The rain is leaking the roof and I do not give a fuck. I've given up trying to fix up this place. I'm especially not going to bother on my one day off.
My name is Karkat Vantas and I hate pretty much everything.
The only exception is Terezi. She's amazing. The best friend I've ever had. If she had to go into the games... god, I don't even want to think about it. Unfortunately it's been on my mind all day. The reaping is tomorrow for the 78th Annual Hunger Games. I feel sick. I suppose, with no family, it would only make sense if I were chosen to go in. That doesn't mean I'm going to volunteer. Nobody volunteers. Not since the rebellion, when Katniss volunteered for her sister and caused a chain of events that destroyed District 12. Ever since the Capitol has been stricter than ever.
I head outside. My house is nothing more than a shack, but I had to build it myself. My parents are dead. They died when I was 6. I've had to take care of myself ever since, and I've done a pretty good job in my opinion. I walk down the gravel road which has pretty much become mud due to the weather, with rain soaking my hair. I like the rain. It gives us time off from work. It doesn't come very often in District 7. I can see Terezi playing with her little sister outside her house.
Karkat: Terezi!
Terezi: Oh Karkat! Hi!
She's wearing her red shades again. I'm not surprised. She always wears those. Her sister is running around in the mud with her cane, splashing it in the water. I walk up to them.
Karkat: Big day tomorrow.
Terezi: Are you nervous?
Karkat: Who isn't? I'd like to meet the asshole who isn't scared right now.
Terezi: Karkat, don't swear around my sister.
Karkat: Sorry. God, I'm glad she isn't old enough for the reaping.
Terezi: You and me both. I've been making preparations... you know, just in case I-
Karkat: Don't say it. Just don't. You are not going to be picked.
Terezi: You don't know that.
Karkat: I do know that. If you do get picked I am going to single-handedly kill every last peacekeeper in this district with my bear hands.
Terezi: You wouldn't be able to even lay your hands on one without getting shot. At least if I do get picked my parents can take care of her, and maybe she won't get picked when her time comes.
Karkat: You. Will. Not. Get. Picked. I swear it.
Terezi: Thanks for the reassurance. You gonna dress up?
We both laugh. I've never bothered to dress up for a reaping before, but that's partially due to the fact that I don't own any nice clothes.
Karkat: Maybe we could just... not go.
Terezi: If they found out they would kill us.
Karkat: Who says they would find out?
Terezi: If they pick one of our names, and we aren't there...
Karkat: It was a bad idea. Forget I mentioned it.
Her sister pokes my leg with Terezi's cane. I smile.
Karkat: Come here, you little twerp!
She screams and laughs and runs around, with me chasing her. I slip and fall in the mud causing her to laugh harder. Terezi helps me up and we play around with her sister for a good hour or so. The bell chimes signaling curfew.
Karkat: I should probably go home.
Terezi: You don't want to stay here tonight? It's supposed to keep raining.
Karkat: I can manage at home. Besides, I won't be able to sleep. I don't want to keep any of you up.
Terezi: Okay, well... see you tomorrow!
Karkat: See ya.
I make my way back to my house. After a cold dinner of apples and soaking wet dead bird, I sit on my cot and stare at the ceiling. If I sleep, I'll probably have nightmares, but I need some rest. After thinking about Terezi for a while, I drift off.
Luckily, I had no dreams. Unluckily, I woke up to my bed being flipped over.
Terezi: We're going to be late! How are you not up yet?
Karkat: What the fuck, Terezi?!
Terezi: We have 10 minutes to get down there! Get up get up get up!
Karkat: Why are you so excited?
Terezi: I just want to get this over with. Don't get the wrong idea.
I drag myself out from under my upturned cot and check out what I'm wearing. Just a ratty t-shirt and a pair of boxers.
Karkat: I'm ready to go.
Terezi: Karkat, put some pants on.
Karkat: Fine.
I pull out a pair of black sweatpants and a (sort of) fresh gray t-shirt. After pulling them down and using my hands to comb my hair, Terezi and I leave. She has her cane with her, but we still linked arms so I could lead her there. She shouldn't even be allowed to be in the reaping, not with her being blind and all. It's not fair.
We get there and move to our sections. We say a (hopefully) temporary goodbye, and she kisses me on the cheek. I'm so glad she's blind, because I am turning completely red. I move over to my age section still staring at her. I hardly hear the reaping start, and when I finally pay attention I realize they had already chosen the male tribute. I was relieved. It was just some kid I had never seen before, and he was already breaking down on stage. My heart rate starts to speed up as they choose the female tribute. When I hear her name everything stops. My legs lose all their feeling. I'm ready to faint. I look over at her and she's standing there in shock. The crowd parts, and she starts to use her cane to make her way to the stage.
Don't do it, I tell myself. Stop. Don't do it.
It's too late. I'm already doing it. I yell and shove everyone out of the way, running toward the stage trying to get to her. The peacekeepers grab me and try to take me away but I'm punching and kicking and biting just trying to get to the stage. Everyone else is silent and staring at me in awe.
Karkat: I VOLUNTEER! FUCK, I VOLUNTEER! PLEASE, JUST LET ME GO UP THERE YOU IDIOTS!
The peacekeepers move out of the way and I stumble onto the stage and up next to Terezi.
Terezi: Karkat, stop! What are you doing?!
Karkat: I can't let you go in there alone! I'm coming with you!
Terezi: Please don't do this!
Karkat: Too late.
The boy who was chosen originally runs off the stage in tears. I take his place, standing as tall as I can and trying to ignore what a stupid move I just made. I can tell Terezi is looking at me. I know she's crying. I try to stay strong. The announcer asks the crowd for a round of applause for us, but it's dead silent. There's a mixture of awe and respect in the crowd. The peacekeepers escort us off stage.
I'm sitting in a room alone. Technically, friends and family are supposed to be visiting us right now, but since my family is dead and Terezi is my only friend I'm alone. I stare out the window. It's cloudy out but the rain stopped sometime last night. I know I'll never see this district again. I'm going to die in that arena. I will get Terezi to win. I know it. She doesn't deserve to be in these games.
After a little while the peacekeepers come in and escort me to the train platform. I meet up with Terezi, who's stopped crying but is clearly emotionally unstable. I put my arm around her shoulder. Her family gives her one last goodbye, and her sister gives me a hug. I manage a smile and hug her back, and we board the train.
We're escorted to a dining room. It's empty. We're told our instructors would be there momentarily, and suddenly we're alone.
Terezi: You're such an idiot.
Karkat: I've been telling myself that for years.
Terezi: Why would you do that? Why would you do something so stupid?
Karkat: That... is a very good question. I think the main reason is I don't want to sit at your house watching you die.
I've always had to watch the games at Terezi's house. I don't have a TV. Or, didn't have, I guess. We sit there silently for a while. I just try to comfort her.
Terezi: We're going to die.
Karkat: That is not true.
Terezi: Only one person can survive.
Karkat: And it's going to be you.
Terezi: I don't deserve to.
Karkat: Shut the fuck up. You are so going to win.
Terezi: I can't even see.
Karkat: I'm your eyes. I promise.
She smiles and laughs a little, albeit nervously. I put my hand on her shoulder. I'm ready for anything that comes our way.