Chapter 1
I have always felt like there has been a part of me that's missing, but now I feel empty. In exactly one week, my sister will be leaving for the capitol. Her name is Ella and, she isn't really my sister. Most kids are only children, but I know a pair of twins, and Ella and I are closer than they have ever been.
Ella's mom died in a terrible accident seven years ago, so instead of Ella being sent to the capitol orphanage, my mom took her in. Ever since, she's lived with us and has played the role of my older sister. The reason she is leaving is because today is her 18th birthday. Once a girl turns 18 they are sent to the capitol, but they come back, they always do. You are given a week after the say of your birthday to say goodbye to you mom and your friends.
However, after the girls come back, about nine months later they have a baby. And when you ask them what they did, all their stories sound pretty much the same. Nobody seems bothered by this, but the idea leaves Ella terrified. I have never really thought about it until last night when I saw her rubbing her fingers back and forth on the necklace she always. I knew something was wrong because she only does that when she is upset or nervous. The necklace is the shape of a rose and has little carvings all around it of what we think are names. It is hard to tell though because Ella has basically worn it down until it's smooth with all her rubbing. Her mom gave it to her of her 10th birthday and told her to be very careful with it, so she did. Ella is very obedient and respectful, unlike me, but it's better that way because we have more fun.
When I asked Ella what was wrong, she started to scream at me. She yelled so loud and fast, it was hard to tell what she was trying to say. When she stopped, I was still in a state of shock. Never in my life have I seen Ella in that much pain.