If this was a dream, then at least I've got
Memories for when morning comes
Now that I must leave with a heavy heart
Oh, Wonderland I love
Ephron Amos
District 6, He/Him, 15
(3 Months Prior the Reaping)
...
"There's five here, kid." I stuff the packets of tesserae into my pocket and nod my thanks to the man. On the first day of every month since the time I was 12, I have taken out tesserae for my family and every time it gets harder to doubt my chances of being reaped. I've got by the past 3 years by just sheer dumb luck and I have 4 more years to do the same, I am the main source of income for my family after all.
I think this as I dive my hand into the pocket of a man who walks past, I pluck a wallet with swiftness and continue on down my usual path from The Justice Building, back to the home of my family. However, it's not just a walk, no, this path has become a job for me with the amount of money I seem to gain from it. I often feel ashamed of stealing and pickpocketing, if I didn't have to do it then I would stop in a heartbeat but I have my reasons and I can't let my empathy get in the way of protecting my family.
I wander past a fairly well-off looking house and decide to take a further look, I never actually break in, no, that's far too risky. Instead, I slowly lockpick the gate that leads into the garden - practice has ensured that I do this swiftly. I then sneak in, stepping lightly and taking my time, never letting my greed get in the way of cautiousness. Finally, I find anything of value and flee as quickly as possible. That's exactly what I do now, grabbing a black blazer from the drying line and a couple pretty flowers that look as if they could be worth something. Then, I keep my head down and run as fast as I can while also being sure to hold on tight to the merchandise I have now obtained.
"Ephron, that you son?" Someone barks as I rush into the door of a seemingly abandoned building - although, it's only made to look that way.
"Yeah it's me, how'd you know?" I laugh as I enter through the door, Rajveer ruffles my hair and gives me a toothy grin. He isn't my dad (unusually he calls me son anyway) but I love him as much I would a good father, he in no way bares any responsibility like a normal father would. I guess that makes him less annoying and slightly more easy to love.
"You always come in 'round this time. What's all that?" He nods toward everything that slowly drops from my arms as I loosen my grip.
"Haven't had time to check yet." He shakes his head, chuckling. Rajveer doesn't ask questions, he simply means business, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have his suspicions on every person that enters through the door of the first building on Maven Lane. "A blazer, some boots, a couple of these flowers. Oh, I'd like to keep these actually." I pocket two small bracelets that I had found in one of the jeans.
"Hmm. How about some chicken, lettuce and bread for all of it?"
"Done." I state without hesitation. I don't question his judgement, though he isn't a good man by law, he is a man of character. He brings me the food in a small basket and I thank him before continuing back home, smiling happily. The streets become much less busy as I merge into the slums of District 6, everybody is either avoiding the polluted air or working hard labour to get some bread on the table for dinner. I hold my basket a little tighter as I pass people, it's no rare occurrence to be jumped around here.
One last left in the maze of tightly-packed houses leads me to the thin box of bricks our family calls a home. We have it better off than others around here, a roof over our heads at the very least, still, we don't live in any means of luxury. The door creaks as I push it open, "Ava? Sara?" I shout to my sisters, "You home from school?" My response is the sound of people running down the staircase, I turn and flash a smile as I see them both running toward me.
"Ephron! Ephron! You're home!" They cry with joy and I pull them into a group hug.
"Oh how I've missed you two today." I chuckle, escaping from their tight arms wrapped around me. "I even brought a surprise."
"Is it in the basket?" Sara asks as I lay it on the floor.
"No, no. That's just our dinner." I pull the two bracelets I had stolen earlier from my pocket and place one each into their outstretched hands. "These are charm bracelets, whenever you wear it you will turn happy." I smile at their amazed faces as they slip it onto their wrists.
"I think it's working! Look, look how big my smile is!" I pull them both back into a hug, life isn't so bad with them around.
Sky Mastroianni
District 6, She/Her, 18
(Reaping Day)
...
She squeezes into the tight spot under the staircase and her scrawny body just about slips inside, her terrified eyes staring back at me. "I don't like it when I'm alone." She squeaks, a sob caught in her throat. My eyes water, I hate that this is the life I am putting my sister through and every day I wish that I could do something to make it better.
"I know you do, Maria." I whisper sympathetically, rubbing her arm. "This is the last year I'll ever have to squeeze you into this spot, I promise." However, with that comes another consequence. Her name in the reaping bowl. With every feeling of relief, The Capitol throws another method of torture right in our faces. She nods back to me, feeling a little more reassured now. I wish I could take her to the Reaping with me but we'd have to separate and I don't trust the people of my District to keep her safe, she's better off here - hidden.
I say one last goodbye before placing the blanket over her and heading out the front door. I shake her out of my mind, I have other things I need to worry about. I place my hand on the pocket of my jeans and hear the familiar rustle of a plastic bag - I've never lost one but I like to make sure just in case - before heading toward the corner of Maven Lane and Rookford Road, the place where the majority of my dealings take place.
Today will be an easy job, the Peacekeepers will already be at the reaping along with the rest of the District. My suspicions are proved correct as I reach the desolate corner, leaning against the wall and biting on my nails. It doesn't take long for the guy to show up, tardiness isn't very well respected in the crime industry of District Six so I trust my clients to get to me at the arranged time. We don't speak a word to each other, I slip the contraband into his bag and he slips the money into my pocket, a simple arrangement but one that pays very well.
From there, I begin my sprint. If my estimations are correct then it means I have another 2 minutes before the check ins stop and the ceremony begins. Anybody that doesn't show up on time, or at all for that matter, is hanged without any form of leniency. I don't fear death, however, I do fear my sister isolated in our home waiting for my return while I hang dead from a rope. The thought only forces me to pick up my pace. 1 minute. I'm nearing the centre now, just a little further. I throw myself into the line at exactly 9am as shown on the clocktower of our Justice Building.
"It'd do you good to arrive a little earlier next time." The Peacekeeper snaps, pricking my finger. "Get into your position and don't take your time with it." I rush into my pent, squeezed between others of my age. My heavy breathing causes a couple glares but once they see who I am they turn right back around, they don't fear me but they know not to provoke me.
"Well, well!" A man with bright yellow hair booms through a microphone. "Let's start by introducing, the Victor of The 10th Games herself...Harriet Rail!" A slow and monotone applause sounds, even Harriet herself looks bored with it all as she drags herself out of the Justice Building. I despise her for being so dull despite her riches, I could foster hundreds of kids along with my sister with that money.
"We won't waste any more time." He makes his way toward the male bowl, picking a slip from the bunch. "Our male tribute is none other than...Ephron Amos!" A young and frightened boy appears on screen, tears already glistening in his eyes. I can't help my heart ache for him and his family, it would kill me to ever have to watch Maria make her way up those steps.
"And our female...Sky Mastroianni!" I no longer feel my heart ache as it stops all together, numbness filling me. I can only think of Maria under the stairs, cowering with fear, as I silently walk up to the stage. I don't even notice the tears dripping down my face.
A/N: Thank you to avivagirl01 for Ephron and Very New To This for Sky!
- Neb