Chapter Four: Reaping of District Two

Mason and Ami laid in the tall grass in the meadows just outside their school. They just smiled and laughed without saying a word. Friends like them didn't need words to communicate, they saw each others thoughts. Both thinking back to the times as innocent children. Mischievous children.

Slightly, carefully, Mason ran his fingers over the jeweled strap of Ami's grey reaping dress. Ami knew this wasn't a sign of affection, there was no love between them. They were siblings. No, this was an act of comfort for the both of them. A claming, reassuring act. This was safety.

"I never seen you in a dress." He whispered, looking back to the clear, blue sky.

"Because I hate them." She replied, as she pushed blue strands of hair from her face. "I bought it early this morning. Some of the stitching was off so I got it fairly cheap. My mom fixed it of course." They both smiled. This moment needed to last forever.

Laughter of young children came from the nearby park. If only they knew what was waiting for them as they grew up. The ignorance, the innocence, of a child. Why couldn't they go back to that time? Go back and never grow up. Time changes for no one.

"I hope I am called." Ami whispered, turning away from the look on Mason's face.

"Why?!" He shouted, sitting up and peering down into the girl's dark green eyes. "Why would you say that? If you got called you would leave me, and I may never see you again. We won't be able to laugh about nothing anymore, ditch class and run to the farthest end of the district's boarders. You are the only one to accept me, and stay by my side."

Ami sighed and sat up, looking back into his eyes. "I hate life. I don't care if I die, but not everyone thinks that way. By me going no one really has to die." Moments passed. Silent, agonizing, moments. Mason closed his eyes, and started to laugh, then he looked back to his friend.

"So it's like televised suicide?" Ami nodded slowly, looking up into the sky.

"I guess you could say that."

"I want to die too. I would want to die even more If you left my life." Ami looked back to him, and looked deep into his eyes. "I don't want to go in the games." Suddenly a loud bell filled the area. Thirty minutes to the reaping. Both of the teens stood up and walked from the meadows.

~The Reaping~

The center was filled with everyone from district two. Twelve through Eighteen year olds stood, facing the makeshift stage. The adults and young children stood behind them. Somewhere among the crowd two people stood, awaiting their death sentence.

Every parent thought selfishly, they wanted anyone but their own kid's name to be called. Not matter what though someone would be leaving here without their child standing next to them. It was too heartbreaking to imagine.

A capital man stood before them, he didn't speak long. Short, sweet, and to the point. They deserved what was being laid upon them. This shall prevent another recreation of the dark days. This shall keep the districts in line.

"First the girl's name shall be called." He took a step to the glass bowl, and pulled out a slip of paper. Without hesitation he called the name. "Ami Myian." Everyone watched as the blue haired girl made her way to the stage. She wasn't fazed, she wasn't crying. No, she was smiling.

Once she got to the man's side, he stared at her. "I am glad you seem happy about the situation." With that he proceeded to get a slip from the boy's names. "Mason Mahel." Ami took a half step forward, as Mason made his way to the stage.

"No…" She cried. "Why you?!" Her scream silenced everyone. "Pick a new name! PLEASE!" Peacekeepers ran to Ami and held her arms behind her back. They couldn't take any chances. Mason ran to Ami, and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't. It's time for you to be brave when my life is endangered. I will be with you no matter what." Ami wiped her tears on his shirt, and then looked up at him.

"I won't let you die." She said, pulling away from his hold. "Death will not be your outcome." It was a hard situation, but she had to be brave. She had to get him out alive no matter what the cost, and if he dies…well now was not the time to think about that.

"District two, may I present your tributes.!" After the soft clapping had ended both tributes were guided into that train.

~Ami's Goodbyes~

Three girls walked up to Ami. She knew them well. Her friends. Slowly she got up from her seat, and gave each of them a hug. Morgan, the oldest, had black, short hair, and black leather clothes to match. Rain, the youngest, had long, light brown hair. She was dress in a flowing light blue dress. The last, Mira, only a year younger than Morgan. She had white hair, that had been streaked with blood on one side. She wore a long, elegant, purple dress.

"You are our friend, Ami Lore Myian." Mira spoke. Ami felt her heart break. Safety, that is what it meant to speak her full name. They wanted her to come home safe, but that isn't what she plans on doing.

"I may not make it. There are twenty-four tributes, and they all want to go back home. Unlikely that I am going to be one of twenty-four." Rain looked like she was going to cry as she stepped forward.

"I made this for you." She held out her hand, and there sat a small black, and red butterfly hairpin. "It was intended for your birthday, and I didn't know how long it would take me to make so I made five months in advance. Only took me four days… Sorry if you don't like that colors." Ami smiled as she accepted the hairpin.

"Rain, thank you." She laughed, putting it into her hair. "It couldn't be better. I love it."

"Try to wear it in the games, okay?" She mumbled, putting her hands close to her face like a child. Ami nodded.

"I will." She gave her last goodbyes as her friends were taken from the room. She didn't doubt if they were going to see Mason next. They didn't really know him, but they knew he was important to Ami.

The next to come were her parents. Her mother was already crying, but her dad didn't seem to have any emotion. He never did. Never seemed to care about Ami.

"Ami, sweetie I want you to come home." Her mom cried. "I am so sorry. I know to must be hard to have Mason with you, but now you have to be strong and be selfish." The young girl stepped back from her mother. She couldn't think. What was she being asked to do? Leave Mason to die?

"Mother, I-" Ami looked to the ceiling, trying so hard not to cry. "I don't plan on coming home. I plan getting Mason home. Say your goodbyes while I am still here because the next time you see me I will be on the other side." At that instant her mother broke down, and her father looked angered. It was hard for them, but it was her choice to make.

As the time came for her parents to leave it became the hardest moment in her life. She tired to take mental images of what they looked like. She could never forget. "I love you guys! Thank you for the life you gave me!" Ami called out right before the door closed. Her voice fell to a whisper. "I'll miss you…"

~Mason's Goodbyes~

Mason didn't have much to say to his parents. He didn't want to tell them his plans. They didn't need to know he wasn't coming home. Ami needed to live on, that was the only thing he wanted.

His parents didn't have a lot to say to him either. They were simple words of "I love you.", and "be safe" He never had a good relationship with his parents so why should they cry for him? They didn't cry. Their sweet words of goodbye was not choked up with sadness. Simple and meaningless.

The three minutes passed in silence before his parents left. Seconds passed before anyone else came to see him. Ami's friends. He didn't know them well. Barely knew their names, and yet they came to say goodbye.

"I know we don't know you well." Mira spoke. "I wish we did. Ami spoke highly of you." Rain nodded, as a bright smile crossed her face.

"She always want all of us to hang out, but we never had time."

"And now we have come to say our goodbyes." Morgan finished, as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Sorry that our meeting has come at such a bad time."

Mason shook his head. "It's fine. I am glad that I got to meet you three. Also I promise to protect Ami." Rain smiled, and pulled Mason into a hug.

"Thank you." She replied, as she pulled away from him, and walked out from the room. Morgan and Mira nodded their heads in goodbye, and then they turned to follow Rain.