Daryl Rivers District 10

I woke to my mother shrieking. It was not an uncommon thing to wake up to ever since Dad 'accidently' got shot by that peacekeeper. Missy, my sweet little six year old sister, jumped out of her bed and climbed in mine and laid her head on my arm. I felt so bad for her, she only had her father and mother for two years before his death. Yes, Mom may just be down the hall but, mentally she is almost never present. I looked at my watch and saw that it was time to get up.

"Come on Missy." I yawned. I picked her up and carried her to the kitchen. I put two pieces of toast on for her and Mom. I then went and got Mom up and moving. My mom looks a lot like Missy and me; golden hair, blue eyes, tan skin. "You need to put these clothes on." I said laying down a blue shirt and pink skirt on her bed. She stood up with no emotion and grabbed the clothes. I figured she would be fine so I went and grabbed my leather jacket and jeans or my reaping clothes.

I went to kitchen to see Missy and Mom sitting at the table, Missy eating a piece of toast, Mom just staring at it with wide eyes. "Eat Mom." I said putting the toast near her mouth. She let out a squeak, cringed, and then took a bite. I looked at my watch and told them it was time to go.

….

I stood in the sixteen year old section with mixed emotions. I was grateful that me not Missy that was in danger, but if I get reaped she'd be alone. I nodded to my friends and their presence helped calm me, a little. The mayor finally finished his speech and I looked quickly for my family. They were standing there with the other adults and younger kids. Mom was muttering something while she closed her eyes and rocked back and forth. Missy was holding her hand staring at me. She smiled and waved and I tried my best to do the same.

The escort to the mike and made a huge production including a bow, but nobody clapped. He was so mad at our silence that he marched right over to the girls bowl and shouted out, "Kallaba Queltole get up here!" A girl from the fourteen year old section walked up to the section. I felt so bad for her she went red and seemed unable to breathe. The escort went to the boy bowls and pulled out a slip. Before he even got to the mike to read out the name Kallaba went down. She just collapsed. Medical people ran up on stage and took her into the City Hall.

"Well, let's all hope Kallaba is okay. Wouldn't want her to miss her chance in the Games." The escort, I think his name was Lukad Calbs, said. "Anyways are male tribute is, Daryl Rivers!"

What? I walked on to the stage showing no emotion. I would fight for Missy. I already knew there was going to be no volunteers. I was right there were none.

…

"Missy, you'll just have to hang tight until I come back." I said to her. I was holding while Mom was holding her hands over her ears and muttering something un-understandable. I already took care of what would happen to both of them if I were not to return. Missy and Mom would live with my best friend and his family.

"Please come back." Missy cried out.

"I will."