"Ouch! Jesus!" i exclaimed as the lady pricked my finger really hard. she smirked and pressed my finger to the paper and scanned the blood "Ah Freya, the forest dweller"
i walked away without saying anything. Cassia caught up to me and i grabbed her hand holding it tight as we walked to the 16 year old section. i took a deep breath. as soon as the town bell chimed 12 times. the reaping started.
A lady with pastel purple hair, pastel purple eyelashes, pastel purple lips, and a pastel purple dress walked on stage. "Hello!" she said excitedly. "as most of you know i am Pamela, District 9's escort! Happy hunger games and may the odds be ever in your favor! Now we have a film for you all brought to you by the capitol!" She then went silent as the big screen started up War, terrible war ... it started out i turned to Cassia smiling nervously. "That dress looks lovely on you by the way Freya."
"Thanks i said smiling.
then i turned and saw Morgan, she was twisting her ring wildly she caught my eye and smiled sheepishly. "You OK?" i mouthed she shook her head no. i gave her a soft smile. "It'll be OK." i mouthed i saw her sigh and turn back to the front. All i wanted to do right now was wrap her in a hug. but i couldn't.
the video finally ended and Pamela started talking. "Gosh i just love that! Don't you?" she asked us. no one answered. "okay then. This time we are doing boys first!" she walked over to a bowl and rummaged through it pulling out a small piece of paper. she carefully opened it. "This years male tribute is... drumroll please!" again no one moved or said anything "Ugh. fine then. This year's boy tribute is... Conner Hawthorn. Conner? where are you?" she said looking into the crowd.
finally a boy came forth from the 17 year olds section, he had wavy black hair and vibrant green eyes. he was rather skinny though. He WAS pretty cute. I saw an older lady she was deathly skinny cry out "No! not my baby!" she wailed he turned to her slowly walking towards her, "mother it will be OK." he said patting her shoulder. he then walked towards the steps. Pamela held out her hand to help him up.
she smiled. "now for the girls!" she plunged her hands into another bowl and picked up a piece of paper opening it rather carefully "and this years female tribute is... Morgan Stern! Morgan? Where are you?" my stomach plunged, no not Morgan not precious little Morgan!
Cassia grabbed my arm, tears in her eyes, her hands tightening as Morgan went to the steps, "Let go!" i told her. Morgan was already on the first step. i yanked my arm from Cassia's grasp and ran towards Morgan "Freya" Cassia said racing after me, peacekeepers held us back, "i'm sorry Cassia!" i told her then shimmied through the two peacekeepers racing after Morgan.
i caught up as she was on the third step, yanked her arm and pushed her behind me, then with a strong voice i stood up tall and said. "I...I volunteer as tribute." i would not let Morgan go up there.
she screamed "No! Freya! No!" i turned to her "Morgan. it'll be okay. i promise." i wrapped her in a hug and felt her tears soak my dress, i felt another set of arms wrap around me, Cassia.
I saw Persia come up and gently untangle Morgan from me she was bawling Persia then grabbed Cassia's hand and pulled her away too. i turned and walked up the stairs. my chin held high.
"Wow, what a scene! That was...That was...so sad!" Pamela said wiping tears from her face. "What is your name dearie?" she asked me. "Um didn't you hear it already, you know from the young one and the other one?" Conner said. Pamela was baffled "well, yes... but i would like to hear it from her. come on! say your name!"
"I'm Freya."
"Ah what a lovely name! Freya who were those people down there who wrapped you in the hugs?"
"My friend Morgan Stern, my sister Cassia, and our guardian Persia." i said softly.
"let us have a hand for our tributes!" She started clapping, no one joined. instead they took their three fingers on there left hand and kissed them holding them out to us.
"Freya! We love you!" someone said then they started clapping, Conner even joined smiling at me. "Now shake hands!" Pamela said i stuck my hand out and so did he.
Pamela looked at her watch her mouth dropping open. "Oh my goodness! we are going to be late! come on you two! we must go now!"
"What about goodbyes..." Conner asked. "To late for that. come on!" he looked awful he turned to his mom and with Pamela's protests he raced over and wrapped her in a hug. i have to say a tear escaped me.
"I love you guys!" I yelled to Cassia, Morgan, And Persia then without a reply i went to the train.
