Ellia Jamson, age 15
The first thing I see when I wake up is dirt. Everything around my house is dirt. Grass hasn't bothered to cover up our soil. I can't say I mind. Dirt never really changes. Sure, it gets wet and muddy, or rises around different objects, but it's always plain old dirt. It never changes color. It's one of the most trustworthy things that exists.
I get up and brush dust off my shorts. I don't remember falling asleep last night, but the fact that I woke up outside is no big surprise, neither is it a rare occurrence. Ever since the incident I've felt less and less safe around others, including my own family members. Nowadays I like to take refuge behind the old family shed.
Through the window I can see my sister. She gets up very early, every morning, doing things that are unknown to me. I may have been touched with curiosity before, but even if I spoke, I would never get the courage to ask Robin what she does every morning.
Today is reaping day, so staying outside isn't an option. My family's inside, waiting for me. I have no choice but to join them. My father greets me as I come inside. On the table is a burned waffle and a cup of cocoa. Robin gives me a strange look. I don't know her well enough to read the look, but I'm also not stupid enough to think it's a welcoming look. Saying I'm an outcast doesn't explain how distant I am from my family.
"I set out a reaping outfit in your room," Mom tells me. I nod stiffly and head downstairs. The floor is cold metal, and it stinks of rat droppings. I push open the door to my room. A layer of dust has settled on my bed, and on that us a turtleneck jumper.
I look at the scissors on my floor, debating whether or not I should cut the turtleneck off, in case it chokes me, but I decide to trust it.
I wait in my room until just fifteen minutes before the reaping. My family is gone when I go upstairs, and I couldn't care less. I walk to the reaping alone, arriving just before it starts. The mayor reads the five page treaty of treason, before our escort is allowed to continue the reaping. In my mind I imagine a scenario where I'm reaped. Would I feel anger? Hatred? Fear? I'm not sure.
"Ellia Jamson!" Mallory reads. And I'm still not sure what I feel.
Isaac Kellin, age 15
Ellia makes her way up onto the stage, her face drained of emotions. But, unlike her, my emotions are going crazy. Why her? Why did it have to be her?
I doubt she even remembers me. When she looks back on the night that traumatized her, she'll remember my brother, not me. My brother, who has killed twenty nine civilians and almost her.
His name was Ryan. We were very close growing up, him being just one year older than I was. It wasn't until he was thirteen that everything started going bizarre with his head.
He always said thirteen was much too young to have romance, but it was obvious he had fallen head-over-heals for the mayor's daughter, Natalie. One day, she came over to our house, and I think he tried to rape her. I don't know if he actually did, but she fled the scene quickly, leaving Ryan in tears. The next day, Natalie visited the factory, looking to resolve things between Ryan and her. Ryan apologized for what he had done, and they were back together. But later that day, Natalie was hit by a truck and died. Ryan was never left the same.
A little over two years ago, he went outside at night, I don't know what he was planning on doing, but he found a girl and brought to near death.
"Isaac Kellin," Mallory says, jerking me back to the present. I start up the isle. Mallory gives me a huge, innocent smile as I board the stage. I don't see any recognition in Ellia's eyes. I don't really see much of anything.
We shake hands and part ways, going to be seen off. Ellia doesn't say anything. What if I was wrong about her? What if she wasn't the girl Ryan attacked?
I shake my head.
I know the girl was Ellia because I'm the one who saved her.
There are the tributes for district five! One of the WiFi cables broke in my house, so I wasn't able to upload for much longer than I said it would be. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!
Who do you like more?
Who do you think will last longer?
Does Ellia remember Isaac?
Thanks for reading and (hopefully) reviewing!
~Ginny