Chapter Two- The End
Reaping Day wasn't exactly something people looked forward to in Nine. We had only won once in the twenty nine years since the Rebellion. The Games were not an opportunity to show off a tributes beauty or athletic skill. No, they meant a swift and sure death sentence. Because we were so small, everyone either knew or was related to someone that had been a tribute. My father's baby brother had been a twelve year old tribute in the fourteenth Games. My dad would never tell me how he died. In fact, he never mentioned the Games at all unless it was unavoidable. Even though it was mandatory viewing for the entire nation, when they were on, my father would sit in the kitchen and stare out the window until they were done for the day. My mother told me he just didn't have the stomach for it.
It was funny though, even though it was my father who couldn't bear to watch the Games, it was my mother who had a panic attack every Reaping Day since I was twelve. She always said she wasn't going to cry, an every time she did. I really wished she wouldn't. The odds were never in anyone's favor for Nine, because virtually everyone had to sign up for a tresserae, and there aren't that many names to choose from. The likelihood of my name getting drawn was high already, but her crying all over the place just made everything so much worse.
As I walked home in the dusky light, I thought about what tomorrow would bring. It wasn't that I thought I would be chosen- I had just about as much chance as anyone, and tomorrow was my last reaping-but what if it was Dahlia, or little Norma, or even Liss? I knew I could never bring myself to volunteer for them, but I couldn't watch them die either. It didn't really matter though, whoever it was I would know, and the Games this year promised to be just assuredly as unbearable as the rest.
As I neared my house, my mother's frantic voice reached my ears.
"She's never gone this long Matthias, something must have happened to her."
"I went to see Richard," my dad's calm low voice overrode the sound of my mother's high pitched one, "He said that Liss isn't home yet either. I'm sure their fine Ella." I could almost see him taking my mother's hand as he spoke.
"I don't know Matt," my mother whispered, "I have that bad feeling again, I don't know if it's because of tomorrow, or what, but I just can't shake the feeing that Cassie is going to be taken from us soon."
"Nonsense Eleanor, Cassie's a big girl; she's been out in the dessert since she was a little girl, she knows it like the back of her hand.' He paused, "and tomorrow is her last reaping- after tomorrow we'll never have to worry about her again."
I decided that it was time to break up the little heat to heart. One, because it was scaring me hearing my parents talk like that, and two, I didn't want to cause them any more anxiety. We didn't have a front door on our little, one story, clay shack, so when I walked through the door the effect was immediate.
"Oh Cassie! My mother shrieked, practically launching herself across the room in order to hug me.
"Mom, god, mom-" I tired to speak, but her hug was literally making it hard to draw air into my lungs.
Apparently hearing my protests, she suddenly pulled back, "Don't you ever to that again to me Cassandra Ellis," she scolded, "I was out of my mind with worry."
"Which, as you know, is nothing unusual." My father teased, standing from his chair at the kitchen table.
My mom shot him the Look.
"Oh Ella," my father laughed, "You know I was just teasing."
"Well don't." My mother responded in the clipped tone she only used when she was upset, "I am not being unreasonable-a mother is allowed to worry!" she exclaimed, before turning on her heel and walking to her room. I think it would have been funny- my tiny little mother getting so flustered she turned an unflattering shade of red and scolding my over six foot father. Yes, it would have been funny, if I had not seen the tears in her eyes as she turned away. My father must have seen them too, for when he spoke it was soft and subdued.
"I think you should get some rest now Cass. Big day tomorrow."
I lifted my head to look at him. He tried to smile as our eyes met, but the expression did not quite reach his eyes.
"I love you bud." He whispered as he walked towards me, pulling me into one of his signature crushing hugs.
"I love you too dad." I whispered back, lifting my arms to return his embrace.
We stood there in silence for a few minutes as the sun light faded from the kitchen and the shadows grew longer as dusk drew to a close and night approached.
Finally, he pulled back, pushed the hair back from my face and kissed me gently on the forehead, before walking past me to his room. I stood there for a few moments, staring out the pane less window into the starry night. Then I turned and walked to my bedroom, lying down on the blanket less cot in the far corner. Ohlick, faithful snuggler that he was, jumped up without any prompting and nestled into my side.
As I ran my fingers through his course fur and stared at the ceiling, trying to will myself to fall asleep, I all I could hear were my mother's words playing over and over in my head. I just can't shake the feeing that Cassie is going to be taken from us soon.
And the more I thought about her words, the more I couldn't help but feel that somehow, some part of my life had come to an end.