The 26th Victor

by IJeanette

Margaretha Agate is fifteen years old. She lives in District One, where she has lived all her life. And today is Reaping Day. Today is the day she volunteers.

4. Chapter 4

We waited together in an antechamber in the District One Justice Building, and our parents were brought in. Father went to Jasper, and talked firmly to him, but Mother came to me.

"Margaretha," she hugged me, before holding me at arms' length and looking me in the eye. "Be strong,"

I looked down and she pressed a locket that had once been hers into my hand. "Remember what you know, and keep fighting,"

I nodded, before throwing my arms around her and crying. Fifteen wasn't old enough to be in a televised fight to the death. Fifty wasn't old enough, but I was in this now, and that was that.

A Peacekeeper opened the door, and spoke in a harsh tone, "It's time,"

"Goodbye," I whispered to Father. I knew then that I probably wouldn't come out of this alive – I could never have killed Jasper; I'd rather have died myself.

I looked at Mother one more time before she and Father left – in her eyes, I could see sorrow. By the time she was to see either of us again, the other would be dead. "I love you both. Make District One proud," she said.