District 9 Reapings
Maize Wheetley, D9F (15)
It's only 10am and I can tell it'll be another scorcher today. I wring out the washed clothes into the bucket and hang them to dry. Now that the laundry is drying, I head inside to check up on the bread rolls I put into the oven. I ground the flour early this morning and worked overtime to be able to buy some yeast so that the bread is fluffy. It's a treat I wanted to make for my siblings for reaping day.
It's my sister's first reaping. Elise is terrified and hasn't been able to eat much all week in anticipation. I'm hoping she'll have an easier time with the bread rolls. My brother Jack is 14 and he's been dealing with his nerves by spending extra time at work too.
The bread rolls are done and I take them out of the oven and place them on the counter to cool.
My siblings and parents make their way into the kitchen, they all took advantage of the day off to sleep in.
The reapings always make me nervous but I'm grateful that neither myself or my siblings have to take out tesserae. I work enough overtime that we can avoid it. It doesn't ensure their safety but it makes me feel a bit better that their odds are lower.
The bread rolls are delicious and we finish them all. We all get ready for the reaping. I put on a golden yellow skirt with a cream blouse and ask my mom to braid my hair. My prosthetic allows me to do a lot of things but the fingers don't allow for the fine motor movements needed to braid.
I lost my arm below the elbow just over 3 years ago. It was during a harvesting accident in the grain fields. I was tired and working overtime and wasn't paying as much attention as I should. I almost bled out before being found. The doctor was shocked that I even survived with all the blood loss, he said what probably kept me alive was my sheer determination to survive.
We finish getting ready and make the dreaded walk to the square. My parents are especially tense this year with having all their children in the reaping bowl.
We get to the square and I bring Elise to check in with me and walk her to the twelve year old section before I proceed to the fifteens.
The square fills in. I keep to myself and stand still, my feet shoulder width apart and by arms clasped behind me. I do some breathing exercises to calm the panic rising inside me. I did all I could to keep my siblings safe this year, now it's down to luck.
The escort takes the stage and starts the proceedings. I listen respectfully, all the while thinking in a few moments two kids are going to be ripped away from their families and lives and probably won't make it home.
The escort plucks a slip from the girls bowl and makes her way back to the microphone.
Please don't be Elise.
Please don't be Elise.
"Maize Wheetley."
It's not Elise, it's me."
I keep my face blank as I calmly make my way to the stage. I'm still young and on the smaller side, I don't know what I want my angle to be yet so I figure neutral is the best for now. I don't want to give anything away.
I continue my breathing exercises on stage. Slow breaths in through my nose, long exhale out. I can't let them see my fear.
The escort makes her way to the boys bowl and returns with a slip.
"Barley Mills."
Barley Mills, D9M (18)
My life has turned out pretty well so far, after today, it'll be perfect. I have a decent paying job working in the fields. It's hard work, but it's given me strength and good endurance, and allowed me to save enough to buy Farro a ring. Farro is the love of my life and I'm going to propose to her today after the reapings. We've been dating since we were 14, and after today, we'll both be safe and can spend the rest of our lives together.
I slip the ring box into my pocket. After the reaping, I'll bring her to a clearing by the fields and propose there. It's a beautiful and quiet spot. I'm not too worried about today. We're both the youngest kids in each of our families so none of us have any siblings that can be reaped. We've also been fortunate enough to get through the reapings without having to take out any tesserae. The odds should be in our favour. In a few hours, I'll be safe for good. We're not having children. Neither of us can imagine the anticipation and fear of sending a child to the reapings.
I eat a bread roll with butter and get ready. I dress in some light beige trousers and a cream button down shirt. I make my way to the square, sign in and join the group of eighteens.
The escort takes the stage and I zone out of the proceedings, daydreaming about how I'll propose to Farro this afternoon.
The next thing I know the escort has a slip in her hand.
"Maize Wheetley."
A smallish girl emerges from the fifteens. Her expression is pretty neutral and I can't tell how she feels about being reaped. She's a goner. I see that where her left arm should be below her elbow is a prosthetic.
The boys are next. I only have 7 slips, please let it not be me. I'm so close to being safe forever.
"Barley Mills."
No.
No, this can't be happening.
I was supposed to be safe today.
My face drops with shock. I may loose my forever with Farro. I gather myself and make my way to the stage. I look out at the crowd, I catch Farro's eyes and see she's already crying. I can't help myself as some tears roll down my face.
Maize Wheetley, D9F (15)
My parents and Jack come in. All of them are crying.
"Elise wanted to see you alone." My mom says.
I nod.
"Try your best." Jack pleads.
"You're survived the impossible once before," my dad says, "you can do it again, I know it."
"Yes, your will to survive can get you through, don't give up, no matter how hard it gets." My mom reassures me.
I vow to try my hardest and fight as hard as I can. I hug them all goodbye.
Then Elise comes in and runs into my arms, sobbing heavily.
"I'll come back to you Elise." I promise.
She pulls away from me.
"I wanted to give you this, for your token." She says.
Elise hands me a handwoven bracelet made out of dried long grasses. It's beautiful, I didn't know she ever made it.
"Elise it's beautiful, thank you!"
The peacekeeper comes to tell us time is up.
I'm not ready to die yet and my siblings still need me, I have to make it back to them.
Barley Mills, D9M (18)
Three minutes.
The rest of my life with Farro has very likely just been shortened to only three more minutes together.
My family comes to see me first. I can tell my parents are in shock and can see the sadness on my older brother's face. They all wish me luck and I tell them I'll try my hardest.
Farro comes in next, tears streaming down her face.
"What about our future together?" She cries.
"I'll come back, and then we can have our forever. It'll just be in the Victor's village."
I hold her until the peacekeepers come to take her away and give her one final kiss.
She doesn't even know that I was going to propose today. I didn't want to do it here, under these circumstances.
I have to make it back to her and as soon as I do, I'll propose to her.