A rose and its thorns.

Chapter Two: Shipping them off to die.

Waiting could be a tedious game if not done right.

Lily came to learn that while crammed in one of the small rooms reserved for tributes to say goodbye to their family in private.

The advice of letting your mind go blank was the exact opposite of helpful. Finding the build up of static in her ears and mind full of cotton wool uncomfortable.

She needed to think. Forcing herself to become distracted by the mundane things.

Like the shine of the wooden panels, constructed in District Seven. Or the velvet drapes and upholstery from Eight. The twinkling chandelier crafted  in One. All the districts connected in one way or another.

Once her family arrived, Lily didn't realise till she was bundled in their arms.

Her parents embraced her almost immediately. Both reeking of fish still, obviously running from their shift at the factory to say goodbye.

"We're so sorry, sweetheart." Her ma whispered, a tremor in her voice as she peppered her daughter's face in kisses.

Pa was no better. His glasses steamy—the way they got when he was upset. Struggling to stay balanced on the bridge of his nose.

"We love you, no matter what." He mumbled, his voice cracking as he kissed her forehead. The glasses continuously steaming up and sliding down.

Lily struggled to plaster on a brave face for them. Knowing of the pain eating them up inside; horrific and twisted.

For no parent should be forced to say goodbye to their child. Not like this. Never like this.

"Come back in one piece, darling." Her ma whispered.

That seemed to be the thing that broke the camel's back. Her pa letting out a stifled sob, quickly pulling away and fleeing the room to not cause a scene.

It was like being punched in the gut all over again.

Poor pa. Too soft for his own good sometimes.

Please, darling." Ma whispered again—her blue eyes almost flooded with tears. "For our sakes."

With one final kiss to her cheek, the woman got up and followed in suite of her husband.

To comfort or sob with him, Lily did not know. Not wanting to know.

Auntie and Noan were next, waiting their turn. An awkward silence falling between them with Noan staring hard at the ground, fists clenched. Even his sunflower wilting.

"Do you wanna give her what you found?" Their auntie said, finally breaking the tension. Gently judging the young boy forward.

With a solem nod from her younger brother, something was pressed into her hand, and when Lily uncurled it, discovered it to be a seashell.

A Kings crown, no larger than her thumb. Ones they'd sometimes collect from the beach.

Remembering when she'd take Noan by his little hand (back when he was just learning to walk, and she was nearly of Reaping age) and traverse the sand looking for shells for ma and pa to see once they were home. Saying how well they'd done, even if they found the plainest, smallest shell to exist.

"He ran to the beach to get it for you." Her auntie continued, offering her a sad smile. "Said it could be your token."

The lump returned as her eyes watered for a moment. Staring hard at the tiny thing in her palm, feeling along the groves in its surface.