Maple almost didn't visit Orchard. She didn't want to see the profoundly artificial smile perched upon Orchard's pointed, birdlike face.
Constance frowned her lips and scolded Maple with her pale drooping eyes until her wordless lecture forced Maple to stand and face her best friend. She was almost too late; she made it to the building just as Orchard's weeping sister dashed out the swinging doors, tears watering the street.
Maple reached out her fingers towards the young girl, eleven years old and already doomed. Orchard's family was deeply hated by Kili, the evil little sphinx. Orchard's grandfather had died in the games; her aunt after that and then her second cousin on her mother's side. Her older brother had been killed merely a year before in a "machinery accident" and her mother had been forced into interminable community service for 'false accusation of illegal contraband' towards a peacekeeper, until three months ago her knees gave out and Orchard's precious mother lost the ability to walk.
It was no question who was going to be drawn into the games next year.
Maple's fingers felt the wash of air as Grace, Orchard's sister, ran past. She didn't bother to reach out and comfort her - it was too late for comfort anyways.
The peacekeepers shot her dirty looks as she sauntered in, but Maple didn't care much for anything other than getting it over with. She was pretty much manhandled into the visitor room. The doors closed begin her and she shot the wooden slabs a dirty look. Discomfort glazed over her eyes as she turned to look for Orchard's slim silhouette.
And screamed.