The Mute

Chapter 1

Merida's reaping outfit above

"Wake up!" a voice shouted at the far end of the room "come on get up" it came again.

I slowly opened my eyes to see the ugly face of Miss Heather Grant

"Get up Merida," She said to my face moving back to give me some room as I sit up. I realised that everyone was already downstairs having breakfast, they must not have woken me up hoping that I would be punished for sleeping in.

Miss Grant looked at me with pure loathing, no one would really blame her. She lost both of her children to the Hunger Games. One year after each other. Working in an orphanage surrounded by children would remind her of them.

"Merida you know that the punishment for sleeping in is being locked in the cellar for an hour" Miss Gant said to me as I quickly got dressed.

I turned to her and nodded which caused her to sigh

"But since today is reaping day I blame it on the nightmares for you"

I gave Miss Grant a quick smile which she returned with a grunt before she grabbed my hand and dragged me downstairs. I could hear all the other children laughing and chatting as she dragged me into the dining room. The children immediately stopped talking and looked at her

"Who was in charge of the waking up?" Miss Grant asked with a fake sweetness to her voice

Everyone was quiet and still as Aspen stood up

"I was miss," She said boldly sending me a smirk I glared right back

"Tell me Aspen why did you wake up the rest of the children in your room but not Merida?"

"I was uh um I was I was going to but, but Miss Kelly called me downstairs to help set the table"

Aspen's lie couldn't fool anyone, I saw a few of the younger children giggling at her.

"Is that so, well need I remind you Aspen that Miss Kelly left last night to go visit her nephew, you do know that this is his first year in the reaping so she wanted to see him again just in case he was picked"

The silence was deafening, Aspen knew she was caught

"May I ask you again Aspen, why didn't you wake up Merida?''

"I thought it would be funny for her to wake up late Miss" Aspen replied "She's a freak, inhuman she can't speak with moving her hands to say words that no one understands."

"Hmm is that so, well, need I remind you, Aspen, that all the Important people can understand her," Miss Grant snaps, "Your input is not needed or wanted, second of all calling her a freak just because she can't speak just shows how narrow-minded you are. Now, as punishment both of you, shall do the dishes after breakfast, whilst everyone else is getting ready for the reaping, any arguing shall result in doing it again tomorrow if you're not picked. Everyone else hurry up, we have only a few hours to get ready." 

With that, Miss Grant drops my hand and storms out of the room. Aspen glares at me as she takes her seat continuing on with her breakfast. I walked over to the bench which had one bowl, full to the top with porridge.

I grabbed the bowl and a spoon and sat down on the table the other kids around me shuffled a few inches away, not even trying to be subtle. I pretended I wasn't bothered and started eating breakfast.

Once breakfast was done and all the other children had gone upstairs to get ready, Aspen and I collected the remaining bowls and spoons and began doing the dishes.

"You wanna know something Merida?" Aspen said breaking the silence

I only looked at her with a bored expression.

"I hope that you are picked in the reaping, that way I won't have to see your hideous face for weeks and here's an even better thought why don't you go ahead and die in the games so I won't have to see you for the rest of my life maybe this years game will be entertaining  watching you die at the hands of another person, I hope its a career they always come up with the most gruesome ways to kill someone."

I couldn't speak and not in the "I'm mute" kinda way. I knew Aspen hated me but I never knew she hated me this much. 

After I finally dry up the last dish I quickly ran upstairs to change. Reaping clothes were always the nicest clothing you have, so in the case you are picked, you would leave an impression on the Capital that you are not a poor dirty child but rather a rich sophisticated young adult ready to take on and reach the everlasting glory that awaited.

For my reaping clothes this year I had a dress with a white top and a beige skirt. My heels were a light brown and for added accessories, I put on my ring with an odd stone embedded in it. It was the last object I had from my family which I was told was killed in a fire. Just as I placed the ring on my finger Miss Grant walked in.

"Hurry up Merida, everyone else has already gone"

I quickly run out the door and start heading towards the District square. As I arrive I see Aspen send me a smirk as she lines up in her age group: 18. Her final year being in the reaping but also the orphanage

I am quickly shoved into the 15 girls' line and listen half-heartedly as our Mayor, Mr Lake tells about the origin of the Hunger Games. I watch Blight Jordan, our latest victor stares unemotionally into the crowd. He won the 57th Hunger Games. Of course, we've had other victors but they're all dead so he would be the trainer for both tributes this year.

As the Mayor finally comes to end his boring speech our capital escort Cordelia Ferinbird comes forward. Her skin is dyed a bright Green and her dress seemed to symbolize a tree.

"Welcome everyone to the 68th Hunger Games," She said with her think Capital accent "May the odds be ever in your favour. Now, let's start with the ladies shall we" Cordelia made her way over to a clear glass bowl filled with hundreds of names, one of which has mine on it.

Cordelia plucked a piece of paper from the bowl and walked up to the mic, all the girls seemed to hold their breath.

"This year's female tribute from District 7 is Merida Ashwood"

The silence was what followed as I slowly made my way up to the stage before I even reached it I heard laughter behind me, I didn't need to turn to know it was Aspen

"What did I say" She yelled getting everyone's attention "No one wants the mute, can't wait to see you get slaughtered" she was quickly shut up as two peacekeepers walked up to her.

"She can't speak?" Cordelia asked clearly confused

"Well, she can sign but no her vocal cords are somewhat broken she is unable to speak at all" Mr Lake replied clearly feeling a bit embarrassed by Aspen's outbreak, it made me smile knowing that she would be punished for that.

"Oh, well um that never seemed to of happened before" Cordelia fumbled over her words "having a mute tribute, but I'm sure someone in the capital can translate for her when she is interviewed, lets continue on with the boys"

And just like that, I am forgotten. Cordelia walked over to the bowl full of boys' names and picked up a slip of paper.

"This year's male tribute from District 7 is Nathaniel Hugh"

A gasp came out as always when a 12-year-old is chosen. I watched stone-faced as little Nathaniel slowly walked his way up to the stage.

"Any volunteers?" Cordelia asked looking around the crowd with an eager exasperation.

No one spoke up, sealing Nathaniel's fate.

"Well now shake hands" Cordelia continues. I turn and put my hand out for Nathaniel to take, he slowly pulled out his small hand to shake.

"May the odds be ever in your favour.