Reapings

District Three

Quinoa Callus (13) D3F

"Lily! You can't catch me!" I cried between fits of laughter.

My chocolate coloured Labrador barked playfully at me and chased after me around the house. Taking a leap, I landed on top of the centre table and Lily snapped at my ankle playfully.

"Ah Lily, you can't catch me here!"

"Of course I can," my dog replied in her very deep, dog-like voice.

She jumped and was on the table too in no time, with a very doggish grin on her face. I giggled.

"I let you catch me!"

"Nah."

And with that Lily barked aloud and then howled as I hugged her, wrapping my thin arms around her neck. She began licking my face and it was really very tickly.

"Stop Lily! You're tickling me!"

"Well, that was the idea."

Lily was special in this aspect. She could speak while most other dogs could only bark. I told mummy that Lily was special but she always became very sad and gloomy at Lily's mention. I didn't know why and when I had asked her about it, she said, "Why did this happen?"

I could never understand what she meant and why dad looked at me so sadly. I had heard mummy's sobs late at night on multiple occasions. She used to talk about some schizophrenic person, and I honestly felt bad for the said person. Imagine hallucinating about something all the time. And the imaginary friend or foe wouldn't even be as cool as Lily.

"Hey, earth to Quinoa!" Lily exclaimed as she licked my face again.

"Oh sorry Lily," I said, "I was just thinking about mummy."

"What about her?"

"She cries at night, Lily. And then she talks to dad about some schizophrenic person."

"That's sad. Maybe you can talk to your mum? Tell her everything will be okay."

"That's a very good idea," I said, "Come Lily, let's meet mummy!"

She barked in reply and the two of jumped off the table together, competing against each other to get to mummy's room. As usual, I won. Grinning at Lily, I went inside, and she followed.

Mummy was making the bed when we entered. On hearing my footfalls, she turned around and saw me.

"Ah Quinoa," she said warmly, pulling me in for a hug, "Is there something you want, dear?"

"Yes," I replied and then looked at Lily for approval. On her nod, I continued, "Mummy, I know you are worried. I have heard you talk to daddy about a person who has schizophrenia and how much you want to help them. I just want to tell you that it will be okay. Lily and I both agree with it, and think that you shouldn't be so stressed out. "

On hearing that, tears welled up in her eyes and she pulled me closer, giving me a tight hug.

"If you knew…"

"If only I knew what?" I asked.

"Nothing dear. Nothing at all."

I was about to ask her again when Lily barked at me, wagging her tail. She didn't want me to pester mummy, and she was right. Lily was always right. She had been with me since I was four, and since then she had looked after me well and given me good advice.

"Okay mummy. Lily says that I should not bother you, so I won't."

On hearing Lily's name, mummy's face hardened a bit and she sighed. Then she smiled at me and said, "Very well, go and play now. Okay?"

"Okay," I replied. After all, playing with Lily was all I did. We were too poor and I couldn't go to school so I spent my time with my friend.

"Wait," mummy said, "Today is Reaping Day. I think you should get ready for that first."

"What?" I asked, not having heard her completely. Lily was licking my ankle.

"Reaping Day," mummy said firmly, "Let's make you pretty."

She steered me over to my room, Lily following me with playful barks. I didn't know what mummy meant by making me pretty. Playing with my brown hair that fell past my shoulder, I wondered if mummy could make them longer. Or turn my green eyes blue. Or my short stature into a tall one. If nothing else, I wondered if she meant by changing my pale complexion into a tanned one. That would be nice.

Once in my room, mummy was talking about something but I didn't pay much heed. I wanted to but Lily was brushing her tail against my legs and I was giggling so hard that mummy's words were completely drowned.

It turned out that a blue, frilly dress was mummy had planned for me. I had to admit, it was pretty.

"Get ready," mummy said and walked out.

"You heard her, right?" I said, "Get going Lily."

She barked and then followed mummy out. I laughed and shut my door. The dress was certainly pretty.

Tab Hamasaki (17) D3M

"Kiddo! Drink it please!" I pleaded with one year old Siri, who shook her head adamantly and sat down, thrashing her legs.

"Ma!" she cried, "Ma!"

Ana laughed as she walked over to a crestfallen me and patted my shoulder.

"That's not how it's done," she said.

"Yeah? And how is it done?"

She took the milk bottle from me and then turned to Siri with a smile.

"Come to mama," Ana called out and our young daughter, although capable enough to walk for very short distances, crawled over to her.

"If you drink this, I'll tell you a story. Okay?"

"Ohkay," she replied slowly and I laughed as I set her on my lap.

"Very well," I said and held the bottle to her lips. She sucked a bit and then took it out of her mouth and stared at Ana.

"Long time ago, there was a beautiful girl who lived in a palace. She had many servants and lots of riches and she was very beautiful."

As I made sure she drank some more milk, I was certain that the only thing she would understand was that a girl was beautiful, but it didn't matter. Siri liked stories.

"And do you know her name?" Ana asked mysteriously.

"Na," Siri replied shaking her head.''

"Her name was Siri!" Ana said with a big smile and Siri giggled. Her laugh was music to my ears. She was my world, my everything.

"And then one day a prince came to see her, because she was so nice and beautiful. The prince was really handsome and rich. Very strong and brave. The two met and fell in love."

Siri drank the milk more readily now. I gave Ana a thumbs-up and she nodded.

"But then the prince found out that Siri didn't drink milk!"

My daughter gasped at that and started at her mother with her large eyes.

"'Siri, you must drink milk,' the prince said. 'But I don't like it,' Siri said."

"And then," I started, cutting off Ana, making my daughter stare at me, "And then the prince convinced her to drink milk. She drank milk and became so strong that she could lift mountains on her own. And so beautiful, so beautiful that in the end the prince asked her."

"What?" Siri asked, milk dripping onto her lap.

"The prince asked her to marry him!" Ana concluded, "And then the two of them lived happily ever after!"

Siri clapped at the story, a big smile on her face, her legs moving very fast.

"I want milk," she declared and I found it easy to feed her the whole bottle. Settling her on my lap in a sleeping position, I rocked back and forth, singing a lullaby. Slowly, very slowly, her eyelids drooped and she was soundly sleeping. Gently lifting her, I settled her down in her cradle and covered her with sheets. My little princess looked so adorable right then.

"Mission accomplished," Ana said.

"Yeah."

And with that I fell back on the floor.

"Tab?!"

"Yeah?"

"You okay?"

"Yes, yes I'm fine," I replied, "I'm just a little tired."

Ana sighed as she sat down on the floor next to me.

"I know dear. It's all the extra work in the factory…"

"Well, it has to be done."

"If Siri weren't so young, I would have definitely found a job and helped you, Tab."

"I know that," I replied, "But Siri needs her mama. And it isn't all that hard. Really. I just need a little rest…"

"Which you can't get."

I raised my brow at her. What did she mean? Why couldn't I get it?

"Reapings," Ana replied, "We'll have to be there."

I groaned. No, not that day! What if Ana or I was reaped? The thought was certainly not very pleasant and made me tremble.

"The Reapings," I muttered, "We need to get ready."

But Reapings scared me. What if Ana was Reaped? Who would look after Siri? How would I live? And if I were reaped, who would support the family? Hopefully, our names won't be called that year or the next one. And then we would be safe, happily married and live our lives peacefully.

We met when we were fourteen and fell for each other right then. It was a happy time, and then Ana turned sixteen and Siri was born. We were elated and loved her more than anything in the world but it was a testing period. Both of us were young and didn't know how to handle the situation but with a little help from our parents, we managed to get through that phase. We still struggled a little but it was much better than before.

Siri inherited a lot of my features though. Small dark brown eyes, straight nose, small mouth. Black hair. Everything was similar. The only difference was that I was a boy and she wasn't. Maybe she would become tall like me once she grew up. Or maybe she would be slightly short, like Ana. I would honestly love to see some of Ana in her.

Ana told my mom to look after Siri when we would be in the Square and she agreed happily. Mom loved her granddaughter a lot.

Ana laced her fingers with mine and we walked to the Square in silence. I was still scared. Something just didn't feel right. As if it was a bad day and something would go wrong.

Please don't let Ana be Reaped.

I didn't want to part with her at the Square but we had to and I was honestly scared to let her go. She thought I was worried because I didn't want to be away from her at all. But I had reasons to be anxious. Siri needed her mother. I needed my to-be wife.

"Hello District Three!" the escort said and waved his hands.

I waved back.

"Are you all as excited as I am?!"

No.

There was no reply at all. The children stared at him blankly but he shrugged it off.

"Anyway, our lucky female tribute is Quinoa Callus!"

I heaved a huge sigh of relief. It wasn't Ana. It wasn't Ana. Nothing else mattered.

For some time there was no movement at all. Everyone was trying to find the Reaped girl until the camera found her. My heart sank when I saw that she was only thirteen. Too young for this.

The Peacekeepers moved over to her and said something, leading her towards the stage. She looked at everyone, confused.

"What?"

"Well, you've been Reaped."

"Oh."

That was all she said.

"Do you want to say something?"

"Yeah!" Quinoa exclaimed, "See here people. This is my friend, Lily. She is really nice and gives rather helpful advice. So if you have any problem, talk to Lily!"

"I can't see her."

The girl sighed. "Many people can't and I just don't understand."

The escort smiled at her uneasily and then pulled out the boy's name.

"And our lucky male tribute is Tab Hamasaki!"

Quinoa Callus (13) D3F

Why couldn't anyone see Lily? Were they dog blind?! Could they not see such a beautiful dog like Lily?

My friend barked and I stooped down and patted her head.

"Don't worry. I am here. We don't need anyone else apart from each other."

"Yeah. Thanks Quinoa."

That tall man with blue skin said something and I saw a tall boy walking to where I was. He had tears in his eyes and he was wiping at them. Why was he crying?

"Why is he sad?" I asked Lily.

"Because he has been Reaped."

"So?"

"He can die. He's going to compete in the Hunger Games. People die there."

I was shocked. Die?!

"B-but Lily!" I cried out, "I have been Reaped too! So will I die?!"

"No silly," Lily replied and barked, "I'll protect you."

"Thanks."

I saw the boy get onto the stage and offer the blue man a very watery smile. His eyes were still wet and he was gulping repeatedly. He was sweating although it was quite cool then. But what could he do? He was about to die.

We were told to shake hands and we did so. He smiled at me lightly and I smiled back.

"Lily, he's nice."

The boy looked around for a second and then unable to see Lily, like all other simpletons, he smiled.

'You're nice too."

"Thanks."

And then the clapping started. I would want a louder applause. The people were looking at us through hollow eyes and sad faces.

But still, at least there was an applause.

Done. Done! We're done! The Reapings took a long time to complete. But it's done!

So, what did you think of these two? Honestly, I don't know how a schizophrenic person behaves. Or how a one-year-old acts like. I've seen a few of them who can speak whole sentences, and a few who can't say more than Ma and Pa. then there are those who can run and those who still have to crawl. I just didn't know what to do. Hopefully, I haven't messed them up.

Now, having seen all our characters, who is your absolute favourite? Apart from your own, of course.

Thank you for reading and have a great day ahead.