It's reaping day. The day two unfortunate children would be sent to the Capitol to fight to the death. 23 children go in, only one comes out. This was the Capitol's way of punishing us for rebelling against them 74 years ago. As though starving and undermining us in every way imaginable wasn't enough, we have to watch children kill each other.
I felt the leaves sway due to the wind. It was so tranquil and peaceful up here in the branches of the old willow tree. If only today wasn't reaping day!
I began climbing down from my constant branch. A place I'd climb to when I needed to be by myself. My blonde braid was swaying in the wind. When I made it toward the ground, I broke into a run towards my home. I live in District 7, the lumbar district. When I arrived, I saw my brother Perseus sitting on the porch. He's 20 years old had been learning on how to take over the company from father since as long as I can remember. He has the same blonde hair as me but has my father's beautiful hazel eyes instead of mine and mum's dull dark brown one's.
"Mum's going to kill you, she's been waiting for ages" he shouted.
"Thanks for the warning" I replied sarcastically and as I was making my way to the door. I heard him chuckling in the background.
"You're late Gwen" my mother chastised.
"Sorry, mum. I got carried away."
"I've laid out a dress for you. Go take a bath."
"Okay mum"
After scrubbing my skin in cold water, I wrapped my lean body in a towel and made my way towards my bed. My mother has laid out a new Reaping dress for me. My old one was a little too tight. This was purple in colour and made my skin look creamy and glowing. Mother began intricately braiding my hair. Her nimble fingers in my hair soothed me somehow. Yet, I had this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"Mum, what if I get picked?"
"You won't sweetie. You're just 16 and haven't taken any tesserae. There are many 17 and 18 year olds with dozens of slips of tesserae. The odds of you being picked are very low"
Yes, but there's still a chance. I thought. But I didn't tell her. I let her lie to me in order to comfort me.
"There! All done! I can't believe my baby girl has become all grown up! You look absolutely beautiful sweetie."
I looked into the mirror and saw a beautiful girl with blond hair and doe-like brown eyes stare back at me. I couldn't believe I was her!
"It's time to go!" My father's gravelly voice echoed through the cabin.
"Wear this, in case…you know. Not that you will be picked. I just want you to wear it alright?"
"Okay mum" I said and looked down to her giving me a ring. My grandmother's wedding ring. It was silver and had a beautiful ruby in the middle.
"Well, we'd best be off then" Mum said.
We began walking to the square, hand in hand. Reaping day had that effect on families, it made them closer. My parents and my brother left me in the line and began making their way across towards the roped sections where families usually stood. I pricked my hand and told my name to the peacekeeper and made my way towards the section of girls my age. My best friend Emilia stood there biting her nails.
"Stop biting your nails, Em. Don't worry; everything is going to be alright. We won't be reaped."
She didn't look convinced but stop biting her nails.
"Welcome, welcome! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!" Our escort Leontes Parrot screeched into the microphone. "We have a special video brought to you straight from the Capitol" he said excitedly. They showed is the same film every year on how the districts rebelled and how District 13 was exterminated.
"And now it's time to pick one very special boy and girl to take part in the Hunger Games! As usual, young men first!"
"Samuel Tarly!"
A bulky 18 year old with sandy blonde hair made his way towards the stage. He looked like he was about to cry. I didn't blame him. If I was chosen to compete in the Games, I would be devastated.
"And now it's time for the ladies!" I held by breath and clutched Emilia's hand tightly. Leontes swerved his hand in the bowl excitedly. 4 of those slips had my name. Please not my name. I thought frantically.
"Guinevere Mormont"
I released the breath I was holding. I wouldn't have to worry about being reaped for another year. I thought. And then I saw Emilia clutching me and sobbing frantically. My mother was screaming in the background. Wait! I'm Guinevere! I had been reaped. I gulped and made my way towards the stage trying to keep my face devoid of emotions. I looked up at the screens and saw that I had succeeded. I almost looked bored.
"The tributes from District 7 for the Annual 74th Hunger Games! Samuel Tarly and Guinevere Mormont. Do we have any volunteers?"
There was complete silence in the background. Nobody would sacrifice themselves in order to save us. I had expected it actually so it didn't feel too bad.
"Shake hands" Leontes instructed.
I gripped Samuel's large hand in mine and shook it. He squeezed my hand as if he was trying to console me. The peacekeepers escorted us to the Justice Building where we were put in separate rooms to say our goodbyes.
The room I was in was quite possibly the most luxurious room I had ever been in. There was a velvet couch with a few chairs made of the same material. There were draping and wallpapers as well.
"Gwen!" mum screamed and ran into me pulling me into a bone crushing hug.
"You have 3 minutes" the peacekeeper said and left mum and dad in the room.
"I'm so sorry you have to go into this."
"It's not your fault mum. Don't you dare apologize for what the Capitol is doing to me."
"You can't talk like that here. What if they overhear you?"
"I don't care! I'm going to die anyway"
"You won't." Father spoke for the first time since he had been here, "You're good with an axe, you're fast, you can throw knives, you can climb trees, you can swim, you can survive in the wild and you're smart. You can win this!" he said and pulled me into a hug.
"Come back to us" mum said.
"I'll try."
"Time's up." The peacekeeper said and began dragging my parents out of the room.
"I love you both so much!" I screamed as they left.
I wonder why Percy hadn't come to visit me. Just as I began to question it, Percy barged into the room.
"Gwen!" he said and I came crashing into his strong arms for a hug. I felt so safe in them. I didn't want to let go.
"You can do this, sweet sister. You have to come back. I don't know what I'd do without you. Please, come back to me"
"I promise you I'll try as hard as I can"
"Wear grandmother's ring as your token, okay?" I nodded.
"I love you so much" he said.
"I love you more"
"That's impossible" he said and I began to chuckle.
"Time's up" the peacekeeper said and began dragging my brother out of the room.
"Come back to me" he screamed before leaving.
The next person to visit me was Emilia.
"You're not crying. How?" she said
"I don't want to look weak now. Later, when I'm alone, I might." I replied, my voice cracked at the end.
"I'm so sorry this happened to you" she said and began sobbing hysterically into my shoulder.
"It's not your fault, Em."
"You can win this, I know you can"
"I'll try, Em. I'll try as hard as I can."
"I couldn't ask for more, Gwen."
"When I. No, if I don't come back, look after them for me."
"Don't talk like that! You will come back. And you know I'll look after them." I nodded weakly.
"I love you like you're my own sister, Em"
"I love you like a sister too, Gwen"
"Come back to us."
"I will"
The peacekeeper came in and began escorting me towards the station. Samuel looked like he had cried a lot. Maybe his strategy was to appear weak. The car ride was short and uneventful. Hundreds of cameras were clicking in the train station, taking our pictures. I gave a smug smile trying to look mysterious. I hoped it worked. We made our way into the train and saw the most luxurious room I had ever seen.
"Go on! Help yourselves!" Leontes said. That's when I noticed the food. There was enough food to feed half of our district for a meal.
"I'm Sam" Samuel said and extended his hand again.
"Gwen" I said and shook it firmly.
"Look, let's make an alliance. We look after each other's backs until the final 5. Then we separate and hope it doesn't come down to the two of us at the end. Deal?"
"Deal"