If we read until we're ready,
we'll wait the rest of our lives
Brooke Cress, District 4
I hand my mother a pencil. She gives me a smile.
"Thank you, Brooke."
I smiled as I watched my mother draw careful lines in her notebook.
"Mom!" Dylan called, running into the room.
"Right there," Mom pointed with her pencil at the armchair in the corner. It was so new, their were still a few pins in it.
"Wow..." I mused, looking over at my brother's Reaping Outfit. "You know, ripped pants are all the rage this month."
"I know," he smiled. "Thanks mom!"
"You're welcome, Dylan," mom gave him a smirk. "You are not going to go to the fish factory today."
"Mom!" Dylan complained. "I'm going to be CEO one day! I want to go!"
"Today is the Reaping," Mom began, then her face turned dark. "I don't know if you'll be coming back."
"Mom..." I whispered. "I know we're the only twins in the freaking District, but Dylan and I will come home."
"No, I know you'll come home," Mom admitted. "But the real mystery-will you come home with a casket, or a crown?"
Embrace your power,
passions, and ambitions
Dylan Cress, District 4
"Dy-li-an!" Brooke calls, knocking on my bedroom door. I hate when she calls me that. It's DyLAN. Not DyLIan.
"What is it, Br-uh-ck," I smirk. I hear her growl through the door.
"Mom wants to see both of us in our Reaping outfits," She explains. Sounds like she's crossing her arms. I open the door-I was right.
"Fine, fine, I'm coming," I tell her.
I follow her her down the narrow stairs, not proud ot myself for almost tripping. I grab the railing last second, and let out a breath. At least I didn't fall into Brooke.
"Oh, my little Angels!" Mom cooed as we walked into her study. "You two look AMAZING!"
I didn't see what was so amazing about our outfits. Brooke was wearing a white dress, with a peach mini-sweater. She was wearing pearl heels, looking slightly mettalic. I could get mom cooing over her precious little girl, but me? It was just a simple blue button up and some white ripped jeans.
"Aw! My babies! All ready to go into a death match with others in their age range!" Mom cooed. Then she frowned. "That sounded a lot better in my head."
"Don't worry mom," Brooke said with a smile. "We'll make it," She hugged mom. We walked out of the house, into the salty air.
If we read until we're ready,
we'll wait the rest of our lives
Brooke Cress, District 4
The square seemed empty. It was our first Reaping where we went to the front of the line. The Peacekeeper there looked bored-The suspense had vanished. She took our blood, placed it down, and gave us the sign saying shoo.
Everyone began filing into the audience spot, many having bored looks on their faces. Teens made noises that meant-Can I just go home? I spotted the Head Coach from The Academy, Lillith Jones. She had a look of annoyance plastered on that twisted face of hers.
I queasily looked to the stage, the two tolls ringing in my ears. The Escort smiled, walking up to the Reaping bowl.
"Happy Hunger Games! And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor," her voice was high and mellow, matching her cotton candy like pastel blue hair. "Before we begin, a message from the Capitol."
She waved her pale hand to the screen, and the small film rolled. Finally, it clicked off, and the mayor walked up. He cleared his throat, and read the long speech he clearly wasn't paid enough to read. He sat back down, next to Rika. I swear she smiled at me.
"Alright, now that that stuff is over," Our Escort, Denana Kli, began. "The time has come to choose one lovely set of twins for the 100th Hunger Games!"
My eyes fell upon the clear ball-and the one slip inside. The Capitol decided it would be too much hassle to tally the tessare and all since sometimes siblings take out different amounts and all that, so there's one slip for each set. Denana grabbed the slip, which after being pulled would begin my life of hell.
"Brooke and Dylan Cress!" She called out.
I suddenly heard something strange. Clapping. I whipped my head around and saw everyone. The ones who were once bugged to be here, the ones who didn't seem to care. Even Lillith was clapping.
"Alright!" I heard my favorite trainer, Elise, call out before a whistle.
Dylan and I turned to each other, small smiles growing on our faces.
We marched to the stage, smiling and waving. The cheering continued, and I felt good about myself.
"My, my! We have an energetic group today, don't we?" Denana giggled.
"Yes...I guess we do," I heard Dylan whisper as we turned to face the crowd.
"Dylan, Brooke, it is time to shake hands!" Denana had to shout over the applause. "May I announce to you, the Tributes for District 4!"
I didn't even hear the cameras click off, but I noticed Peacekeepers ushering everyone out. A glance at the rooftops showed the cameramen packing up, ready to go back to the Capitol to set up the Reapings for tonight.
"Alright," The middle-aged Peacekeeper at the gate grabbed our hands, leading us like small children. "The Justice Building is undergoing repairs, so I'll have to split the two of you up."
I saw the sick look on Dylan's face, which then melted into defeat. No use arguing with a Peacekeeper who, tribute or not, could tie you to the whipping post instead of giving others the opprotunity to say goodbye.
The Justice Building was a thing of beauty. It's crystaline walls glew with ocean colors. A mix of turquoise, green, aqua-marine (no pun intened). Pearls and shells lined the door and window frames, and the lighting let out a soft glow.
But, like beneath the ocean's shining surface is a deep realm of death-under the Justice Building's grand entrance is a stuffy, dirty dungeon. Unfortuantely-that's where we were taken for our goodbyes. Of course, Peacekeeper Jennings lied about the construction. Yes, the Justice building is large, but the cells are tiny. Why the lies? It's under building code. Even jails have to fall into code.
I suddered. Crime has been down recently, so the place was empty. But, though District 4 is down on crime, riots are popular (it's in the news all the time). Being honest, I'd prefer to not say sappy goodbyes in a room only a few feet away from a whipping post.
Dylan and I bid a sad farewell, 'until next time'. I sat down, and stared at the door. I heard footsteps echo through the large chamber, and frantic voices. The door swung open, and Peacekeeper Jennings had a look as if she was dead inside.
"Three Minutes," she muttered.
"Brooke..."
Mom sulked in, holding onto my father. Tears filled her aqua-marine eyes, a mix of hope and sadness on her face. Dad stared ahead, a blank stare, stone faced. I knew my dad. He was just trying to hold back tears-if he attempted speaking he would melt to the ground and have an emotional breakdown.
"Brooke, I'm proud of you," Mom whispered. She kneeled down so I could look her in the eyes. She began to stroke my hair. "I was clapping you know."
"Thanks mom," I said with a smile. I lept forward, consuming my mother in a hug. I began to cry. "Mom, I promise I'll come home," I told her through tears. "And it will be alive. I'll protect Dylan, all I need is for you and dad to stay strong."
"I promise sweetie," Mom wept.
"Time's up!"
Mom left, giving me one last wave. Little did I know it would be the last time I ever saw her...
"Three Minutes."
"Miley! Ameile! Cynthia!" I cried out in joy.
"What kind of friends would we be if we didn't bid you goodbye?" Cynthia asked jokingly, followed by a forced laugh.
"I wish we could catch up," Amelie said with a sigh. "But we only have about two minutes."
"I'll miss you Brooke!" Miley exclaimed.
"I'll miss you two," I admitted. "And I promise I'll do my best to come back alive!"
Amelie gave a smug smile, then stared at me.
"Well Brooke," she began. "Maybe we should leave. Your next guest seems...eager."
"Eager?"
"We'll be leaving," Cynthia said softly. "I hope to see you soon, Brooke."
Cynthia gave me a hug, then basically dragged Amelie and Miley out.
"BROOKE!"
"Cody?"
Cody burst into the room. He ran towards me, and wrapped his arms around my body.
"Brooke..."
"Cody, I'll tell you the same thing-"
"Brooke," Cody's tone turned serious, and our eyes met. "Your-your father told me to give you this."
I gasped as he pulled out a bracelet. Not just any bracelet-but one made with pearls. REAL pearls.
"Brooke, I have one question," he began. "If you happen to come out of this alive-"
"Time's Up!"
"Here!" Cody shoved the bracelet into my hands, and ran out.
I don't blame him. The worst time to enrage a Peacekeeper is Reaping day.
I began to stand up, thinking that it was time to leave for the train. I was startled when I heard-
"Three minutes!"
Four Reapings done! I left it on a cliffhangar, eh? It will be explained during train rides. I have a few questions for you that may or may not gain you sponsor points...
1. How was Brooke?
2. How was Dylan?
3. Who will last longer?
4. So far, who is your favorite?
5. So far, who will last the longest?
Have a great day (or night)!
-Annabeth Pie
