Chapter 2.
When I walk into our living room that evening, it's not as quiet as usual. My parents are often up late, quietly watching television or reading books and magazines. But now my mother is talking on the phone excitedly. My father is standing next to her, trying to listen along. Salem is sitting on the couch in front of the television but he's not watching. Instead, he's looking at mother as well.
"Okay. That's good. Let me know when there's more news." My mother chirps into the telephone. Then she hangs up.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"Oh! Welcome home darling!" My mother says. "Your aunt Sapphire just went into labor. She'll be giving birth somewhere tonight."
I immediately understand why she is so excited. Sapphire, my mother's younger sister, is pregnant and was due a few days ago. We were all getting a little worried by now but the baby is finally coming. It's extra exciting because it is Sapphire's first child. And for Salem and I, it's our first cousin.
"Oh, that's great!" I reply. "Are we going there?"
"Not now." My mother answers. "But we will visit her tomorrow, when the baby is there."
"Where have you been?" My father asks suddenly.
"I was out training with Blaze." I tell him. Apparently the answer is satisfactory because he doesn't ask any more questions. I decide that I don't need to worry about it and walk up to my bedroom. My parents both know that Salem and I have been training for a while, but they are never really particularly interested in anything that involves training without Salem.
Salem and I are twins. He was born fourteen minutes before me. He and I both don't care about it, but our parents – especially our father – do. They believe we have a family tradition to uphold. My father, Copper Charbrooke, won the 30th Hunger Games when he was 18 years old. He expects that one of us will participate in the Games as well, and that we do our best to win. Because Salem is the oldest, he's expected to be trying the hardest. He wants us to achieve as much as he did. Our family's jewellery store is now one of the biggest ones in the District, thanks to my father's name. Usually, my parents focus on Salem the most. I remember how father had reprimanded Salem afterwards for not volunteering. Since we are both seventeen now, our chances for participating in the Games are running out. Our parents realize this as well, so I think that's why they have been so hard on Salem lately. It's the reason why I'm thinking of volunteering this year. The idea of being reaped for the game thrills me. Maybe I can finally show myself and my family that I'm capable of great things as well…
I have no idea of what time it is when my mother wakes me. I look out the window, where the dawn sky still is a mixture of grays, pinks and blues. It reminds me of the bruises on skins after a good training session. I yawn and turn around in my bed.
"Satin, wake up." My mother says. "We're leaving for the hospital in forty minutes."
"Hospital?"
"Yes. Sapphire gave birth to a baby girl last night. Don't you want to see her?"
Then I remember: Aunt Sapphire was having a baby. When this realization sinks in, I suddenly feel a lot more awake.
"I do." I say, looking at my mother. She's still wearing her purple dressing gown and her light blonde hair is still up in a messy knot. I remember then that it's Friday today and that we have to be back at the store in time. Mother and I both have a lot of work to do today. Some of our main customers are stylists from the Capitol that work with the tributes. Since tomorrow is Reaping day, and the Games will start soon after that, there are a lot of orders that will be picked up today.
My mother looks at me and nods. "So be ready in forty minutes."
After my mother has left the room, I jump out of bed and look through my wardrobe for something to wear. Since I expect the weather today to be as warm as it was yesterday and the day before, I go for a wide blue skirt that ends just above my knees and a white shirt on top of it. Underneath it I'll wear my favorite sneakers.
Forty minutes later, I'm fully dressed and I've finished breakfast. My father and Salem are already at work in the store, so it's just me and my mother that are headed for the hospital. There are trams in District 1, but they only ride on special occasions. There are a few people that own bicycles but they are very rare, even in District 1, since it's a luxury that most people in Panem cannot afford. Fortunately, the hospital isn't very far away for us. It takes us about twenty minutes before we reach District 1's healthcare area. This area isn't very big: there's the hospital, a drugstore and a few other buildings.
The hospital isn't very big, so it's not very hard for my mother and I to find the room where Sapphire is. The door is ajar, but my mother still knocks before she enters. I go in after her. Sapphire is lying on a bed with a little bundle in her arms. Apparently she is awake, because she looks up when we walk in.
She smiles when she sees my mother. "Hello Amethyst." Two seconds later, she notices me. "And hello Satin! It's good to see you too."
She sounds tired. But then again, I assume she's been up for most of the night.
"Good morning, young mother." My mother smiles back at her and walks up to her bed more quickly now.
"So this is her." Sapphire moves the bundle of blankets apart a little bit so the baby's face is revealed. The first thing that I notice are her bright green eyes, like emeralds. They look up to my mother and me in awe. Then I notice that there already a blonde curls on her hair. When the child is over the initial surprise, she smiles at us. I'm sold. Even though this baby is only a few hours old, she's already beautiful.
My mother strokes the baby's face carefully. "She's gorgeous. What's her name?"
"Glimmer."
I am drawn to her. She is bright and all I want to do for the moment is to look at her.
"That name suits her." I say.
My mother steps aside and then it's my turn. I stretch out my fingers towards the baby and she grabs my thumb with her small hand. She looks me in the eyes and I look back.
"What a beautiful baby girl." I tell Sapphire. "She's definitely going to go far once she gets older."
We chat with Sapphire and admire Glimmer for another ten minutes, and then my mother nudges my shoulder softly to get my attention. When I turn my head and look at her, she points to her watch.
"I'm very sorry, but we have to leave now." My mother tells Sapphire. "We have a lot of work to do at the store today."
"Oh, yes. It's reaping day tomorrow. I can imagine you are very busy today then."
"It's very hectic," my mother sighs, "There are so many orders for the next few weeks."
"I wish you could have stayed longer, but I understand you have to go." Sapphire eventually says.
"Yes. We'll see each other again."
"We will come visit you and Glimmer again soon." I add.
A minute later, my mother and I are on our way to the store. When we get there, there's already a number of people inside. My father and Salem are both talking to customers from behind the counter. My mother and I hurry towards the back of the store, where our work tables are. My father and Salem mostly deal with the customers, while my mother and I are mostly crafting jewellery in the back. We start working right away.
Ten minutes later, I hear a knock on the backdoor of our store. Salem and I both head for the backdoor because we think we know it is. When I open the door, I see that we were right about it. On the other side of the threshold is a tiny girl, about 13 years old, with short blonde hair and a sunburnt skin. Her name is Lux. She lives in District 2, where she works in the mines with her parents and her eight brothers and sisters. They dig out the gemstones and precious metals, clean and refine them and then deliver them to several jewelers in District 1. We are one of their biggest customers. Since Lux doesn't have much body strength, working in the mines is hard for her. So her parents sent her out with her brother Noah to deliver the materials. Salem and I greet Lux and Noah, and then we help to carry the load inside. In the meanwhile, we chat a little about the upcoming Games.
"So are you guys going to volunteer?" Lux asks in her light, chirpy voice.
Salem shrugs. "I don't know yet. Maybe I-"
"I am going to volunteer." I interrupt him. "Are you?" I aim the question at Noah, since I'm already guessing that Lux isn't going to volunteer.
Noah shakes his head. "I would, but my family needs me. I can't really leave them alone."
He's right. Noah is one of the oldest children from the family and he works the hardest. His family does need him. Volunteering for the Games has become very popular in District 2 as well, so they took over our reaping system. For some people this can be an opportunity, but for some people this can also be their rescue. People in District 2 are often poorer than the people in District 1, but they also bring forth excellent fighters. Especially the children of blacksmiths: they often have experience with handling weapons already. Lux's family wasn't so fortunate to end up at the right part of the District: They make long days in the mines and barely get by. They don't even have time to train for the Games, so I can understand they're not as enthusiastic about it.
After all the materials are loaded out of their cart, Lux and Noah head right back.
"I'm guessing you guys are very busy too today." Salem says as they walk towards the backdoor again.
Lux sighs. It's a high-pitched sound that sounds like she either is out of breath or has asthma. In her case, it could be both. "It's crazy."
Noah notices this as well and protectively puts his hand on her back, then leads her outside.
"Good luck." Salem and I say in unison.
Noah replies with a quick "thank you" and then they disappear around the corner. Salem and I go back to our work again.
I am almost done with a bracelet when one of our main customers, Madeline, walks in. Madeline is a woman in her forties. She's from the Capitol, which explains her odd appearance. She has a tanned skin, dark brown eyes and jet black hair that falls just above her shoulders, and it's dyed bright pink on the ends. She probably has had cosmetic surgery, because I don't believe that her long lashes, that are the same bright pink on the ends, are real. She has three tiny stars tattooed just below the corner of her right eye and her eyelids are golden.
"Hello Copper," Madeline speaks in her Capitol accent, "I came to pick up my order."
"Hello Madeline, how are you doing?" My father asks her.
"I am doing well. It's just very busy in the Capitol this time of year, with the Games coming up."
"It's not much different here." My father smiles.
Then Madeline's eye falls on the bracelet I am making. It's a net of tiny golden chains and diamonds woven through in some places. I was just finishing the last things: adding the clasp and checking if it all stays in place. When I move the bracelet in the light, it shimmers on all sides.
"That looks beautiful dear," Madeline says, "Is it for sale?"
I look up from my work in slight surprise. Usually I'm not the one that people start talking to in the store.
"Yes, it's going to be for sale," I reply, "I have yet to determine the price, though."
"You can have it for free." I hear my dad say behind me. I glare at him. Why can't he let me decide this myself?
"Oh, really? But your daughter put so much effort into it."
"That's true, but you already have such a big order." My dad replies.
"No no, I cannot just accept that. I'll pay 10 percent of the order price for the bracelet, and the money is for your beautiful daughter."
"That-" My father starts, but then he is interrupted by Madeline again.
"And that's the deal."
I look up at Madeline in surprise. Barely anyone ever stands up to my dad. Madeline gives me a warm smile, and I smile right back at her. When my dad walks to the storage room to retrieve the remainder of Madeline's order, Madeline winks at me and says. "I see you work so hard so often. You deserve it, darling." Then she walks towards the counter, where my dad is packing several pieces of jewellery in a cardboard box. I recognize the necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings: My mother and I crafted most of them. When it all is packed, Madeline gives my father the money, then takes the box from him and leaves. I glance outside the window and see her walking towards a car. The car is black, except for the logo on the sides: the bronze eagle that represents the Capitol. I'm not the only one who's watching: I see people in the streets watching the car as it rides past them. It's not every day that a car drives through our district, let alone one from the Capitol.
A long day of hard work and chaos later, we head home. Mother, Salem and I wait on the streets as father locks the front door of the store. The four of us walk home in less than ten minutes. When we arrive home, mother immediately hurries to the kitchen to prepare us a decent meal. In the meanwhile, I watch the Capitol news on the television with father and Salem. The news is mostly related to the Games, since reaping day is tomorrow. We see the familiar chubby face of Amaryllis Redpath, who has been the Host of the Games for the past twelve years. Next to him is Plutarch Heavensbee, who has been the Head Gamemaker for two years now. They talk about the upcoming Games.
"So this is the 57th year of the Hunger Games. How have you been preparing for these Games, Plutarch?" Amaryllis asks in his ever nasal-sounding voice.
"The preparation for these games had already started before the previous games had ended. I've been walking around with several ideas for arenas for years, and now I finally have the opportunity to explore these ideas and turn them into a reality." Plutarch replies.
"Now, doesn't that sound interesting?" Amaryllis addresses the crowd. They enthusiastically clap in response. Then Amaryllis turns to Plutarch again: "I'm very curious to what you're going to make of the Games this year. Thank you, Plutarch."
As Plutarch gets up and leaves the stage, Amaryllis turns towards the camera. "And that's not the only exciting news I have for you, ladies and gentlemen. This news is less exciting for me than it is for you but as most of you have heard already, I will be watching these Games from the other side of the camera, for I no longer will be your host after tonight."
The crowd replies with a sad "ohh," then they turn quiet again as Amaryllis continues talking. "After twelve years, I decided it was time for a change." Amaryllis says. I can't help but smirk a little at these words. Amaryllis' lazy style of hosting has never really appealed to me, so I'm glad to see him go.
"So, ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to meet your new host?" Amaryllis asks the crowd. It's silent for half a second before he continues: "Then give me a big applause for Caesar Flickerman!"
A young man walks up to the stage. He is lean and slightly taller than Amaryllis. His purple hair is so long that it nearly falls in his face. He smiles and waves at the crowd as he walks across the stage, and the crowd claps and cheers for him.
"Well, isn't he a handsome young man." My mother's voice sounds from the kitchen.
"Welcome Caesar!" Amaryllis says as Caesar is making himself comfortable in the large blue chairs. "How are you feeling?"
"Good!" Caesar answers with a lot of enthusiasm. "I am very excited."
"So now it's all starting for you: your very first year as a host of the Games! What are looking forward to the most?"
Caesar thinks about this for a second. "That's a hard thing to choose. There are so many things that I'm looking forward to. But what I'm looking forward to the most are the stories of all the tributes. They are different each year and they really bring the Games to life."
"That is indeed wonderful." Amaryllis replies. There's something in the tone of his voice that makes me wonder if he really means it. And then Amaryllis does something we rarely see him do: He stands up from his chair and walks a few steps forward. He gestures Caesar to come with him.
Amaryllis addresses the crowd again. "Dear people of Panem. I had a splendid twelve years with you, and it was a pleasure hosting the Games. But now I will pass on this wonderful job to the gentleman next to me." Then he turns to Caesar. "Take care of these people, Caesar. And they will take care of you."
Amaryllis hands Caesar the microphone, and then he bows for the audience, which is clapping insanely. Caesar pats Amaryllis on the back, then he puts the microphone to his mouth and ends the show in the same natural way he walked up the stage earlier. "Ladies and gentlemen, another big applause for Amaryllis Redpath! My name is Caesar Flickerman and I'll be seeing you all tomorrow. Have a good evening."
The camera zooms out and we see the thousands of people in the audience, still clapping and cheering. Then the television screen fades to black.
"Dinner is ready!" My mother calls as she carries the pans with the food in them to the dinner table. The four of us gather around the table and finish our dinner quickly: we are all hungry after a hard day of work.
After dinner there's not enough time for me to go out and train anymore, so instead I go out for a round of jogging with Salem.
"So, are you excited for tomorrow?" I ask him.
"Tons." Salem replies flatly.
"You don't sound excited."
Salem doesn't answer. After a moment of silence, I look at him. He doesn't look like his usual happy self.
"What's wrong?"
Salem sighs and slows pace. "Satin... If I tell you a secret, can you promise me to keep it to yourself?"
"Of course!"
He eyes me reluctantly and doesn't reply right away.
"I am your sister," I tell him, "You can trust me."
"The reason that I'm not so excited about the games is because…" He starts.
I look at him, waiting for him to finish his sentence.
"Because… since not too long ago, there's someone in my life that I really care about. And if one of us is reaped tomorrow, we might lose one another. And I'm not excited about that."
"Salem, that's great!" I exclaim. "Well, the special someone is great. Not if you might lose one another. I can imagine you're not excited about that." I add quickly.
Salem nods. He seems happy that I understand, but he's still tensed.
"So, who is it?" I ask. "Is it Rubena? I know she has had a crush on you since elementary school."
Salem shakes his head in response.
"It's not a girl, Satin. It's a boy."