A beam of light shines through the window, stirring me awake from my sleep. I groggily sit up and rub my eyes several times.
"Time to get ready for school Rye," I say with as much energy as I can muster.
Rye growls and shoves his face back into his pillow. I sigh with desperation. I walk over and pick up our bathing basin. Walking over to the sink, I fill the basin to the brim with water and hope the sounds of water droplets pounding against the wood will annoy Rye enough to awake him.
Much to my despair, he is still sleeping. I walk over to him and strip him of his pajamas. I then pick him up and place him into the basin. He screams as the cold water cascades around his body. He takes a bar of soap and begins to bathe.
Meanwhile, I set up our breakfast and pack our schoolbags. Having to care for Rye is being like a mother. I have to do everything for him but it is only a small price to pay for the blessing that my brother is.
Rye finishes his bath and then puts on his clothes: pre-laid from yesterday. We both grab our schoolbags and begin to take the mile trek to school. Several times along the way, Rye collapses on to the cold hard ground. His inability to anything strenuous is another reason why I have to dote on him constantly.
"Rye, get up," I say wearily, "We have a quarter mile to go and we only have 15 minutes left till school starts." Rye lets out a guttural groan from deep inside the caverns of his body. Knowing that he can't continue any further, I pick Rye up and proceed to walk to school. I pass a sundial and see I only have 5 minutes left and 1/8 of a mile to go. I begin to dash frantically, Rye flopping like a fish out of water on my shoulder.
I reach the schoolhouse one minutes before the bell rings. Shoving Rye into his classroom, I make the leap into my room a split second before the bell rings.
"Well, well, well, Mr. Mellark," Mrs. Hyrfer says wearily, "Another almost tardy." Officials glare at me disapprovingly. 5 Officials are required to stand by each room during school hours, in case of a potential sentencing. I quickly make my way make to my seat before the Officials get the chance to forcefully push me into it because I was "loitering" too long and "disrespecting" the teacher.
Mrs. Hryfer begins the daily lecture on the history of Panem, the Hunger Games and the sentencings. We are up to the part where District 8 is bombed. Opening my textbook, I let out a long sigh and being to follow along. My teacher blabs on and on and on and on, until I am driven to the verge where I almost scream out loud. But I don't. I would be sentenced if I do.
"PROCEDURE D3!" 10 officials scream simultaneously in a condescending tone. Lining up against the walls, the whole class is scared to death. This procedure could mean an instantaneous sentence for the wrong-doer. 10 officials walk up to the first 10 students on the wall and begin to feel them all over, looking for potential illegal items in their possession. Luckily, I am not one of the first 10 students, so I can wait a while until I am groped.
"NO!" a boy cries out shrilly as an Official reaches into his pocket. His teeth are clattering and and his hands are shaking wildly. Then, out of his pocket, the Official pulls out a GUN. A GUN. A FORBIDDEN GUN. Guns were banned a while back when one person shot one at an Official. He was sentenced. No surprise.
"BACK TO YOUR DESKS EVERYONE!" the Official screams, swiping the gun around the room. I practically dive into my seat. Metal handcuffs are placed on the boy. I recognize him now. His name is Calix Otoro. His brother, Pike is in Rye's class.
"PLEASE! NO! HAVE MERCY ON ME!" Calix pleads helplessly. His plea is returned with a forceful slap by an Official on his right cheek. Tears begin to well up in Calix's eyes. Swelling is beginning to occur. They won't hurt him too bad right now. That will be saved for the sentencing.
5 Officials grab hold of Calix and begin to drag him out the door. He passes my desk and the most shocking thing in the world happens. He grabs into my desk, clenching it tightly. His knuckles begin to whiten as the muscles in his face tense. It is clear to see he is not letting go. The whole class stares in awe. My jaw is wide open. But there is no warning for the shock that comes next.
"Cedar! Please help me! You're strong! You can take some of them out! You, me, Pike and Rye, we could run away. Escape this horrible land and never return. THIS IS A MONTROSITY. Look around you. We live in a horrible, warped place that is far beyond repair. But there is still hope! JUST HELP ME!" Calix screams desperately.
My jaw is almost down to the floor now. An expression of horror is planted on everyone's face, but none of them can compare to the expression on mine. My eyes feel like they are popping out of their eyes balls. My face whitens and all the moisture seems to be sucked out of my throat. I can't believe what Calix just did. He insulted the government. This is the first form of rebellion I have ever seen and now I am dragged into the eye of the storm, which is just beginning to rage.
"I…I…" I babble incoherently. Words are unable to come out. I begin to breathe heavily, fearing I might convulse. Blood splatters all over my face. An Official has punched Calix, knocking him unconscious. Officials come and drag Calix's body out the door. This is the last of District 12 for Calix. He will wake up, lost, confused and knowing of his imminent death. He will think of me in his last moments of life, knowing how I betrayed him and gave in, ensuring his demise for good.