Sunlight streamed through the open window in my bedroom. Such a beautiful day, I thought, if only the reaping weren't today. I threw the bedclothes off me and swung my legs over the side of the bed and touched the smooth wood. We didn't have to be at the Justice Building until 2 so that meant that I still had to complete daily chores. I walked across the hall to the kitchen. Our house was small, not much bigger than one of the train cars that we manufactured here in District 6. We make beautiful trains and other means of transportation but have to send it all to the Capitol. I saw my mother and my twin brother Aden sitting at the table. "Good morning, Ruka." my mother said in a measured voice. Everyone was strained on Reaping Day, even the rich. Everyone is fair game on Reaping Day. I glance over at Aden, who looks like me, except for his hair, which is a muted red, while mine is as black as a raven's wing. We both have the same color eyes, piercing blue, and slightly tanned skin. It must be so hard for my mother, to watch two kids be put in the Reaping. I sat down at the table and ate an apple absentmindedly. We sometimes found apples lying on the side of the railroad tracks where cars and cars full of food passed by on the way to the Capitol.
After eating I changed into my comfortable training clothes and left the house. I walked for about an hour until I reached the slightly wooded area that encases our district. Then I waited. Finally, she showed up; her blonde hair tied behind her head. "Hello Ruka," she said.
"Abria! Glad you could make it!" I said. Abria and I have been meeting here for 3 years now. Ever since we were 13 we have secretly snuck away to train. We run and stretch and lift large stones to build our muscles. With the population being so small here in District 6, its highly probable that either of us could be reaped for the Games. We have seen so many people go into the Arena without any idea of what to do. I hate feeling helpless. Abria and I have both had hard lives. We were both made fun of at school, me for my uncharacteristic black hair and her for her family.
"What do you want to do today?" asked Abria.
"Considering this is Reaping Day there probably isn't a reason to train today. I how could that possibly help us. One day of training is no good," I say. We both stretch out on the ground and stare at the sky. The whole day is so unreal; as is every Reaping Day. "How many times is your name in today?" I asked Abria.
"23, how many times is your name in that jar?"
"40, too many. I expect to go in this year. My luck only stretches so far. At least if one of us goes in we are somewhat prepared. I mean, the Careers still have the big advantage..." I trail off. Everyone already knows what advantages the Careers have anyways. They win almost every year. They are trained for the Games their whole lives and by the time they reach the Arena they are extremely deadly.
"Let's head back," I say and then rising, hug Abria and jog back to my house, just in time to get ready to go the Reaping. I take a bath and brush out my hair so it falls around my face in a shiny black curtain around my well built frame. I look good and everyone knows it. My mother had given me her beautiful face with high cheekbones and beautiful lips. It was from my father that I got my black hair. I am dressed in a white dress that comes to my knees. I wish it was longer so it would cover my shaking knees, but no such luck. I come downstairs and without a word, walk with my brother to the Justice Building.
The Justice Building has been spruced up just for the occasion and the Peacekeepers with guns add a nice touch of murder. Fun, I think. I join the other 16 year old girls and try not to appear to nervous. I look at my brother just as a lady taps on the microphone, bringing us all to quiet. "Welcome, welcome to the 71st Hunger Games," she says. I believe the woman's name is Becky or something to that effect. "Lady's first." She reaches over into a glass bowl filled with 40 slips of paper with my name on it. Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm... I say to myself over and over again. Then I hear a name, a very familiar name. It's my own.
All the faces in the crowd turn and look at me. Me. Me. Me. My legs take me up to the stage and Becky shifts impatiently. "What's your name, dear?" she asks.
"Ruka," I say. My voice sounds detached, as if I'm not all the way there. That has to stop. I can't have the Capitol thinking I am scared out of my mind, even though I am.
"Now for the boys." Becky reaches her hand into the glass jar and slowly opens the tiny slip of paper. "Aden Damek." My legs feel like they will buckle beneath me. No...no...no...no...no my mind chants over and over and over again. My brother steps out from the crowd and makes his way toward the stage.
Then suddenly a boy steps out from the crowd and says in a deep voice, "I volunteer as tribute." I sigh in relief and stare at this strange boy. He is tall, slender, has olive skin, and jet black hair. I stare and stare and stare. He looks so similar to me its almost unnerving. I see Aden sigh in relief and head back to his place in the crowd. I, however, remain on the stage. No one had come to my rescue. I find Abria in the crowd and she stares at me with sad, green eyes. I give her a shake of my head and just manage to catch the word she mouths to me. Win. By this time the boy has reached the stage and has introduced himself as Terran. We shake hands and are taken into the justice building.