The tip of the blade slammed into the side of a large pine tree and a sharp crack broke the serene silence of the forest. The trunk quivered, swaying back and forth on it's stump. I smiled at the force of my throw, I yanked my axe out, my aim was only getting better and better. I looked up to the sky, it was probably about 7 o'clock from the sun. I couldn't hear anyone in the forest, and as I looked out to the hills, no one in sight. A smile creeped onto my lips and the wind whipped my short dark hair behind me. I turned and sprinted into the forest, I slammed my axe into the tree, using it to help me climb. I use it until there are branches to grip, climbing until there was nothing more. I sat at the top of the tree, my hands red from gripping my axe. I already felt the calluses starting to form. I let out a great sigh, watching as the sun set over the hills. The flashes of orange and yellow painted a mural on the clear sky. As day turned to night, I climbed down the tree, my leather combat boots gripping to the tree like tape. I slid down expertly, and dropped a couple feet, slamming down into the wet earth. I raced through the forest, knowing if I was gone any longer the Peacekeepers would find me. As I escaped the clutches of the forest, I slowed my pace, knowing I was safe just after the hills. The stars scattered the sky on my walk home, and I couldn't help but some to admire them as they shined above me. I stuck my axe down my back, making sure my loose t-shirt hid it. Of course I wasn't supposed to have any weapons out side of work. Not that I ever paid attention to the rules that the Capitol had made. I was always cautious, but never was I one to blindly adhere.
As the grass turned to stone, and I entered the empty square. I felt the flat of the blade press against my skin as I slowly walked, knowing a peacekeeper would ask where I had been if I was caught. Though, lying wasn't exactly a challenge. I strode through the square with no problem, it was empty and silent other than the croaking frogs in the distance. The steady pounding of my boots on the stone echoed through the square, so I slowed my pace. The silence set an eery mood in the town, so I quickly headed into our small neighborhood of houses. District 7 was fairly large, though our branch of houses was tiny. A strand of 15 houses was gathered in a large cul-de-sac, I walked toward the 3rd house to the right. The lights in my house were the only ones on, and I was scared what to find inside. There weren't many things I feared, but my mother angry, was one of them.
I took a deep breath, chewing on my bottom lip. My hand eased forward, gripping the doorknob. I turned it ever so slightly, only to find my mother wrenching it open. I jumped, taken aback. "Johanna Mason, I swear..." My mother pointed accusingly at me, and shook her head. I grimaced,waiting for a lecture, but she just let me in and closed the door behind me with a click. My eyebrows raised and I glanced at her, incredibly confused. "No lecture?" I said, she glared at me, her eyes full of annoyance.
"Why do you always assume that?" She asked, her voice as frazzled as much as her thick hair. I gave one hard laugh.
"Er, I dunno, cause you always lecture me when I break the rules?" I said, sarcasm seeping into my voice. My mother was wearing a pale blue nightgown, with three buttons at the top that opened to a collar, her dark brown hair falling just above it. I scratched the back of my head when she had no reply.
"Just go to bed, Hanna." She said tiredly, patting me on the shoulder and pushing me towards my bedroom. I grinned, a silent victory running through my head. "Goodnight, Ma!" I said, as she walked away towards her bedroom. She stalked away, saying nothing. I had missed a close one, and I had no idea how I had done it. I couldn't help but chuckle as I slipped into my night clothes. Setting my axe under my matress, where no one could find it. The wooden floor squeaking as I slipped into bed. I pulled the cold sheets over me, the material thin and crunchy. I tried to smooth the wrinkles, but it was no use. I gave up after a couple seconds, it was too much effort, and I was already tired. My eyelids dropped, on the brink of sleep, I felt the edge of my blanket tugged up. My eyelids flew open and I turned on my side, seeing my little brother's face staring at me. I sighed,"You scared me to death, Joshua." I said quietly, shaking my head. He had his index finger in his mouth, chewing on his fingernail. I looked at him, questioningly. I sat up and ruffled the hair on his bed,"Come on." I said, giving into his innocent face. He climbed onto my small bed and laid down next to me. After a couple minutes, I knew he was fast asleep by his breathing. I was jealous of him, he was so innocent. Unaware that tomorrow, his sister could face a potential deathsentence. The Reaping.
I didn't fall asleep for several hours. Hours of looking out of the window and staring at the stars, mimicking Joshua's breathing patterns. I couldn't seem to get it off my mind, the Reaping. Every year two tributes chosen to face other children in a fight to the death. My mind flashes with images of Vincent, sitting in a chair next to Ceasar, smiling and nodding. Flash , his strong arms clean slicing off someone's head with an axe. Flash , Vincent with an arrow to the thigh, collapsing onto the desert-like earth. Flash , Vincent lying on his back, moaning in pain. Flash , a knife perfectly aimed at his heart. Flash , a cannon fired and his face along with "District 7" shown up in the sky. Flash , my father punching the TV screen. Flash , my mother in hysterics, rocking back and forth. Flash , my lips forming the words, "I'm fine" hundreds and hundreds of times.
I couldn't stand it. My jaw clenched tight, hands in fists, tears sliding down my cheeks. I held Joshua tight to me, he was only 5, and couldn't sleep alone. My tears slowed, and I felt my mind slip into a deep sleep.