Holy cow! This was a lot longer than some my other chapters! It's not because these two characters are going to be the victor or anything (though they might, you never know), I just had a lot to say about them. I hope you like this!
Verin
It's a perfect night. The moon is shining, no clouds to cover it up. I can smell the faint stench of the trees not too far from where we live. The world is completely silent, like everything in it has been frozen in time. Everything except for me, that is. Despite the perfect weather, I can't fall asleep. I keep tossing and turning in bed. Then again, it's hard to rest when you know that soon, you'll be heading off to your almost certain death.
15 years ago, the Capitol accused my father of starting a rebellion and executed him. They considered killing the rest of my family, as well, but then decided that they would instead force me to volunteer when I was eighteen. I was only three at the time. The fact that they could doom a three-year-old to death without breaking a sweat sickens me.
I don't expect to be able to fall asleep, but eventually, exhaustion takes over and I drift into a dream.
xxx
I yawn and rub my eyes. The morning sun shines through my window, lighting up my room. Under normal circumstances, I'd fall back asleep right now, but today is no normal circumstance. I plan to spend as much time with my family as possible before I head off to my death.
I creep down the stairs and down the hall to the kitchen. When I reach it, I find that my mom is already there. She smiles and wheels over to where I'm standing in her wheelchair. After a working accident, she became paralyzed from the waist down, so she has to use a wheelchair to get around.
"Are you excited for today?" My mom asks me. "Oh, yeah, definitely." I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I get to volunteer to be thrown into an arena where I'll most likely die in, and if I do come out alive, I'll never be the same again. So excited." My mom sighs and hugs me. "Don't be so negative." She scolds. "Things could be worse." I'm tempted to argue that things could not be worse, but I figure my mom could use some positivity in her life, so I hold my tongue.
"Why don't you eat some breakfast?" My mom suggests. "I think we might have some bread." I nod and make my way toward the shelf. I open it up and grab the loaf. Then, I cut off a thick piece of it. Normally, I'd make sure to cut off as thin of a slice as I could so that the rest of my family could have more, but I figure there's not much point. After all, today will be my last day in the house. I might as well have a full meal.
My older sister, Vera walks into the kitchen. She has dark bags under her eyes, like she didn't sleep at all last night. She tries to give me a smile, but it ends up looking more like a look of devastation than anything else. 'Are you ready?" Vera asks, not bothering to keep the sadness out of her voice. I shrug. "I guess." I say. She nods and walks to the living room, where our small TV sits. She grabs the remote and begins scanning the channels, all of them discussing the upcoming Reaping.
I finish eating and take my plate to the sink. After washing it out, I walk into the living room and plop down on our couch next to Vera. She's watching an interview with Caesar Flickerman and the Head Gamemaker, Drago Malik. "So, Drago, what's the arena going to be like this year?" Caesar asks. Drago gives a sly smile. "Well, I don't want to give any spoilers, now do I?" He says. "However, I will tell you that this is going to be a very exciting Hunger Games. There'll be plenty of mutts, tons of challenges for the tributes, and best of all, a whole lot of blood." Caesar chuckles. "Good to know." He says.
I grab the remote from Vera and turn the TV off in frustration. They talk about killing like it's some sort of game. It disgusts me.
I stand up and head out the door. It's only 2:51. The Reaping doesn't begin until 5:00. Still, I can't stand being cooped up in my house. I have to get a breath of fresh air.
I stroll towards the forest where I like to walk when I'm stressed out, taking a deep breath. My mind is whirling around at a million miles an hour, but it slowly begins to slow down as I walk. Still, I can't get the Reaping out of my mind. I sigh and sit on a rock. I suppose there's no point thinking about it. I'm going to volunteer. That's that.
Still, my mind is filled with fear at the prospect that this will be the last time I ever see my home.
xxx
"Welcome, everybody, welcome!" The mayor, a cheery old man with white hair and rosy cheeks, says. "I know you're all extremely excited about the Hunger Games, am I right?" He pauses as if he's expecting a huge round of applause at this, but the town square is silent.
The mayor reviews Panem's history, then announces our victors. We have six, although one of them died. Then, he steps down from the podium.
The stage is completely empty. I crane my neck, trying to find the escort, but she's nowhere to be found. I heard we have a new one this year. Whoever she is, I wish she would just hurry up already. I want to get this Reaping over with.
I look down at myself. I'm wearing a simple black suit with a red tie, and my hair has been neatly combed out. I tried to make myself look as good as possible to attract sponsors. I hope it'll be enough.
Suddenly, the escort, Fialla Hemmin, bursts onstage, beaming with enthusiasm. "Hello, District 7!" She says. "And welcome to the Reaping for the 48th HUNGER GAMES! Now, who all is excited?" Nobody cheers, but Fialla pretends like we did. "That's great! Now, let's choose a girl to represent your district." I pay close attention as she struts over to the girls' bowl and chooses a name. I want to know who my District partner will be. "Carlina Trask!"
A thin girl walks out of the 15 year old section, looking like she might burst into tears. She begins to hiccup, which I find a bit odd. She wears her blond hair in a bun and she has greenish-blueish eyes. She doesn't seem very strong, and I could probably beat her in a fight.
Fialla smiles and asks for volunteers. When there's no response, she moves to the boys' bowl. Every muscle in my body tenses up. "Ronan Horris!"
"I volunteer!"
I throw my shoulders back and walk confidently to the stage, giving the cameras a savage grin. On the inside, I feel like killing everyone in the Capitol, but if I want sponsors, I have to act like I want to volunteer.
Fialla squeals. "A volunteer! How perfect! What's your name, honey?" I lean over to the microphone and speak with all the confidence I can muster. "Verin Fleras." I say. "Incredible! I have no doubt in my mind that we'll have a victor in District 7 this year!" Fialla responds with a happy smile. She looks about ready to burst with excitement.
After the Treaty of Treason is read, Carlina and I are taken into the Justice Building. I sit in the room I'm assigned to. My mom and Vera come in almost immediately.
My mom kneels down in front of me and looks me straight in the eye. "Verin, you have to win. You have to. Please. Win." I try to respond, but my voice cracks. I give a tiny nod. She takes something out of her pocket and hands it to me. It's a small compass pin. "You'll always find your way home, even in times of darkness." She says, tears in her eyes. "Use this to remind you of that." I take the pin.
Vera sighs, staring at me with a pained expression in her eyes. Then she leans down and gives me a quick hug. "You can do it." She chokes out. "You're going to come home with a ton of money and we'll never have to work again." Before she can continue, a Peacekeeper comes in. My family leaves without complaining.
The next person to come is my one and only friend, Krane. He struts in, the same goofy smile on his face, but I can see the sadness in his eyes. "You're going to do great." He tells me, giving me a pat on the back. "In a few weeks, you'll be back home." I roll my eyes. "Krane, I'm going to be going up against experienced killers." I remind him. He just shrugs as if this makes no difference. "Don't worry, man." He says. "You'll survive." I just shake my head and smile. Krane always manages to stay positive, even in the worst of times.
The door creaks open. "Time's up." A Peacekeeper grunts. Krane gives me a fist bump and begins to walk out. "Enjoy the Capitol!" He shouts as the door slams close.
Soon, I'm taken to the train. Cameras crowd around me, wanting to capture anything and everything interesting I do. I smile and wave. I don't want to do this, but if I have to in order to get home to my family, then I will.
I don't care what I have to do to win. All I know is that I must win.
Carlina
"Ow!"
I hit the ground hard getting the wind knocked out of me. My twin sister, Vanina, lands on top of me. She pins me down, and despite my attempts to escape, I can't seem to get out of her grasp. Vanina giggles. "I won again." She taunts me. I just roll my eyes. "Whatever." I say. Vanina smiles and begins to get off of me, but as she stands, I swing my leg at her feet, tripping her. Before she has time to react, I'm on top of her. I give a triumphant grin. "Never let your guard down." I tell her.
"Girls, lunch is ready!" My dad calls. Me and Vanina leap to our feet and rush inside our house. Sitting on the table are three plates filled to the brim with eggs, toast, and bacon. My eyes widen at all the food. Normally we don't eat this much in an entire day. Vanina and I immediately dig in. The food is delicious, and in mere seconds, my plate is completely cleared. I sit back, satisfied.
"Was it good?" My dad asks. I nod vigorously. "It was the best meal I've ever had!" I tell him. My dad beams with pride at this. He sits down and begins to eat. "So, are you two nervous for the Reaping?" He asks. My heart sinks at the mention of the Reaping. I forgot that it was today.
"I'm sure we won't be picked." Vanina says, but I can tell she's trying hard to stay positive. "You won't." My dad assures us. "You don't have to worry." I nod, but I can't help but still feel a little bit anxious.
My dad glances at the clock. "It's 3:32." He says. "You should probably get ready soon." I nod in acknowledgment. Vanina pushes back from the table. "I bet I can beat you to the top of the stairs." Vanina challenges, then races off before I have time to respond. "Hey!" I shout. "That's not fair!" I run after her, laughing.
However, I can't shake the feeling that this will be the last Reaping I'll ever go to.
xxx
I let out a long breath and spread my arms out, soaking in the sunlight as I walk to the Reaping, my dad and Vanina beside me. I'm wearing a light blue, knee-length dress with a white jacket. It's somewhat casual, but these are the nicest clothes I have.
"Hey, Carlina!" A familiar voice shouts. I turn and spot some of my friends on the side of the road. One of them, Lizzy, is waving me over to where they're standing. I look at my dad. He smiles. "Go ahead." He says. I grin and say a quick thank you before running off to join my friends.
We walk to the Reaping together, talking and laughing. We're not as energetic as usual, though. The Reaping is hanging over our heads like a bomb about to explode.
Suddenly, Lizzy nudges me and points across the street, giggling like mad. "Carlina, look!" She says. "It's Jakob!" My face darkens at the mention of Jakob. I follow her gaze and spot him, flirting with some girl. I grit my teeth and look away. Jakob and I used to go out, but he was a jerk and flirted with just about every girl he came across, so I broke up with him. I don't regret my decision, but still, it can sometimes hurt a little bit to see how quickly he's gotten over me
Lizzy must see the frustration on my face, because she gives me a pat on the back. "Don't worry. Jakob's an idiot. He doesn't deserve you anyway." I smile and give her a grateful look. Still, I don't say much the rest of the walk to the Town Square.
After a while, we reach the line of people waiting to get their finger pricked. We're a little bit early, so we get to the front fairly quickly. A Peacekeeper takes ahold of my finger and jams a needle into it. I let out a small yelp of pain. He presses my finger into the book in front of him and waves me through. I walk past him and into the 15 year old section, where a few of my friends are already standing. We talk in hushed tones as we wait for the Reaping to begin.
After about fifteen minutes, the mayor begins to speak. He reviews Panem's history (which is the most boring thing in the entire world) and introduces our victors. Then he sits down, and after a moment, Fialla, our escort, comes running onstage. She wears a green wig and a dark brown gown. She also has green and brown makeup on her face. "Hello, District 7!" She says, almost glowing with happiness. To this day, I will never understand the Capitol's fascination about sending kids to an arena to die.
Fialla says a few other things, then announces that she'll choose a girl. I gulp and begin to pray that she doesn't choose my name. Fialla slowly unfolds the slip of paper she's chosen.
"Carlina Trask!"
My mouth hangs open in shock, and I begin to hiccup, a nervous habit I have. I consider staying right where I'm at, but my friends are already making a pathway for me up to the stage. I sigh and begin to make my way towards Fialla. Once I reach the stage, Fialla asks for volunteers. Unsurprisingly, nobody says anything. I choke back a sob.
Fialla moves to the boys' bowl and selects a name. Then she walks back over to the microphone and reads it aloud. "Ronan Horris!"
"I volunteer!" A confident voice shouts. All heads turn to a boy walking out of the section marked with an 18. He strides to the stage, not looking the least bit worried. "A volunteer!" Fialla says, squealing with excitement. "How perfect! What's your name, honey?" "Verin Fleras." The boy says. He gives the cameras a smirk. He's tall and well-built, with spikey brown hair and green eyes. I gulp. To survive, I might have to kill him.
The Treaty of Treason is read, and Verin and I get dragged into the Justice Building. A Peacekeeper throws me into the first room on the left and shuts the door.
The room is filled with fancy looking furniture, but I don't pay any attention to it. Instead, I lie on the couch and stare at the wall. My eyes fill with tears and I begin to sob.
Almost immediately, my family rushes into the room. Vanina wraps her arms around me and begins crying into my shoulder. "I don't want you to die! I don't want you to die!" She wails.
Finally, she pulls back. "Here. Use this as your token." She pulls out a necklace. On it is the left half of a heart. Vanina pulls out another necklace, this time holding the right half of a heart. She hands the left one to me and slips the other one over her head. "We can both have one." She explains. Suddenly, a Peacekeeper bursts into the room. "Time's up." He orders. "Come on, get out." Vanina begins to scream again and holds onto me until I can barely breathe. After a moment, the Peacekeeper is able to drag Vanina off of me and out of the room. The door slams closed, and the room is silent once again.
After a few of my friends visit me, I'm taken to the train station. I manage to stop crying and even smile a little for the cameras. I wish the cameras would just go away and leave me in silence. However, they are making no move to leave. I let out a long sigh. I guess this is my life now.
I'll make the most of it.
I was proofreading this chapter and realized just how crappy it is. :( Ah, well. Thanks to Guest9 for Verin Fleras and Finnick Forever for Carlina Trask (as well as Smiley for Livia Fleet and Guest for Nathan Hayes, since I forgot to mention that last chapter).
Here are the questions:
1. What color dress does Carlina wear to the Reaping?
2. Who is Verin's only friend?
Hopefully District 8 will be out as soon as possible!