shot through the heart (marvel, the hunger games)

chapter one; rory wilkin

     "Another branch on the TINDER-BOUND TREE."
                          "Birds flying low, looking downwards TO FEED."

                            ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

   As the days grew warmer, the inevitable date that nobody in District 10 could chase away stalked us all like prey. Reaping Day. It was ironic; seeing as the district was known for livestock, and I couldn't help but grin to myself at the thought. 

The one day we all become equal to the cattle, yet every other day is spent herdin', choppin', and breedin' them. 

If you asked me about my thoughts on The Hunger Games, I wouldn't really have much to say. I'm not denying that there is plenty to say, but to have my own public opinion would complicate things. District 10 was one of the odd districts, very mixed in their devotion to the Capitol. Both of my parents didn't mind that most of our hard work got shipped off to feed the rich, but my older brother Jersey despised it. 

This pattern mirrored many families throughout our community and then became labels. A Capitol suck-up, or a criminal of some sort. 

So my theory was if grinning and whooping and rallying on the tributes as the games went on would piss people off, and if refusal to, even so, have a hint of a smile while watching the games would piss people off, it was much better to have no opinion at all. Being quiet worked well for me, and I had no plans to change anything about the way I presented myself to the district; the respectful, hardworking daughter of Arder Wilkin. 

It was nearing the end of March now, meaning that I could begin to lose some layers and head into the markets for a new pair of spurs, and if I was lucky, a new shirt. 

District 10 held markets every Sunday, which I normally loved to go to with my brother Jersey, but today I was alone, with quiet footsteps pattering on the gravel pathway. Usually, I would miss my brother's low voice as we would talk and laugh about the previous week's events, as it wasn't often we spent time together outside of the house. 

But this week, Jersey was busy with his mare who had lost a shoe out in the paddock. I was grateful that Jack, my gelding, had good feet and rarely ended up with injuries or pulled shoes. 

Today I had decided to wear my riding boots, just so I could check that if I found spurs, they would fit comfortably, but I honestly felt more at home in these boots than I ever did in any other pair of footwear. 

There was something about the well-worn, hazel leather that I loved, and that despite them being years old, they still were as comfortable as ever. It was one of the odd perks of living in District 10, which made me wonder even more about what life was like outside of the electric fences. 

"Morning Rory." A gruff voice dragged my attention from my feet to a pair who were about to cross paths with me. Uncle Miller and Auntie Meadow. 

They were carrying small bottles and containers of Lassie's ointment, which they had no doubt just bought at the market, and I immediately wondered if their cattle were still suffering from those horrible skin infections. A small smile crossed my freckled face, not stopping for a moment as Uncle Miller and Auntie Meadow nodded politely at me. Us District 10 folk were busy people, we never stopped to chat for long. It was a mutual understanding that the community had between ourselves. 

"Good morning Uncle Miller, Auntie Meadow. Say hi to Fillie for me please." I replied, moving my gaze quickly from their newly bought products to their faces. They both smiled warmly at me, and we went our separate ways. 

Fillie was my cousin, older by just a month. We had always been close, now more so than ever. Uncle Miller was one of the sole owners of District 10's main butchery, which was also where my dad sent our cattle to be prepared for the Capitol. Naturally, that meant that Fillie and her two older brothers would start working in the butchery from a young age, as it has always been a common thing for parents to have their kids laboring in their businesses in District 10.