There was a collective exhale. Slowly, people started to turn toward me. Their eyes full of sympathy and sadness. I slowly step out of the group of eighteen-year-olds. Their faces are the worst. You were almost safe.
I make my way up to the stage and Peacekeepers surround me. "Well, there she is! Come along, dear." I hear Velora say over the pounding of my heart. I can hear sobbing. Birch? Is she sobbing?
As I climb the steps, the Peacekeepers pull away from me, staying on the ground. I walk across the stage to stand next to Velora. "How wonderful! Everyone, your female tribute, Raven Copperstone!" Velora claps lightly, her hands extended toward me, and everyone on the ground just stares. People begin slamming their feet into the ground together. Boom. Boom. They are becoming more in sync. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. There isn't a smile as the population of District 12 stomps their feet.
I haven't seen anything like this. District 12 is not full of courageous people. It is full of people who would look away from a problem rather than make it their own. But not now. This is a District 12 full of people saying that it isn't right. They know me. I have traded with most of these people. I take care of my family, who will do that now?
It takes Velora Ivory a few minutes to get the rest of the district to calm down enough to proceed with the Reaping. I watch as she teeters on her high heels over to the boy's globe. "And for the boys!" Her fingers don't take near as long to find this slip of paper as they did to find mine.
I am close to hyperventilation when she makes it back to the microphone. She unravels the name.
"Sky Eversole!"
I clench my eyes shut. Of course, it has to be him. I look out to see a skinny boy from the Seam steadily walk out of the fourteen-year section. He is Birch's friend. A close friend. He comes to our house quite often, helping her with homework or just playing outside.
I see the fear in his eyes. He knows he won't make it home. I look over at our mentor, Haymitch. It's ironic that I probably just sold him the liquor that made him too inebriated to be of any real help. Even though he is drunk, his eyes meet mine with a good amount of clarity, and a small amount of sadness.
The Reaping must be over because I am being guided into the Justice Building. I am put in a room to say my goodbyes. The room looks like it only gets used once a year, when the previous tributes have said goodbye. There is a thin layer of dust coating just about everything. The air smells musty from lack of use.
I wait a few minutes, eyes wide as I scan the room, still in shock. The door bursts open and suddenly my sister's arms are around me.
"You have to live." She says seriously.
"I'll do my best." I tell her, my arms wrapping around her shoulders. She is crying, but I can't let myself cry. I can't look weak in front of the cameras. I pull her away from me and hold her shoulders. "You have to find ways to get food. There are people that will help. Go to the Hob if you need. Find things to trade or skills. If someone will teach you a new skill, learn. Knowledge is as tradeable as goods."
She nods and I look to my mom. The look is all she needs before she breaks down. Her arms envelope me and my head goes to her shoulder. I can't cry. I cannot cry. She pulls back from me and nods her head. "I'll take in more washing. I'll keep up on your housekeeping. I can do it." She sniffles.
I nod. "You guys can do it. Don't let her drop out of school. She needs an education."
Mom is nodding as the Peacekeepers open the door. "Time's up!" They order.
"No wait!" Birch is holding me again, her arms like a vice.
"It's okay!" I yell as the Peacekeepers pull her off me. "I'll see you in a few weeks!" The door slams shut and I'm alone again.
Not much time passes before the door opens again and Forest and his wife and daughter are standing before me. I meet his sad eyes. "Little Bird." His voice is soft, and his arms open wide. I almost burst into tears at the name. He hasn't called me that in years. I run to his arms, and he hugs me tightly. "Remember your knives. And you can shoot." He pulls me, holding me at arm's length and looking me in the eye. "You feed yourself and your family already, two fewer mouths. You can do it."
"But they want me to kill other kids!" I almost shout. "I can eat but I can't fight!"
"You can! You have to think of your family. You will do it, for them." His wife, Sage, says while holding their daughter.
I nod at her, and Forest releases me. "Remember your medicinal and edible plants. Only make fires when the smoke can't be seen." I nod again.
"Ven!" Their daughter squeals.
"Hey Kat!" I smile at her, but it doesn't reach my eyes. I grab her from Sage and hold her to me. "I'm gonna be gone for a while. You gonna take care of Mom and Dad?"
She grins and nods forcefully. "Gift!" She squeals and holds out her fist. I open my hand and she drops a ring into my palm. It is a silver ring, appearing adjustable. The two ends of the ring meet and each side flairs out like a wing, and all together looks like a bird. A Raven. How fitting.
I smile at her, my throat tight as I say, "Thanks, Katniss."
The Peacekeepers open the door again and Sage takes Katniss back from me. Forest gives me one last look and says "They will eat. I'll make sure they have food." The door shuts behind them and I'm alone.
The Peacekeepers come and collect me. They grab my upper arms and guide me to a car. I climb in beside Sky. He has been crying, his face is splotchy, and his eyes are red and puffy. Velora Ivory hops in across from us. "Well, you will just love the train!" She speaks. I tune her out for the ride. Her niceties are grating on my nerves.
We arrive at the station and are seen off by the swarm of Capitol reporters. Once in the door, I find myself staring at the luxury of the train car. Chandeliers and plush carpets. Solid wood tables and fancy plates and silverware. No one has anything like it in District 12, not even the Merchants.
"Right this way! I'll show you to your rooms!" We follow Velora down the hall and into another car. She speaks as she leads, "I am sure you would like to wash off all that -that coal dust! And have a rest before dinner!" The way she says coal dust like it's something to fear, or that it's just disgusting. That is our livelihood in District 12. Coal.
I am shown into a room as luxurious as the rest of the train. A massive bed and huge closets bursting with clothes. More clothes than I could ever own in a lifetime. More that I would ever need in a lifetime. The shower is confusing, more buttons than anything I have ever seen. I mess with it for a while before deciding to just suck it up and use the cold water that shoots down from the ceiling.
Once I am clean, I find the simplest outfit in the closet, a short-sleeved top with an asymmetrical hem and a pair of black slacks. Only the Mayor and his family have slacks. I slip on a pair of flat shoes, the only pair in the closet without a heel. Then I just sit on the bed. I can't really rest. Not after what just happened.
The door opens with a hiss, and I see Haymitch stumble in. His glazed eyes scan the room before settling on me. I see his eyes clear, and he sighs. "Who is gonna sell me my booze now?"
I laugh. "Well, my grandma will always be around."
"Yeah well, I think she only puts up with me because I'm her best customer." He shrugs and leans against the wall. "You actually talk to me."
"Gotta keep ya coming back for more, you know?" I smile at him.
His eyes sadden again. "Well, Darling, guess I'll have to make do with your grandmother now." He takes a large swig out of a glass bottle of whiskey, I think.
I'm suddenly angry. "Hey, you're supposed to help me! Help me make it home so I can sell you more booze!"
"No one from Twelve ever wins." He says stoically. He stands straighter, like he is about to leave.
"Maybe if you'd sober up long enough to help, they would! I can shoot and throw knives! I have been feeding my family for years! I just need some help navigating the games! That is what you are here for!" I am standing now and storming towards him. I place my hand on his shoulder and shove. "You're supposed to help me!" I can feel that my face and arms are hot with anger as I glare at him.
He doesn't say anything before walking out, letting the door hiss shut behind him. I groan and plop back down on the bed, my head dropping to my hands. The last thing I need to do is piss of my mentor, but here I am doing just that.
Not much longer and Velora is rapping at my door. "Dinner is ready!" She sings out before her footsteps retreat down the hall. I sigh and stand. I walk down to the dining room where we entered the train. Velora and Sky are sitting at the table, Haymitch nowhere to be seen. I sit beside Sky, much too close to Velora who is sitting next to me at the head of the table.
Servants bring out plates of food. The serving sizes on the plates is astonishing. Capitol people eat like this every day, as easy as telling someone you're hungry. I can say I'm hungry all day long, but it won't make a difference unless I go out and get us some food.
The smell alone probably holds more calories than a whole meal in the Seam. I can see that Sky isn't even thinking about how unfair this is. He is already digging in, barely chewing the mouthful before stuffing more in. I smile, this is probably the most food he has ever seen. I know it's the most food I've ever seen.
I start eating while Velora talks about nothing. Her favorite dress and how she was upset that they didn't have it in her color until she walked to the other side of the rack and OH BOY, there it was in her color. Then she tells us gossip about some of her friends and other Escorts, like we care.
While she drones on, Haymitch appears and walks to the other side of the table. He slowly takes a seat across from me. His movements are smoother than they were, although his long, straggling blonde hair is just as disheveled. The servants move to put a plate in front of him and fill his glass, but he waves it off, instead reaching for the pitcher of water on the table.
He gives me a small nod as he drinks his water and starts working on his food. We eat in silence, except for Velora, who keeps talking. I'm pretty sure she doesn't realize that no one is listening. I keep glancing at Haymitch. He has just about cleaned his plate and hasn't yet drank a drop of alcohol. Is he trying?
Once all the food is cleared, Velora claps twice. "Well, why don't we move into the viewing area? We can watch the Reapings!" Her voice got higher at the end, a shriek at the word Reapings.
We all stand and make our way into the room. There is a large holographic TV on the wall. Velora starts out with District 1. They call their female tribute, a tall, lean, blonde girl by the name of Sapphire Reed. "Quick with weapons. Probably swords or knives. Keep an eye out." Haymitch grumbles as the crowd on the TV goes wild. I glance at him. He actually is helping.
They call the male, Blaze Ricci. He is blonde and shorter than the girl, but his arms are massive. "Strength. Close combat will be un-winnable against him. Deadly." Haymitch adds.
We move on to District 2. The girl called is Marble Dayes. She has dark hair and looks muscular. "Likely to have spent training in hand to hand. Climbing. Calculating look in her eyes." Haymitch points out. She doesn't seem to be celebrating like the others did. She just stands there, as serious as a heart attack.
The male tribute is called, Slate Hart. He is tall, lean and sneering. "That angry look means bloodthirsty. He won't kill you quickly. Best steer clear all together." Haymitch warns, taking a drink of water and frowning at the glass.
Tributes from Three look about as deadly as Sky and I do. Huxley and Cable. Neither looks like they have had much to eat, but their eyes are bright and taking in everything. "Three is always smart. Best not to underestimate." Haymitch breaks in.
Coral and Troy are called for District 4. Haymitch warns that, although considered a Career District, these Careers will be slightly less deadly than the harder core Careers of One and Two, but still to watch for them. "They will be excellent swimmers and good killers."
The tributes from 5, Genera and Atom, and the tributes from 6, Kyva and Apollo, all look as malnourished as we do. Okay, almost as malnourished. "You might stand a chance here, if you don't do something idiotic." Haymitch helpfully interjects.
District 7 offered up Ivy and Barker. Both looked strong, but neither looked like they had any confidence. "Strong and dimwitted. They can never be both." Haymitch sighed.
District 8 called out Calico and Weft. There were finally some other tributes that looked as small as Sky. She is thirteen years old, and he couldn't be much older. "Just try not to be the one that has to kill the little ones." Haymitch grumbles, finally taking a swig of an amber colored alcohol.
Districts 9, 10 and 11 had scrawny young kids, all under sixteen. Kasha and Bran from Nine. Sable and Angus from Ten. And finally Pepper and Cane from Eleven. "The outer districts prove to be the least likely to die from starvation. Harder to outlast them without an intervention." Haymitch says, emptying his glass.
Velora excuses herself, stating she is going to bed. "You go to bed soon. You'll have a grand day tomorrow!" And with that she is gone.
Sky yawns and quietly says goodnight, giving me a small smile, that I return, before he leaves the room.
"You still think you have a chance?" Haymitch asks me over his glass.
"I do. I never said it would be easy. If the arena is something like what I'm used to, I could win." I say confidently.
"Don't get cocky. You'll never make it if you do." He fills his glass again and takes a drink. "You need to hope the Careers take each other out. Your chances go way up then. If not…." He doesn't finish. He doesn't need to.
"Is this why you drink?" I ask him quietly. "Taking kids away from home but you don't get to bring them back?"
He stares at me, his eyes sad but calculating. "Is this the life you want? If you win, this is the life you'll have."
"I have my family. I'd be winning for them." I tell him.
"Well, you keep them in mind, see if it keeps you strong." He stands and leaves the room, pausing in the doorway to empty his glass. "Go to bed, get some rest. You won't have time to relax until you're dead." With that, he leaves me.
I make my way to my room and strip to my underclothes. I climb under the incredibly soft covers. I'll show him. I have a shot at this. If I can just get my hands on some knives. Or a bow.
~oOo~
I wake the next morning and pull on the clothes I took off last night. I twirl the ring that little Katniss gave me. I smile thinking of my other family. They need me, too.
I walk out and look around the dining room and see Velora getting herself a plate of food from a table on the side of the room. I start to do the same, and eventually I have a plate full of eggs and sausage and strips of bacon and soft biscuits with gravy. We all dig in, Velora reminding us how wonderful the Capitol is for sharing this wonderful food with us.
Haymitch joins us, his shirt wrinkled and hair a mess. "Oh, Haymitch!" Velora admonishes. "Did you even change your clothes?"
"Why bother when the Capitol will do it for me?" He asks, shooting a grin my way. This makes me laugh and Velora frowns even more.
"Oh, really, Haymitch! You are such a bad influence on these tributes!" She shrieks.
Once he is sitting, I look over to Haymitch and ask, "So, what happens now?"
"Oh, so eager." He mocks. "You do what you're told, and you don't complain. What strengths do you both have?"
So apparently, he forgot our conversation yesterday. "I am good with knives and a bow."
"There aren't always knives in the arena. Even more rare is a bow and arrows. Anything else?"
"I know plants. What ones will kill me and what could heal me." I tell him.
"And how would you know that?" He asks, an eyebrow raised.
"Well, I gather things for us to eat. And I gather medicinal herbs to trade at the apothecary." I explain.
"Hmm, useful, but not necessarily lifesaving." He ponders.
"What do- "
My protest is cut off when he lifts his palm to silence me and turns to Sky. I growl as he asks Sky, "What about you, kid?"
"I don't know much. I kind of know stuff about bugs. I read a book about bugs for school." His voice is quiet. Scared.
"Okay, you can eat some bugs. What about shelter, either of you know how to keep warm without a fire?" Haymitch asks.
"Maybe I'll just find that hunk of boy from One." I say sarcastically.
"You joke, but an ally would be a good idea. Especially if the nights get cold." Haymitch shoots me a glare.
Our conversation is cut off when the windows go black. We've entered a tunnel. I can hear a loud rumbling that I realize is cheering. We have made it to the Capitol.
"Alright, you will be taken to your stylists. Do what they tell you and don't complain."
"But- "
Don't complain!" He snaps.
"Why would you have anything to complain about, dear? They will only do what they can to help you. To make you beautiful!" Velora claps and smiles.
"Am I not- "I start but decide to change tactics. "You're very right. I shall thank them for their time."
Velora grins and Haymitch sends me a thumbs up and a smile.
We finally come out of the tunnel and see the Capitol. Sky and I rush to the windows and begin waving to the crowd. The crowd that is so excited to watch us be killed.
"Good. Be likeable." Haymitch nods with approval. I smile at him and turn back to the window.
This is going to be terrible.