Songs & Seas | Hunger Games

I.

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MARIA ROSE COVEY sat on the window sill of her bedroom with her knees tucked to her chest. The rain poured down outside. District Eight wasn't known for being the most picturesque of the lot. With an industrial aesthetic to harbor the factories that lay within its borders. There was a lack of anything natural and anything that was would be covered with smog.

Textile mills sit on the south and north ends of the city, enveloping the entire district in a murky haze. Most begin to work in these factories by the age of thirteen. But if you're an orphan then you'll start earlier around nine or ten.

District Eight had a high orphan population due to the fact that many workers would fall ill to the fumes of the mill where they had to work. Which is why her grandmother Lucia had opened her doors to those children who needed a roof over their heads.

Maria never knew her parents but her grandmother would speak of them briefly when prompted. She was one of the only kids in the orphanage that got their own room. Although it wasn't truly meant to be a bedroom with the lack of space and the ever-growing number of children, Maria took up residence in the attic. It was small, cold, and dusty but it was hers. Well, hers and the mice she shared it with. But she thought they were kinda cute.

Many footsteps echoed as they ran up the stairs. Maria sighed knowing her peace would be interrupted in mere moments. Three kids barreled into her room not bothering to knock knowing the girl had trouble sleeping most nights and would always wake early.

"Lucia, wanted us to come up and get you," said one of the girls slightly out of breath, Sadie was her name

"Yeah, peacekeepers will be here soon." Sadie's older brother: Chase, stepped forward. They lost their parents in a mill fire about five years ago when he was ten and Sadie was six. Their little sister Aoife sat on his back she was only five. Never even got the chance to know her parents.

Sighing Maria lifted herself off the window and followed the trio out the door. The interior of the orphanage was dreary at best. Dust covered every inch from the creaky floors to the leaking ceiling. Many photos hung on the wall of the many children reaped over the years that Lucia had looked after. None of them ever won.

All twenty or so of the kids were crowded into the kitchen. Those who weren't old enough for the Reaping sat eating around the table while the older kids stood around them waiting for Lucia to approve their outfits.

Lucia Covey glided around the small kitchen her old tattered colorful skirt swaying with her movements. Maria imagined that when her grandmother had first got the ruffled garment it must have been bright without a hole in sight. Now it was ripped in various different places and the once vibrant colors had faded with the youth of the girl who wore it.

"It's important to look as presentable as you can," Lucia straightened out one of the older boy's collars. "If you are chosen it'll help you gain sponsors. Pretty privilege is a real thing my loves."

Lucia knew a lot about the games. No one ever questioned why or how she gained all this knowledge but they knew better than to ask.

The older woman moved around the table upon noticing her granddaughter standing in the doorway in her best dress. It wasn't much just a simple pale purple collared dress that her grandmother had resewn so it would tie in the back to better be able to fit the small girl.

Lucia kissed her cheek. "Good morning, my little Nightingale," she brushed her hand gently against the girl's cheek.

"Morning, Gram," Maria's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Her grandmother smiled at her pityingly before walking off to attend to the other children.