Legacy
Chapter 1
On the day of the reaping, there was always a chill in the air. No one could explain why, there just always was. Some say it's because everyone's hope dies a little that day, or that nature just knows that something bad is coming. Other, more paranoid, people claim that the Capitol actually changes the weather in hope that colder air produces more fear and anxiety. The only thing I thought it meant was that I would need an extra blanket, so I always put one on my bed the night before the reaping.
I slip out of bed and put on my robe, trying to counter the chill. I run my hand over the soft fabric, wondering how long I'll get to enjoy such a luxury. The robe fits me perfectly, just like all the clothes from the Capitol do.
"Amy dear, you're so,so blessed to have clothes like these." My mother told me when the shipment arrived. She had beamed at me while I tried the clothes on, all the while telling me how lucky I was. That's my mother's favorite thing to do: remind me of how blessed I am. "Amy dear, you're so, so blessed." That's what she told me when my eldest sister, Ioni, won her games, and we got to move from our tiny house to the mansion in the Victor's Village. That what she told me when my brother, Josiah, won his games one year later, and I got to pick which house I wanted to sleep in each night. That's what she told me when, against all odds, my other sister Maya won her games two years ago, and our family name was cemented in Panem's history. I wonder what she'll tell me today when it's my name that's drawn from the reaping bowl.
"Amy?" I hear Maya's voice ask. She slowly opens the door, peeking around it's edges.
"I'm awake." I tell her, and she opens the door fully. We stare at each other, not saying anything, and I'm struck by how beautiful my sister is, and how confidently she portrays herself. In my 18 years of watching the games, she's the only person I knew without a doubt would win. If only the Capitol had known the same thing.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" Maya finally asks. I shrug, unsure of what to say.
"I guess, but I don't feel well rested at all." Maya frowns.
"That's to be expected. I do wish you had gotten some sleep though, I want you to look fresh faced for the cameras."
"I'll be fine by the reaping." Maya nods.
"Of course you will be. I want you to eat a good breakfast, then take a shower. I'll brief you over the day's events before we leave for the Justice Building." I nod and Maya nods back before giving me a small smile, shutting the door and leaving the room, no emotion to be seen. Maya's been training me for the games since she won two years ago, determined that I was to win too if my name was even drawn. Ever since then, the close relationship we shared as children was demolished, and I'm always left wondering how things would be if Ioni's name was never drawn years ago.
I do what Maya says and eat a good hearty breakfast and take a shower. The hot water feels so good, and for once I'm able to push down the guilt that I have it while the majority of other people in my district don't. "You're so, so blessed Amy." I tell myself mockingly. I laugh a weird joyless laugh. I sure won't be after today.
Maya briefs me on how I am to act, stand, and dress for the reaping, telling me over and over that all the cameras will be on me, the last of the Verge siblings.
"And for the love of god," she says in conclusion, "please don't talk to that Jessica-Kate girl." I roll my eyes in disgust.
"Jessica-Kate," I say "is my best friend."
"And a known agitator. I'm surprised she hasn't mysteriously disappeared by now. You do not want to be seen associating with her on camera Amy, the Capitol would not approve." I sigh, irritated. I don't approve of the Capitol murdering innocent children for sport,but you don't see me making a big deal out of it. I know that I can't. I have to protect what's left of my famliy. I nod my consent, knowing that Maya knows best as usual.
"Any more advice?" I ask her. She smiles at me, and I can see the old Maya, the pre-games Maya in her face.
"Kick some ass."
As usual, the square is crowded by the time we get there. Maya is already on the stage, seating where the mentors sit. She's the only one our district has left, after the previous two victors 'died' in a tragic accident. Although she is only 20, she looks so much older sitting up on the stage, and it hits me again just how much the games have taken away from her. I wonder what I'll look like if I make it out of them.
I stand where the eldest girls stand, not looking or talking to anyone, just as Maya asked. No one's doing much talking anyway, we're all just standing around, guiltily wishing the poor sucker next to us is a goner instead of us. The girls at least have more hope this year. This is my last reaping, the last chance for the Capitol to put me in and complete my family's legacy. No one in the districts denied that Maya's reaping had been rigged. I mean it had to be. The chances of three siblings going into the games are slim to none. The Capitol had spun the entire situation, saying that my family was just destined to go in the games. Destined my butt. I know a cover up when I see one. The people in the Capitol ate the story up though, and the people in the districts had to pretend like the whole thing was just a jolly coincidence. My sister was no fool though. If they could put her in the games and make it seem like it was chance, they could do the same to me, only I would be ready for them. My only hope is that the Capitol doesn't want to push their luck by throwing me in, certainly telling Panem that they rig the games. The hope is a small one though. Mama may have raised a daughter luckier than most, but she didn't raise no fool.
"Welcome to the 99th Hunger Games!" Villisia May, District 5's escort, says through the microphone. "And may the odds be ever in your favor." Our mayor comes onto the stage and reads the same boring speech as every year, telling us about the dark days and the rebellion. I can almost quote the entire speech by heart, and I resist the urge to mouth along, knowing Maya would disapprove of my actions. Villisia comes back to the podium, her blue hair shining in the sunlight. "I'm sooo excited to know who will have to pleasure to represent District 5 in this year's Hunger Games!" she smiles at the crowd before walking to one of the clear balls with the names in them. "Let's see which lucky young man will go into the games this year." She reaches into the ball, moves her hand around for a moment, then picks out a slip of paper.
"Kai Warner!" She calls out, and a light skinned, skinny boy slowly walks to the stage. I've never seen him before, but by the looks of him he lives in the poorer part of the district. He looks under fed and his clothes are filthy. There was no family calling out to him, and he gives a longing glance to no one. Everything about him, about the fact that he's going into the games, makes me feel sick and disgusting. He's already dying out in the real world, there's no need to throw him in an arena and make his misery public. As I'm staring at the boy, fury toward the capital flares up within me, and I'm so focused on him that I almost miss Villisia's voice say "And now onto the ladies." I quickly force myself to focus, to put on my game face, because this is the moment I've been waiting for, this is the moment I've been trained for, this is the moment Maya has hoped and prayed I'd be ready for. This is the moment when Villisia's calls out "Carrie Morse" and I'm so shocked I forget to breathe. People murmur in disagreement, clearly unhappy with the choice that was made. Carrie Morse is 12 years old. She is the youngest of four siblings like me, although unlike me all three of her siblings are present and accounted for, standing at her side, clinging to her. They are all under 16 years old. Not one of them moves, and the girls grandmother is holding onto all of them, softly saying no, no, over and over. I can see a peacekeeper heading their way, about to force the young girl to go onto the stage. Her grandmother and siblings start sobbing, and the Carrie is shouting, and everyone is just staring, caught up in the moment. Suddenly, Carrie's oldest sister's eyes catch mine. She stares at me, her eyes filled with tears, her bottom lip quivering. She's too scared to volunteer, I can see it in her face. Her eyes stay on mine, even as they drag her little sister to the stage, even as her other sisters cling to her. Her eyes say one thing.
It should be you.
I stare back at the young girl, who can only be about 15. She has suffered so much, just as we all have. Yet this year she had hope, this year she thought she and her sisters were safe because it's my last reaping, it's my turn to go in, to compete my family's legacy. After a moment I turn away from her judgemental eyes and look to the stage, where I find the eyes of my own sister. There is no relief in her face at my name not being called. Her eyes are hard, cold even, and I think she knows what I'm going to do before I do myself.
Villisia's voice calls "Are there any Volunteers," and at first there is silence. No one wants to volunteer for the already dying boy or the young, crying girl. They are sure to die, just as we are all sure to live one more year, to survive one more games.
"Amy, you are so, so blessed." My mother's voice says in my head. Blessed indeed. Because I get to make this decision, it's my choice to give up my survival, it's my choice to continue my legacy. So I raise my hand high and shout at the top of my lungs
"I volunteer as tribute!"
A.N. The story has been a long time in the making. I've written and re-written this first chapter in my mind over and over, so I'm so glad to finally get it on paper. I hope you guys enjoyed it, and you must have questions to be answered, but don't worry, all will be explained in due time. Thanks for reading,please review!
