So. This is my 2nd fan fic, and I hope you like it. I have a sequel planned (It will be slightly au), but if people hate this one, I won't bother. So REVIEW and tell me what you think. This is the reaping and the train ride.
DISCLAIMER: I own the characters, but not the concept of the Hunger Games.
"Dusty, wake up." I open my eyes to see my brother Cameron's grim face looking over me. "It's almost time to go to the reaping." My first reaping. My name is in the big glass ball this year. Even if it is only once, I am no longer safe.
When he leaves my room I slip on my reaping dress. It is soft and yellow, with a poufy skirt, and a matching flower for my hair. I hate it. I miss my blue jeans, and t-shirts, and a long ponytail down my back. The only thing I still wear is the golden chain around my neck. It was my mama's, before she died.
Mama died in the mines. No one knows how or why. One night she just didn't come home. She'd been dead for days before they found her body, and now the fine golden chain is all I have left of her.
I finish with my clothes and go to breakfast, only a hard roll baked from Tesserae grain. My brothers Tesserae grain, because he wouldn't let me take any. But at least it is food.
"Come on, Dusty, its time to go." Cameron takes my hand and leads me to the square. My dad should be with us, but he's not. After Mama died he just left. No one knew where he went, and no one knows where he is. My brother is 18 though, old enough. Unless he is reaped. His name is in the drawing 31 times this year. Not as many as some, but the odds certainly aren't in his favor.
"I'll see you after," I say, going off to join my best friend Talia with the other 12 year olds. She gives me a hug, and we wait in silence. I can't tell she's been crying. Unlike me, Talia is the oldest of four, and her name is in the ball seven times. Twice for her, three times for her siblings, and twice for her parents.
The mayor is standing on the stage net to Dahlia Fray, District 12s escort. There are no victors. In 48 years, not one victor has been from district 12.
I don't listen to the mayor's speech; I stopped listening when I was seven, and had it practically committed to memory.
"And now, to name the District 7 tributes for the 49th Hunger Games!" He finishes his annual speech with this.
I watch Dahlia Fray prance up to the stage, and reach into the first glass ball with a shrill
"Ladies first!"
"Cynthia Stiles!" She calls, and my heart stops. I walk towards the platform. When I reach the stage, I grab the microphone she is holding and pull it to my lips.
"Call me Dusty, everyone does." I say, flashing a smug smile. Sometimes shock makes me do things I wouldn't normally dare to do.
"Of course." She says, surprised at my interruption. She regains her composure. "Well, are there any volunteers for Miss Dusty?"
There aren't. I am some how disappointed, even though I knew there wouldn't be. I hold my breath. Not Cameron. I think. How could I go to the games, not only to my death, but to watch my brother die as well?
"Mason Cable!" I smile at him. He is 17, and I know one thing. He has a hell of a better chance of winning than I do. We shake hands, and I let the Peacekeepers lead me to the justice building.
"Its ok, Dusty." Talia visits me first; her arms are wrapped around me, tears leaking out of her eyes. "Maybe you'll win, and then you can come home, and we can go to the bakers and buy a fancy cake." One of our favorite things to do when we have free time is look at the iced cakes in the baker's windows.
"Maybe." I say, but I know it's a lie. 12 year olds never win, it just doesn't happen.
When Talia leaves, my brother enters.
"Good bye." He says. No encouragement, no 'its ok' or 'you'll be all right'. Not even an 'I'm sorry you have to die like this'. Nothing. He leaves then, not waiting for an answer, and I let the Peacekeepers lead me to the train.