I woke up to see the morning light peeking in through my worn out curtains. As I lay watching, I take a deep sigh and remember the significance of the day. Today was Reaping day- the day two children would be selected from every district just to be taken to the Capitol to murder each other. The Hunger Games were first proposed a year ago giving us a year to prepare. As a District 2 citizen, I was enrolled in Academy for training. Since we are the main producers of Peacekeepers, we were expected to be prepared to win. However, I hear Districts 1 and 4 are doing it too. It's sick to think about...that they're making these Games our lives...or careers. In reality, they Games seemed both terrifying and exhilarating and if the President found it necessary, who am I to argue with him? After all, there are worse games to play.
"AURORA! GET UP!" a voice called from the hallway. I soon identified it as my older sister, River. By the time she barged into my room, I had already swung my legs over the edge and sat wiggling my toes in the plush carpet. "Good morning, sleepy-head!" She chimed. Honestly, she seemed a little TOO perky for the occasion...but that was River for you, always happy as if she remained untouched by the surrounding darkness.
I watched her walk to my window and pull the shades open despite my groans of protest. She turned to me once my room was washed with light, "Good morning, Aurora." She said again playfully. I nodded, "Good morning, River." I tried my best to sound sincere but it came out as a scratchy groan. "I made breakfast if you're hungry! We have to leave in an hour though so don't wait too long to get ready!" I nodded stiffly and walked to my closet. What would be appropriate attire to an event such as this?
"Oh, mother got you a new dress to wear." River said turning to the chair by my desk. A canary yellow dress lay on top of it and I began to wonder how long it had been there. I looked at my dress and then to my sister to see what she was wearing. I really wish I hadn't done this because the bright pink dress she wore nearly gave me a headache at a mere glance. "Did she pick out your dress too?" I asked with a smirk. - "She sure did! All of our Reaping outfits are imported from the Capitol. "River did a little twirl and I shook my head. My mother did have exquisite taste but I really didn't care about fashion.
"Giiiirls! Are you dressed? Your brothers are waiting to eat!" My mother always insisted that we all ate together. It was pointless, really. My twin brothers, Marcus and Nathan always ended up talking over each other, my mother and River talked about the latest fashion or gossip floating around the district and I mostly just sat there sharing the same vacant expression as my father. I have an older brother as well, Erik, who has joined the ranks of Peacekeepers, he comes home on the weekends but other than that we don't see him much. I also plan to join the force once I am through with school- 1 more year.
"Aurora! Get dressed, I'll tell Mom you're on your way down." River said. I nodded and thankfully that was enough to entice her to leave my room.
I quickly changed into the yellow dress, and began to brush out my hair as I walked out of my room and to the bathroom. I could already hear my family chatting at the table-something about Academy from the sounds of it.
I flipped on the lights in the bathroom and looked into the mirror. My hair was a mess. Strands of my red hair flew in every direction and my pale skin looked pasty under the dress. With a sigh I pulled my hair up in a bun and clipped a yellow butterfly pin in to keep it in place. I looked in the mirror trying to determine if the look was working or not. After a few undecided moments I decided to forget about it and walk downstairs for my shoes.
"River! Have you talked to your boyfriend lately?" Talking was the last thing they'd be doing. Mother asked as I was walking into the room. "Yes, just last night actually. He asked if I could join him for lunch after the Reaping." She said this mostly as a statement but it was obvious she was asking for permission, "I told him that it was up to you but otherwise I'd be happy to join him." I noticed that they surprisingly had already eaten breakfast so I didn't bother to sit down. The shoes I was looking for were in the closet and after collecting them I stepped through to the kitchen as their conversation continued. "Well, I don't think that should be a problem." Mother said, "Is that okay with you, dear?" My father must have nodded because River proceeded to thank them both eagerly.
I looked up at the clock on the wall, "It's 9:30; I think we need to leave soon. The next shuttle leaves in eight minutes." I called into the dining room. In our District we are permitted to have cars even so, my parents refuse to buy one. I don't blame them—it's just another expense and frankly I like taking the shuttle. It does its job and you only have to buy a pass once a year which is a lot cheaper than owning a car.
"Alright, let's get going then." Father said walking into the kitchen to get the house keys from the rack.
I watched River help carry the dirty dishes into the kitchen and proceeded to the hall closet to gather everyone's coats. Even for the middle of March it was still nippy at times. "Marcus, get the door." I said as I watched my brothers fight over coats. Nathan ended up getting the green one and Marcus pouted about it as he eventually gave in and opened the door. The sun washed over my body as I stepped out into the yard and after the door was locked and everyone was outside we proceeded down the sidewalk to wait for the shuttle.
"Where's Simon?" River asked. "I thought he'd be here too." She looked around the crowd of people that had already been waiting for her boyfriend. I looked too, "Maybe he caught the last one." I said, "Or maybe his family drove, don't they have a car?" River sighed and fidgeted in her shoes.
We didn't have to wait too long before the white vehicle approached and we all filed onto the empty shuttle .I took a seat in between River and our mom leaving our father alone with the boys. I felt bad for him but not enough to trade spaces; instead I turned my head and watched out the window as our home disappeared in the distance.
The ride on the shuttle only took about ten minutes before we were let out into the crowded square. All of the children were being taken upon arrival and escorted to their allotted positions. From the looks of it, they were putting them in order from oldest to youngest, the oldest being closest to the stage. I followed my sister off the shuttle as a Peacekeeper ordered us to follow him. Without hesitation we both followed after the man as he maneuvered his way through the sea of people going in all different directions. This was really the most disorganized it's ever been in District 2 and despite my temporary amusement I was beginning to once again feel nauseous as we were lead to a roped off section where the other girls of our age were standing.
"You'll stand here," said the Peacekeeper lifting the rope for us to go under. River went ahead first and I followed her, looking up at the stage positioned in front of us. Two large glass bowls filled with hundreds of little white folded papers were sitting on tables beside a podium. "Damn that's a lot of names." I thought looking at it. I guess that should put me at ease—everyone's name was only in there once so my odds of being picked were well over one in five hundred. I continued to look around at the decorations and noticed the head Peacekeeper, Aimee, walking amongst a group of guards. Her blonde hair stood out in the sunlight and her face seemed a little less than its regular solemnity. She retired her regular white uniform for a bright blue sundress that seemed a little too obnoxious. I noticed the Peacekeeper closest to her had the same sandy hair as Marcus and Nathan and immediately identified it was Erik.
"River, look." I said tapping my sister on the shoulder, "It's the head Peacekeeper. She isn't in uniform—she's with Erik." When River sister didn't reply I looked over to see what had held her attention. "River, what are you doing?" I asked noticing she was focused on the crowd, scanning it.
"I'm looking for Simon." River said quietly. I sucked my teeth, "I'm sure you'll see him afterwards." I was hoping she heard me but the Panem anthem being blasted overhead cut off the end of my sentence. I looked up at the speakers and then to the stage as a woman, in her late thirties, walked on stage. She wore a powder blue, silk dress that had a gaudy bubble skirt. It was obvious at once that she was from the Capitol. Her hair was bleached white and she wore a large blue flower on the left side, which I was convinced, was keeping all of her curls in place.
"Good morning, District 2and welcome to the Reaping for the first annual Hunger Games." Her voice was almost as obnoxious as her outfit and I cringed as she spoke. "As you know it's been decreed that every year, one young man and woman, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, will be selected from each district to be taken to the Capitol where they will be trained in the art of survival and to fight to the death." She paused for a moment as if she was to be expecting cheers. To my surprise a group of boys starting making whooping noises. Most of them were the boys who were 18 and would be joining the Peacekeepers and would be safe if they weren't reaped this year.
"Now," continued the woman, "The time has come to choose the tributes." She approached the bowl and put her hand in, fishing around for a paper. Hurry up woman. I watched quietly, my stomach churning, and as the woman opened the paper her heart stopped.
"Our female tribute, for district 2 is…" she paused for dramatic effect and River grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Aurora Wilder."
I felt like I was going to be sick. I looked over at River, my mouth opening slightly but no audible noise was coming out. River looked back at me, blinking several times and still gripping my hand. I pulled away from my sister, "It's me." I whispered, "She called my name." River nodded slowly as the Peacekeeper walked over to collect me. I was pulled from the crowd and onto the stage so quickly it wasn't even registering completely.
"Excellent." Said the woman, "Now, onto the boys."
I stood fidgeting as she walked over to the other bowl and dropped her hand inside. From my peripheral vision I could see my little brothers exchanging looks with each other. It was hard to make them out. Were they surprised? Scared? Perhaps even happy? It didn't matter.
"Simon Jones" the woman called. I looked over, realizing I was still standing on stage in front of my entire district. What did she say? I asked myself looking over to the other side of the stage as she ran over to greet the Peacekeepers escorting the male tribute. I didn't catch the name but as he was brought on stage my heart sunk. Oh God, no. Simon… River's boyfriend, Simon. The Simon that we welcomed into our home and trusted would one day marry my sister. He looked over at me, his black hair falling neatly around his pointed face, his dark eyes looking at me. I looked away quickly and heard the faint howl of a female voice coming from the audience. I didn't doubt for a second it was River.
"Lovely, just lovely." Continued the Capitol woman now beaming from ear to ear. "Now that we have both of our tributes selected, the Games are a week closer to beginning." she continued with a sickening smile, "I am also very pleased to announce your district mentor will be none-other than Head Peacekeeper, Aimee." As she said this, the blonde haired woman in the obnoxious blue dress stepped forward and waved to the unresponsive crowd. The Capitol woman shifted in her platform heels, "If any of you wish to see your tributes off, they will be in separate rooms at the Hall of Justice until the train is ready to depart. Get your goodbyes in while you can, you have one hour." She gave a high-pitched giggle before saying, "Wish them luck! May the odds be ever in their favor."
Ha…the odds. That's rich. I was sure the odds were in my favor. How did this even happen? There was well over five hundred names in that bowl…why did it have to be mine that she picked? Why didn't she ask for volunteers? Many questions whirled through my head, several of which I knew had no real answer. I watched as Peacekeepers, including my brother, lined at the end of the stairs to escort us to the Justice Hall. Simon walked in front of me, and the Capitol woman was in front of him. I decided it was best to keep myself looking confident and fixed my eyes on the back of her head. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned my head slightly to the left to see Erik standing behind me. It was hard to tell through his armor but I think he was smiling at me—not a "happy you're off to die" smile but an "I'm sorry this happened to you but I have nothing better to do but smile" smile.
I tried to keep the same, vacant expression I had on my face while on stage but found myself constantly thinking about the crowd behind me that I was now walking away from. The life I knew that I was now walking away from…and my family that I was now walking away from. Of course I wasn't walking away of my own free will, I was bearing the fetters of the Panem government around my ankles and no matter what I did, there was no way for me to get around it.
The Hall of Justice wasn't too far away from the Square, a short five-minute walk to be exact. The inside of the structure was oddly ornate and I was lead into a room at the end of a long hallway the opposite of where Simon would be going. Once inside the room, I sat down on the couch under the tall, bolted window. The door was instantly locked behind me, escaping was impossible. A million different things were racing through my head as I finally realized that this could very well be the last time I would ever be home in District 2.
How was I going to survive the Games? It is me against twenty-three other children, in an arena that was more-than likely designed to kill me. There was the possibility of forming allies—no, this was more than a possibility, it would be a necessity. If I was going to stay true to myself I was going to team up with Simon right away. This was how it was going to be whether he liked it or not. It'd be easier for him to kill me anyways. As I sat thinking about how I was going to strategize, there was knocking at the door. I stood as Erik walked in, pulling off his helmet. He looked at me, and I stared back at him.
"Hey." He said after a few awkwardly silent seconds later. "Hey." I respond. He takes a step towards me and I find myself running into his arms. I've always loved Erik; we had more in common than I did with any of my other family members. "You're going to be okay." He said, "I heard Aimee talking with other officers and she seems to know what she's got planned." I nodded, "She doesn't seem like the kind of person to do anything without a plan." I said, "Well…except maybe getting dressed without looking like a jellybean." It was true. I mean how many other head Peacekeepers could get away with looking like that without planning it? It was impossible.
"I know what you mean." He said, pulling away. "Look, Rory, you've got this okay? The only other districts that have had specialized training for the Games are one and four—make friends with those kids." He pushed my hair back, "They'll be interested in working together—trust me, okay?" I nodded, "I trust you, and I'll try." He smiled at me and clasped his hand on my shoulder, "Knock 'em dead, Rory—literally." I laughed quietly as he put his walked to the door, his helmet in hand. He waved stiffly as he stepped out of the room.
I hadn't thought about working with the tributes from the other districts. Would that really be wise? I guess it could be, if they've been trained as well but… working with strangers in a survival of the fittest type scenario seems like a good way to get myself killed. I'll have to check with Simon on that one.
River was my next visitor, and honestly I wasn't surprised that she was crying well before the door was unlocked for her to come in. "Oh, Aurora." She sobbed as she yanked me into her arms. My shoulder was soaked in seconds as she stood there crying. I tried my best to remain as still as possible, rubbing my hand down her back. "It's okay, River." I say quietly. "I'll take care of Simon." I figured that was what she wanted to hear. She pulled away and tried her best to look me in the eye, "Promise me you'll take care of yourself too." She squeaked. "Of course, River, of course. I'm not about to go in without fighting." I say. "I'll put up a fight." She smiles softly, "Good—you can't let yourself die…you need to come home." That's impossible. I want to tell her this. I want to tell her that it's impossible for Simon and I to both come home… I don't think she's yet realized it.
I wipe my thumbs under her eyes, brushing away her tears. She may be but year older than me but we're pretty much the same height. "I have to go," she pushes back my hand and reaches down at her wrist, "but…before I do", she unclasps the laurel wreath bracelet she was wearing and then put it around my wrist. "I want you to have this." She said, "To remember home." I don't quite understand what a laurel wreath has to do with home but who am I to argue with my heartbroken sister? I smile in thanks as the Peacekeepers open the door to escort River out. She walks out of the room, looking over her shoulder and blows me a kiss. I swear I could feel something graze my cheek as she did so.
My only other visitor was my mother who seemed to wait until the last minute to come. This didn't bother me, though… I would have been fine if she didn't come at all. When the door opened I looked over curiously to see who it was, while I was happy to see my mom's face, I was regretting what was to come. "Your father had to take your brothers home…they were getting out of hand. He apologizes and hopes you forgive him." I nod. Of course I forgive him—hell, I praise him. Anyone that can handle Marcus and Nathan together must be a saint. She walked over to my seat in the windowsill and holds out her closed hand. I look at her, puzzled, "Open your hand." She says. I look at her as I slowly hold out my palm and she lets a silver locket slip out of her hands and into mine. I recognize it immediately; it was a gift my grandmother gave her when she had first had me.
"Open the locket." She says nudging my hand. I open it slowly and see that the pictures that were in it before had been changed; now there is a copy of our last family portrait inside to the right, and a picture of my mother and I when I was younger on the left. I close it again and look at her. "When did you change the pictures?" I ask. "Last week…I was going to give this to you for your birthday." She says, "I brought it along…just in case." She pulls me into her embrace, using the opportunity to take the necklace and put it on me as she starts humming a familiar tune…a lullaby she used to sing me on the nights I couldn't sleep. After the first few notes I found myself singing the words, quietly.
"I see the moon, the moon sees me
shining through the leaves of the old oak tree
Oh, let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.
Over the mountain, over the sea,
back where my heart is longing to be
Oh let the light that shines on me
shine on the one I love.
I hear the lark, the lark hears me
Singing from the leaves of the old oak tree
Oh, let the lark that sings to me
sing to the one I love,
Over the mountains, over the sea
back where my heart is longing to be
Oh, let the lark that sings to me
sing to the one I love. "
The last verse was broken in my tears as I let everything I was feeling flow from me." It's going to be okay, baby." My mother said trying her best to console me. "I have faith in you." I nod slowly, trying to find the tears that I could no longer produce. "I love you, Mother." I say quietly, pulling out of the embrace. She nodded and wiped a tear from her eye, "I know you do. I love you too, Aurora. I want you to go into this arena, and I want you to kick everyone's ass, okay?" I couldn't help but laugh, despite the quivering in my mother's voice, "Okay Mom."
"Okay baby." She held my face in her hands and kissed me on the forehead before bringing her hands down my neck, lingering over the necklace. "I know it'll be tough… but I know you'll be home soon." Yeah, in a casket. The door opened again and the Peacekeepers came in to escort her out. We hugged again one last time before I watched my mom leave the room.
It wasn't long before the Capitol woman came into the room to collect me to take us out to the train station. The walk out of the front doors of the building was tedious as several camera crews were set up all over trying to capture every second of our departure. This was probably the Capitol's way of building suspense as all of the tributes have been selected and the citizens in the Capitol were patiently awaiting our arrivals.
The Peacekeepers escorting them pushed their way through the crowd and then stopped in front of the train car. The annoying woman stepped forward, sliding the door open and motioning for Simon and me to step inside. I hesitated as I looked slightly over my shoulder before slinking into the train car, followed by Simon and the woman. Once inside, I could see that Aimee was already on board and eating at a long dining table. Uninterested in the food, I moved over by a window to wait for the train to depart, to watch District 2 pass behind us, which may be the last glimpse of home I would ever see in person.