New update!
Thanks to the three people who reviewed, hahah. Just a hint here, guys. The more you're involved with the story, the more likely that your tribute will go far. Just saying...
So, we are now at District 10. Bryn Scott was submitted by CalliLily. She seriously reminded me of Tris from Divergent (if you haven't read Divergent, YOU MUST!). I really liked how she helped support her family and her siblings. She has stronger bonds with her siblings than most people I know, and I really liked writing about that. I really enjoyed writing Bryn. And I hope you enjoy reading this.
Bryn Scott, District 10
My satchel is still empty. I haven't been so lucky today. I had a close call at the bakery. I was able to get out, but with no bread. The baker was about to hit me in the head with a rolling pin because I was trying to steal a dozen bread rolls.
I know stealing is wrong. But I have no choice. My family would starve if I wasn't a thief.
Our lives have gotten substantially worse since our parents died. My older brother, Marcellin, is now in a wheelchair because of the cart crash that killed mother and father. Since we can't get much off stealing, my twin brother Matthew does odd jobs for other people in our district for small amounts of money. And the three youngest children, Tara, Jared and Ava, have all deteriorated into skin and bones.
As I'm walking through the square, a wooden cart whooshes past me. It almost hits me, but instead crashes into the grocery store, taking out the front entrance. Luckily, no one is in the way. The force of it hitting the sturdy building shatters it, sending its contents everywhere. Most of it being food. Most of the people in the market rush towards the crash, sending me towards it too.
A lot of the people are concerned for the driver of the cart. The force of the sudden movement sends me crashing towards the ground. As I end up near the food, I grab most of it off the ground and stuff it into my satchel without even thinking. When my satchel is full, I crawl through the crowd as fast as I can, breaking into a run as soon as I escape the crowd. With everyone already preoccupied with the cart crash, no one notices my suddenly bulging satchel.
I don't stop running until I get home. We live near a paddock on the outskirts of the district, in a wooden shack house. Despite its size, it's absolutely perfect for us. It provides access for Marcellin and his wheelchair. And it fits all six of us whilst keeping prying eyes away. None of us want to end up in the district's community home. We've all seen the kids from there at school.
I hurl myself through the door, startling Marcellin and Tara. They're already ready for today's reaping. Marcellin wears khaki trousers and a collared shirt, whilst little Tara wears a soft white dress.
"Where's Matt?" I ask.
"Out still. He's fixing Mr Goodwin's cabinet. He should've been home ages ago," says Tara.
Ah. Good-hearted Matt, who never refuses anyone who needed help. We're pretty much opposites. He's willing to help out anyone. I can only afford to help myself and my family. But he can't blame me. And despite our differences, we're very tight knit. He's my only friend.
"Did you get anything today?" asks Marcellin.
In answer, I set my satchel on the table and empty it, pulling out fruits, vegetables, bread, meat and a couple decent-sized wedges of cheese.
"You can eat some bread and cheese. I'll go get myself ready. But save some for tonight!" I say. I rush to my bedroom I share with my sisters. I am second eldest, being 14. Tara is 12. And little Ava is 6. She's the youngest out of all of us.
When I get there, I find Ava in the middle of the floor, clutching her doll. Little tears roll down her thin cheeks.
"Hey, hey. What's up?" I ask her, wrapping her in a hug.
She lets go of her doll. "Dizzy's broken."
She gestures to her rag doll. Dizzy was a birthday gift from Mum, hand-sewn by her. She finished it three months before she died. I understand how important it is to her. Now, the stitching in the neck is broken and some of the stuffing is poking out.
"Aww, don't worry, Ava! It isn't so bad. I can fix it when we get back, promise,"
I am not lying. Mum taught me basic sewing and mending when I was younger, so fixing the doll will be child's play. But Ava doesn't doubt me. She just smiles sweetly and flings her arms around my neck.
"Now, if you don't mind, Miss Ava, I have to get ready, so why don't you go hang out with Marcellin and Tara? I brought some food home."
She bounds off my lap at the sign of food. I don't blame her, we've all been forever hungry for months. No matter what we eat, it's never enough. Marcellin should've been able to start his work in the livestock industry, since he's 18. But since he's disabled, that makes him ineligible for work. So we have next to no money. The only money we get is from Matthew's jobs.
I sigh. Life is just too difficult. But it's worth it because of my brothers and sisters.
I realise I'm wasting time. The reaping's in a bit over an hour and I'm still in my gritty jeans, sneakers and t-shirt.
I look over myself in the mirror. I'm wearing the one of the only nice pieces of clothing I have, a soft blue dress with white trim. On my feet are white leather sandals and my chin length sandy blonde hair is pinned back with a couple of blue clips. My scar is showing. I got it after stealing some money from a peacekeeper. Someone tried to hit Tara. With a knife. But before they could, I stepped in between them. And instead of the knife hitting Tara's face, it hit my shoulder instead. But I don't mind if the scar shows. It makes me look tougher, even if I don't feel tough.
Even though the reaping day is one of the saddest days of every year, it's really the only day I truly see Bryn. Not Bryn the thief, or Bryn the sister. Just me. Bryn.
And I don't know whether it makes me happy or makes me scared.
I get a good look at myself. My skin is pale but relatively free of blemishes. My eyes are big, blue and shiny. My nose is long and my lips are thin but I'm still considered pretty. I am of medium height for people my age, and due to my lack of food, I am skinny. Even though I am in my adolescent years, I still have the build of a child.
My eyes marvel at my own reflection. Some might call this vain, but I rarely get to see myself like this.
"You look beautiful."
I whip around to see Matthew standing in the doorway. He wears a blue shirt with trousers and black shoes. His hair is combed back.
"You look…nice," I reply.
He walks forward and wraps me in a hug. Only he can make me so sure of myself. That I am beautiful. I am worth it.
"Let's go. We don't want to be late, now, do we?" says Matthew.
He hooks an arm through mine and we prance out of the room, giggling at how proper we're trying to be. We go through to the kitchen and each grab a piece of bread and a slice of cheese before wheeling Marcellin out the door with Tara, Jared and Ava in tow.
We walk through the streets of District 10, seeing some of the cattle and livestock amble around behind their fences in vast paddocks. Living next to a paddock and being able to see the animals is awesome. Especially for Tara. She adores animals.
We meet at the square with Marcellin's best friend, Daisy. They've been friends for as long as I can remember. She's 19 now, so she's no longer eligible for the reaping. She leans down to hug Marcellin.
"Are you sure it's fine to leave Jared and Ava with you. I hope I'm not being too much trouble."
Daisy smiles. It's a genuine smile that reaches her eyes. "Oh, don't be silly! Of course it's fine!"
Jared and Ava hug all of us in turn before leaving with Daisy. This leaves us all to sign in. I have to guide Tara through the process. I let her go in front of me, and I watch her wince as the needle takes a sample of her blood. I swiftly follow before Marcellin and Matthew. Then we all wheel Marcellin to the 18s. I lead Tara to the 12s before rushing myself off to the 14s area.
I stand among the girls my age. All of them are taller than me. But not by much. I'm up to their eyes. Matthew stands across the aisle from me. He mouths me a 'good luck' before Mayor Carmichael takes to the stage.
She says a short speech about our history and what we owe the Capitol, which is basically a short version of what we learn in History. She introduces our only victor, who won the 33rd Games. His name is James Grover. The most memorable thing he did was when he was in the final four. He killed both his allies, who were from District 12. After that, he also killed his district partner, who was Daisy's older sister. Really, he is a pompous jerk. He makes the Careers look like teddy bears. I hate him with every living cell in my body. But I still give my token round of applause, to show my "respect". Then our escort takes the stage.
Her name is Giselle. And she wears a bright orange suit with a white wig and blue make-up. It's really quite scary. From watching the Games, I have caught glimpses of the Capitol people. Most of them look like this. Some look even scarier.
"Happy Hunger Games, darlings! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" she trills.
She smiles with her bright blue lips and fake teeth. A fake smile. She goes on about how beautiful our district is before going to draw the names.
She tauntingly waves her hand around the glass bowl before flicking out a single card. The girl who will be representing District 10. And that girl is…
"Tara Scott!"
The name is branded onto my brain and sends pulses through my body. I am frozen. I am paralysed. I see Matt try to meet my gaze. But I can't look at him. The only thing I can look at is my sister walking to the stage. My sister, who I protected with my own self. Letting that knife cut me instead of her.
I am aware of what I'm about to do. And I want to. I need to.
I step into the aisle as Tara reaches the middle of the stage. "I volunteer as tribute!"
I walk up to the stage with my head up. I am fine. I am alright. As Tara walks past me, she grabs my waist and wraps me in a tight hug. I kiss her forehead then let her go as I mount the stone steps.
"Well, well, well! A volunteer! What's your name?" asks Giselle.
I clear my throat and say it in a loud, clear voice. "Bryn Scott."
"Couldn't let your sister compete in the Games, huh? Well, let's welcome our newest tribute, Bryn Scott!"
Silence. Giselle goes to draw the next name. And it's the weirdest name I've ever heard.
"Critter Jaker!"
Who names their child Critter?!
A black-haired boy with long limbs ambles to the stage. He stands next to me as Giselle closes off the reaping. We shake hands quickly and quietly, then we're taken through the Justice building.
I can only think of my family.
What will happen to them when I'm gone?
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So yeah, Bryn volunteered for Tara. She was originally supposed to be a reaped tribute, but I thought it would fit her character more if she volunteered. And we were kind of lacking volunteers. So if that bothers you, CalliLily, then sorry. Here's a cookie (::)
We only have two reapings left! Gosh, I am so happy I have gotten this far. And over 60 reviews already! We haven't even finished reapings. You guys are so amazing, it's unbelievable! I love you all!
You would also be very happy to know that I have almost finished working out your parade costumes! And I think you're all going to look fabulous! Well...some of you :p
District 11 is up next. The update will be up soon. Just a reminder that the tribute list and sponsor guide is on my profile page!