Bury me with Flowers
Chapter 1:
The Reaping
The day is cold. My breath made itself seen. It is the first one on this dreadful day. Reaping day. I yawn and rub my eyes. This grey house seems even more dreary and dull. I sit up but I can't find my balance for more than 3 seconds and fall back on my face
"Rue, sleepy-head, get out from under those covers" My dad whispers
"I was awake I swear!" I say a bit too loudly.
"Don't worry, girl, just get dressed and in 3 hours it will all be over" he soothingly replies.
4 times. 4 times out of thousands. Maybe even hundreds of thousands of names. My dad is worried that I will get picked. I know I won't get picked. because whatever type of Control I might still have in this world tells me that I have worked too long and too hard for the last 8 years working in the feilds. No matter what, I am not wasting it all without leaving an imprint. I eat my breakfast of wheaty toast with grass seeds and butter and start my slow journey to the Justice building with my father.
"You know, Ryeson loves you..." my father starts
"Awe come on Dad, Don't start this conversation. It always ends with tears." I say and dad clears his throat.
My brothers Ryeson, Perry & Winkle, and my 2 sisters Evergreen and Winter are all younger than me. They are all completely exempt from going into the games until next year where me and Ryeson can go. Today Ryeson is at home probably Praying for favor that me (or his Girlfriend) won't get picked. I stand in line and my father tells me whats going to happen. I walk to the girls section and a woman in a Dark blues dress with Green hair and yellow highlighted skin walks onto the stage. Valerie Clairedoit is the tribute escort for this year and the last 14 years. this will be her 15th year and is her last chance to retire. she starts to give a speech on how our country, Panem was brought to existence. War, Tragedy, Blood, and finally Peace. This is my first time hearing this speech live and I am basically tuned out in the first minute. She introduces the mentors for the year, Billy "Matchstick" Midas, and Carina Peski (these are the only two surviving victors). Billy gives a few words and stands next to Valerie. Valerie walks to the girls bowl to reap the girls name. Thats when I get the breath knocked out of me. "Rue Cascalan!"
"Where is this Great, young lady of excellence?"
There is no hiding because every face is pointed at me.
"Come up please, cutie."
First step. Second step. Third step. All wobbly. I can't find level ground anywhere. Four times. Four little slips out of 83,469 names that I saw on the Peacekeeper's machine. Fourth step. I'm lucky I was on the 3rd row or I might not make it to the stage.
"Rue, watch that step"
I'm finaly there. Took forever. "Say hello to our Female tribute for the 74th annual hunger games!" Valerie says with a cheery voice. The entire croud lets out a moan. I see My dad in the back bawling his eyes out. when Valerie puts her hand in the boy's bowl, she pulls out a name that is quite familiar. the name does not belong to a boy but a man. he comes to the stage and I find he stands twice as tall as me. We all know Thresh Daimen from his work in the fields. he gets finished in a third of the time as it takes normal guys in the 12th sect of school. He stares at me with the eyes of a merciful man. that might be his downfall though. his mercy becomes his own trap. Say hello to our Quite buff, Male tribute for the 74th annual Hunger Games! If the odds were ever in my favor, I hope they're looking for me because I lost them. and I'm not coming back. I shake Threshes hand (which nearly breaks mine) and we head into the justice building.