Don't leave me

Chapter Two

Rory

Mom and I slowly make our way down to the town square, where Taylor is ushering people to sit down.

"Rory!" I turn at the sound of the familiar voice

"Dean!" I say, walking into his comforting hug. Before I can stop myself, I start bawling.

"It's okay Rory. You'll be fine." Dean comforts me, stroking my back.

"Hey! Love-birds! Sign in and find your designated spot!" Yells Taylor.

"He means us." Dean says, pulling apart a short pause later.

"I know." We find our way over to the sign-in table.

"See ya later kiddo." Mom says, patting my back.

"Bye Mom." I say pulling her into a hug. Dean and I sign in and I go to stand with the other 17 year old girls, dreading what's going to happen next.

Dean

I search the crowd for Rory. It feels like there are so many more kids in Stars Hollow then there really is when we're all gathered together. But I just wish that it were for a better reason.

Finally I can see her and Loralie's backs. "Rory!" I call out, pushing my way through the crowd. I reach out my arms to hug her.

"Dean!" She says, almost shyly, and I fold my arms around her back. I smile at Loralie, and she gives me a slightly sad smile back.

 I feel Rory's back start to shake, and a sob escapes her. " It's okay Rory. You'll be fine." I say, rubbing circles onto her back, comfortingly.

"Hey! Love-birds!" Calls Taylor. "Sign in and find your designated spot."

I don't want to let her go. I don't want Taylor to call her name out. I'm so worried for her. "He means us." I say, releasing Rory.

"I know." She replies. I can hear the scared tone in her voice. We walk to the sign-in table hand-in-hand. Sign in. And then we split into the boy's half and the girl's half.

Lane

I skim the crowd for Rory and Loralie. "Lane." My mom's harsh voice snaps me back to the sign in desk. "We haven't got all day. Quick, quick. Sign in." I know it's not use arguing with my momma, so I quickly give my hand to the lady at the sign in desk. She pricks my finger so it bleeds. She then places my finger on a piece of paper and scans it. The machine beeps, and my name appears in bright green letters.

I find Rory and stand next to her. "Hey there." I say, trying to sound positive.

"Hey Lane." She sighs back.

"It's gonna be alright, you know that."

"Yeah, I guess."

I am about to say something, when Taylor stops me in my tracks. "Welcome people of Stars Hollow. Welcome to this year's reaping, and the first reaping for the annual Hunger Games." He welcomes us. "I will be drawing the names from the two bowls behind me. One contains all the names of the boys, one the girls, between the ages of 12 and 18." A slight pause. "So without further ado," Pause. "I will now," Pause. "Draw the names for," Pause.

"Hurry up Taylor!" Calls Luke. "We haven't got all day!"

"Luke, please have patience. I am creating suspense." Taylor replies, crankily.

I hear Rory giggle next to me.

After a couple of minutes of conflict between Luke and Taylor, we finally got moving again. "Now without further a due, I will now draw the names of the 2 brave kids who will be serving Stars Hollow in this year's Hunger Games."

Rory

"Now without further ado," Taylor continues after a mild conflict between him and Luke, "I will now draw the names of the 2 brave kids who will be serving Stars Hollow in this year's Hunger Games." I swallow deeply. "I will draw the girl first."

Taylor nods and walks over to the bowl on the right. Our right, his left. He pulls a name out. "Clara Forester." I stop breathing for a second. Dean's little sister. No. She's too young. I look over at Dean. He looks like he's going to throw up.

Dean

"Clara Forester." Taylor announces.

No. Anybody other than Clara. My sister has too much to live for.

"Now I'll call the boy." Taylor says once Clara has made her way up to the stage. He pulls out a piece of paper, unfolds it and reads: "Dean Forester."

I gulp, suddenly swimming in sweat. My head spinning in a mix of anger, confusion, and worry.

"It must be hard for your parents to see you both leave." Taylor tells us, frowning with sympathy. I hear Clara sobbing next to me, and I put my arm around her shoulder.

"Any volunteers?" Taylor asks.

There's a long pause.

"Me." Calls Rory, standing out from the crowd. "I volunteer to take Clara's place."

Rory

"Dean Forester." Calls Taylor.

No. How could this happen? How could their parents deal with loosing both of their children.

"Any volunteers?" Asks Taylor.

I have to do this. I have to volunteer. For Dean and Clara's Mom and Dad. They can't lose both of their kids on the same day, it's wrong, this is so wrong! But I can't. I can't leave Mom. I'm all she's got. But it someone has to volunteer. It's the right thing to do. No one's doing it..Why isn't anyone doing it?? I have to. But I can't. But I have to.

Against my will, I feel my legs propelling me forward into the crowd and my voice calling, "Me. I volunteer to take Clara's place."

"No!" I hear Mom scream.

"Rory, what are you doing?" Lane asks, cautiously.

"I don't know, Lane." I reply, truthfully.

On the stage, Dean pleads with the crowd to volunteer for me. Cries of outrage and despair follow me to the stage.

"Rory, get back here and let the kid fight!" Luke calls.

I hear Jackson stopping Sookie from coming over to me, and Sookie's cries of despair.

I get to the stage and help Clara off the stage. "Thank you Rory." She manages to squeak between sobs.

Then Dean and I shake hands and we are led off the stage, into the town hall. Here we will say goodbye to our loved ones.