District seven: Roselyn

My eyes are blinded by the sun's rays peeping through the small holes I call windows in my house. Groaning I sit up slowly. Looking around me I see the same old, rusty things.

Ugh. I think to myself. Today's the day. Just the thought made me sick. I started to get a little dizzy. Standing up quickly to go get a glass of water from the fridge, I am forced to pause at the counter not two steps away. Holding my stomach, I take a few deep breaths and try to calm myself.

Stop worrying. My mind tells me not to worry, but how could I not? This year, my name is in there 17 times. I am 17 years old. It's a sign, and not a good one. The only good thought running through my head right now is that maybe one of the shops will spare some bread or cheese on this special day. I need to get there early though.

After drinking some water I head to the back corner of my one room house. Over there is the one thing I have left of my parents. A trunk full of my familys things. My father's cap. My brothers Knol and Timms old school books and teddy bears. My mom made each of us one each time she was pregnant. The one thing I have of her is an old photo of her under a cherry tree, her hands holding her knees, she's laughing; at my dad of course. He loved to make people laugh.

This year I have finally grown out of the dress I have always used as my reaping day dress. Another bad sign. My stomach starts turning again. I found a old white dress in someone's back yard a few weeks ago. They had so many clothes lying out to dry. I'm sure whoever the dress belonged to didn't miss it much.

I slide it on quickly and throw on my shoes. I can't afford dress shoes so I go in my everyday sneakers. I leave my hair in the braids I made last night for bed. It really doesn't matter anymore.

Again my stomach turns. I rush to the door, opening it i put my head outside and vomit.

My nervousness is getting the best of me. I need to stop thinking about it, it's making me sick.

I step around the puddle, and proceed to the designated area. I see the crowd has already begun to gather. Once a year, this day, the town becomes alive. Everyone puts a smile on and pretends to love everyone around them. Enemies give hugs and invite each other over for dinner, but tomorrow is another story. Those same people will be snapping and spreading vicious rumors about the other by lunch.

I stay in the back. It somehow comforts me. I hope that if my district won't notice me, then neither will the capitol. I'll be safe here.

The crowd gets quiet. Some man walks onto the stage and smiles at the crowd. He acts as if he was a beauty queen. As if he was god's gift to man. He goes to the ball for the boys. My heart begins to race. I can't do this. I want to run. I know in my heart that there is nothing I can do.

"Colten Wagnersh!" the man shouts above the crowd. I look towards the camera. A little blonde child. CHILD. He heads to the stage, a glimmer of hatred in his eyes. They close in on his face. His left side above his cheek is a deep purple. It makes me want to cry. Poor thing.

The man hurries to the other ball. Without hesitation, he yells my name. No surprise there. For a minute I can't breathe. My body is paralyzed with disbelief.

Well, if I'm going to have to do this, I better win. I smile to the cameras. I tilt my head up and run to the stage. On stage I lift my hands above my head. I feel so powerful, it's unbelievable.

They take me to a room to prepare myself for the journey ahead. I am already ready. I'll take all the skills I have mastered and I will make sure no one is left alive but me. It will be too easy. I've seen the other reapings before me. Piece of cake. The boy from District one. Already dead. My partner. Gone. Now comes the real selection. Who do I keep alive, and who do I make sure dies first?

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