The Hunger Games: 76th

Chapter 2: Candice

            I sit on the floor staring at my younger sisters sleeping on the bed above. I didn't sleep at all last night. I've been too busy contemplating all of the possible outcomes of today. This day is the day of the reaping. Every year before this one I'd sleep peacefully assured that the chances of me getting picked are close to impossible. This is the year my younger twin sisters turned 12 which qualifies them for the hunger games. I've been sitting here for hours thinking about two years ago where two girls were chosen at the age of twelve. I love them both to death. I know that if either of them is chosen I'll have to be the one to take their place. No one else will. But what about after that?  And if I'm chosen will one of them try to take my place? I'll have to let them know that that can't happen. I have a better chance at survival than them. Anyway, I'm getting too ahead of myself because a name has yet to be drawn, but the chances of me stepping in that arena have been tripled today. My mind is spinning as doubt seeps in. I see Mawrah beginning to toss and turn. Her eyes finally open and they meet mine.

          "Hey," I say to her. She blinks multiple times as she gathers her thoughts.

          "Hey," she says smiling back. I point for her to wake Maitbe and she does. We don't have much more time before we will have to meet at district 10's square garden. A garden with no Roses or growing wildlife in general. Today is a day where everyone presents their finest attire. Ours is presented daily because we only own one outfit per person and we wash them when we can. I've been dressed for hours now so I watch as my sisters follow my lead. They are slow and draggy. The first reaping you attend always channels emotions never felt before.

         They are finally ready and look at me expectantly. Not many words are passed between us on this day. The smile Mawrah exchanged earlier is likely to be missed until after the names are chosen. Maybe longer.                                     

         "We should go," I say to them sighing. We don't have much more time. Even if we had food there wouldn't be time to eat any. I tell Mawrah and Maitbe to wait at the door as I go into my mother's room. I see her still fast asleep in her bed. She never expresses feelings on this day. She masks all of her emotions which makes her one of the more stronger women I know. I walk over to her and press my lips against her forehead. I look at her one last time then tread back to the door.

           "She's sleep," I tell them, and we head out. No one is outside which mean everyone must be already there. I want to run to the garden but I don't. I don't want to seem anxious in front of my sisters who look at me as a role model.  We finally get there just moments before district 10's spokesperson steps onto the stage.

           "Alright everyone, let's get this over with," she says. People have work today and district 10 rarely has a winner. "First the girls." The moment comes so briefly after we arrive that I have no time to snap out of my overnight meditation. After this I can go back home to my mother and continue my help in taking care of my sisters. She pulls out the name from the spinning ball and reads it out loud. "Candice Gray." My entire world freezes. I look at my sisters and they look back in shock. I am Candice Gray.

            "Don't volunteer," I say to my sisters. They seem stunned by this as if it had never crossed their minds. I have artificially prepared myself for this moment, but I know I am not ready as I try to walk firmly into the center isle. All I can think about in this moment is the boy from district 5 who fainted on his way to the stage. He is someone that I'll unfortunately have the honor of meeting in person. After I assure myself that I won't be falling I can now revert to my meditational thoughts that lead me to comfort. I make it up the stage and now stand strong with my chin held high expecting for the ceremony to continue. Now that I'm picked there is no time to feel sorry for myself. I'll make it a mission to see my family again in the Victor's Village of district 10.

          "And now for the boys," the speaker says. She pulls the name of the person who will join me on this quest and reads it out loud. "Nadine Pattleton." I have no idea who this is. All I really know at this moment is that in order for me to go home Nadine Pattleton will have to die.