Jonathan Priel, 16
I sit on my knees, facing up towards the beating sun. As it shines directly on me without a single obstruction, I know Corvus is watching.
The squirrel lays still on the wooden, makeshift altar in front of me. It didn't struggle in my tight grasp for long, much to my surprise. It's weak attempt at a bite didn't even draw blood, although I'm sure the bruise will stay for a while. No matter. Proof of another gift Corvus graciously accepts from me.
"I give you: purified life, a gift, O Corvus, for giving overcome holding; and whom would we be if we did not return." I recite the scripture from memory, having sacrificed to Corvus every week since I was old enough to understand its importance. Even though my less devoted "pastor" of a father disapproves of it, I still make sure I follow through with it.
I close my eyes and raise the knife up high, preparing to draw blood. I lower it down into the body of the dead squirrel, and where I expect to feel the squish of flesh, I feel the hard wood. I open my eyes and see the tail of the squirrel disappearing into the forest in front of me.
"Shit!" I stumble up and run a few feet after it, muttering more unholy insults at myself. How could I be so stupid! I've ruined it now, and of all days to upset Corvus. I say a quick apology to him, and promise to catch an even bigger, better sacrifice for tonight, ignoring the shiver that runs down my spine when the sun fully disappears behind the clouds that seemingly formed out of nowhere. I tuck the knife into my waistband and return inside the backside of the temple that acts as our living quarters. It's small, smaller than the main temple, but I prefer it that way. My father and I don't need much room, and the more room we can dedicate to Corvus, the better.
Panem doesn't have a formalized religion that most people abide by, and most people are too selfish to please anyone other than themselves, so they don't follow any religion. The ones that do practice religion, about ten percent of our district prays to Corvus. He's a very benevolent God. He gave every creature that lives on this planet life, and all he asks in return is for us to continually make choices that are morally right. If you live by these values, you will ascend to a higher place in death. If you don't, well, good riddance.
Corvus blesses me with visions almost every night, his prophecy. He blesses me with the truth about who amongst us are truly devout and who are sinners. Through Him, I can see the truth.
I don't see my father in our small common area, so I assume he must be in the temple. I quickly change out of my white robes into a white suit with a red tie for the reapings. Some years, Corvus has blessed me with visions of who will be sent to the arena. One year, I was blessed with a vision that one of us would be reaped, and it was true. It was Sam, a young 12 year old boy who had just joined our family. Sam was scared when he was reaped, but during his goodbyes, I reminded him to stay true to his faith and stay loyal to Corvus. Unfortunately, he wasn't a true believer, because Corvus had him killed in the bloodbath. This year, Corvus did not bless me with a vision, but I'm not worried. He has reasons for everything, and soon I'll understand.
After I change, I walk through our common space and into the temple. As I suspected, my father, Pastor Priel, kneels in front of Corvus' altar, muttering a prayer. I do not make a sound until he's finished. When he's finished, he nods at me. I nod back.
"Son."
"Pastor." I walk up to him, but not too close. Despite his role, his faith has waned over the years. It started with the death of my mother during my birth. Despite my constant reminder that her death was a necessary sacrifice to Corvus, his own selfish needs outweighs his understanding of this simple fact. He won't admit it, but this is why he refuses to permit animal sacrifice publicly, despite it pleasing Corvus. Another selfish decision from the man who is supposed to be the most devout. A fake.
"Are you ready?" He asks.
"I am." I remain respectful. I wait for him to lead the way and follow him out of the temple. We don't talk as we make our way towards the square, which is totally fine by me. The less breath I waste, the more I save for Corvus.
We arrive and I check in, quickly huddling up with the rest of the boys my age. Most of them ignore me, which I'm used to, it's the ones who know who I am, whose eyes linger for slightly too long, that make me smirk. Most who cast a negative eye onto me are projecting their own sins. Most of those who stand around and judge me are mere specks of dirt, unworthy of saving. I've spent many hours observing their actions, their sins, watching them waste air. Yes. It will be nice to watch two more sinners be sent off.
I close my eyes and envision myself completing the ritual I had started earlier today. I feel a rush of energy coursing through me, eager to return to my prayers. As much as I enjoy bearing witness to the reapings, I need to remain loyal.
Our eccentric escort, Vedia, gets onto the stage and begins her endless monolog about herself and how excited she is to be here, like the world revolves around her. It sickens me. Thankfully, it passes quick, and she draws a name from the girl's bowl.
"Adelina Clarie!" I look around, trying to find the owner of that name. To my surprise, a small girl who isn't older than 12 comes out from the back of the crowd and takes the stage. Although it wasn't what I was expecting, I'm pleased. Corvus knows what he's doing.
She remains relatively emotionless as Vedia moves onto the boys bowl. I wait eagerly, wondering whom around me will be sentenced alongside this Adelina.
When my name passes through her lips, I feel a shock course through me. I hold my head up high and wait for those around me to make way, which they do in time. With no fear in my heart, I walk up onto the stage emotionless, a hint of a smirk daring to make an appearance. Corvus has chosen me to help cleanse the world of sinners. I have never failed him before, I won't fail him now.
So I stand on stage next to this Adelina, and when I shake her hand, I can see her confused at my excitement. I'm sure many of those looking up at me are confused. But I've never felt more alive, I've never felt a clearer purpose. I've moved higher than sacrificing small animals. Soon, I will be unstoppable.
Adelina Claire 12
6 months ago
My feet patter against the gravel lightly as I make my way through the town in this unusually humid late afternoon. Wiping sweat off my forehead, I attempt to avert my gaze constantly to the ground trying my best to avoid anyone that lays eyes on me. I don't trust any of them… people that is...
Oh how I just want to be back at home right now, sitting in my room. Avoiding any need for social interaction, or at least playing with Davina and Calandra while their parents prepare us our dinner. Those are the only people I'm able to trust in this world.
However, Davina and Calandra's parents have entrusted me to carry out their business today and that's what I intend to do. I want to keep them happy after all, they are the ones that saved me from that miserable life I had in the forest. I can't go back to that.
I notice a couple of peacekeepers directly ahead of me, talking next to one of the large wooden houses. One of them is propped up against it.
Immediately, I turn the first corner to my left onto the side of the house. I have to avoid them. It's not just that the business I'm carrying out is completely illegal, no. No, the main reason is if I go anywhere near them, I don't think I could keep myself from attacking them. I hate them with every fibre of my body, they killed my parents after all and they can all go rot underground as far as I'm concerned. That day when I came home from school to find their bodies lying strewn on the floor, lifeless, surrounded by blood. It will never leave me.
I turn a corner into the market place where our client is waiting. As usual I get strange stares from across the market place, people don't expect to see a twelve year old girl here I don't think or maybe it's just the hostile demeanour I give off. Either way, this is a very specific type of market. One that just people would be advised to keep out off.
I spot my client leaned against a graffitied wall with a cigarette clasped in his lips. I've dealt with him a few times in the past, he is a young man maybe still reaping age, I don't know because I've never bothered to find out. My commication with him and most people is limited to a few nods and grunts with maybe a yes and no in there as well. He has blond, almost shaved head. He's always been one of our most difficult clients to deal with.
We don't even greet each other, there are no words. I simply unzip my bag and take out the bag of powder that he needs, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
He quickly snaps it out of my hands and stuffs it in his pocket! My heart starts racing violently then my eyes start scanning around the mostly empty corner for any potential threats like any friends of his for example.
I turn back to him expecting to receive his end of the deal.
"Pay up," I simply demand, looking up briefly
His green eyes scan me and he simply smirks, shaking his head.
"I don't think so little kid," he answers.
I feel my heart begin thumping even faster now, what will I do if he doesn't pay? Rosa and Gavin will be mad… won't they?
"Pay now!" I blurt.
"Not a chance," he smiles and begins turning away from me.
I notice a shiv perched on one of the market benches so I hastily snatch it up and plunge it into his back! He lets out a slight scream and a gurgle so I give him about three more stabs before turning and bolting in the opposite direction faster than I've ever had to run before! I turn my head back one last time to see his body collapse to the ground and now people have even begun to gather around him…
Time passes, seconds, minutes, hours, I'm not sure. All I know is my legs have taken me far out of the market. Did I just… kill someone? What will Rosa and Gavin think? They will never let me stay with them again surely? What if they just don't find out? No, I couldn't lie to them as well. These are the only thoughts that enter my head as I turn the street corners into the endless alleyways. I have to head back to the forest, it's the only safe place for me at the moment.
The forest is dark and dingy but a good place to lay low for a while. The sun has almost disappeared entirely now, casting a thick shadow all around me. Finally, I allow my emotions to flood out into my hands as I sink down beside a tree. Whilst trying to comprehend what I've just done, I don't find myself feeling any remorse for causing the death of that person rather I can already imagine what Rosa and Gavin will think of me!
3 days later
The rain is sinking down heavily upon my head during the night, drenching my hair and clothes. I spot what was my home in the distance, shrouded by the effect of the rain and darkness but it's there. My feet begin to pick up speed again through the mud. When I reach the window two small figures appear at the door.
"Adelina?" A meek voice blurts.
I see the girls emerge from the doorway to face me. It's Calandra and Devina. I don't answer and simply put my hands in my pocket however the ten and thirteen-year-olds run out and drag me back inside with worry in their voices.
"We were so worried about you!" Devina exclaims, whilst drying my hair with a towel until I eventually push her hand away in irritation.
"Where have you been?"
Then I hear two adult people's footsteps begin making their way downstairs. Ever since I saved Calandra from that Peacekeeper the Hartley household have welcomed me into their home but all the good I did for their daughter will surely be outweighed by what i've done… surely?
Hey! Thank you to Evil for Adelina (written by nautics) and Lilah32 for Jonathan (written by Team shadow)
In Jonathan's section, we don't mean any offense to those who follow religion and do not condone hate against any religion, we just wanted to capture Jonathan's character true to his form and don't mean any offense by anything we write