District 8 Reaping
Bera Meher sat on her bed, embroidering, some of the district 8 kids surrounding her. "I don't get it. I'm doing it right, but it doesn't look like yours," Quincett says, her eyes squinted. Bera sits next to her taking the cloth. "You're just putting the needle in a little too far. It still looks great though. It's your own personal touch." The six year old smiles up at Bera. "I'm bored with this," Brani, Bera's sister, says putting down her cloth. "Can't we, you know, go in the woods and climb trees or something?" Bera shakes her head, taking her sister's hands in her own. "Mom would want you to know how to do this." Her sister sighs, leaning up against her bed. Their mom started working at the factory when Bera was 10. She learned how to embroider when she was 9 and the 8 year old Brani couldn't pay any attention to it. "I wouldn't mind going in the woods. Can't Brani take us! Please Bera!" Daern says.
Bera and the group of children sit outside, some underneath the tree and some running around playing the ancient game of tag. "Hey Bera, what's the reaping like?" Sana says. Her birthday was just a couple days ago, her 12th. "It's not too bad. You just get there, get a little prick, and then stand in the audience until someone is reaped," She says. "No, it's awful and really hot. And that dumb capitol representative standing there, smiling like it's the best thing in the world, like us dying is an art," Brani shakes her head. "Don't scare them."
Twill Agridas walks towards the tree, his twin Seam next to him. "Hey Bera!" Twill says. "How was Sana?" Sana runs up to him, grabbing his hand. "I was great like always. Now, let's get home." "Seems suspicious," Seam says. Bera shakes her hand, dusting her pants off, and walking towards Twill. She sees him at school and all, but mostly cares for Sana. "She was fine." "Umm...You worried about tomorrow?" Twill asks. Bera shakes head yes, silently speaking, for the children's sake. "It'll be fine. Same like every year and just two more reaping after this." Twill says with insecurity in his eyes. His name went in more than the rest for rations.
Once Twill and his siblings get home, they're resting. Twill knows most would train, but he can't will himself to do it. What good would it do? He brushes a strand of copper from his face, to see his sister starring at him. "What are you looking at?" he asks. "Your eyes. They look scared," Seam looks at his brother, taking in his eyes especially. "My twin telepathy concurs. What's up?" Twill rolls his eyes, standing up. "The obvious reason, dummy." With that, he walks from the room going down to fish. It's what eases him.
Bera somehow found herself at the water after all the kids went back home. There was something soothing about the way the water seemed constant, and how no matter what happened in the Hunger Games and the reaping, the water was always here. It was the one constant in her life. Even on a day like this, there was a sense of peace in the atmosphere. She closes her eyes, breathing in the air before deciding she should probably get back home. When she looks again, Twill is walking towards the path with a seemingly handmade fishing pole.
Twill looks up abruptly his pole falling to the ground. "Oh. Hi Bera." She smiles. That's when he notices her emerald eyes. They seem empathetic, and he feels drawn to tell her how scared he is, to tell her everything. "What are you up to?" he asks. She shrugs her shoulders, picking up a rock from the ground and chucking it. "Just thinking, I guess. You?" He holds up his fishing pole. "Right. Well, I should get going. It was good to see you," she says. "Yeah. You too. Umm… may the odds be in your favor." She smiles slightly. "You too."
Twill fished for a couple hours, catching little. He thought 'It almost seemed like even they knew that tomorrow was the reaping.' Twill shakes his head. 'But, no. That would be stupid.' When he gets home, Sana is choosing between two dresses. "Which one do you think?" she holds out a peach one and a light blue one. "I don't know, Sana. Just pick one." She gives him a pointed look. "Okay. The light blue one," he says. She smiles up at him. "Good because I was thinking that one."
Just a couple houses down, Bera tosses and turns in her sleep, the reality hitting her. It's like this every year with her mind racing a mile a minute. What happens if one of the kids she used to watch gets reaped? What if Brani does? Would she survive because she's the top of her class, and even if she did survive… What would the games do to her? Before Bera knows it, it is morning. She hadn't slept at all that night. Slowly, she stands up and dresses hardly paying attention to the dress she puts on. "Bera, Brandi, your father is here," Her eyes go wide. "Dad," she whispers wrapping her arms around him. Her father had left two years ago, not able to handle the stress. But, he still tries to come around and show support. They walk to the reaping almost seeming like a complete family despite everything.
Sana runs up and hugs Bera with Twill and Seam lingering behind. "Good luck, Bera. You too Brani," Sana says before getting in line to get pricked. When she does, she winces, but gives Bera a thumbs up and tight smile. Bera hardly feels her own pricking as she walks to her age group.
"If your partner dies, so do you." The revelation hits everyone hard. Bera and Twill both feel relief because that means the chances of survival are better.
When Bera's name is called, she walks up to the stage trying to seem stronger than she feels. All that can run through her head is that at least it wasn't one of the kids she watches; at least it wasn't her sister. It's what makes her keep going, walking even though her legs are shaky. She feels numb, but what else is new? That's all she's felt today. Her eyes skim the crowd, not knowing whose eyes to look into. There are so many people she loves out there.
Twill stands in the audience, shock running through him. Yes, he didn't really know her, but he knew enough to care. Sana knew her. "And, the boy tribute is Twill Agridas." His eyes widen and he feels Seam grab him. Twill turns to look at him telepathically screaming not to volunteer and to let go. When he doesn't Twill snatches his hand out of the vice like grasp. With a final, "Please don't" he walks to the stage. Thankfulness floods him when his brother doesn't volunteer. In silence he stares out into the crowd. He needs to get back to his siblings, but he can't kill. He can't imagine taking someone else's life.
Author's Note: I am truly sorry for the delay. This past year has been a very difficult with a battle against depression. I feel better now and feel like I can take on this project once again. After all, I promised I would finish it. Thank you all for your patience with me. I will try to get past the rest of the tributes intros very soon, so we may get towards the interesting part of the story. :)