Taraed POV
It's funny how life can seem to slip away from you so quickly without taking your notice. With no warning, not one signal, it's just gone. Poof. Life is a precious and fragile thing that no one can seem to protect completely, just like now, as I watched my mother race toward her last breath. I stood on the sidelines, unable to protect her. The memories she held disappeared, her experiences left unknown, everything taken by the Capitol.
I sat on a small wicker chair beside the long bed where my mother laid, her face as pale as smoke and her eyes slightly clouded over.
"Taraed," she murmured weakly with effort.
"Yes," I whispered, now inching forward and placing my hand over hers.
"Take this," she whispered, raising her hands and undoing a clasp behind her neck. She pushed the delicate necklace into my hands and closed them before coughing quietly, "It'll bring good luck."
"Mom, I can't..."
"Just take it! It's the only thing I can give you. You've always been such a good boy," she breathed. I nodded, pulling it into my chest with a painful ache tearing at my heart. Her eyes rolled back in her head and her breathing grew slower and slower.
"Mom?" I cried out, jumping to my feet, "MOM!"
Tears clouded my vision as I blindly placed my hands over her chest and began to push rhythmatically, silently begging over and over for her heart to start beating again.
"Mom, no, please… I can't do this without you… Mom" I cried freely now, wasting in my own pure misery. I pumped harder, "Mom, you can't leave yet! Just not now, please!"
After three solid minutes, I collapsed, throwing my arms over her and sobbing.
"Mom, why did you leave me," I dug my face into her shoulder, feeling the warmth still present, " You said you would never leave me, but you did… you did."
I heard a knock on the door and it soon cracked open hesitantly.
"Hello?" I heard a small voice call. I closed my eyes, shutting out the world, "Hello?"
"Go," I whispered. I couldn't say more without revealing how watery my voice really sounded.
"I heard shouting," the voice said with genuine concern.
"Yeah, well, it's done now." I said after a moment to gather composure, "Just go away!"
After a few seconds, the girl scampered away, slamming the door in a rush to get out.
Here I was again, forcing people away from me, as per usual. I let out a small sigh, letting my head fall into my hands. No more, everything was gone for me now. I couldn't cry anymore, I just sat there in silence. My father and siblings, dead. And now my mother had joined them, leaving me behind. I let out one loud groan, pushing away my ash-coloured hair.
There was nothing left for me in this hellhole of a district; I needed to get out. Luckily, I knew just the way to accomplish that.
Topaz POV
"So, are they doing this thing or what?" I asked boredly as Sarah shuffled up beside me.
"Apparently," she said in the same tone. I watched as the two boys faced -off, both their eyes wide with pure hatred and adrenaline. They both circled each other, fists raised high and ready to strike.
"I mean, I have seen more interesting kittens fight!" I complained. Sarah chuckled, watching them square off, "Oh here we go!"
Finally the first boy took a swing at the other, hitting him square in the jaw and sending him stumbling backwards. Blood began to stream down his nose as he snapped his gaze upwards, eying the other boy like a lion would his prey.
"So, do we know why they are fighting?" I asked curiously, wincing as I heard something crack. Or maybe it was a crunch, I couldn't tell.
"Some bitch," Sarah shrugged, nodding over to a girl with an excited look on her face.
"Creepy," I remarked, "They're fighting over her?"
"Tell me about it,"
I examined the girl as her eyes widened like she'd just heard the ice cream truck, her mouth pulling back into a satisfied grin.
"I mean seriously look at her!" I said in disbelief, pointing obviously now, "She looks like a freaking child on Christmas morning!" Sarah laughed again.
"Yeah really, they shouldn't be fighting over her," Sarah muttered darkly, her eyes watching the boys in envy.
"Oh, and whom exactly should they be fighting for?" I asked, prodding her with my elbow and a smirk.
"You know, someone….else," she scratched the back of her neck, keeping her eyes on the fight.
"Ohhh, do I hear a hint of jealousy?" I asked, then turned on my best Sarah-face of distraught, "No wait! Don't fight! It's me that you want, not her!"
"Stop it, don't mock me," she said, pushing me with her shoulder. I laughed, straightening up again,
"I say go for it."
"They are a bit preoccupied at the moment," she pointed out, "if you haven't noticed!"
"Yes, I suppose so," I grimaced, "Oh, but you can take the loser! That way, the freaky-masochist-girl gets the winner, and you can swoop right in and take the loser back to your place to… heal him," I winked mischievously.
"Topaz!" Sarah gasped.
"What? Do you have a better plan?" I paused as the silence lingered, "I thought not."
Finally, a boy crashed to the ground, blood on his shirt. He lay there, unable to pull himself back up.
"Go!" I said as the crowd followed the winner, leaving the boy on the ground. I pushed Sarah again, "GO!"
"Alright, I'm going, jeez," she grumbled, crouching down next to him and tucking away strands of golden hair behind her ear.
I sighed before turning around and walking towards town. I folded my arms as cold gusts of wind whipped my face repeatedly. I scrambled up to the large crowd of people now forming around a small square in the middle. There were a few boards placed as a make-shift stage.
People stood around whispering amongst themselves, talking about this year's Hunger Games. A man jumped onto the stage, bounding up to the microphone with glee.
"How are you all feeling today, District Niinne!" he shouted excitedly. The crowd, on the other hand, just stared. I started to laugh out loud as the silence grew. People looked back at me as if I were insane.
"Well then, I suppose I should present our new representative of District Nine - Karl Bed!" he cheered and clapped his hands as an older man walked out with a long beard, bearing a huge pot belly.
"Hello, everyone" he grinned foolishly, "Well how about we learn just who our two tributes will be this year!"
His voice reminded me of Santa Clause or a teddy bear, not somebody who would select the two people to be sent to their deaths.
"How about boys first?" he took a large breath before looking at the parchment, "This years tribute will be... Fred Gravish!"
"I volunteer!" a young man yelled from the crowd, his face looking defeated. His whole body seemed worn down, his eyes red as he looked forward lifelessly. He walked up to the stage, not noticing
anyone.
"Uhm, Sir, you have to be under eighteen to go into the arena," Karl spoke into the microphone with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm sixteen, you fatass," he said monotonously. Everyone seemed to hold their breaths as the boy took a step back. Karl stared blankly at the ground for fifteen seconds before looking back up.
"Uhm well…." he stuttered, "How about ladies now!" He was not cut out for this, too soft, he would fall apart after these games, no doubt.
"And the young lady who will represent District Nine is…" what was he trying to be?
'and the young lady who will represent District Nine' oh give me a break "…Topaz Greene!" some people looked back at me, but I simply stood looking around for the girl who had been called up. I kept searching, but found more and more people looking back at me, this time with pity. I looked at the ground for a second and then it registered…me… that's my name... I was chosen. I shook my head before trying to take a step forward, but found it nearly impossible.
'Breathe, Topaz, breathe,' I thought to myself.
Finally, I managed small steps towards the stage, each feeling like I had giant anvils tied to my feet. When I reached the stage, I found out what it felt like, to be the one… to be the one to be sent to their death.
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Please review, if you are not reviewing, i will think: A)You're not interested in my story B) Don't care or C) Have stopped reading the story So if you wish your tributes to live i suggest you review, and give me anything! you liked it you didn't, ANYTHING Only ten, eleven and twelve left! after i will do along chapter with everyone in it, and then the next chapter will be into the games. i can't wait for you guys to see the arena i have though up, i think you will all enjoy it : ) Thank you Fazzems again