The white uniformed man bumped into me and sent me crashing to the hard Earth. I went down with a hard thud. He didn't say sorry, or help me to my feet. He just continued walking.
Was I to halt him, and note him on his rude behavior? Anyone in their right mind would not even venture to the thought of doing such. Peacekeepers are people who are meant to be respected no matter what. They are the Capitol themselves. But where am I to stand? District 2 is practically the Capitol. This after all is where I live.
After I collected myself I regained my balance and walked into my home. My mother was in the kitchen making dinner and talking on a headset. I sneaked back to my room before she could spot me.
I shut my door, placed my bag on my chair that goes with my desk in the corner, and sat on my soft bed. Reaching underneath the mattress frame, I felt for the hard book cover. Once I pulled the book out I looked at the cover. "The Meadow's Wind" Is what the imprinted letters said on the plain cover.
I had never read the book. I always kept it under my bed only looking at the cover and reading the summary. It was about a girl who lost her mother and father and lived with her mean aunt. She would always escape to the meadow to get away. She loves the meadow. And things start to happen. But I don't know what. Like I said, I barely had opened it.
I want to read it. It's not that I don't know how, or that I don't have the time. I actually loved reading. I read all the time. It's because I wanted to read it with my brother Mazer.
I was 7 years old; my brother had just finished reading "The Meadow's Wind". He wanted to read it to me.
"You'll like this book. I want to be the one to read it to you though." I recall him saying on our couch in the living room.
I agreed I would wait for him to read it to me. I loved spending time with my older brother. He was 18 when I was 7, but we were still always close.
"Eucalyptus, come get dinner." My mother shouted at me.
I jammed the book back under my bed and walked out to dinner.
I sat at the four people dinner table. The chair that is on the left side is mine as always, my parents on each of one of the ends, and the right side of the table is empty. It has been for 8 years.
"How was training today?" My mother immediately asked me. I had barely sat in my chair.
"Fine." I replied. I was used to that, why should I be angry?
"Fine isn't good enough, we need amazing. Did they give you a score?" My mother spat.
"No, they said tomorrow they would for the whole week like always. I'm doing well." I explained respectfully, even though her tone wasn't.
"You better. Do you know how many kids want to volunteer! You have to be the best for them to select you to be the volunteer." My mother claimed. The military academy picked who to volunteer based on scores so it's more likely we'll come home with the victor. It also assures too many people won't try to volunteer. We had an issue with 3 guys who all volunteer at the same time; it turned into a fight of who got to go.
"Then how come they chose Mazer then?" I shouted. I almost never did to my parents. But I lost my patients. I suppose 11 years of this has been too much.
The follow up was silence. I felt like I never got a straight up answer from them about him.
"When are you going to finally mention his name around me, or explain what happen?" I asked "It's been seven years; you can't keep stepping on eggshells! I am about to go in The Hunger Games too." My tone went softer as I said the last few words. Just because I was from District 2, didn't mean I was guaranteed to win.
The Hunger Games. 24 children going into the arena. Only 1 coming out. The thought made me shiver. Maybe I would be like almost my other entire district if it weren't for Mazer.
Mazer Lynchester was the 62nd annual Hunger Games District 2 male tribute. Enobaria Barriers was the 62nd annual Hunger Games District 2 victor.
"Your brother," My dad started.
"Donque!" My mother's harsh tone interrupted my father.
"Damn it Claira! She has a right to know. Now is the time." He banged his fist on the table. And my mother had no further protest.
"Mazer was strong. He wasn't as strong as you, but he was." My dad begun once more, "He got mad because it was his last year he would be eligible, and they didn't select him yet. Your mother was pissed at him, pressured him, and he thought he was strong enough so he went according to his own plan. He volunteered before the assigned one could."
My brother could still be here, if he would've just listened to those stupid academy trainers who deal with all the volunteering and training. They were saving his life. He didn't know that. And it was mom's fault.
"Did you even stop and think that I could end up just like him?" I growled.
"You aren't," My mother snapped but I stopped her.
"I am just like Mazer! Is this is how it's going to be if I lose? You're going to have more kids until one wins for you?" I shouted.
"Eucalyptus, don't talk to your mother like that." My dad scolded.
I fell silent, letting myself realized what I have just done. I never talked to my parents like this. They wanted the best for me. They want me to be rich, happy, and never have to worry.
"I'll tell you what my score is. They will tell me after tomorrow's training." I said. I looked down at my food. I had a few bites, but mainly just pushed my food around. I wasn't really not hungry though. When I excused myself they didn't protest.
I went back into my room and lay on my bed so where all I can see is my ceiling. Eucalyptus, breathe. I ordered myself. My parents love me. The Hunger Games are a good thing. I will volunteer. I will give it my all. I was really mad at myself. Why was I making such a big deal out of this? All my friends are excited about the Hunger Games. I just repeated my commands over and over.
I must've fallen asleep, because next thing I knew I was been awoken by my mom. She drew back the white curtains on my medium sized window. Light instantly flooded into my room, and I perched up onto my bed.
"Hey mom," I looked down
"Yes?" she replied as she is laying out clothes for me to wear as if I'm six.
"I'm sorry I used an awful tone at you. I guess just this time of year makes me miss him." I glanced up to see the expression on her face. Her face was stone cold as if concentrating on my clothes.
"When you're fighting in that arena, fight for him." She said. "Now get dressed and eat some breakfast."
I look down at the clothes my mother selected and frowned. I was not wearing that dress. I hate wearing dresses. I am even surprised when my mother gets me in one on reaping day. I hung the dress back up in my closet. I pulled out black pants and a cream shirt and wore my lace up boots.
I picked up my bag and headed out my room. I walked into to the dining area, and saw my mother glaring at me. I sat down ignoring her.
"Why won't you wear the dresses?" She sighed.
"I don't like them." I said.
"Stubborn child." My mother scowled.
I didn't defend myself. It was true. I was stubborn. I did what I wanted, even though I often did listen to my parents. But when it came to the small things, I turned my nose up at the frilly dresses she put out for me each day.
Once she even tried to throw out most of my pants, shirts, and shorts, but I just got them out of the trash each time she did.
After I ate the breakfast she prepared I left for school. In District 2, we don't attend school as much as Districts 3-12 do. We go to school from 9am-12pm, and then we have lunch. After lunch, from 1pm-4pm we have training in our Military Academy.
I walked up to our large schooling house. It fits all of the grades, which may seem like it would overcrowd due to our large District. With the factors of many victors of The Hunger Games not having to attend school and parents wanting to focus them on training, we somehow fit them all into the learning center.
"Eucalyptus," I heard a voice call. "Over here!"
I looked over to the direction of my friend, Sinn, to find her waving me over. Sinn and I were best friends since we were 9. I gave her a hug.
"Hey Cato!" I smiled at her younger brother. He was only eleven, but he was an all right kid.
"Hi." He greeted me flipping his head of blonde hair up to look at me.
Sinn, Cato, Cato's friend Marsh, my other friend Regina, and Sinn's boyfriend Lunth were surrounding me on the outsides of the school grounds. I gave Regina a hug as well and greeted Lunth. I wasn't fond of Lunth, but Sinn was my best friend and I made nice with him.
"So, are you excited?" Sinn asked me.
"About?" I questioned.
She gave me a look that was singling 'are you blind?' "You're going to be picked to be the volunteer!" She squealed.
"You don't know that." I shook my head.
"I've seen you! You're a natural!" She encouraged.
Sinn was trying to be a good friend, and she was. But she didn't realize how much I would prefer not to go to The Hunger Games. I don't ever think I mentioned Mazer to her once, so she just doesn't understand. Really last night was the first time in a long time we mentioned his name. This made me sick that my parents couldn't even say his name.
"I think I'm going to get chosen this year." Lunth directed the conversation back to him.
Great for you, showoff. I rolled me eyes. I hope that Sinn didn't catch it. This was one of the few reasons he pissed me off.
"Ha, like you stand a chance against Samson." Cato teased. Lunth looked pissed, and it made me laugh.
I never really talked to Samson, but from what the boys say he was strong, determined, big, fast, and got high scores each week. I of coarse didn't see it personally because boys are trained separately from the girls.
"How are you doing Cato?" I asked.
"I'm the highest for my age group right now." Cato smiled. "I'm going to win The Hunger Games in a few years." He flexed his arms. Regina, Sinn, and I giggled.
Lunth was staring at me intensely, but suppressing a smile. I gave him a 'What the hell are you looking at?' look. He focused back at Sinn and kissed her. I shook off whatever that was, frankly because I just don't give a shit.
Since it was drawing closer to summer, they were talking about the history of the Hunger Games in class. Like we could forget. We have training for it year round and every now and then I see reminders on TV.
At 12pm I walked outside of school with Sinn and went back to my house. Lunth goes a different way to get home, so he didn't coming with us. It was Friday, every Friday Sinn and I ate together at my house.
Mom had put sandwiches on the table in front of us, and after instructing me to try my best in training I agreed I would. Sinn told her not to worry, because I was excellent. And I think that gave her the boost she need. She left the room.
"So you think Samson is something I should worry?" I asked. I wondered about him. Should I worry about him slaughtering me? Should I even worry about anything? Will they actually pick me?
"Well, we don't even know if it's going to be him." Sinn shrugged.
I paused. I thought of a scenario that is highly possible. "What if Lunth and I are both picked to volunteer?" It got sticky there because no one knows who the girl or boy is. I mean I guess I could ask, but who would be the one to back down. With my mother, it certainly wouldn't be me.
"I have thought of that." She said. "I don't know what I'd do." She trailed. I don't blame her; I wouldn't know what to do either.
"What if you get picked with him?" I gaped.
"Ha, ha." She frowned playfully at me. She isn't bad, but only gets 8's and the occasional 9 here and there, whereas I got 10's and 11's. Which for my mom was never good enough, she needed 12's.
"The only thing we can do is wait." I sighed. I really didn't want to get paired up with Lunth. That would just be bad for Sinn and I's relationship. "We don't even know if I am getting chosen!"
"You're getting the best scores!" Sinn called.
"Still." I sighed. She shook her head, and Sinn laughed.
"You girls better get going so you won't be late for training." My mother reentered the room.
I nodded and we were off. The walk isn't too far, so we get there on time. In the changing room, I re-braided my hair starting at back of my scalp down the way of my back. It was a very long, dark thick braid. I as well switched into my black training shirt with silver and red on the sleeves. I had matching pants that had a red and silver strip down the side of the leg. They were almost identical to the ones in The Hunger Games except instead of the District number, they had our last names on the back.
I walked out to find people already begun. My trainer was talking to one of my group partners, so I greeted them both. He had me start out what I'm best out, hand to hand combat. In the games, if I ever get surrounded, I can easily get out of it because I'm quick on my feet and handy with a weapon. My trainer didn't have me use a weapon and a few heavily patted men walk towards me. I looked at Wren, my trainer, questionably.
"I want to see what happens if you lose the weapon." Wren singled them to surround me. "Go!" he called out.
One of the men pulled my arms together behind my back making them immoveable. This triggered the adrenaline rush inside. I flailed my foot back which went flying and landed on his crotch. It made him bend over and loosen my arms enough to where I could elbow him in the ribs. He released me all together so I kicked my leg high in the sky and let it fly in a circle landing to the side of his head, forcing it to follow through back down. He fell to the ground unconscious. Of course he wasn't hurt because of the padding, but in the actually games I had him knocked out.
Two of the men ganged up on me with knives, one to my left and the other to my right. The weapons of coarse were safeties. Before they could get too close, I jumped up making my feet parallel with my hips. This knocked the weapons out of their hands, and my foot came in contact with their jaw making them fly back. I grabbed both weapons and "killed" them both, by stabbing their chest.
The last one was coming for me from behind but I caught him just in time by kicking him back. I picked up the weapon wedged in the padding of one of the men and stabbed him where his stomach was. Pulling that knife back out again, I threw it at the "passed out" guy's heart, and it handed in the padding nicely where I wanted it.
I turned back to face Wren, when I realized I drew in a crowd. They all clapped at my defeat. Wren looked very pleased.
"Very nice." He smiled. Then the men I fought with got up and went to a different training group.
"How do you do that?" A younger girl in my training group, Clove, asked. "You didn't even have the weapon first!" I smiled at her. She did very well for her age cluster too.
Wren already had me moving around practicing me doing weapons. I was pretty good with archery, useful with a spear, and threw knives with well aim. I also knew how to be quick with a sword. Each weapon station I did ended in praise from Wren.
My partners were Clove and Regina. Clove did especially awesome at throwing knives, and Regina was okay at weapons. She mainly got 7's and sometimes 8's, and Clove got 9's and 10's.
I stared into the large mirror on the wall. I knew there were past female victors sitting behind it, watching us and ready to score. One will be one of the mentors this year. And behind that wall I know lies Enobaria. I'm not supposed to know their back there though. I was walking through the academy one day, and someone left the door open. I saw computers of all the girls who go here and our training room through the "window". I'm almost certain the boys have one just like it. I gazed at the mirror, and no doubt they knew I understood its existence.
I ripped my eyes away and walked out of the center. I went back into the locker room to get my things. After I wiped the sweat on my forehead with a towel, I changed back into what I was wearing before. I packed everything back in my bag and swung it over my shoulder.
Sinn grabbed my arm. "Come on, let's go see our scores!" I knew she was just excited about mine. So we trudged to the Review Center in the academy. It is basically just a huge classroom meant for getting your training scores. We, of course, had two for each sex. It's where the mentors and trainers also judge for who will be picked to volunteer as well as the actual training room.
I strolled in with Sinn's grasp still on my arm. Sinn found two empty chairs, and we occupy them waiting for one of the mentors to hand me my last training score before reaping. When I saw Enobaria come up to the microphone, I felt myself tense up. I wanted to spit at her.
"Alright ladies, it's time for your last training score for this year." Enobaria began. "Along with your scores from the rest of the year, this score will help us determine who will be selected to volunteer. So let's get started."
All of the mentors walked off the low elevated staged with papers, our Training Reports, passing them out. We were all placed by age and each had our picture on the paper with our scores to make it easier. It also included our scores from the whole year. Everyone's was passed out, yet I didn't receive mine. Did I do something wrong? I panicked.
Enobaria stepped back on the stage. "Now, as always, we will announce the highest score," They did this every last training score reviews. It was normally 16, 17, and 18 years olds. So it most likely wasn't me because I was only 15 at the time. And not to mention I didn't get my score at all. Maybe it was because they saw me looking into the mirror. Would they really punish me for knowing what that was? "With a score of 12, a rare occasion, Eucalyptus Lynchester."