I can hear you guys complaining all across the world: "WHAAAAA? A PLOT TWIST AND NO EXPLANATION?"
To be fair, sorry. :P I didn't feel there was enough to cover if I did add something. It probably would have just been "DUN DA DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!" if anything.
I couldn't speak.
The words had just come out of Fuchsia's mouth.
"Sadie Mach!"
Why had I expected it?
What did I deserve this fate for?
I'd never done anything except chop wood, learn about chopping wood, and practicing chopping wood all my life.
Now I had to... kill people?
Everyone in front of me turned around, their mouths wide open with shock.
I had been reaped.
Two peacekeepers came to collect me. On the way up, I tried to keep my face as expressionless as possible. After all, I knew that the tributes from the other districts would be watching me later. They would judge every move I made, so I had to be careful.
I silently begged anyone to volunteer, ANYONE, but no one did. I was going into the arena whether I liked it or not.
"And now, for the male tribute." Fuchsia continued. She dug her hand into the second glass bowl (which was slightly larger than the female's) and yanked out a card. Walking back up to the microphone, she read the name.
"Ben Lauderback!"
Oh NO!
Ben Lauderback?
Thomas's brother!
Ben was a year younger than me, but he was a very shy boy. We'd hardly ever talked, but still... poor Thomas. His brother and his best friend reaped on the same day.
Ben was yanked out of the crowd, and was brought up next to me.
"Well, these are our fabulous tributes from District Seven, Ben Lauderback and Sadie Mach! Shake hands, you two." I reached for Ben's hand, and he took it.
I stared into his grey eyes, trying to sense emotions.
I sensed he was very scared, and didn't want to be publically broadcasted like this.
But on the very inside... I saw hope.
Just the SMALLEST glimmer of it, but I saw some.
I knew he had faith in me, and he completely trusted me. Sure, he hadn't talked to me much, but he'd secretly envied all of the things I'd done with Thomas.
He seemed to ask me a question with his eyes. I could see it.
Will you trust me?
The answer was obvious. I replied.
Yes.
DUN DA DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!
You guys: "WHAAAAAT? A SECRET ROMANCE?"