Chapter 1
"You know Clove," Cato tells me, "we will need to kill each other."
I look up from my knife drawer, "Look, I am smart enough to know that." It's obvious that Cato feels ashamed, and that makes me feel accomplished. He is not the only one who knows how to kill. I look back down. "Besides, I still have not agreed to the crazy idea of volunteering."
"But, Clove, you said it would be best for us, for our life!"
"Yes, I did, but I am having second thoughts on the
fact that we might not be able to convince Senca." I continue sorting the 32 knives.
Cato is now clearly frustrated, "Senca knows what's best for him, and you should know what's best for yourself!" he yells, then, stomps off.
After he leaves, I think, Do I really know what's best for me? Should I volunteer? Is that how I want to possibly end my life? Clearly Cato thinks so…
"No, Cato wants that, not me." I mumble to myself, "If he would like to kill himself, he can, but I am not having that fate." I slam the drawer closed, shuffling all the recently, perfectly sorted knives.
"Clove! Get your dress on!" my mother yells from across the hallway.
I growl, stupid dress, I think, turning to look at the purple satin poof dress hanging from my closet.
"Clove, you know how much that thing cost me, so put the darn dress on!' she screams again.
"Fine!" I yell back, snatching the dress and unzipping the back. Then I slip it over my head and turn to see the zipper. While trying to reach it by myself Cato returns in a perfectly tailored black suit his mother bought him.
"Let me." I freeze.
He walks in and zips up the back.
"Thank you," I say shyly.
He leans in and whispers in my ear, "Do you know what's best for yourself?" he asks, almost accusingly.
When he departs I realize he only came back to remind me off my big decision.
"Jerk!" I yell down the hallway but instead of Cato, my father stood in the hallway.
His face shows complete anger, until he responds, " Am I now, well I guess you will have to volunteer then, remember our promise, Clove?" he says, "Oh and dear, please braid your hair it his awfully messy."
At that moment my mother bustles in and swats my behind so hard I let out a high pitch scream. Fearing another spanking, I run outside the house to the main gathering street. In silence all of District 2 awaited their fate.
