I close my eyes and breathe in, listening to the sounds of overwhelming screaming and crying. They were screaming for me. It was so empowering, I felt I could do anything at this moment in time. After what felt like hours I opened my eyes and looked over at Clove to see her reaction. I could tell she was nervous. But what got me was the striking resemblance to Cora. I pictured my baby sister up here in Clove's place: trembling, crying, trying to get down to go and find me. It took the magic out of the moment, and suddenly I felt just as nervous as Clove looked.
When the cheering began to die down, two peacekeepers came over and led Clove and myself into the justice building. As we were walking away, I heard Kesla give her infamous closing speech: "Thank you to all of you lovely citizens for joining us for today's reaping. We hope you had fun, and to Cato and Clove: May the odds be ever in your favor!"
The justice building was dark and cold, and we were quickly sent down an equally chilling hallway. It reminded me of those castles and dungeons I see in my history textbook. After what felt like miles, we got to the end of the hallway, with a door on either side. They were dark red and about eight feet tall, which meant for once I didn't have to duck to get into a doorway. Clove was pushed through the door on the right, and I was sent into the left.
I gasped when I walked in. It was without a doubt the most beautiful room I've ever seen. Dark red leather couches and an elegant glass coffee table were dead center in the room. In the back was a beautiful picture window with golden curtains, and a desk with a chair to match the other furniture. Bookshelves as tall as the ceiling were filled to the brim, and scattered through the room were matching end tables with stunning vases. Paintings that should be in an art gallery let alone District 2 were hung up on every wall. I sat down on the sofa in the middle, taking another moment to take it all in. I couldn't sit for long though before there was a knock on the door, and in enters my father.
We meet each other half way, and he awkwardly puts his hand on my shoulder, trying not to make eye contact. "I'm proud of you son," he said to the floor. "I know you can do this." And then he did something he's never done my whole life: he hugged me.
Not knowing what to do, I patted his back and muttered "Um.. Thanks dad." My dad finally made eye contact and said, his voice getting choked with tears, "You have the power and strength to come home. So please come home to me Cato." With that, he left the room, wiping his eyes.
Next was my mother and Cora. I ran straight for Cora immediately, picked her up and swung her around. When I put her down her eyes were red and puffy. My mother hugged me and said, "We're all very proud of you Cato. We all know you can win this." I nodded at her. Then I knelt down next to Cora.
"Hey sis, why are you crying?" I said, as I used my finger to brush away a tear rolling down her cheek. I tried to offer a smile so she wouldn't feel intimidated. She was silent for a few seconds, trying to put her words in the right order. What she finally said was a worse blow than anything I could ever hope to get in the arena: "Please don't leave me Cato."
My mother inhaled sharply and walked to the other side of the room. Cora just looked at me with her big brown eyes, waiting for my response. I took a deep breath and tried to explain as best as I could.
"I'm sorry Cora, but I have to. It's really important that I go actually. You'll even get to see me on TV! And I'll be back home before you know it!"
Cora sniffled. "But how come sometimes people don't come back Cato! I want you to come back! I need my brother!" With this she broke into sobs and grabbed on to my legs in a vice so strong that twelve men my size wouldn't be able to pull her off.
Finally, the peacekeepers came back in. One took my mother by the arm to escort her out, two had to grab my sister to pull her off. I ran after them, quickly gave my mother a kiss on the cheek, and stole Cora away for one last kiss, a hug, and a promise: "I'll be back home for you Cora. I promise. Do you understand? I will come back home for you." With that, the peacekeepers took her away, and the door was slammed shut behind them, Cora's wailing still echoing through the room