Author's Note: Wow, can you believe we've made it? The reapings are done! Onto the Capitol! I'm actually very proud of this chapter, but then again I really liked all the chapters simply because I love all the tributes. I hope Vixen doesn't seen Katniss-sue at all. I hate when people say junk like that about anyones characters. I mean, I'm sure Katniss wasn't the only one in that situation. Anyways, I'm off to set up the poll now! Take the time to review the tributes and vote for your favorite two. The Capitol is coming soon.
Today is reaping day. Luckily Deilan and my names are only in there a few times. We have to sneak to and from the reaping because people are always searching for us. Deilan can't run fast anymore so she has to stay at home often, in fact, she can barely walk now. I wish I could afford medical care for her, but I can't. Sometimes I wish it was me instead of her. She's always been the good girl, the soft spoken, the kind, the loving one. It hurts me to see her this way. I love her more than anything.
"Vixy?" I hear her call from the other room and am jolted out of my thoughts.
I'd been looking out the window, checking to see if anyone was around. We could only leave if the coast was clear.
"I'm coming!" I call and hurry into her room where she's sitting on her bed.
"Could you button the back of my dress for me?" she asks and turns around so I can see. She'd gotten the buttons done half way, but obviously couldn't reach the rest.
"Sure." I say and sit down beside her, moving her luscious brown waves of hair out of the way.
I think Deilan got the looks and the personality. We don't look alike at all. She's tall and fragile with big brown eyes and beautiful long hair and I'm short and stalky with sea green eyes and snow white hair that comes right above my ears. My natural hair is fire red. I hated it so I chopped off my waist length ringlet curls and died them to what they are now.
"There." I say when I've finished with the buttons. "Now turn around so I can see."
Deilan does as she's told and I gasp. She looks like an angel in the frilled white dress.
"You look beautiful!" I exclaim and Deilan blushes and smiles.
"You look beautiful too Vixen." She replies and gestures to the simple light blue dress I'm wearing. "It compliments those gorgeous eyes of yours."
"Thanks." I say and smile, getting up and reaching for Deilan to take my hand.
She does and I gently help pull her to her unsteady feet.
I wish I could find out what's wrong, but I know nothing about sicknesses. All I know is that she's getting worse and that she's dying. I can tell by how dull her eyes are becoming and how pale she looks when she wakes up each morning. This shouldn't be happening. She doesn't deserve this.
Deilan wraps her arm around my shoulder and I wrap my arm around her waist. This is the only way we can make it to the reaping and if you don't show up for the reaping you're dead.
I can tell it hurts by the way I feel her take in sharp breaths, but there's nothing else we can do. I would buy her a wheelchair, but I don't have the money. There's barely enough for food. Once I tried to make one, but the wood wasn't sturdy enough to hold her weight.
We check in on the side where there are less peacekeepers. It doesn't really matter though since they're kind of lax with us.
After we've settled ourselves in the sixteen year old girls' section I let go of Deilan.
"You ok to stand by yourself for now?" I ask and she nods.
Deilan watches the Capitol video, but I don't. I'm busy fiddling with my locket. It's my most prized possession. The little heart is smooth and opens to reveal a picture of Deilan and I from when we were younger.
"Welcome again everyone….it's time to choose our female tribute." I look up as she pulls the name of the tribute. "Deilan Goldenglow!"
I hear an exasperated gasp come from Deilan and turn to see her making her way out of the crowd. I frown and begin to shake my head. She's already dying; this isn't fair. She can't go; she doesn't deserve this!
"No!" I scream and run after her. "No, Deilan! No, this isn't fair!" I continue to scream and see Deilan crying. "I volunteer!" I shout frantically over and over.
Peacekeepers grab Deilan's arms and begin to escort her to the side where she's kicking and screaming for them to let her go.
The escort looks a bit shaken up. "What's your name brave one?"
"I'm Vixen, Vixen Goldenglow and that was my twin sister…." My voice trails off and soon I find myself face to face with a boy who looks less scared than me and he's even younger than me. I shake his hand. He's looks like he's in shock. When his name was called he wasn't even paying attention. I don't even think he saw Deilan and I.
I sit down on a couch in the justice building. The peacekeepers bring Deilan to say goodbye. She's crying the hardest I've seen her since Mom died. She collapses on the couch next to me.
"Vixen, Vixy, why did you do this? I'm going to die anyways!" she sobs and drives her head into my shoulder.
"Don't say that. You're not going to die." I say quietly and gently run my hand down her hair to calm her down.
We just sit there in silence, me rubbing her back as she cries until the peacekeepers tell me the time is up.
It breaks my heart to hear Deilan scream and yell as the peacekeepers drag her away. She'll be sent back into foster care.
"It's ok Deilan. When I win we'll be together." I call as they take her away.
She sniffles and gives me a nod before the door closes. Hopefully it will give her some peace before she has to see me die.