Hey guys! So sorry that this chapter took forever to get up. It has been finished for a while, but I had a huge mix up with my beta. Sorry! (And no I'm not blaming my beta for anything). Also, I'm going to sleep away camp in like three weeks or something, it lasts like around two months. And I'm also really busy because I'm graduating soon and I have to finish my finals and family stuff. So I'm going to try and get one more chapter up (hopefully) and I'll put up an authors note about the whole camp thing. Well, anyway, on to the chapter!

Borge Limbell POV

~ flashback~

My fingers curl around the railing separating me from the factory workers. This section is only for adults, so no one waves as my class walks by. The tour guide rambles on and on about the different machines, but all I want to do is slip underneath the railing and explore.

Why shouldn't I?I think suddenly. I glimpse over my shoulder to see that no one is paying attention to the little boy peeking at the machines. Without another glance, I sneak under the railing and begin to wander around the machines. I come to a big one that makes a soft purring sound. I touch the cold metal with a small, chubby hand. I smile and reach out to examine the wiring.

"What are you doing here?" A voice thunders behind me. I spin around in surprise and fear. A man towers over me, and I see that the tour has stopped.

"Borge Limbell! Get back here!" My teacher is leaning over the metal rail, her face red with frustration. I nod, and slowly make my way back to my class. I trip on a wire and fall flat on my face. I look up to see everybody is holding their breath. What's wrong?

"Borge! Get out of there!" A girl from my kindergarten class yells. She's six, but was held back a grade. I look at her in confusion, that's when it happens. A large piece of metal lands on top of me, bruising my back, and arms. I struggle underneath it and the metal slips onto my head. My vision begins to get hazy, and I distantly here my name being called. Then the world goes dark.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - line thingy not working- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Borge, where are you?" The sound of my distressed mother comes from outside the shop. I glance at my uncle and he shrugs.

"Go on, she doesn't like it when you're here anyway, it stresses her," he says running his fingers through his silver hair. I nod, and leave the shop to find Mother.

"There you are sweetie!" she says, hugging me tightly. "Let's get ready for the reaping." She guides me into our house and up the stairs. Her soft hands leave my shoulders as she looks for my reaping outfit. She helps me into a crisp blue shirt and black pants. Her hands button the shirt neatly and she wipes my brown hair from my eyes. Mother looks at me her eyes a bit worried. "Borge?"

I blink. "Huh?" I respond zoning back in. Mother doesn't say anything, just kisses my forehead.

"Mom?" Delas's voice comes from the hallway. Mother turns away from me.

"Yes?" she asks, standing up.

"What am I supposed to wear for the reaping? It's my first one today, you know?" From her tone, I can tell she is clearly irritated. I feel a little bad. I mean it's my fault Mother and Father ignore her so much.

"Reaping outfit? You're only eleven," Mother says, puzzled.

"No, I turned twelve a month ago, remember? You forgot my birthday because of Borge's doctor appointment." There's resentment in her voice, even I can tell.

"Oh right, now I remember," Mother says rather unconvincingly. "Well, I suppose you can wear one of my old dresses." Mother disappears out of the room and eyes drift to look at the butterfly resting on my window.

"Borge!" Mother's frantic voice reaches my ears, and I vaguely wonder how long I have been tuning out for.

"Sorry," I mumble, looking into her worried eyes.

"The reaping is starting soon." She takes my hand and leads me outside where Father and Delas are waiting. We walk to the square, Mother chatting aimlessly to Father, her hand gripping mine. Delas looks stupid in Mother's old dress and she knows it. The color is a forest green that clashes with her bright green eyes. The shoulders are much too big, and while from the front it seems like her ankles are swimming in fabric, in the back it seems to short. All in all, the dress doesn't fit her, at all. I part with mother when we get to the fifteens section.

"See you soon!" She whispers, hugging me tightly. Father squeezes my shoulders then they're gone.

I look up at the blue sky and find pictures in the clouds. My eyes find one that looks like a horse, when someone shakes my shoulders. I turn, expecting to find Mother, but instead a boy stands there. Without a word, the boy steers me toward the stage. My brow furrows in confusion. Why am I going up there? I don't realize what has happened until we're being hurried towards the justice building. I feel drool drip from my mouth and onto my reaping outfit. Shoot, Mother just bought this! I think, as I take my seat on the plush, red couch.

Mother and Father rush into the room, Delas trailing behind them. My parents hug me and kiss me, saying it'll be alright. Both of them are crying and I can't think of anything to say to make them stop. Delas comes forward and gives me a hug.

"Bo, look, I know I seem to be mad at you sometimes, but I love you. I mean it. It's not your fault my life's like this. I don't want you going into the arena thinking I hate you." Her eyes are rimmed with tears, and she seems even smaller in Mother's dress than before.

"I love you too, Delas." I whisper hugging her back. Then my family leaves the room and I disappear to my own little world.

So? I rather like it, personally. (OMG, i just said 'rather' weird!) Tell me what you think.