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1 week and 4 days before the Reaping-District 12
Miles Reed's POV
"Shh...It's okay," I was sitting behind the old house, stroking the fur of a baby fox.
The fox whimpered, but I had no idea what to do. Well, I did, but I didn't know how. The fox's leg was broken, and I knew what needed to be done. He simply needed a splint, some bandages, and proper care and nutrition for a few months. I had none. I wanted so desperately to help the fox, but I knew in my heart I couldn't. But I knew someone who could. I stood up, and took off running away from The Seam, and closer to the square.
"Calla!" I called. "CALLA!"
"Miles?" A girl turned quickly, and we ran into each other. "Oh my, Miles I'm so sorry!"
"It's fine Calla," I told her, standing up.
"No, it' my fault," She sighed. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
"Calla, I need your help," I held the baby fox up to her. "I don't think my Aunt and Uncle would want her in the house, and I have no medical supplies left."
"Wow, how do you know it's a she?" Calla asked. I shrugged.
"I guess I just do."
"Well, I'll help fix you up!" Calla exclaimed, taking the fox. "Miles, want to come help?" My heart skipped a beat.
"Sure!" I responded.
It was odd walking through the square. I usually spent my time in the Meadow, or helping in The Seam. I shivered as we walked past the place where the Reaping will be. I had just turned twelve a few months ago, and took out a lot of tesserae. It's an understatement to say I'm nervous. I'm petrified. We eventually stumbled upon Calla's house-a small tailor shop with an apartment above it.
"Mom!" Calla called, pushing open the door.
A tall woman with long, mousy brown hair and black eyes looked up from the desk. I don't mind Calla's mom, she's pretty nice. Whenever I come over, she even insists on having me bring home a few rolls from her friend, Jefferson, who owns the bakery next door.
"Calla? What's wrong?" she asked. Then she lay her eyes on the fox, then to me. She nodded. "Medical supplies are in the cupboard upstairs, let me run to the kitchen, and I'll be right up!"
Calla lead me upstairs, which seemed awkward since I have only been in the shop. It was a small apartment, but still bigger than my house. We walked into the bathroom, and Calla put the fox on a towel. She opened the first aid kit, then turned back to me.
"Can you get the stuff out? You know more about this than I do," she told me.
I sat next to her, and carefully took out a splint and some bandages from the kit. I crawled towards the fox, and lifted her leg. She howled, and I winced, understanding her pain. I had broken my leg a fair amount of times as well, falling out of trees. I carefully wrapped the bandages, and she began to calm down. Calla's mom walked in, and started fussing over the baby fox. After giving it some raw meat she traded in the Hob, she turned to me. She gave me a basket with a few rolls in it, and started fussing about my hair, and how under-fed I looked. I was relieved when I finally broke free from her fussiness, and walked back home.
I felt the same shiver as I passed the Reaping Zone.