CHAPTER TWO
My head spins at the thought of my being a tribute, and my knees give way. I tumble to the ground, and I bury my face in my hands. No. it can't be true. I must be dreaming. But I know that it is not a dream as soon as the two peacekeepers come, grab my arms, and literally pick me up. I compose myself, but my knees still wobble as I make my way forward, up the steps of the stage. Leyna knows that any disruption during the reaping will only result in punishment for her. I take a deep breath, and force myself to look at the crowd. Some people, especially my former teachers and classmates, show a faint sense of recognition in their eyes. My friends, however, look at me, their eyes depicting pain and fear. My parents and Leyna look like they have had the air knocked from their lungs. My mother's face turns pale, and she clutches my father's hand like a lifeline. There are also others who don't know who I am, and then there are always those who are well past their years of caring, those who just care for themselves. Serena then continues asking for volunteers. Leyna pushes her way forward, screaming that she is ready to volunteer. Serena asks me if it is okay for her to take my place. I consider the advantages of letting her go. She would spare my life, and she might have a better chance of winning. Then, I consider the disadvantages. She could easily die, and I would never forgive myself for that. Also, she is of more use to our parents than me. She is wise, and she will help them make it through the tough times sure to follow. Me, on the other hand, I am just another mouth to feed. My only skill is collecting food, and anyone can do that. She is just too valuable to be killed off in the Games. I make my decision. "No, I will not accept any volunteers." I say, looking at Leyna, whose eyes are now filled with rage and disapproval. I can't let her risk her life for me.
The rest of the reaping goes by in a blur. The boy, who is unfortunately Solaris, makes his way up solemnly. He is quiet. The mayor reads the treaty. We shake hands. Then, we are directed into the Justice Building. The place for goodbyes. My heart stops at the thought of saying goodbye to my loved ones.
The Justice Building is old, and vines have started to climb up the windows and doors. Even though it looks old, on the inside, it's not that bad, though most of the items in the rooms have been there since the starting of the Games. The rooms for the tributes have the most luxurious furniture. I gasp as I see the room I am in. Even though it is very little in the eyes of the Capitol, it is the most luxurious room I have ever been in. The red walls match beautifully with the white carpeting. The red sofas in the center of the room each sit on both sides of a brown, polished table, and each sofa also has smaller tables on each side of the sofa. There is a marble fireplace, with a portrait of President Snow on top, and it also has two large windows on either side of it. Below each window sits a small but long bed. The fabric feels amazing, and I think it is called velvet. I would love to stay here, but I am suddenly reminded of the reason I am here. I will enjoy luxuries like this, but with a price. To my district, I am a symbol of shame, a child forced to bare the punishment of a risk this nation took, one that was too risky, which resulted in a failure and a punishment that will never be taken of the shoulders of this nation. I will fight to my ultimate death, and everyone will watch.
I don't know why, but I immediately connect my anger of the Games to President Snow. How can he live like this? Making twenty-three innocent children die yearly because of a crime committed close to one hundred years ago? Why would he do such a cruel thing? In a fit of anger, I pick up one of the glass doves on the side table of a sofa, and I hurl it at the portrait of President Snow, unhinging it, making the portrait fall into the flames below. I smile at this sight. Seeing the man who is responsible for my ultimate murder burning in the flames makes me feel better. A peacekeeper rushes in after hearing the crash. He sweeps up the glass, discards it, and then he presses a button on the side of the fireplace, and it opens to reveal a hidden cabinet. . Inside, about five other identical portraits sit. He takes one, hangs it, and then he walks out of the room after closing the hidden cabinet.
I feel ashamed, and I sit on one of the sofas, tuck my knees up to my chest. Then, the tears start to flow. How could I do something like this? Why did I think those horrible things? Why? I end up crying for everything, my life, my family, my friends, and just about everyone I know. Soon, Leyna, Robert, and my parents walk in, and they all wrap me in a hug. None of us are very smooth with words during emotional times… The peacekeepers break our hug to take my parents out, and they are taking Leyna too when she says, "Melody, be strong. You will come home, soon." Robert seems confused at why I am going away from home, and my mother tells him that I am going away for a while but will be back soon. He looks at me and gives me a little hug while he says, "I love you. Come home soon, so I can come pick you up from school!" He says it with a smile. I try to reply. "I...I love you too, Robert." I say, but they are already gone. Immediately, Rosie, my best friend, enters, and it looks like she has also been crying. She comes in, fixes my hair, and she is wiping my face with a cloth when she presses something into my hand. "Leyna wanted to give it to you, but she couldn't. It was too hard for her. This should be your district token." I unwrap the package to find a lovely beaded necklace inside. I know we couldn't afford something like this, so I figure she traded something valuable for it. Rosie fastens it around my neck, and I pull her into a hug. Then, we sit on the sofas and I tell her everything she should do to give my family support while I'm gone. Since she lives in the Township, she will provide food and money for my family. She will also continue my weekly rounds to the Widow's house. I am telling her about how to know whether or not to take my family into the town square to watch the Games when a peacekeeper escorts her out of the building. "Come to the elevator when you are ready," the peacekeeper says as he and Rosie disappear behind the door. I straighten my clothes and try to walk confidently to the elevator. As it heads down, I think of how the Widow's daughter would have handled the situation. She was strong and brave, and I will be like that too. I will not let the Games extinguish my courage.