Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games
Today is the day we fear. Reaping Day. Two of us will be taken, most likely never to be seen again. I can't be one of those to go. I can't. Mother could hardly stand it when she found out Father was dead. If I die, she could die.
We currently are doing alright. She has a nice job at one of the power houses and I have managed to be the Invisible Girl at school the way I like it. I did sign up for some tessarae, but not a lot like the poor families must. Now, if I can just avoid being reaped, everything should continue to be alright.
We begin the trudge towards the Justice Building. On the way, I begin to wonder about what no one should ever wonder on Reaping Day.
What will happen if I am reaped?
My mother may become depressed again. She couldn't take it. Not again. Last time, she was so upset she couldn't work, she wouldn't leave the house, she would just sit and stare into the empty space. Having her last known family member taken away from her… it would kill her.
I brush back a piece of my hair and wish I could brush away my horrible thoughts as easily. Yet still, at every Reaping it haunts me. We have reached the Justice Building. District 5s escort, Vendella Shine is standing cheerfully on the stage behind the microphone. Her long, blood-red hair looks too perfect to be real. Her dress is horribly tight. It seems as if someone would have to cut it down the middle to get it off of her. Vendella steps forward and smiles proudly. She heads towards the glass bowl holding all the girls names. "Ladies first!" she trills as she reaches her hand into the dreaded bowl. She claws around it before finally selecting one. She pulls it out and announces the name:
"Malaya Ebony"
It is me. I have been reaped. The impossible has happened. It couldn't get worst than this. I tuck my red hair behind my ears. Then steadily walk forward. I refuse to be one of the "weak" tributes that shows emotion when they are reaped. Vendella asks for volunteers, but it is unnecessary. No one wants to be reaped, even if they know my story, even if they know both my mother and I will die because of this, nobody is willing to die to save us.
Vendella gives me a big smile, then goes to the ball that holds the boys names. This time, she pulls out the paper on top. "Argon Davidson" she calls out into the crowd. I know who Argon is. He is a year above me in school. He is strong. He could kill me if he wanted to. Of course, he would have to catch me, and I will be sure to make that a challenge for him. He also shows no emotion as he walks to the stage, and then shakes my hand. Vendella asks for applause, and most people comply. I see my mother in the back, staring at me. She looks as if all the life has been drained out of her.
I must win this. I must come home to her.
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