Sulla Hart
"Perila Tagrowth!" Our female escort announces over the loudspeaker, and a girl in the group of thirteen year olds looks as if she's about to keel over in surprise. I let a smug smile spread on my face. Good—less competition for me. The crowd sure is disappointed though, letting out an annoyed huff all at once. It's a shame when most District 2 tributes are so well trained and then some shrimp gets chosen. Bad luck, really.
"Wait, I volunteer!" A voice suddenly exclaims, coming from a little ways in front of me as a gorgeous girl with curly hair hurries towards the platform. The escort doesn't look surprised. Why should she be, there are always volunteers from our district. "Alright—name please?"
"Ashkai Dayson" The girl answers with out emotion, standing tall and facing the crowd rather than the escort. The boy next to me is captivated, nearly drooling. I can't blame him. Ashkai Dayson is beautiful, perhaps a year or two younger than myself and suddenly the name clicks in my head.
"My oh my, was your brother Thor Dayson?" The escort asks, looking a little more interested. Ashkai rolls her eyes slightly "Yes, of course" She gives another look to the crowd. The escort clears her throat "Very well, then District 2, please give a warm welcome to your female representative, Ashkai Dayson!"
There is clapping and whistling from the crowd, especially from a burly middle aged man in the back. Ashkai's father. I remember him in one of the interviews I watched a few years ago, when Thor Dayson, Ashkai's older brother was a tribute in the games. He was killed by some District 4 tribute that went on to win the whole thing. A woman of around the same age stands next to Mr. Dayson, clapping slowly and looking emotionless as her daughter does a little curtsy on the stage.
Huh. I guess there will be two volunteers this year, I think. At least I'll have a reliable ally in the games. The crowd has fallen silent once again as the escort reaches into the glass ball filled with the boy's names, fishing around until she pulls out a piece of paper.
"Cash Clerk!" She calls, her voice ringing. I don't even bother to look for the kid. "I volunteer!" I boom, stepping forward and making my way towards the stage. Kids I know pat me on the back and encourage me as I hurry up to where Ashkai and the escort stand. "Sulla Hart" I introduce myself, voice confident, strong. My heart is pounding like a frightened rabbit as the escort announces me to the crowd. I see my parents, both watching me: my mother silently shedding a few tears as she clutches the waist of my father, who just stares at me in a moment of surprise and then joins in the rest of the crowd in their applause.
"Looks like we have a pair of fine tributes here District 2, Ashkai Dayson and Sulla Hart!" Our escort invites us to shake hands and I turn towards Ashkai, who smirks a little at me as we meet in a firm handshake. I give her a carefree smile before we turn back to the crowd. I'm going into the games with a good ally, that's for sure. But I am coming out of them alone.
Ashkai Dayson
Our mayor has begun the long speech that follows the reaping and I let my mind travel absentmindedly. I glance towards Sulla again, who's hair blows gently in the wind as he listens to the mayor. He's certainly a charming guy. I glance back towards my mother and father, who stand proudly. My dad gives me a subtle thumbs up and I just keep on staring straight ahead. It's his fault I'm up on his goddamn stage. I feel the scar on my back as I turn, every move I make. Oh well. It'll make me look tough, I suppose. Those other tributes better take me seriously. I've got the ability to kill them all—I've been training for about four years now, in preparation for these games. Not so much that I wanted to take place in them, but my father wanted me to. Every since Thor went into the games and didn't return, I've been his new project, his new hope for rich winnings and celebrity status. I don't really know what his game is. He just hates to loose.
After the mayor has finished his speech, we are applauded one last time by the crowd and then ushered away through the cameras and media who try to hammer us with questions. We don't stop walking until we reach the courthouse and go to our separate rooms. I visited Thor before he left. It was this same room. I sit alone, in silence and in thought until peacekeepers swing open the door and usher my parents inside.
They don't even sit down. My mother stares at me with a cold, blank expression and my father a heated and expectant one. I sigh. "I'll win, you know." I finally say, adjusting the strap on my plain white dress. My father lets out a grunt, "I know—I just wonder if you do" He replies, striding forward. My mother remains where she is. I wonder if she's happy on the inside.
I don't answer so my father continues. "Do not forget a thing I've taught you. Be resourceful, be merciless. It should all come to you like riding a bike".
"I won't," I respond simply, as if on cue. Trust me, I've gotten good at this over the years. He stands back, arms folded, still looking slightly unconvinced before he chuckles. "We're proud of you, Ashkai. Don't let me down" And with that he turns and leaves. My mother turns to follow him, but suddenly rushes to me, grabbing my wrist fiercely and pulling my fingers back. She grabs something out of her pocket and puts it forcefully into the palm of my hand. "Wear this," Is all she says before she is gone.
I watch her go before looking down at my hand. In it is a silver bracelet. I turned it over, frowning. It didn't bring back any significant right away. It was only till I ran my fingers over the two engraved letters that I realized.
TD
It had been Thor's token in his games. It must have been returned to us once he died. I did not hesitate when I slid it on my wrist. I will not hesitate at all.