Stripping off my jacket, I look over to my family's barn, which was occupied by several cows at the moment, worried it may be the last time. Today is the reaping of the 74th Annual Hunger Games.
Walking back inside my house, I look at my mother. She's holding a dress in her arms. "For you, sweetheart." My mother says. I nod once and take the dress.
After scrubbing myself raw, I shimmy the dress on; it was tighter than I expected, but still flowed at my knees and ankles. I look at myself and I give a breathy sigh. "This is not me." I mutter. Then, there was a knock at my door and my mother pokes her head around it. "Ready?" She asks. I answer by walking towards her. I shouldn't be nervous. I don't take terrasse. However, my two closest friends do, for their siblings. Barney takes out 4, one for him, his brother, sister and mother and with him being 18, his name is in their 56 times. The odds aren't exactly in his favour, but then again, he's survived this long... Then there's my other friend Linkin, who has 2, making her name in their 33 times. Finally, there's me. With my name in their 5 times.
My mother finishes my hair, which is in a bun, when there's a knock at the front door. I walk to the door and exhale. I open to see my two friend's Barney and Linkin. We embrace affectionately before the klaxon, which signals we should be at the Justice Building, sounds. My mother wishes me farewell and good luck to all 3 of us.
Whilst someone is getting registered, I squeeze Barney and Linkin's hand in a sign of reassurance. I get registered first and wince. Then I walk to the 16-year-old section. I see Linkin walk past me to go to 17-year-old part, then finally, Barney to the 18-year-old.
Our extravagant escort welcomes us. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour." She chirps. "We have a special video for you all, brought from the Capitol!" She continues. The video starts and I sort of zone out, because I'm only going to pay attention to the reaping.
Once it finishes, Waria says, "I love it! Brilliant!" How I want to rip her voice box out. That stupid Capitol accent.
"Well, let's start with our beautiful ladies!" She giggles as she walks to the reaping bowl, where my name is entered 5 times, Linkin 33 times and Barney's sister, Alobama, 1 time. She dips her hand in and hurries back to the microphone, where she unravels it.
"Robyn Tex!" She booms.
What? My heart immediately quickens. No. It can't be. "Where are you, dear?" Waria asks, and I realise I haven't moved. I step forward and the crowd separates for me. I walk onto the stage, head held high. "Any volunteers?" She asks, though she shouldn't nobody hardly ever volunteers in 10. As usual, the crowd stays silent.
"Now, gentlemen, your turn!" She gestures to the men. As she repeats, she comes back to the microphone holding an unfortunate male's name.
"Barney Rowland!"
No! My palms are sweaty.
"I present to you, the tributes of District 10! Well, go on, shake hands." Waria says and Barney takes my hand, shakes it, without looking me in the eye.
I swallow. One, or both, of us won't be returning.
