Hey guys! Sorry this chapter isn't very good….I wrote it kinda fast because I wanted to make another as quickly as possible. I might go back later and add a little more to it. Let me know what you think in the reviews! Pretty Please?
Demetria Greene
"Drip…Drip…Drip…" I watched quietly from my bed as the steady stream of tiny beads of water flowed freely from my ceiling. Great. What a perfect way to start the day, and TODAY of all days. I dragged myself out of my worn out bed and padded over to the kitchen to grab a metal bowl to hold the water. The tin bowl caught the water but intensified the sound of the drips. I rolled my eyes at the situation and headed over to my brother's room, it was already 12:00, and we needed to hurry if we wanted to be on time for the reaping. All it took was a gentle push for me to swing the door wide open. Once ajar I could see my baby brother was not sleeping like I thought he was. He was curled up in the corner of his bedroom reading a book that I couldn't see the title of. "Hey there," I said quietly, not wanting to startle him, "you need to start getting ready, the reaping is in a half hour." He looked up from his book with a look of fear on his face.
"You don't think I'll be picked right?" He questioned me.
"Of course not," I exclaimed "This is your first year Ethan you're only twelve years old, there are tons of other kids that have their names in that bowl. You practically have a 1 in a million chance of being picked!" His concerned expression softened into a relaxed one as he stood up and brushed himself off. "Now you've got to hurry alright?"
"Okay." He said, turning to enter his closet to pick out his outfit for the day. I sighed and run a hand through my jet black hair only to find a million tiny tangles. My footsteps echo as I make my way through the tiny house to find my mother who I knew would be lying on the ratty sofa, like she always is. "Hey mom," I said in a cheerful voice, trying to hide the underlying worry, "how are you feeling today." My sick mother glanced up at me with a look of exhaustion on her face.
"Not so great, I spent the night throwing up" I smiled at her weakly and put another blanket on top of her.
"Well look at it this way, at least you get to stay home and miss the reaping!" Her blue eyes widened in surprise.
"The reaping is today?" she asked, looking confused.
"Yeah mom, just like it is every year." I say starting to get worried. My mom sinks back into her pillow and closes her eyes. This isn't good. She's only 40; she shouldn't be losing her memory. I'll bet it's the stupid disease. She hardly gets off that sofa anymore, when she does, it's practically a miracle. I wish I at least had a dad to help me deal with all of this but he died in a plague when I was only ten. I used to feel like I didn't want to deal with it anymore, but then I met Robbie. In a way, he saved me. I was so depressed and tired of having to do everything; after all, I'm only 15. Most girls my age spend their time hanging out with friends but I just can't, I pretty much have to raise Ethan. Robbie and I met one day when I was sitting at a table in the town square having "one of those days". He stopped to talk to me when no one else had even bothered to see if I was ok. Since then we've been inseparable, basically attached at the hip. Even I don't really have any other friends, Robbie is enough for me. We both work in the coal mines even though you're supposed to be 18; we got in early with the help of a friend who has authority in our district. When I'm not working, I'm with Robbie. He always manages to make me laugh and make my day a little better. The loud irritating bell that signals that start of the reaping goes off and interrupts my thoughts. I can hear Ethan bounding down the wooden stairs from here. He walks into the room and I am impressed with the outfit he has managed to pull together. He is wearing dress pants and a blue button up shirt and my father's old dress shoes which are MUCH too big for him. I grin and sweep him into a tight hug. I can feel him shaking as I slip my hand into his and bid my mother farewell, heading off to the town square. I open the door and to my surprise Robbie is standing right outside our door, arm raised and ready to knock. He smiles as I left out a laugh and gently punch him in the arm.
"Hey," he says in a casual tone, "you look great." I look down at my soft green dress that seems to hug my body at all the right places and I have to agree.
"Thanks, so do you." I say looking at his blue sweater and beige dress pants. Robbie kneels down to be face to face with Ethan and pulls him into a hug.
"Hey there, are you excited?" he asks the frightened 12 year old with feigned excitement.
"Yeah, I guess so." Ethan replies. Robbie flashes him a quick smile and slips his hand into Ethan's other hand. We walk this way until we reach the check in desk and have to split up.
"Go with Robbie, he'll show you what to do." I tell Ethan, exchanging one last hug with him before he darts off. I stand up and brush myself off; heading to the 15 year old's section. The ceremony commences with our cheerful escort Timina and mayor Mulvarill telling us the same story they tell us every year. I steal a peek at Ethan only to see that he is entranced by the violent story. Timina's overly tall shoes make loud clicking noises as she makes her way to the female's bowl and shoves an elegant hand inside and digs around. She pulls out a slip of paper and unfolds it slowly.
"Your district 12 female tribute is…"
Robbie Godder
I peered at myself in the mirror and swept my fiery red hair out of my electrifying green eyes. I had to admit, I clean up well. You can hardly tell that I'd just spent an entire day in the mines with Demetria. That reminded me, I was so excited to see her outfit for the reaping. I knew it would be the same dress she wears every year, but it's one of my favorites. My heart beat faster just thinking about her. I'd always loved her so much (not that I'd ever tell her though). She has been pretty much my entire world since we met when we were little. She has had such a hard life and I think it's amazing that she manages to do all the things she does without ever complaining. She basically supports her family and raises her little brother. Yeah, I'd say she's been dealt a pretty rough hand. I force myself to stop thinking about her and make my way down the stairs to leave my house to meet her for the reaping.
"MOM, DAD, I'M LEAVING." I shout. No answer, of course, I wasn't expecting any different. I Sprint quickly down the gravel path that leads from her house to mine. I'm halfway there and know I really have to hurry, so I start to sprint. I reach her door and raise my hand as a bewildered looking Demetria opens the door. I grin at the situation and she lets out an enchanting laugh. She looks just as pretty as I remembered in that green dress I think to myself. I talk to her brother Ethan and try to console him before joining hands with him for the walk to the square. Once we get there Demetria hugs Ethan and hands him over to me to take to his section. I squeeze Ethan's hand before letting him make is way to the twelve year olds and me to the 16 year olds. I roll my eyes as some guys behind me heckle me as we wait for the ceremony to start. Such jerks, I may not be the coolest kid on the planet but whatever, it doesn't matter to me. Our mayor and escort read us the same exact story we hear every year before our escort, Timina, reaches into the large glass bowl that holds the names of the females. She pulls out a tiny slip and I can't help but hope that it is anyone but Demetria. But of course, it it's her.
Demetria Greene
"Demetria Greene!" I hear my name echo through the silent crowd. My stomach lurches and I feel the color drain from my face. Determined to seem strong, I put on a brave face as I make my way up to the stage. I can feel my eyes get red but I am determined not to cry. I stare into the passive crowd and wait as Timina heads for the boy's bowl. Again, she pulls out a perfectly little strip of paper, unfolds it, and reads out a name. It sounds familiar. Oh wait, it's my brother. My vision goes blurry and I can't see straight any longer
Robbie Godder
"Ethan Greene!" Demetria's baby brother. No, this isn't possible, there's no way two people would be called from the same family, it's practically impossible. First Demetria, and now this. I see Ethan making his way up to the stage and I panic. I know what I have to do. I push my way through the nervous crowd and into the aisle. My voice quivers as I shout that I volunteer. The crowd turns quickly to stare at me as I break into a sprint to reach Ethan. I pick up the sobbing boy in my arms and stroke the back of his head until the peacekeepers pull us apart. I start up the stairs and begin the journey to my impending death, because now, I know it's my duty to protect Demetria. We're told to shake hands by a cheerful Timina who's blabbering on about how fantastic this is. Demetria's thin hands meet mine and I accept that I'm probably going to die.