snares, and i also know a lot about plants. Careers are the real problem. they know exactly how to kill, they have been trained. i wouldn't make it past the cornucopia. I try to fall asleep again because i have to be up early for the reaping.
When i wake up the next day i have a kink in my neck, most likely from thrashing around in my sleep. I use the restroom, then wash up. I put on one of my mothers old blue skirt and white blouse. i tie my hair back into an intricate bun.
I put down some milk for my cat. My friend Catherine was generous enough to give me some for some bread i made with my grain. i walk to the kitchen and look in the pantry. All i have is some of that hard bread and some berries i picked from the outskirts of the gates that protect our district. I eat them, not really tasting it then wash it down with a glass of water.
I make my way up to the Square, where they hold the reaping every year. i walk up to sign in. As i find my place for the reaping i spot my friend Catherine and mouth the words thank you. she didnt notice. then it starts, Effie Trinket the typical Capitol woman walks up to the microphone in a bright yellow outfirt that could blind anyone. "welcome, welcome, to the 67th annual Hunger Games. I just love vistiting your district, all of the wonderful textiles here in 8." she smiles outrageously. Then as usual she starts talking about the history of the Hunger Games. How one of our districts started a rebellion against the Capitol and this disgusting game could bring peace to our nation. "well, the time has come!" she says loudly. "Ladies first!" She walks over to the reaping bull and pulls out a slip. she prances back to the microphone and read the poor girls name off the small piece of paper. "Rosemary Sorenson." I look up in shock to the loudness of my name around the square. i slowly walk towards the stage to see Effie smiling. "Stand over here sweetie," she says. i comply and wait. she walks over to the microphone again and says, "now for the boys," she walks to the other reaping bowl on the opposite side of the stage, again pulls a slip and walks back to the microphone. "Seth Moonacre."
The boy makes his way to the stage. he's a rather attractive man, maybe a year older then me. He has dark brown hair like mine, but he has piercing blue eyes, while mine are a dull green. He stands on the opposite side of the stage and glances up slightly to look at me. "Your tributes for the 67th anual Hunger Games." effie says to break my train of thought. we walk over to the middle of the stage and shake hands, Seth looks deeply in my eyes and for a moment i think i know him.
The peacekeepers walks us to the justice building and into separate rooms to say goodbye to loved ones. Only one person comes in and it is Catherine. I hug her tightly not shedding one tear. I only say, "Cath, will you take care Smokey for me?" she nods, tears rolling down her cheeks. A peacekeeper comes in and says time to go, she walks then turns and says, "I love you, Rosemary." then the door shuts before i get a chance to say anything. Warm tears run down my face for the first time.