When the last tree's fallen
The animal can't hide
Money won't solve it
What's your alibi?
Darla Waioro
District 10, Female, 17
(5 Months Prior the Reaping)
...
I hide behind the barn and continue reading my latest book, it's entitled And Then He Was Hanged, it's a fiction book set somewhere in the past of a man being execute and reliving his past mistakes that led to the execution. I find it very interesting to see what kind of things he thinks are unethical that he did, such as cheating on his wife and stealing from his best friend. There is no mention of The Capitol and no mentions of the Districts or even The Hunger Games, these day we live in a world where being unethical is forced upon you.
I sigh as I think about it, sometimes I feel like being born in a different generation would make life so much better but I guess we are here for a reason and as far as I can tell, that reason is supposedly a war. I've seen a few videos on TV of areas found underground where old shelter and laboratories used to be, I can't help thinking how exciting it would be to visit one and how much I could learn from it.
I'm quickly snapped out of my dream world and back into reality as I hear my brother screaming from inside the barn, I leave my book behind and rush inside. He is holding his eye and blood seems to be dripping from his hand. "The rake it poked my eye out!" He screams and my eyes reach the rake, also covered in blood. He throws a white ball into my hands and I scream as it's squishy texture reaches my skin. However, I realise it's not an eyeball as I see my brother laughing hysterically. I throw the ball aside and pinch the bridge of my nose.
"That's sick, Daylton." I sigh and shake my head while he continues laughing. Daylton has always been one for pranks, I can confidently say I am the complete opposite of that. I guess you could say he's the class clown while I'm the book worm, may put things into perspective. I walk out of the barn before my temper gets out of control.
My mother calls out from the kitchen of our home to signal us that dinner is ready and I start heading toward it. It's a small house, a typical one for District 10, and was built by my ancestors from whatever they could find. Well, that's what my dad says, unfortunately there's not a whole lot to prove that's true and (trust me) I've looked for evidence. As I do with most things, a true detective at heart. My father had snuck me a book from the private side of the library when I was very young, it was a book about a man who was investigating a case of a woman on a bike being followed by somebody. It was quite the thrill and I guess that's where my passion started.
"Hi mum." I greet her as I sit down at the table where a small bowl of soup sits. Our parents have always struggled to provide for us and the farm has been running low on livestock recently because of many animals dying from the heat, I try and help out where I can but there's not a whole lot I can do. Reading is a good escape from that and that's why I do it so often, takes me away from all the troubles of this terrible world.
I sip my soup quietly as Daylton and my mother talk to each other, I'm more of a listener and I shy to the idea of socialising with strangers. I do talk to my family, though, not as often as most do but a lot for me. "Where's father?" Daylton asks and I suddenly find myself interested in their conversation.
"Doing some extra work over at the market. I'm afraid the farm just isn't enough to keep us on our feet anymore, it would be helpful if the two of you could maybe try and do the odd job around the town for some extra cash." I can see in her face that she feels guilty for even presenting the idea, she never wants to upset us and she constantly surrounds us with her love.
"Of course we can!" Daylton says enthusiastically and I nod in agreement, it would be nice to do some more for Mum and Dad seeing as they do so much for us. I do love our family, it's small and it just works, I don't want anything to ruin that and I don't think anything ever could.
Devon Galloway
District 10, Male, 13
(Reaping Day)
...
I awaken the same way I do most mornings, doctors rushing around me and hearing the other noises coming from other patients in my ward. It doesn't awaken me, though, I've become used to these noises over the many times I've been here. I was born prematurely and so I've had a lot of health conditions such as scoliosis and osteoporosis, they've been the toughest things in my life and they're the reason I know I may never live the future I hope to.
I don't spend all my time in the hospital, in fact, I've been staying at home most of this year and I'm only here now so they can do a checkup before the reaping. This is my second year in the reaping and I have hope that, because my name is only in there twice, I don't have a chance to be reaped. I usually try my best to do everything I set my mind to but even I know I wouldn't stand a chance in the Games and I want it to never come to that.
My bed is rolled to the hospital exit where my parents meet me, I'm able to walk so I shake my head as my father asks if I'd like a piggy back, though I give him a warm smile to show I'm grateful. The hospital isn't too far from the reaping, around a ten minute walk, so we arrive rather quickly and I'm able to get myself checked in before most people arrive.
"Right hand and index finger." The Peacekeeper states and I hold up the stub where my right hand used to be. I'd lost it in an accident around ten years ago at home. It was hard at first but I'm used to pushing through and I'm used to it by now. "Left hand, then." The Peacekeeper commands and I hold out my index finger which he pricks.
It takes about fifteen minutes for everyone to get in their places and the reaping starts right on time, a tall and lanky man with bright orange hair and a matching suit bursts out of the Justice Building. He really puts on a show with all his poses then winks at us, I guess he expects a reaction but he doesn't get one, simply just blank faces staring back at him.
"Good Morning District 10! The name is Osian Torres and I am honoured to be your escort! Now let's bring in your mentor..." He makes a drumroll sound using his legs. "Miguel Cowley!" There is some applause for Miguel and he nods humbly before taking his place behind Osian. He's District 10's only Victor and won the 7th Games. He seems like a nice enough guy but he dominated his Games with 7 kills just by brute force alone. I only know because my parents watched a lot of The Hunger Games while I was growing up and, with District 10 winning, the 7th Games were always a favourite for them.
"Alrighty, let's start off with our female tribute." Osian whispers into the microphone at an attempt to sound mysterious. He digs around in the bowl a couple of times before he finds a slip that he seems satisfied with and reads it aloud. "Let's give it up for our lucky girl from District 10...Darla Waioro!" The screens take a minute to find the girl in the crowd, her eyes are wide with shock and her face as white as a sheet. With a couple of pushes from the Peacekeepers, she makes her way up to the stage and beside Osian.
"Now, who will be joining Miss Waioro?" Osian questions, eyebrows raised, before taking the slip right at the top of the bowl. I know it can't be me, there's no chance I could be selected out of everybody, and yet I still get a strange feeling. I'm quickly pulled out of my head as Osian shouts my name, "Devon Galloway!" I don't feel anything but shock coursing through me. I almost feel like fainting and stumble. How could it be me?
Maybe somebody would be willing to volunteer? I wonder this but know that's not happening, District 10 has never had a volunteer and it's likely that will be continued. I look around one last time before I walk silently to the stage, staring back at my dark eyes on the screen. I've been through a lot but never have I felt this much fear and just for a second (only a second) I lose all hope.
I know I could never do that, though. Hope has kept me surviving all these years and what's to say it won't help me survive through this too?
A/N: I'm so sorry for how long it took me to come up with a chapter, however, my motivation is suddenly back and I plan to finish this story like I promised I would. Thank you to FizzNBoo for Darla and abookoftears for Devon, I enjoyed writing the both of them and I hope I did alright.
Questions:
What do you think of Darla? Of Devon?
Are you rooting for either of them?
Are either of them winning material?
- Neb