Y'all know the drill. I doubt you want a long author's note so enjoy!
(District seven Kale Carter's P.O.V)
My older sister Katrina wakes me up her light voice weaving into my dreams. "Kale sweetie you have to get up."
Somewhere in my sleepy land I mutter "Why?"
"It's time to get ready for the reapings."
She doesn't say but I know what she's thinking it's also the anniversary of my father's death and the day my family started to fall apart.
"Breakfast is on the table." She says and turns to leave the room trying to keep the quaver out of her voice.
I nod and haul myself up leaning on Spike for support. I kiss the forehead of my german shepard then walk to the kitchen.
I sit down but stifle a cry at the picture of my mother. Suddenly I put my head in my hands at a flash back.
I had come home that day whistling. We were all still recovering from dad's death but things were slowly getting better. People had stopped staring as I passed the whispers were slowing down and I was on the way to making some friends.
For the first time in what felt like years but had only been a few weeks I was happy. Then I got home. At first everything seemed okay. Then I noticed that mom didn't reply when I yelled that I was home.
Thinking that she might not have heard me I walked up the stairs to her room. Then I found her. She held a knife and had killed herself. I had collapsed with sobs and I think I passed out right there.
I remember waking up in Katrina's arms. She had shown me the note. It had read "I'm sorry Kale and Katrina. I couldn't do it anymore. I joined your father in heaven. I will see you someday in heaven. Please take care of Kale Katrina. I'll miss you both. I love you. Mom."
I had gone back into my shell. The whispers had started again and the friends I had started making left me. Everything was as bad as it was before.
I'm snapped out of my flashback by Katrina's arms around me. I glance up. "How did you know?"
She hesitates then responds "Your eyes went glassy and you were shuddering."
I nod. "Thank you for snapping me out of it."
"You're welcome."
"I'm not hungry anymore." I say and stand up from the table.
She nods "Hold on a sec." She returns with my reaping outfit. It's a dark green long sleeve shirt with black jeans the leather bracelet that used to be my mom's on top. I nod and slip it on without a word ignoring the small pang that comes with putting on the bracelet.
"See ya after the reapings!" I call and race out the door.
(Iris Brohic's P.O.V)
I wake up with a yawn and a stretch as my sheep dog jumps on me. When I try to roll over and shake him off for a few more hours of sleep he starts licking my face.
"Bleh!" I cry and shove him off laughing. "Bad Fink!" I say as I force myself out of bed. I look around my light green room and smile. Then a sad thought sneaks its way into my mind. This may be my last time at home. Fink's last time as well.
The announcement about the dogs had shocked us all. Some people were happy some sad. Others like me couldn't decide what to feel. On one hand the dogs could be helpful. But on the other the dogs don't deserve to die with us.
I shake my head. You can't afford to think like that Iris. You're not going to be picked. Don't worry. Your name is only in there twice. At least your sisters are safe from the reapings one more year.
At that thought my eleven year old identical twin sisters burst into the room.
"Hi Iris!" They chirp at the same time. They look nothing like me, as they take after my dark haired dad and I take after my red haired mother with gold highlights in it. I even have her huge green eyes which I hate. But others claim "they're so pretty." Yeah right.
I roll my eyes and tune back in to my sisters who are still rambling on. "Alright shoo shoo." I laugh and wave my arms chasing them out of the room so I can get dressed.
I open up my closet and look at all the clothes made to fit my willowy frame. I scan it looking for something that might look good. My eyes come to rest on a simple floor length strapless summer dress. I shrug it on then run down the stairs.
I get down there just in time to see Fink jump up and open the door. I let out a yell but am too late as he runs out. One of my sister's screams. "Iris get him!"
"Ay, Ay captain!" I yell and give chase to Fink. I ignore my dress that seems determined to slow me down and keep running. I freeze at the meadow at the edge of the district and thankfully so does Fink.
I creep up on him as he sticks his nose in a hole. "No!" I yell to him as wasps swarm out.
I scream and stumble about as the wasp's sting my skin. In my stumbling I slip on the wet river mud and land straight in the river water. The water forces the wasps off and I'm grateful for that. But now I'm covered in mud and bee stings and being forced along the current.
That thought reminds me that I'm still under water and I kick for the surface. My head breaks the water and I take a gasp of the sweet air.
I swim for the shore and grab a root using it to haul myself up. I collapse on the bank and pant for a few minutes. Fink comes back covered in water as well and licks my cheek.
"Very, Very bad dog." I pant and stand up grabbing his collar. He lowers his head with a whine and follows me as I stand up.
Once I'm sure he will follow me I race for the town square. Missing the reapings will get me killed. The people at the check in station don't hide their shock and disgust. Both at the fact that I am very close to being late and at my appearance, I try to give a small smile and a shrug but they don't seem to buy it.
I just shake my head and run with the other thirteen year olds. I swallow as the treaty of treason starts. After it's done our overly cheerful escort who has a blue wig on. I scoff mentally. Wow that's ugly but not to her I guess.
She clears her throat."Ladies first." The worry threatens to overwhelm me as her hand swirls around the reaping bowl. With her sharp pink nails she reads out the name.
"Iris Brohic."
I swallow and walk up on shaking legs, Fink follows but I am hardly aware of his presence. Every single mouth in the district including my mother's drops open at my appearance. The escort is deadpanning. I cough. Might as well try to get some sponsors.
I give a teasing laugh. "Sorry everyone traffic getting here was horrible."
Everyone laughs awkwardly and I take small bows. The panic is still going on inside my chest but I refuse to show it.
(Kale Carter's P.O.V)
I raise an eyebrow at the girl who was drawn. Wow that poor girl. She's playing it off as nothing but something happened to make her look like that. I have to admit it is slightly amusing. Maybe she has a chance.
Our escort , Zenya Trishfall, clears her throat to stop the laughter. "And now for the boys." Her perfect nails that remind me of daggers ready to send kids to their death reaches into the bowl.
"Kale Carter."
And I'm her next victim. But I won't be changed. I head up to the stage with Spike by my side and Zenya raises our hands in the air. "I present you with your district seven tributes Iris Brohic and Kale Carter!"
Everyone claps except for my family and people who I can only guess are hers. They stay completely silent and don't do anything but stare with horror.
Hope y'all enjoyed! Things may start to slow down as the evil known as school has started again. And I have blisters on my palms from bike riding… It makes typing harder. Anyhow R&R!
