Rain drizzled down in District Eleven. We walked to the central square.
It was the day of the reaping.
The sixteenth reaping hosted in District Eleven. A horrible feeling twisted around in my gut. The capital ruled with terror, nothing more and this just proved it. To make every single uncontent person fear for their lives their first years until they were adults.
I was twelve, barely even old enough for the games- my birthday having been the day before.
Waiting, in complete silence except for the announcer on the stage, going through the Dark Days and then the Capital's bla bla bla.
Boring and terrifying. Nothing to do but wait silently.
"Ladies first," the announcer said and walked to the bowl of names. Mine was in their once. Just once. "Thea O'Glinski."
My heart stopped. Me? Was it possible there was another Thea O'Glinski. Slowly, I took a step forward. Volunteer, please, I silently begged the people I passed. My hands shook as I reached the stage.
"Very well, now the men," the announcer plucked a name from the other bowl. I didn't even hear who it was, didn't see who came up on the stage with me. I just froze up.
"Ladies and gantlemen, the two District Eleven tributes for the sixteenth annual Hunger Games." The announcer picked my arm up and held it in the air. I didn't respond at the solemn faces looking at us. The boy's family was turned away, trying to hide their sobs. Mine wasn't even there. They never had been and never would.