DISTRICT THREE: REAPING DAY

Aurora Mason (16)

Aurora sat alone in her bedroom messing with a bit of wire. She'd been playing with it for most of the morning. She didn't really know what she was doing with the wire but it looked like it was turning into something. After a while she knew what she was making. It was a small version of an angel. It had cute little wings and a nice fluffy dress. She even made a halo for it. She smiled at her creation. She needed the final touch. She searched around her room for something round and smooth. Then, she found it. It was one of the most expensive things they had in their house. It was a small pearl bead that her father, Orion, had gotten for her mother, Leila, to put on a necklace. They never got enough money to buy a chain for it, so they strung it on a thin piece of leather. She figured they wouldn't mind, so she took it and stuck it on the angel to make it a head. Beautiful, she thought.

"Aurora, it's time to get up and get ready. We'll be leaving soon." said her brother, Bridger, as he popped his head in through the door. "I'm already done." She looked up at him from the floor. "You nervous?" he asked. He noticed her wire angel. She always made things when she was nervous. "A little. I'll be okay though. I'm just ready for this day to end. How is Jacquline taking it, it being her first reaping and all?" she looked worried for her sister. "She's kind of shaky but I think she'll be fine." The room went silent. Aurora sat there and fiddled with her angel some more.

"You know, those little things you make are really cool. I still have that electric light thing you made me from batteries and wires. I keep it under my bed in a box so that Connor won't find it. He likes to break things a lot."

"I didn't know you kept it."

"Yeah, I did. I use it sometimes at night so that I can read." Bridger looked at his sister with worry. "Look, you should probably eat before we head out. Lets get some breakfast." He stood up and waited for his little sister. "Coming" she said as she stuck her angel in a side pocket on her aqua colored summer dress.


District Three: Town Square

The square was full, like most on reaping day. Everyone in the crowd was nervous and secretly praying that their child wouldn't be picked to walk to their almost certain death. Aurora and her family were almost at the very back of the crowd. They couldn't see much of what was going on at the front but they'd heard the president was on the stage. "I wonder why Lady Loxley is here. You think she went to all the reapings?" Leila asked Orion. "I don't know. I've never known any president to make an appearance on reaping day."

Connor was holding Jacquline's hand to comfort his big sister. The longer they stood there, the more terrified she got. She was shaking like a leaf now. Bridger was making funny faces at her, but she was completely ignoring him. "Come on Jacquy! Don't be so upset." He started to tickle her and got a little bit of a laugh, but she was fighting it.

"Come on already! Lets get this over with!" Aurora's mother said. Aurora knew her parents were scared too, they just didn't want to show it and make it any harder on the rest of them. It wasn't working. It was all getting to them, no matter what.

The crowd went silent as a loud trumpet sounded through the square. Aurora and her family couldn't see anything, they could only hear it.

"Ladies and gentlemen of District Three, I would like you to welcome your president, Lady Natrixa Loxley!"

The crowd began clapping loudly as they welcomed their president.

"Hello District Three! I am so very glad to be here with you on this exciting day! I hope you do not mind that I am here with you today. I know this isn't how things are usually done, but I would like to meet your tributes personally. I have something great planned for them! Now on with the reaping." There were a few silent seconds that passed by before the president spoke again. "Ladies first!"

Oh great, here it comes. Not me, not me, not me! thought Aurora.

"Aurora Mason! Please come forward!"

"No A! You can't go! I'm sorry, I wish it were me!" Jacquline said as tears began spilling from her eyes. "I'm just so scared."

"You don't wish that Jacquy. I'll be fine." Aurora went over to her sister and hugged her gently. "I'll miss you, you hear me?"

"I hear you."

Aurora's parents walked up to her and grabbed her in a group hug. She kissed each of their cheeks. They tasted like salt because of their tears. "I love you guys, you know that right?" Aurora held one of each of their hands. "We know dear. And we love you." Her father took his hand from hers and dug deep in his pockets. "Every year I bring this with me. I just hoped I'd never have to give it to you, but I guess that day has come. Here, give me your hand." Aurora reached out to her father. Orion slipped a beautiful yet simple ring of wire onto her finger. "May it bring you luck." He squeezed her hand tightly in his.

"Sissy, I'll miss you!" a tearful Connor said. "Oh, I know! I'll miss you too- very much." She kissed him on the forehead."Who will read me bedtime stories now? Bridger doesn't like to." Connor pouted. "He won't mind now. He'll tell you the best bedtime stories you have ever heard! I promise." She smothered him with kisses all over his face and made him giggle. "I love you Sissy." He kissed her back. "I love you too."

She got up and walked over to Bridger. "You will tell him bed time stories won't you? He can't sleep without them."

"I will, I promise."

"And listen, can you do one other thing for me?" she asked. "Anything for you," Bridger said with concern. "If I- If I die, give mom and dad this for me, will you?" Aurora fished for the angel in her dress pocket and handed it to Bridger. "Aur-" he didn't get to finish. "Just do this one thing for me. It's a farewell present for all of you."

"I will. Let's just hope I don't have to." Bridger hugged his sister tightly and kissed her forehead. "Take care of yourself."

Aurora began to walk off up to the stage. She turned around to look at her family one last time before she left and blew them all a kiss. I love you people.

The crowd parted silently for her as she walked to the stage. Everyone stared on at the girl walking to her most certain death. The silence was broken when she heard two female voices shouting her name. She couldn't see them, they were lost in the sea of people, but she knew it was Ryli and Natalia. "We love you Aurora! Good luck!" they shouted. I wish I could see you guys, she thought. Keep moving or you're going to cry.

It seemed like an eternity before she reached the stage. Finally she made it and ascended the steps to the platform. Lady Loxley greeted her with a smile and moved on.

"Your turn gentlemen!" Lady Loxley moved over to the bowl that held the male names. She dipped her hand in the bowl, picked out a slip of paper, and read it aloud. "Donovan Quinn! Please come forward!"

Aurora couldn't spot where this Donovan was in the crowd. It took several minutes for him to be seen. She watched as he took the stairs and walked over to her. He was very tall and had skin the color of dark, rich chocolate. He had rather beautiful creamy brown eyes and a friendly face. He nodded to Aurora and took his place beside her.

The president looked over the crowd and spread her arms in welcome. "Ladies and gentlemen of District Three, I am pleased to present to you, your tributes!"


Author's Note:

I hope you guys really like these characters. Let me know what you think about them and the story. I really wish I were getting more reviews. It would make me so happy, then I might write even more. Make me happy! Review please! (Contact me if you need a Beta Reader!)