Uhura Martha Macson

District 11

Backstory: Birds in Trees

She knew that making one mistake would be lethal. Yet Chekov never understood. He had been a light in the darkness of the district, his accent and humor unique. Uhura and him had been best friends.

Now, he was dead.

Chekov had fallen into a tracker jacker nest, screaming in misery for her. Uhura had been high up in a tree, when she heard the mockingjays replicating his misery in song.

When she had finally gotten to him, Chekov was long gone. his body was deformed beyond recognition. She had carried him back to his family, tears welling, threatening to burst. Chekov had been more than a friend in some ways, a companion, guard, and teacher.

Uhura was short for her age, a measly five feet two inches. Her dark skin, hair and eyes were the norm for the district. However, her circumstances were nothing close to normal. She could speak in bird song, fly from tree to tree and dodge. Uhura also could tell if a person was lying or deceptive. When her father had lied about how many times she was in for the reaping, Uhura had crictized him for it. Uhura was in 56 times at age 15. She had a very large family, Her father, mother, 5 sisters and two brothers. Uhura was afraid, but she wouldn't show it. She was stubborn confident and bold. She was brave, going to the tops of the trees everyday.

She balanced herself on a branch, lamp in hand, belt, knife, her slingshot and a tin. Uhura leaned, opening the tin with her nimble fingers. Tears fell as they fell last night. The tin was filled with ashes, black and grey. Uhura sighs remembering being here a week ago...

Chekov had leaned on the branch, paring the apple with his knife. Uhura had sighed, then looked at Chekov as his brown eyes met hers.

He grabbed something from his pocket. She hopped to the adjacent branch, curious.

"For you," Chekov said, kindly, in his accent. He handed the carving to her.

It was a dark wood, with light tin like stain covering it. It was a ring with a flower and a hummingbird. The flower was white, the bird was blue and purple.

"If you get Reaped, it will be your token. i thought that it would remind you of me, and the district." Chekov smiled, pulling Uhura into an embrace As she cried into his chest.

Uhura forced herself into the present, the ring on her finger. She twists it, calming herself. They had been more than friends, she had been herself with him. Uhura had been able to show her emotions, to let then flow.

Now that he was gone, that wouldn't happen. She couldn't afford to be weak. She climbed higher, balanced herself, and took the tin's contents and spread them for the wind to take Chekov to a better place.

Uhura's guilt was ever consuming, controlling her and changing her in ways she never knew. She could never go back. Ever.

A mockingjay stood on a branch across from her. Uhura whisled a four note tune. It repeated it back, joyful.

Uhura smiled. the birds in the trees were the only thing keeping her sane. Keeping her alive. Filling the world with song.

Happy star trek premiere night!

all rights go to suzanne collins, star trek characters aren't mine.

Reapings are coming soon! Thursday or friday!