I snapped up, smacking my head on the bed frame. I felt the warm air envelope my face, and inhaled the scent of the sea. I watched my older sister, Genevieve, turn and have the blankets around her legs. Might as well get up early after all. Today's the reaping. When two children's lives, and their futures are breathlessly ripped away from them. I'm Amber, sixteen years old. My sister is eighteen, so this is her last reaping.
I slip on a simple pale blue dress. Because it seems like all of District 4 has to wear freaking blue to every reaping. Everyone says blue brings out her eyes, my perfect sister. Everyone loves her, because she has gorgeous blue eyes and hits the target every time with her blades. She hasn't gotten reaped once. I see her brightly get up, smiling brightly at the sunny sky. "Morning, Ams." Our parents are probably at the Justice Building right now, they always like to get good spots for the reaping.
I slowly walk to the center of the town, as if walking more slowly means the moment won't come. Inevitably, it does come, and I slowly walk to the sixteen section. The name is called. "Miranda Fox!" I haven't any idea who Miranda Fox is, but I see my sister lunge forward, and I barely know what I'm doing when I scream "I volunteer!". I slowly walk up to the stage, seeing every eye on me, knowing I had to prove I was good for more than fishing and being a little sister. "My name is Amber Pierce." I try to keep my mind totally blank as she calls the male tribute, and it works. The only thing I register about him is that he's tall and buff. We shake hands, and are ushered out into the rooms where we say our goodbyes.
I wince as my mother, father and sister all storm into the room. I feel a sharp slap across my face as my father leans over me. Of course, they're angry. It was my sister's last year to volunteer, and I took it. I watch them leave as I cradle the stinging wound on my cheek. They didn't even say anything, just looked at me with those disapproving faces. I know I won't make it out alive. This personality doesn't get you sponsors. We climb onto the train, and I instantly go to the first room I see and fall asleep on the bed, hoping that this would all be a bad dream.