Kia Lorrie's POV (D6F)
''I'm off to work mom!'' I peek around the corner to see her reaction. That wasn't much though.
''Yeah, whatever.'' That's the only thing I got back. My mom should be more grateful for everything we do. I and my three siblings are working so much to keep us all alive, ever since my dad left. Maybe she is so distant from me because of that. Maybe she thinks that was my fault. But it wasn't!
I took a step towards her, already boiling inside, ready to make a badass comeback like I have to do all the time, as I am the youngest of four kids. But when I was about to start talking I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Mercy, my older sister. There is always three years in between my siblings, with the exception of my 17-year-old brother Bentley and me, I'm only 2 years younger than I am. Before Bently, there is Mercy, 20 and my other brother, Carter, who is 23 years old. I rarely see Carter, he is always working, he took over my dads' role, I guess... Not as if I would know, I never met or knew him to begin with...
I relaxed pretty much directly when I saw Mercy's worried face. She is more like a mom to me than my actual mom could ever be by now.
''I.. I'm f... fine, I have to go.'' I stuttered.
''Let me walk you alright?'' Mercy said with a concerned voice.
Once we're outside she looks at me again.
''I know you're not alright Kia... It'll all be okay..'' She pulled me into a tight hug.
I feel my heart slowing down by the kind gesture of my sister and we stood there for a few minutes.
''I really have to go to work now..'' I said whilst pulling back from her embrace.
''No you don't. Not today. I managed that you'd have a day off, I thought we could go and look into some science books if you want? I know you'd much rather be studying science instead of working, so I thought, why not for today?'' My sister knows me so well. I'd love to know more about science.
''Thank you so much!'' I suddenly have a complete mood change, the prospect of a nice day with my sister made me very happy.
So we did. We went to the edge of the forest, sat down, ate a little bit, as much as we could spare, and we went through Mercy's old science books. She had to drop out of school, to start working, but I never even got the chance to start school in the first place, and neither did Bently. The latter was really a pity, I always envied the intelligence of my brother.
We had quite a nice day up until the point where I had to get to the Annual reaping.
Mercy walked me to the desk where I had to give some blood to identify myself and I walked over to my group of kids. I didn't even bother to listen to the talking of the escort until he came to the point of naming the female tribute.
''Kia Lorrie''
It was me. All day I didn't even worry about the reaping, knowing my name wasn't in that many times. But it was me. What do I do now? I start panicking, but I remember I need to go to the stage so I do, in kind of a trance. I see myself on a big screen, I look pretty fine, better than I feel. I'm terrified but so shocked that my fear doesn't show.
At least I won't have to worry about that...
Astori Steer's POV (D6M)
''Are you really going to do that?'' Byke called out. With his twelve years, he is only a year younger than I am, but he seems more scared than an 8-year-old.
''Yeah, why not?'' I reply, looking at the tree in front of me. I've always been pushing my limits, doing things I maybe should've done, according to safety. There was this time where I went to drive my dads' car, but I didn't even know how to drive... Ha, that was fun! I didn't even crash the car, so I wasn't really putting my health at risk...
I start climbing the tree, I always like to see all the movement on reaping day, and what better place than to do that is on the top of a tree? This one is pretty high, so I can see everyone moving towards the marketplace, where the stage is located. I also like the adrenaline rush I get whilst looking down from here. I don't go up too high though, I don't want to die if I fall down... I won't take such a risk...
''That branch is kinda moving a lot, Astori!'' Ugh, can Byke shut up already?
''I'm coming down alright? It's time to go anyways..!'' I'm already on my way down when I told him. Suddenly I hear a loud crack and the branch beneath me starts to crack. I don't have any time to reposition myself, so I start falling down. I was already pretty far down, so, fortunately, it was only approximately a two-meter fall.
''Are you okay? I told you you shouldn't do that!'' Byke ran up to me. I quickly checked whether standing up was painful, but it wasn't.
''I'm fine, really... Only my t-shirt is kinda ripped apart, but that's fine... We should go!'' I see the scared face of my friend, it's his first reaping.
''You'll be fine! We both will be, we have enough food, so we don't need the terresae other need... You know that!'' I pat him on the shoulder as I start walking towards the marketplace.
When we arrive at the reaping, I hug him and point out where he should stand.
''I'll see you in a bit alright?'' Byke nods quietly and walks towards the group in behind me.
Only I wouldn't, at least not in the way I thought... Because a few moments later I was walking towards the stage. I felt completely empty and terrified. This will be an exception on my own personal game of taking risks. This one could very much be deadly.
A/N) Anddd we're half way through the reaping! I really hope you like them so far!
