Chapter Two-

Note: Sorry this took forever! But here it is!


Chapter Two-

I dress softly in a creamy, frilly skirt and a matching button-up top. It was mother's when she was fourteen, so I fit perfectly into it. I grasp my token, just in case I am reaped. It's a small necklace with a crescent-shaped moon hanging from it. The silver moon sparkles every time it moves. I love it, but I hope I never have to take it in the arena with me.

I take my place in the very front row of the reaping chairs. The parents stand in the back and watch helplessly as their children are taken off. Lyra sits right next to me, and we hold each other's hands. Then, Liliana Grandforth, our escort for 20 years, takes her place.

Like most Capitol people, Liliana Grandforth is no different. Her favorite color is purple, because every reaping day she is wearing something purple. Today, her hair is very curly and bouncy, dyed in a dark shade of violet. Her skin seems to glow purple, wearing a dress that reaches her knees in a lighter shade. A large golden bow was strung in her hair, and she has matching high heels, bracelets, and a gold pearl necklace. Her eye shadow is a golden color also, and her lips are the most outrageous shade of bright lavender. I can't help but think how ridiculous she looks right now.

She walks up towards the microphone, and her face appears on the screen. "Welcome, welcome, to the 248th Official Hunger Games!" She says, expecting a loud cheer. She hears nothing, and continues on. You can tell that she would much rather be at District 1 right now.

"May the odds be ever in your favor! Now, let's see who will be competing this year!" I remember Scott's imitation of Liliana this morning. It had sounded just like her. I almost burst out laughing again, but stopped myself. This was serious.

"Ladies first!" She says, and dips her hand in the crystal ball with all of District 12's teenagers names in it. I glance at Lyra, her eyes shining with fear. I can tell mine look the same way. I mouth the words "Don't volunteer if it's me." She nods, and we both look back up at Liliana. She grasps the paper with her fierce purple fingernails, and in her high-pitched voice, says the name on the paper.

I cringe in fear. She couldn't have.

Liliana Grandforth has read my name.

I look at Lyra. She hugs me fiercely, and I feel a tear run down my face. I quickly stop it: this will be the thing on TV for awhile until the Hunger Games air.

But Lyra is crying. I stand up, and walk up to the platform, a few peacekeepers behind me. I'm shaking with fear, but I take my place strongly. "Well, there's our girl tribute! Tessa- Tes-….. Tell me, dear, how do you pronounce your name?" I can't help but notice her staring at my leg. And now everyone is. I blush violently.

She had gotten it right the first time, but I guess she wasn't sure. "Tessalie." I whisper. "Tessalie Odeon."

"Tessalie Odeon!" She repeats. Still no cheer from the crowd, just silence, staring at my missing leg.

"And now for our boy tribute…. Dominic Hatcher!"

I don't know who he is, but you have to admit, he's cute. It's a boy just about my age, maybe a year older, with striking green eyes and brown-black hair. He must be poor, his white shirt is stained greasily, and his pants seem rather torn. But he takes his place beside me, ignoring my leg.

We're rushed into the Justice Building, and I sit in a room that's decorated in red and white. I'm alone. I sit down on a red velvet couch and stand my ground. I don't cry because this could be televised.

Soon enough, Scott comes in. I run over to him and hug him tightly, and I finally crack. I start to cry. "I don't want to go yet, Scott. I don't want to die."

He hugs me and kisses my forehead. "I thought the exact same thing when I was reaped. And I won, Tess. I won the whole thing. And I'm going to teach you all I can in the few minuets we have. Because you will win this."

I wipe my tears. I'm not so sure, but maybe if I listen to Scott I can last a bit longer. "Okay," I whisper.

He goes over strategies for killing, mainly. "Don't be afraid to kill, Tessalie. Don't be afraid to get rid of a few people in the Cornucopia. The less people you start out with, the easier it gets."

The Peacekeepers realize he's sharing tips with me so they pull him out. Next in comes Lyra. I burst out I tears again, unable to hold it in.

"Oh, Tess. I'm so sorry! I-I didn't think that this would happen…." I hug her tightly. She's like a sister to me, since all my family is gone.

"Tessalie, you have to win this. District 12 will be rooting for you, and you'll win." I think of the odds. 24 people in an arena, and only one comes out. The odds of getting hit by lighting are better in my perspective. "I'll try," I say.

"Do you have your token?" She asks. I nod, and show her the necklace. "Good," She says. We sit there in silence for awhile, then she says something. "Don't let your leg stop you. Maybe some of the other Tributes will pity you a bit, and let you last longer. But show no mercy, Tess. I need you to come back."

I nod. The Peacekeepers take her away soon and I can't help but think that this could be the last time I've seen my best friend. I wonder who's coming in next, if anybody even is, but the Mayor comes in.

Mayor Gerald is a stout man with slightly graying hair. It was once a bright blond, but those days are gone. He is Lyra's father, and he is carrying a small package.

"Hello, Mayor," I say, unsure of what else I can say. He says nothing, but sets the package down next to me. We sit there in silence for a bit, then he starts talking.

"You have to come back, Tessalie. I can't tell you how much Lyra is worried sick, and I fear that if she watches you die in the arena….. She'll…."

I can actually see a tear go down Mayor Gerald's face. "I think that she'll seriously kill herself if you don't come home." I'm shocked. "You can't be ser-."

The Mayor cuts me off. "I'm more serious than I've ever been, Tessalie. She's going to kill herself if you die. Her mother's dead, and I'm almost never with her You're all she has. I beg of you, Tessalie. Come back to District 12."

I shudder. Lyra will kill herself if I don't come back. Now I have to, for her and Scott.

"Okay." I say. The Mayor starts to stand up. "Mayor," I say. "What about the package?"

"It's for you," He says, standing up. I start to tear at the packaging, but he stops me. "Wait until you're in the arena, Tessalie. It will be helpful."

"But. Mr. Gerald, I don't think I can bring this into the arena…"

He slides it into my pocket. "Keep it there. You can't survive without it."

The Peacekeepers come in and take him away. I'm left with only my thoughts. It will help me in the arena… I think. What is it?

As another group of Peacekeepers enter, I stand up. It's time for me to get on the train. I'm lead into my room.

Last year they started to customize the rooms, and put little things to remember your life back home. There's a framed photo of my family before the accident sitting on a small desk, and a photo of Scott next to it. I don't know how they got them- because District 12 is so poor that only the very rich can get professional photos like these, but they did. I smile, feeling a bittersweet tear run down my cheek. There's even a photo of Lyra.

My room is painted a soft green color- the lightest shade of jade. There's pale purple curtains hanging over a window and a dark wooden dresser filled with tons of clothing. Glancing towards the desk, I see a sheet of paper with writing on it. I pick it up carefully, and read it several times.

Dear Tess,

The Peacekeepers allowed me to write a letter to you, so here it goes.

Remember everything I told you. It will come in handy, especially when you least expect it. Don't be afraid to kill. In the arena, it's kill or be killed, and if you don't move fast the bigger ones will finish you off.

I don't know what the arena will be like, but it's gong to be tough. If the Tributes don't kill you, the arena will. The weather can be decent, and a few minuets later it can be freezing cold or blazing hot. And don't let your leg stop you. You're strong, and you can do this.

This would be longer, but I can't let anyone read this letter and confiscate it. I'm betting on you to win this, Tessalie. You can do this.

Lots of Love,

Scott Odeon

I almost cry reading the letter. I know I should write a response, but how? There's a sheet of paper on the desk. It seems blank, but I turn it over and see another letter. From Lyra.

Tessalie,

I saw your father's letter and I knew I had to write you one.

Once again, I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Scott is so worried about you, but everyone's rooting for you. And the other tribute. Do you know if he's single?

Just kidding.. But isn't he cute! Too bad you're going to win and he's not!

Just please come back. I don't know what I'll do without you.

Love, Always,

Lyra Gerald

I can see several wet spots on the paper. Lyra must had been crying as she wrote this. I realize Mayor Gerald was right- Lyra's going to kill herself if I don't come back. Suicide. The saddest way for anyone to leave the Earth.

I wonder if I can write back, and notice a stack of paper on the dresser. I pick up two sheets of paper, one for Scott, and the other for Lyra.

I start with Scott's letter. I have writer's black for at least 15 minuets, but then I can't stop writing.

Dear Scott,

Thanks so much for your letter. It's good to see one happy thing in this dreadful place. And thanks for all the support. I'm going to try my hardest to win these games, for District 12.

I don't know what else to say…. I love you so much and I already miss you tons.

Love,

Tessalie Odeon.

I fold up the paper and set it to the corner of my desk. I start to write Lyra's letter.

Dear Lyra,

Thanks for the letter. Really. I miss you and Scott so much, I don't know what I'm going to do.

But you're right. I am going to do this. I'm going to win for you and all of District 12. Don't worry, I'm fine.

I'm wearing your old necklace right now. It's my token, and you can have it back if you want it when I come back.

I have to go now. My Prep Team. Remember, I'm going to be District 12's newest winner.

Love,

Tessalie Odeon.

I freeze and look into the doorway.

My Prep Team.