As I lace up my hunting boots, I hear footsteps coming from down the hall. They seem to get louder and I can tell they are approaching my door. I hear a slight knock from outside my room. I was right. I quickly clear my throat and stand up straight. "It's opened." My door opens a crack and my mother steps inside. Her eyes flicker to my boots and back up to my face. I can see the worry in her eyes. I'm told that before she went into the Games, she had beautiful, piercing blue eyes. Now, even when I stare into them straight on, all I can see is fear, and sadness, with worry lines to match. She's only 33 years old, but she may as well be 80. Her life is lived, and now the only way she can live is with a constant memory of the tragic events that made her the way she is today. She puts her hands on her hips.
"I don't think you should go hunting today, Dinatha. The reaping is only a few hours away and the team will want enough time to fix you up." "But mother, I'm already fixed up. I have my dress and my hair looks fine." I gesture towards my bed where I have neatly laid out the dress I wore only moments ago. She sighs, and rubs the bridge of her nose. "You know that the peacekeepers will be extra careful today. They'll be patrolling the entire woods."
"But so will I, mother! I never get caught, and I'll be back in plenty of time for the reaping." Her face softens slightly. I think she may she some of herself in me. Maybe she went hunting on the day of the reaping when she was chosen. "Alright fine, but be careful. And come straight back after you finish, don't stop at the Hob." I nod and smile. She also smiles slightly, but it looks strained. I bend down and finish lacing up my boots. She stands there for a moment, absentmindedly, until I hear my father's voice calling for her. She quickly snaps out of her daze and leaves. I stand up and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Maybe I am nervous. After all, this could be the last time I ever see my family. Maybe that's why she agreed to let me hunt. It could have been a source of comfort to her all those years ago, before her last reaping. It might be for me as well.
