Reaping of District Six
Down below the train station, where no one ever went, was a hidden computer system. A young mechanic boy built it from train parts, and beyond repair computers. Sure he wasn't from district three, but he was very handy. He could build just about anything. For a train mechanic that is…
Here, hidden from the world, where the trains were left to rot, two kids would always meet up. Their friendship had to be kept hidden or one of them would surely disappear. So now, just as the morning began to rise, a young girl made her way to meet the handy mechanic boy.
She entered the dimly lit room, and spotted the boy tampering with the computers. He looked at her. Even though her footsteps were light he always knew where she was. "I am shocked, Flarian, you aren't asking for daily reports." She walked over to him, and bent over a computer monitor, searching for something to satisfy her mind.
"We are not at war." Flarian whispered, staring as words began to appear on the computer. "Can you hack into the Capital's game information. I want to know more."
"Why, are you scared?" She laughed at him, but it was more of a quick puff of air.
"Hardly, I just want to know more about it. Maybe, possibly, where all the children would be slaughtered." The boy looked at her. Of course, after all the death in the war she became accustomed to talking or thinking of death. The games where not going to scare her.
"Well I would love to pull that up for you, but the Capital set up more defenses to their computer systems. I am a train mechanic, not a computer wiz." Flarian looked at him, her black hair fanning in her eyes.
"You disappoint me, Jak." Her sour voice indicated a hint of sarcasm. "Anyway, aside from that matter, I wanted to talk to you about my dress for today. I want to make a bold statement to the Capital, just to see how they would react." Jak sighed, of course she would be the one to use this as an opportunity to stun the Capital. It was a joke to her, but then again why shouldn't it be? After almost a full day without the sounds of war would drive even most of the sane people mad.
"I fear you might do something stupid so I will not partake in your events at the reaping this afternoon." The sixteen year old looked at him with wide puppy eyes. She was acting like a child. It was almost too cute, but Jak always found her to be cute. He loved her deeply. "Maybe don't try to dress weird, but act weird. Most kids will be scared, and try to run. You will face it without a glimmer of fear in your eyes."
Flarian nodded, and rocked side to side in her spin chair. "I see, well I guess that will take less thought. So how was your morning?"
"It went well, I ate some food and then took off to here. Yours?"
"Terrible, Mace will not leave me alone. He is just like, 'let us savor, possibly, our last moment together'. I just wish people would stop making a big deal about this whole thing." She growled, dropping her head. Jak didn't like what she said. Mace was the man she was going to be forced to marry. He was horrid and very clingy to her, and now he wants to spend this day with her? There are so many other girls eligible for the games, unlikely it would be this beautiful goddess that sat before him.
Flarian looked to Jak and smiled. She knew he was upset, but he shouldn't be. "Come with me. We both need to get dressed. Follow me back to my place, I am sure I can find some of my brother's clothes to fit you." Jak was poor so it's not likely he would be well dressed like her.
With little hesitation he followed his friend away from the computers.
~Flarian's house~
"You look wonderful!" She squealed, as she finished buttoning up Jak's dress shirt. "I knew you and Forge were the same size." Forge was Flarian's twin brother. It was very unlikely that her parents had all sets of twins, but they did. All of the six pairs were male and female. A rare family above all.
Jak looked into the mirror, and saw what he was dressed in. Black suit pants and a dark grey dress shirt. It match Flarian's tight black dress that shimmered in the light. It made him smile to see them dressed like a pair. This is how things were meant to be.
"The dress makes you more breathtaking than before." She smiled at him, and then turned to walk away.
"Almost time to go." She muttered, looking out the window. Many were already walking to the center. Drained, and slow, they all look like zombies. Why were they so down? Flarian didn't understand. "You can walk with me and my family. My mother won't let Mace hurt you."
Jak opened his mouth to say something, but then there was a knock at her door. Quickly, Flarian raced over, and opened it just a crack. "What?" It was Mace standing before her. Her friend made a dash for her closet, and concealed himself within.
"My dear Flarian, do not greet me like that." Mace said, trying to calm his steaming voice. He was mad, and she knew why. He hated anything that put her in danger, and the games put her in danger's path.
"Sorry, force of habit. What do you want?"
"We only have thirty minutes, and I was coming to get you so you could join me for lunch." He was demanding for her to eat with him, but clearly she didn't want to go. Flarian rolled her eyes, and pushed the door so it was almost closed.
"Mace, I am not hungry. I also do not wish to make a big deal out of this day for it is nothing!" Flarian growled. "Now leave me be." With that, the door was pushed closed and locked. That was Jak's hint that he could get out of the closet. "I am sorry."
The boy shook his head and laughed. "Don't be sorry." Flarian sat down on her bed, and closed her eyes. Twenty-five more minutes. Oh how she couldn't wait to get it over with. "Wanna leave early? I hate big crowds."
Jak sat down next to her, and ran his fingers through Flarian's black hair. "Weren't you waiting for your family?"
"I was, but it's not like I am not going to see them after." It took a moment, but he finally agreed to leave early with her.
~Reaping~
Flarian wrapped her arms around Jak's neck, and watched all the girls get checked in. Tears were spilling over their eyes. It was so hard not to laugh. Was it really as scary as people said? She was sure the death would come quickly in the arena.
"How long do you think it would last?" Jak muttered.
"Hm?" Flarian looked at him with wide eyes. She clearly wasn't paying attention. "Well, I guess it depends on the area they are put in. It's a show so it's not going to last just a few hours. I say a few days, maybe weeks." Her voice was slow, and sleep began to fog her eyes. She was so bored. Why did they all have to attend?
"Hey! You, girl, get checked in!" A peacekeeper shouted, as he walked over to them. "And you, boy, go where you are supposed to be!" Flarian laughed, and saluted him.
"Okay." She turned to Jak, and kissed him on the cheek before she left. "See you after the reaping!"
"Welcome, welcome to the first ever hunger games!" The woman was so annoying. Were all people from the capital like that? Probably. "We will select one courageous man and woman to fight to the death for all to see. So put on your biggest smiles as you come to the stage." She sounded so lost as she spoke. Had she not planned a speech? Was this off the top of her head? Over the years they should become more elaborate.
Flarian looked over the crowd, but she couldn't find anyone she knew. That was okay though, she didn't need someone to run to. "First the girl's name!" The woman pick from the bowl, and pulled out a slip. "Cassie Lee!" A girl's scream made everyone cover their ears.
"NOOOOOO!" She ran through the crowd, away from the stage. A twelve year old girl. Her birthday was just three days ago… What bad luck. The peacekeepers chased her. Cassie didn't get far before she was surrounded and pulled to the stage. She had to be held onto. Her legs were shaking, and tears rained from her eyes.
"Well, wasn't that a show! Now for the boys!" Flarian stared down the slip, as the woman unfolded it. "Mace Legend!" Her heart stopped. No way… That can't be right. Mace walked from the crowd, his brown hair brushed out of his eyes. He was strong, and unafraid. "District three, may I present to you the tributes for the first ever Hun-"
"WAIT! I volunteer!" A collected gasp filled the area.
"My dear, you cannot take the place of a male tribute."
Flarian smirked as she shouted. "I want to take the place of Cassie Lee." With that, she made her way to the stage. When Flarian took her place, the peacekeepers let go of Cassie, allowing her to run away.
"What is your name?"
"Flarian Legacy!"
"What made you volunteer at the last minute?" Flarian smiled, letting a tear fall from her purple eye.
"Mace Legend… I love him. If he is to die, I will too." Mace walked over to her, and pulled the girl into his arms.
"I love you too."
"May I present to you, the tributes for the first ever Hunger Games!"
~Flarian's Goodbyes~
"What happened to coming home?!" Jak shouted, as he walked into the room. Flarian glared at him, letting her bangs fall.
"I know what I am doing!" She growled. "It's not like I want to leave you, but this is something I have to do!" His eye's grew dark, as he looked down to the girl he loved since the beginning of time. The girl that just proclaimed her love to another man on live tv. She was pulling a Romeo and Juliet.
"Die with a man you never loved?!"
"NO!" Flarian shouted, as she forcefully hugged Jak. "No… Just watch the games, okay? Hold me for now. I swear to you when it's all over I will make it up to you." Jak listened to her, and just held her. Letting the three minutes pass in silence. Soon the peacekeepers came, and took him away.
"I love you, I always have." That was the last thing he said before having the door closed on him. It didn't make her sad. Neither of them were sad. She didn't care about the games in the first place, so why would she now.
Her parents entered next. They were both smiling. Her mother, for being proud that she finally said she loved Mace. Her father, for her finally entering a battle.
"I trained you to fight with the resistance. This is not different. I am proud of you. You are willing to fight."
"This is suicide, but I am glad you are doing it for Mace. I knew you two would be happy together." Flarian had a headache. She was only glad that they were not weeping over their poor baby. This irritated her just the same, being idolized. The games would be over soon, and it would just be a forgotten memory
She watched as her parents left. Finally she could be alone to collect her thoughts. Plan for what was to come.
~Mace's Goodbyes~
It took a while for anyone to come, but soon enough his dad walked through those doors. He didn't look fazed by the thought of his son being sent off to die. Mace could careless if no one felt sympathy for him. The only thing he worried about was his poor Flarian. He could have won, that was for sure, but with his bride in the game of death… Surly he had to get her out of the arena.
"Are you troubled by Legacy's actions?" His father asked.
"I am not troubled, just confused. She always resented me, but now this. I would gladly take her resentment till the end of time than see her fall." Mace sounded washed of all emotion. What was going to be his next plan of action? Maybe he should just kill her so no one else could. He hurt her once, so he wouldn't feel bad if his actions resulted in her passing.
"Your mother was angered by the girl. She is planning something, that is clear."
"What do you want me to do about it?" Mace looked into his father's eyes, but he couldn't find the answer there.
"Watch your back."
"And not give my full trust to her?" His dad glared at him. His son was falling into the girl's web of lies. She was a girl plotting against a monster that hurt her. It wasn't clear what was going to unfold.
"She doesn't trust you so why would you give it to her?" It was true, she never did trust him. Not after what he did to her. Mace didn't care though. He would gladly replay the incident over again.
"Time's up." The peacekeeper held the door open and let the man walk through the door. Maybe his dad had a point, but he had his own plans in mind.
