The Husk

Fair Trade

"I can't do this." My mother worriedly said. "You will be alright dear, Quinton won't be picked, besides, it's his last year." My father reassured her. It was my brother's last reaping. He was 18 at the time. I was 9 and not qualified for another 3 years. "Don't worry Mom, Im going to be fine." She hugged him tightly. "Be careful Quinton" "I will" he answered

I didn't know at the time, but that would be the last time I saw my brother alive.

THE HUSK

My name is Argon Strange and for the last 7 years, I have been suffering from a disorder called CIPA, where I cannot feel pain.  Only my father and closest friend knew about it.

This is the story of my life. My brother died at the age of 18 when he was chosen for the Games. My mother couldn't bare the pain and killed herself. I was the one who found her. My father spiralled into depression and I was left to fend for myself. I do not detest him,  but I expected more from him

I climbed the tree outside our district, the sun hasn't rosed yet and animals were nowhere. I sigh heavily as I stealthily retreat down the vine. While climbing down I hear the crack of a branch. I face the direction of the sound. It was too quiet to have been a human. Most likely a rabbit.

I spot the rabbit sprawling around. Perfect I maneuver myself to support my body with my legs to grapple unto the vine. I pick up my slingshot from my pack, load a stone and aim. With one swift movement, the Rabbit's skull was crushed by the power.

I climbed down and skinned it. I put it in my pack and ran off,  so my father doesn't worry about me. Our house was small, made of wood, but it was better than most of the houses here.

My Father greeted me. I looked at him and saw his sullen expression. 'Reaping day' I thought. He helped me inside the house. The morning air was cold. My father lit our fireplace with the firewood I bought. I opened our pantry and took out some stale bread. I sliced it using my hunting knife that I kept on me at all times. It was a gift from my mother, the handle made of ivory and forged with Damascus steel. It must have been worth a fortune. My Father brought herbal tea for us to drink.

"It's reaping day," I said. "It's the reaping day... " My father confirmed. He was never the same after Quinton's death, even more so when my Mother took her own life- Before that he was the most cheerful person I knew, always joking and making others happy. Now he is depressed and solemn. "I should go trade the rabbit I got, the reaping is still in 5 hours..." He nodded sadly, enjoying his herbal tea.

I put on my wool coat and boots and left our house after that. I couldn't stand seeing him sad. It hurt me. But I had to be stronger for him. Quinton was always strong, no matter the situation. I always looked up at him. Physically we looked the exact opposites, he was muscular and I am frail. His eyes shone while mine was dark. Even then, we were the best of friends.

My thoughts were interrupted as a scream pierced the silence- A fight broke out between two men, one of them was a familiar face, my friend Mel, who I knew since I was little. He stood at 6 foot 4 with blonde hair and green eyes. He was muscular due to him being a fighter.

"You Bitch! You stole my ring!" The older man said. I analyzed him. '5 foot 6. Pudgy and slow, He looks like some kind of merchant. Easy target'. "What are you talking about old man?" Mel asked, confused. "My ring is gone! You stole it!" The pudgy man said while lifting his hand as if to signal that a ring was there. "You fucking thief!" The man delivers a weak punch to Mel's chest, which he easily deflects. "I didn't steal your ring, you idiot!" While Mel has the upper hand in the dispute, he doesn't fight back. "Look at your other hand!" Mel states.

The man looks at his left hand, which had a ring on it. "See! You're so idiotic you didn't even check your left hand." Mel scolds. The man looks confused then storms away, furious and embarrassed. Mel merely laughed as if entertained by the situation.

Mel has been my only friend since the beginning,  he knows my trauma and my disorder. His Father died before he was born so we share the same pain. He is one of the most loyal people I have met, but he always acts impulsively and doesn't assess the situation

I approached him, "The guy's as stupid as rocks," He says. "Agreed." Mel laughs. "What are you doing here? I thought you were getting ready for the reaping?" He asks. Mel is older than me. He is 19 now so he is safe from the reaping. "I was just going to buy some stuff, wanna come?" I ask.

"Sure" he replies "I have to trade in this ring"
He shows me a golden ring, similar to the one the man had. "You stole the ring?" I ask, stumped. Mel chuckles. "Of course bro!"
He confirms "Now let's go before that clown finds out!" He runs and I run after him.

Even though I look feeble, I am surprisingly fast with high stamina. I easily surpassed Mel.  The air was starting to get warmer as the sun rose. I stopped at the entrance to our market

"Alright, you win. I gotta go now,  good luck at the reaping Argon" Mel states while breathing heavily "Thanks Mel" He runs off to pawn the ring.

I start to ponder about the reaping...  What if I get chosen? ...  What will happen to my father?...  What if I die?... I don't care about dying but I would despise myself for leaving my father...

I started to look for trade deals when something catches my eye.  A bracelet made of silver, with the symbol of a withered tree attached to it. The tree looked as if it was on the verge of collapse but it held onto the lining of the bracelet. 

There was a woman who seemed to be selling it. She looked old probably in her late 60s and she wore a green apron and gloves. She had curly white hair that ran down her shoulders.
She looked like somebody's grandma.

"How much is that?" I asked the seller.  "You're the first person to ever find interest in this.  I would normally charge you,  but I know you're going to need it." she gives it to me. "Use it wisely child. " I didn't understand but I gladly accept anyway. I stuff it into my pack and thank her.

After I traded for the rabbit, I head back home, with an hour left before the reaping. I was feeling nervous but I didn't let it affect me.  I head back to our house and change clothes. My father wasn't there. Probably buying some bread  I thought.

I splash some water on my face and get ready. I style my hair and wash off the dirt off my fingers. I take my best coat and put on my denim leggings. I put on my Father's hunting boots and take out the bracelet. It had thick golden chains and a symbol in the middle. I put it on, and a cold wind passed through the house. I thought nothing of it since our house had good ventilation.

It looked good on my hand, it fit perfectly. It would have cost me a fortune If I had bought this. I have to at least pay him some money. I would come back to him later after the reaping. Let's just hope I get out of the reaping without getting chosen