Rowan Castor

It was the middle of the night when I heard the loud coughing of my father. His Illness was starting to get worse again. I just can't help but worry about these reapings. Granted yeah I have a small just of being called but if I do who is going to be here for him. Ever since that accident I haven't been able to leave his side. It's been harder to stay in contact with my other family members now a days because of moving to the capitol. I had to move away from district 7 where my family is. Mom and Dad split a while ago. I think splitting up really took a toll on day because not to long after their divorce he got into a lumber accident. Ever since then he's been in a really bad condition. His health has just been going down hill since then. It's gotten so bad to the point where we had to come to the capitol to try and take care of his health problems. However if not for that lumber accident he wouldn't have had a good number of capitollites recognize him and bring to the capitol so that his problems could be fixed. Now we live in decent conditions compared to the conditions back in seven. I try to get some jobs down here and I have been successful. I send money that I can back home to my mother and my sisters. However I haven't heard back from them since the start of the rebellion. I have imagined the worse and now there is a good chance that I can be reaped for the hunger games.

My father was having another on of his bad coughing fits. So I slowly uncovered myself and crawled out of bed. I headed towards our bathroom and opened the cabinet above the sink. Catching a slight glimpse reddish brown hair. I sighed as I grabbed the red bottle of liquid medicine. I slowly turned the top and poured the contents into the small cup that comes with the bottle. Filling it about half way as usual. I hurried my pace as his coughing got worse. Abruptly stopping in front of the couch to give the small cup of medicine.

His face turned in disgust as he then started his response, " I don't need..." His coughing interrupted his sentence and he then snatched the cup out of my hand and threw it down his throat taking in the last of the cough medicine that soothed his throat.

" See looks like the medicine helped after all." I reassured him.

He can be extremely stubborn sometimes and honestly it's frustrating when he won't accept my help. This is why i'm so scared to leave him with someone else. I'm not so sure how well they would be able to work with him. Would they nearly have as much patience as I. It's upsetting when I can't do anything but worry.

" Is there anything else you need before I head back to bed." I asked.

" Uhm if you could can you get the melatonin from the bathroom, I've been having an awful hard time sleeping lately. " I could see the flush in his face as he asked me.

I nodded and headed back towards the bathroom and grabbed the of melatonin. I grabbed two pills and filled a cup with water and brought it back to him. I watched as he took the vitamins. He might end up waking up again tonight. So I sat myself in the recliner of the chair and watched him doze off. Sometimes I wonder why he and my mother split and what caused the lumber accident. I also wish I knew what happened to my other family members and I wish just somehow, somehow I could get back into contact with them.

Sitting in the recliner in the silence and dark was quite peaceful. It was a tiring type of peaceful. Something that I wish could last forever. It's nice when you can get this kind of peace. This i can guarantee you many long for. However I have a sinking feeling that things might not be this peaceful for long. That night I fell asleep with that one ever lasting feeling in mind.

That Morning I was abruptly woken up by my fathers once again constant coughing. I quickly got him more of his medicine and gave it to him while I went and prepared breakfast for the two of us. I made eggs and sausage my father's favorites. I felt it only necessary as today is the reaping day and i'm sure normally families get together before the reaping.

" Just know son that if there is a chance that you do get reaped you shouldn't worry bout me and i'll be just fine, just focus on preserving your life." These words stung as they left is cracked lips. I wish he wouldn't think about the worst.

" I'm sure that I won't be reaped i'll still be here for you no matter what." These were the last words I spoke to him that morning before we both got ready and headed to the capitol center.

The center bustling with energy and everyone was pushing and cheering just. I was so confused why would anyone want to participate in such hell. Why would anyone be excited for this. The normal speech was barely hearable to me. It was so hard to hear over such the noise that the capitol citizens were making. Before I knew I missed the beginning speech and we were already on our way to picking this years tribute's. The first tribute actually was quite unexpected.

" I volunteer." A girl from the 14 year old section shouted out.

In a way this girl scared me. She was far to young and far to bold to be volunteering for the games at such a young age. However I with her determination she may be able to make it quite far in the games. The next dude was named Austin Lang. He seemed upset about it you could see it in his eyes. I can feel his pain right now and actually understand as to why he feels the way he does. I mean no one really wants to be in the games. His white hair and blue eyes left a lasting impression in my mind. My looks really couldn't compare to his. My so normal reddish brown hair and tanned skin. I looked nothing like a capitolite but that makes sense as I was born in district 7. He seems as though he could make it a good distance into the games.

The next young girl actually seemed way too excited to be reaped. The way she skipped to the stage seemed a little too disturbing. I really can't see why she is so excited. I mean she looks a little to weak and she is sort of young for this. So why would she possibly be so excited. Sadly she might be an early death. However I feel a sense to protect her and her innocent nature. Maybe just maybe if I do get reaped I should ally with her and keep her safe.

Now we're waiting for the next male to be reaped and quite honestly at this point i'm a little uninterested in this, " Our Male tribute is... Rowan Castor."

It took a moment for me too realize that I was called as I originally was zoning out. I noticed the crowd of 17 year olds separating around me. That's how I knew for sure that it was my name called. I was panicking. The worst had actually happened and now everything can actually go wrong. I can't just die I have family to take care of. What he is going to do without me.

The greeting went threw with a blur. I was too stuck in my own mind to really notice much going on around me. As I then took my place next to that way too excited young girl. These games are terrible and I have to participate in them.

So What do you think of Rowan? Did I do good on this chapter?

I am still waiting for more tribute's though. They are still trickling in but I don't have as nearly as much as needed. You can submit however many you want. However stay in tuned for the next chapter. At some point though I may be doing two tribute reapings per chapter. Maybe, Maybe not it all really just depends.