I wanted to have the Reaping be two parts but I want to get to the good stuff and a bunch of Reapings one after another is not only boring to write but more important probably boring to read, so instead I'm going right to the Goodbyes after this chapter and then Train Rides. There might be flashbacks to Reapings or Goodbyes for characters that don't get a reaping POV but too many Reapings at once is… too many Reapings at once.
Chapter One: THE REAPINGS: This Isn't Fun- It's Torture.
District Ten Male
Colton Ferus age 18
If you were to look inside one of the barns of the Ferus family for the majority of the day, except for meals and school hours of course, you would find me. A bit short for a male with dirty blonde hair that is an unfixable mess- not because it can't be fixed just because I won't let you, and brown eyes that along with my "angry" behavior has caused most of those I'm familiar with the deem me a spitting image of my father.
What do they know?
People, especially here, are always acting like they know you real well before they even know your name. After they know your family and maybe one thing you did, mistake or not, they got your whole life figured out. That's just how it is. I just wish it didn't mean that people had to compare me to my dad. He isn't an awful man, he has done a good job with the stress of inheriting the farms from his father but he is can be a real bad man at times. Me having his eyes? Right, maybe ten years ago before his anger turned them dark and soulless.
I hear Cleo calling to me from the house but I don't want to leave the animals, I'll spend all day out here with them if I could. Wouldn't matter if by nightfall I ended up looking like a bright red tomato, animals don't speak and they don't think I'm angry, I can see in their eyes that they understand me. That sounds insane but I can just sense it. Sometimes you just can feel those sort of things- stronger than any feeling you get from words. Words are just words.
"Breakfast, Colton!" Cleo shouts again sounding more impatient. I'm sure she'll be real stingy today. I don't blame her. Ever since the twins turned twelve their antics have seemed to be dwindling. They can't get into the trouble they use to anymore. Reality has gotten to them.
"Coming!" I shout and say goodbye to the animals one last time, I don't know if I'll have time to come back before the Reaping so I make sure to give the closest one a kiss goodbye. Just in case.
Running back up to the house I can smell the cooking of bacon and eggs. No one is really rich in District Eleven except the mayor and the Peacekeepers but I would say we're pretty well off, and having livestock means eating well. "Morning Mom." I say walking into the kitchen and kissing my mother on the cheek. She nods a hello and keeps her focus on the meal cooking before her. My mom might just be the best cook in the world.
At the kitchen table sits Dad, reading something, his eyebrows furrowed together and his forehead crinkled together like he is thinking about something really hard but I imagine he just wants to seem busier than he really is when he looks like that.
"Morning, Dad." I say silently, almost daringly. He grunts a hello back. I hold back a sigh as I see Cleo glaring at me from the other side of the kitchen; it's her shut-the-hell-up look. I roll my eyes at her and head upstairs to get changed.
In Parker's and mine room I see Parker sitting by the window with an anxious look on his face. He is already dressed in his Reaping outfit and his brown hair is combed back. One of his books sits in his lap with his fingers tightly held onto it.
I restrain from asking what is wrong, because I already know, and instead sit on my bed across from his. "You alright?" I ask.
"No." Parker says in a near whisper. "No." He repeats for some reason, like he has to keep saying for some reason.
"I know. But you're half way there, just this year and three more and you're done. You have no tesserae anyway, and think about all the people that do? You can't worry." I try to comfort him. I've never been too great with new things but things like this, caring for my family that is, you could say I've become an expert at.
"It isn't me, it's you, and it's Clyde and Cleo. Your name is in there so much… and Clyde and Cleo- could you imagine them in the Arena? They're so young, too young." His words strike me hard, Parker isn't the biggest speaker, but suddenly I see something has gotten to him.
"I'm strong you know, and don't worry about Clyde and Cleo. Nothing is going to happen to them. Or you." Parker's frown fades. "Breakfast is about ready, just tell mom I'll be down after I get dressed." He nods and picks up his book and heads out.
Once he's gone I get changed into my best clothes and turn to the mirror hung on the door. I've got a stocky build from my time spent carrying hay bales and caring for the animals, even though I'm short I'm pretty sure that I'm strong from all that. If I were to get reaped, our Parker and Clyde, and I had to go into the Arena could I….?
No I don't even want to think about the what ifs, the what if I had to kill, what if I had to survive. No, no more thinking about that.
I half-heartedly mess with my hair a little bit to fix it up a bit. Every second of it I hate but I know if I don't Mom will make me anyway.
Heading down the stairs I run into Clyde. For the usual look of mischief on his face he seems just about the polar opposite. I don't blame him; I was the same at his age six years ago.
"Colton?" I stop to look at him, seems I'm going to have to reassure him too.
"Yeah?" I ask, sitting next to him on the stairs.
"What was your first Reaping like?"
"Awful," no need to lie, how could it have been good? "But I lived. And you will too- now look at my Clyde." I say and force him to stare at me right in the eyes. "I promise you that nothing bad is going to happen to today. Get it?" I ask and he nods quickly.
"Boys? Are you hungry? We have to leave soon so you eat now or wait till after." Mom says interrupting Clyde and I.
"Alright, let's eat." I say and follow Clyde down the stairs.
"Poppy Livings!" The name so strongly bearing of District Ten sounds strange on Euclid's blue lips. I don't know how I feel about a man with blue lips- or a woman with blue lips, but it sure looks strange.
The feeling of relief for Cleo is quickly replaced with sorrow watching that girl walking up to the stage. She has her brown hair up in a bun and for some reason just looking at the girl no older than sixteen reminds me of one year ago…
The thought pokes away at my lungs and threatens to make me have a break down right here and now. But for now I need to worry about Clyde, Parker, and I. Having no real friends does help with not having to worry about as many people but if anything were to happen to my brothers…not again will I lose someone.
"Alright let's move on." Euclid says as he watches Poppy take a seat. He is quick to pick a name; I don't even have time to gather my thoughts before he ruins my life. "Clyde Ferus." I freeze.
I watch my mouth unhinge in paralyzing fear and shock, tears forming at the corners of my mouth. I move around unsure of how to act- everyone who knows me is looking back and forth between Clyde and I to watch. Clyde's face shows his fears as Peacekeepers head towards him, but he moves on his own- heading off to the stage. Heading to his death. He'll die in there! Dead.
Just like Savannah. My own brother sent back to us in some wooden box, killed by some savage or Gamemaker.
His eyes find mine in the crowd and suddenly my anxiety in crowds comes crashing down and I feel trapped in an endless sea.
No, I promised. I won't let him get to that stage. I push my way through the sea of people- where did all these people come from? I've never seen so many people in my life!
"Get out of my way!" I scream and begin shoving anyone in my way. Peacekeepers come to restrain me but before they can drag me back and before Clyde reaches the stage I shriek the words I know I need. "Clyde! Clyde! I volunteer!" The Peacekeepers shift their weights to begin to drag me to the stage; I brush them off me to walk by myself.
Staring at Clyde the entire way I see him still standing at the stairs to the stage before Peacekeepers come to bring him back- and suddenly I see Parker shove his way through the crowd and grab Clyde to get him out of their. I lock my eyes with Parker and see the tears streaming down his face but see him nod towards me.
Apparently standing still too long, the Peacekeepers shove me back towards the stage and I ignore Euclid's helping hand stretched towards me to take the stairs by myself. I don't even look at him- he is the symbol of what has ruined my family. He picked Clyde's name. This is his entire fault.
"Would you like to introduce yourself?" Euclide asks and without looking at him I speak into the microphone and glance out at the endless sea of people.
"Colton Ferus."
Whispers spread among the crowd. Another Ferus. Clyde's brother. It suddenly makes sense to people.
"What a brother!" Euclide applauds me, but I don't look at him, I just find my brothers in the sea of people and suddenly they're all I can see.
I made the right decision, even if it is the death of me.
District Two Female
Alexis Kerr age 18
I've been told that I'm an efficient leader. And I am. It isn't arrogance. It's a fact. Since a vulnerable age I have been raised to stay tuned into the world around me- to the people around me. I see those for their strengths and for their weaknesses.
A leader needs to be well spoken; a leader needs to be determined. I know I'm both of those things. I excel in them; it's all in a effort towards perfection. It's how a human's body needs to work- like a motion driven by motivation mixed in with a human sense of emotion and creativity.
Having a sharp mind you would think despite endless years of training and striving for perfection in my physical abilities, and more importantly my mental capabilities, that I would be smart enough to know that volunteering is a complete and utter suicide mission.
That worse part is that I know that, I know that today might be the first day of the end of my life and yet I still plan on forcing my way onto that stage. I don't know why I'm venturing into this suicide mission but I hope that somewhere along the way I discover my internal reasoning. For the moment I'm summing it up to the inability to not have perfection.
Maybe this suicide mission is the only way to reach that perfection. "Alexis?" My door creaks from behind me and I glance in my mirror to watch my two younger brothers walk into my room. I finish brushing my hair back into a tight pony to face them smiling.
"Yes?" I say trying to stay positive today- despite my family's unease. Well my brother's at least. My parents were the ones to have pushed this sense of perfection onto me, not that it makes them evil- it just makes them strict. On me at least, it seems with my brothers they loosened up.
I'm not envious towards them though, one of us had to be the guinea pig, I am just glad that out of all of us it was me.
"We just wanted to give you our best wishes." Hiro says, he's twelve, older than Dax by four years. Hiro runs his hands along the duvet cover of my bed as if he is gathering my memories. Knowing him it is probably something like that. Hiro has a strong appreciation for the senses.
"Thank you, but you don't have to do that." I say and point at his hand that still lies on my bed. "You two know I'm prepared for this. I've been training for this since I was three- it's all I remember. Besides I'm a Kerr- we're no idiots. Alright?" I say and take both of their hands before smiling and giving them each a kiss on the cheek.
"We know," Dax says, far too knowing and wise for someone at just eight. But he is straightforward; it's a trait that has sharpened him beyond the normal expectations for someone his age.
"So let's go!" I say and place my hands on their back to guide them out the door and downstairs.
As we reach the bottom of the stairs I see Mom and Dad sitting at the kitchen table waiting for us. My mother light brown hair strung up in a fancy updo and my father wearing his best dress clothes. "You look beautiful." My mother says, her eyes falling on my new dress.
"What about us?" Hiro asks sarcastically earning a roll of the eyes from Mom.
"You look beautiful too." My dad says patting Hiro on the back, making Dax and I laugh, but Hiro groan. "Let's go, we have places to be! Today is an important day for the Kerrs." My father sounds my comfortable than earlier in the week.
My parents believe in my abilities of course, but they're also reasonable. My death doesn't have to come from my mistake or inability in the Arena- it can come from a random trap or freak disaster. You never can predict how things will go in the Arena. It's a lesson taught to trainee from an early age- expect the unexpected.
When arriving at the Town Center I see nearly everyone I know dressed up in his or her finest hair and makeup- most smiling. Some who know about my plans pat me on the back and wish my luck. Things in District Two are festivity on days like today- why wouldn't they be? We have nothing to fear, someone's already ready to volunteer.
As I search for either Lana or Mason I feel a hand rest on my shoulder. I spin around ready to fight if needed but it's just a smiling Mason. When he sees my poised expression his smile falls as he gives a nervous chuckle. "Sorry, considering how long I know you I should know better, huh?" He says and I join in on laughing. His light blue eyes seem to glitter in the morning sunlight- he looks handsome.
But I say that in a sisterly way of course. We've been friends for so long, training together and all- until he quit at fifteen. Besides Mason has asked me out, but I denied him to train, and maybe sometimes I regret that decision but it's hard to now. And I don't like to spend time regretting.
A shorter figure appears from behind Mason as Lana intertwines her fingers with Mason's, they kiss each other hello before Lana gives a glimmering smile towards me. Her dark hair and almond eyes come off as deceiving but she just about the complete opposite of it. She shows a genuine love and caring attitude that makes it near impossible to hate her. She is also my closest female friend, and dating my other best friend.
I guess I can be a bit of a third wheel sometimes- but after so long it has become natural between the three of us. "Hello," Lana chimes as she reaches forward to hug me, Mason's hand still locked in hers. "How are you feeling?"
"Prepared." I breathe out.
Lana laughs, "Of course you are." Behind her laugh I notice a pain in her voice. All of my family and friends have been supportive with an underlying emotion of caution towards my decision but Lana has had the most difficulty. She is smart enough to know I'm prepared but her motherly instincts also worry.
"Guess we should get signed in." Mason says as he wraps an arm around her shoulder- a small emotion tingles in my stomach that I push away.
I think about everything I have planned out for the rest of the Reaping leading up the selection. People need to see me as someone to bet on. My appearance might not be as muscular as others but what I lack in strength I make up in intelligence and speed.
"Let's start with the boys!" A few people clap and cheer for this, the fun part has arrived for them. I roll my eyes- I never understood the enjoyment in seeing teenagers die. Those are the people I need to start understanding though- one sponsor could make the difference between life and death.
A name is barely called out before a male is volunteering. A familiar face emerges from the clump of eighteen year olds. His tan skin glows in the sun and his unkempt but somehow still attractive hair frames his face. Even at a distance I can see the piercing color of his blue eyes. He is a looker- and he's tall.
-And recognizable. That's Mayor Wyatt's son, and there is a list of bad things I could tell about him all the way to the end of the Reaping and still be going. Everything about him seems to be made for this- wealthy, attractive, and strong. He's privileged- and he's cruel.
They say things about him, things I don't want to believe.
This is my District Partner?
As Emmett steps onto the stage his father gives him a satisfied nod that Emmett seemingly ignores- instead going straight to the Escort to speak into the microphone. The District is silent.
"Emmett Wyatt, eighteen years old." Clapping and excitement fills the District Square as the Escort excitedly talks before ushering Emmett to the male tribute's spot.
I can't focus on Emmett Wyatt anymore and the evil things he has done, I knew whoever volunteered was going to be like this. It won't bother me. It won't even faze me. Right now I need to make sure everything goes smoothly.
"Arianna Stone." I raise my hand and push my way forward immediately. Only stopping to glance over at Lana in the seventeen year old section- she holds her head high like a proud mother.
"I volunteer as tribute!" I shout in a loud and clear voice- not daring anyone to try and volunteer as well.
As I make my way to the stage I don't let myself overthink it- instead I focus on unimportant things. Just for the moments, to keep my face grounded.
I have dark brown hair, similar to my mother's except the wavy texture that is similar to my father. I got my green eyes from my mother and my tan skin from my father. My name is Alexis Kerr and I'm prepared to reach perfection.
"And what might your name be?" The escort asks as I climb up the stairs to the stage.
"Alexis Kerr, eighteen." I say in my most well spoken voice before turning around to take my seat next to Emmett. He smirks, like he is laughing at his own inside joke. Like he knows something I don't. I sharply turn to him and give him and obvious look up and down before glancing away without a change in my unimpressed expression. Let him smirk about that. If he thinks I'm weak- that I'm too skinny or not strong enough- he can go ahead. But I assure, there is no way I'm letting this evil brat outlive me.
District Twelve Female
Anna Vinta age 17
The grim sky hung above the Town Center in an ironic and grotesque joke. Of course today of all days the weather would act up, maybe it was a reflection of the District. As if the despair has built up to the point it is beginning to affect the world around us. This day is cursed after all.
Not even the 'comforting' embrace of my latest male acquaintance could put my nerves to rest. Maybe it was because behind him was another boyfriend of mine looking at us with the hurt expression of a child, like he was so oblivious to the fact he isn't the only one.
How could he? Why would I date just one boy when I could date dozens? Every year two of us have to die, we all know no one from District Twelve ever wins, and those are just the deaths in the Games. How about all the people who starve and are killed in mining accidents year-round? Life is short.
I'll never starve and I'll never die in those gritty little mines, but the threat of death still runs its course on the town inhabitants. Even ones with wealth like my family.
In a world where ever day death is hung above our heads, threatening to collapse, why wouldn't I want to enjoy the excitement of a few good relationships. I'm pretty enough for it, I'm tall and skinny and my combination of green eyes and light brown hair makes me a rarity. The boys come easy.
You can call me a slut, but I just want to have fun.
"I thought you loved me, I know that in the past- I just hoped that…" I open my eyes to see the despaired look of boyfriend number three. Jeez I knew he saw me with Rian but I didn't think he was going to come over here.
Rian releases his arms from around my waist to give an angered expression to Alder. Before he can speak I place my hand on his chest to keep him back. "You thought wrong alright? Now before we make a scene and get the Peacekeepers over here how about you go and spend time with your family before the Reaping. Alright?" I say with a consoling look. I'm not having these two embrace me in front of the entire District. What would my mother say?
Alder frowns and backs away slowly; I can sense the embarrassed air surrounding him. He thinks I've made a fool of him huh? It isn't my fault he doesn't know how to have fun, he isn't a town boy anyway. Nothing serious could have ever happened between us. "Fine, but I hope you get what you deserve." It's melodramatic at best, but I try to ignore it anyway. I have a dozen others like him.
After Alder disappears into the crowd, whose faces barely flinch in our direction- they're all too preoccupied for pointless teenage drama, I turn back to Rian. Holding his hands in my own I half-heartedly smile. "I really should be going my sister' first Reaping is today. I want to be with her before we have to separate between ages."
Rian nods and leans into place a soft kiss on my cheeks, somehow that interaction did manage to be somewhat therapeutic. Checking the time I realize I'm running out of it. I didn't even get to talk to all my boyfriends! Connie is more important though; I need to find her in the crowd. We can go sign in together.
As the time for the Reaping to begin draws closer the herd of people begin to shift forward to check in with the tables. I push past a few people and earn a few nasty glares before I spot Connie's small figure. Shoving past a few last people I sneak up behind her and wrap my arms around her neck.
She squeals and scowls at me, but I can see relief in her eyes as she realizes it's me. "About time, I was starting to think you signed in without me." Her words hold fear behind them. For a moment I truly feel bad for abandoning her for a single moment to be with my male acquaintances. It was selfish and not it's too late.
"Of course not." I say trying to not let my guilt slip into my tone. Shoving the guilt to the back of my mind, I take Connie's hand and guide her through throng of people to find a place in line. "Everything is going to be alright." I find myself saying as we wait.
Connie looks up at me through strands of hair covering her bright and nervous eyes. "Do you promise?"
I pause for a moment; I can't promise everything will be all right. I just can't Are names are both in there at the very bare minimum. Connie's is just in there once! Yet still I don't have the guts to say everything will be all right, so instead I decide to promise something I can guarantee. "I promise you will not being getting on that train today."
"What about you?" Connie whispers with a deadlocked frown stuck onto her soft features.
"Don't worry about me, I'm smarter than I look you know." I say giving a crooked smile and wink. She smothers a giggle in her throat; she knows it isn't appropriate to laugh today.
As we approach the front of the line and have our fingers pricked I know it is time to separate. I walk Connie over to the twelve-year-old section and notice in the crowd surrounding those of age my mother. She has the same old look on her face, on of sophistication. Even on today her pride won't let her look anything but her usual calm and put together self.
"I have to go now." I whisper to Connie, her arms fling themselves around my waist and squeeze onto my torso.
A closer inspection of her eyes shows them to be lined with tears and the simple sight of that makes my own water but I reject the tears and stand tall. "Please don't go, Anna." Connie says in a choked voice.
I somehow bring myself to unlatch myself from her grasp and to lean down to quickly kiss her cheeks before I begin distancing myself. The Reaping is about to begin. "I'm sorry Connie, please don't cry you will be safe. I love you." I say choking on my words as I leave before she can make me stay any longer.
"I love you too." I hear her say as I retire to the seventeen year-old section just as Effie Trinket steps to the stage with newly pastel green hair looking as plush as ever. Instead of listening to her usual speech or even bother glancing up at the Hunger Game's video they always play, I focus on keeping back tears. Connie's anxiety is slowly reaching me. What if she is reaped? What if I'm reaped? What if any of my boyfriends are reaped?
There is just too much to lose, even if it isn't someone I know it will still be someone's family.
I hate this so much. "Let's get to the fun!" I hear Effie announce. This isn't fun- it's torture. "Ladies first." My mind focuses in as I realize how the time has slipped by- probably for the best. But not that she is about to pick a name so suddenly it feels like I'm not prepared.
The projector shows a close up of her manicured fingers fishing through the giant glass bowl of white slips of paper. Suddenly she seems to lock her fingers onto a suitable one. In contrast to the movement of time before, the time it takes her to unfold the paper seems to take eons. She clears her throat and…
"Connie Vinta"
The slowed passage of time continues as I force my suddenly jelly feeling body to turn in the direction of Connie. My leg slowly moves forward as my hand reaches out towards her.
I promise you will not being getting on that train today.
"Stop! No stop it she's just a child!" I scream, my body moving similarly to the way it does in a nightmare. Maybe this is all just a bad dream. Please let this be a dream, please let me wake up.
Connie screams and I see Peacekeepers making their way to snatch her up in they disgusting hands. Behind me someone is yanking me back, I rip out of the stranger's grasps as I move towards Connie- shoving anyone in my way. "I volunteer! Leave her be, I volunteer!" I shout with hysteria aching through my body. I can almost feel myself shaking from the adrenaline.
The Peacekeepers turn away from Connie and I sigh in relief- but now they are facing towards me. What have I done?
Oh please let this be a dream.
District Eleven Male
Dox Froome age 18
The light wakes me up. The heat on my body from the sunlight tells me it has been daylight for a while by now. As a pick up my head to look around the room I see my brother still laying next to me, and my sister still asleep on the couch- her blanket pulled tightly around her. Her curly hair sprawled around her.
Carefully picking myself up, trying my best not to wake up Mitch, and walk skillfully on the areas of the floor I know won't creak despite their age. They don't have to wake up yet. Today they need all the sleep they can get. With Violet fifteen and Mitch thirteen they both have their names in there far more than I would like- I don't mind all the tesserae for my name. I'm the oldest and this is just the responsibility that is put on me.
But I'm eighteen, this is my last year I can take out tesserae and not have to make Mitch and Violet take out a single bit- despite how much we could use it. Next year I won't be able to and our family will still need that tesserae.
Next year means full time working. I just have to get through today with my entire family members safe.
My first stop is in the bathroom; I start a bath and leave it to fill up while I head past our parent's room and head into the family room with my sleeping siblings. Making sure to close the blinds, I reach down to pick up one of the lose floorboards and take a few coins from the hidden supply. It's easier to keep our money like this- not that we have a lot. We mostly run paycheck to paycheck, but with all five of us working we manage to save a few here and there for occasions like today. Hiding it under a floorboard is just the safest place to keep it.
After I'm out the door I no longer have to keep my silence- but I do anyway out of pure instinct. The ivy covered streets crunch under my aged shoes and the sun burns as hot as always. On my way to the baker's I can hear the sound of water power-washing the Town Center. This bakery is probably the least formal, therefor on the edge of the town area and therefor the one I go to every Reaping day for the past few years.
The bell rings as I enter and I see the Baker smile in my direction as he continues with his work. He's too old to have any Reaping aged kids and too young to have grandchildren at that age, but his worry is still wrinkled into his furrowed brows.
"Morning Dox, how's the family?" He says putting down the dough in his hands to stand by the counter as I approach.
"Healthy, so good I guess." I say as I scan the available loafs. None of it's fancy, but it's surprisingly good for its price. I spot a loaf covered in seeds and from its color I bet baked with herbs. I point towards it. "How much for that one?"
"For you? As cheap as you want." I glance up at him with a questionable look. He knows me just as much as any other worker who comes here occasionally when they get enough- and I doubt he would find my likeable. My face is constantly wrinkled in worry that exposes a hidden anxiety and my constant working leaves my quiet demeanor to seem cold and distant. You could say I'm not the most likeable, or at least not the most inviting seeming.
"Why?" I can't help but ask, my guts yell at me to just take the offer and get home to my family, but my curiosity gets to the best of me.
"You're a good kid, and I want to feel like I've done something good today so please take offer, ten coins." He says with his palms pressed against the counter. I nod and take out the amount to hand to him. He takes it and wraps up the bread for me.
"Thank you."
"Go home to your family now, I wish you luck." I nod and quickly leave just in case he goes back on his offer and requests more. One the way home I walk quickly, remembering the running bath, and get home just in time to stop the water short of running over the edge.
When I leave the bathroom to wake up my family I see them already up, staring at the bread at the table.
"Morning." I say quietly, proud of the bread.
My mother smiles a radiant look that nearly makes me forget what is to happen later today. "Violet check for eggs, bring any you can find" She says.
"The bath is ready." I say satisfied, my mother is a hard-working woman and when this lighter side shines I know I'm doing something right.
"Good, Violet can bathe first once she gets back." My father says. Mitch smiles at me from turning the pull out bed back into a couch. That's where we sleep; Violet sleeps on the other couch. It isn't a pull out bed but it's plenty comfortable for her.
Violet comes running back in with two eggs in her hand and a smile strung across her face.
Today is going to well, and beside the happiness I should have for the luck our family is having something dwells at the bottom of my stomach. We don't get good luck; we aren't that rich family or successful family that gets lucky. We have each other and we work hard, but luck?
"Hello, hello!" The District Eleven escort, Forma, steps to the stage in a glittering gold get up. Jude scoffs from beside me, his serious demeanor silently aggravated in fear. If I'm serious, he's just plain grim. "I'm so happy to back here in District Eleven! Let's get this show on the road." She says jokingly as if her ironical use of on the road is supposed to make our faces look anything but of those at a funeral- I guess we practically are.
"All right, how about we start with our female tribute? All right? Great!" She talks too much, a whole conversation with herself as if she is hearing us respond to these questions.
She stumbles in her giant heels on the way to the crystal bowl with golden trimmed slips of paper and gives us an endearing look- if her job wasn't to basically deliver us to our deaths I might feel bad for the poor woman. Forma stirs the names for a while with her long manicured fingers before pulling out a single slip. "Marigold Thyme!"
A toned looking girl emerges from mid-crowd of the females, walking with slowed and trembling steps. But her face doesn't show the fear. Her lips pull into a line and her eyes lock onto the stage. I don't recognize her but despite my pity for the girl I somehow find myself being glad it isn't Violet or Kiki. At least she looks strong- that thought helps me not feel as guilty for my relief.
"Hello honey, take a seat over there." Forma says pointing to the two empty seat near the mayor and the Victors, whose numbers are small. Once Marigold is seated Forma takes stage again to search through the second crystal bowl for another name. My throat clenches up in anxiety. I push it away but I can't stop it now.
I begin to count down from ten.
10
She gives another painful smile.
9
She choses a slip of golden trimmed paper.
8
7
6
She unfolds it.
5
4
3….
"Dox Froome."
I hang my head, my eyes watering. No. I won't cry, pushing them back I look back up towards Jude. "I'm… I'm sorry." I notice everything in the moment following. I look towards my brother, to Kiki, to Violet…
And then I walk towards the stage.
A/N: Over time there will be more POVs in each chapter, for now I have to get back into the hang of things with just four a chapter. Probably will turn into six at least. :) Reviews are super appreciated, especially for those with characters. Nothing personal but those who review are probably more likely to have their characters survive the longest. Not because I'm review obsessed- because if you review I know you are reading. If you aren't reading then I rather keep a character whose creator is reading alive.