shot through the heart (marvel, the hunger games)

chapter three; rory wilkin

    "The calloused skin on my hands is CRACKING."
                             "If our love ended, would that be A BAD THING?"

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

 "Finger." The Peacekeeper's words shook me from my trance, and I quickly lifted my hand for my blood to be drawn. The sharp sting didn't hurt any less than other years, but I only bit my lip and prayed for the Reaping to be over as soon as possible. 

Sure, every other month, I showed little interest in the Hunger Games and expressed no opinions towards it, but the weeks leading up to June 4th changed all that. For days before, I would often struggle to sleep at night and found myself getting up at ungodly hours to go and check up on Jack, which proved to be pointless. 

My gelding would always be perfectly fine every time I went to go make sure he was okay, and by now I had realised that it was me who needed the reassurance. The quiet company. 

I quickly took my place alongside the other girls of 16 and kept my head down. The blue floral pattern of my absurd sundress almost blinds me, the sun's rays reflecting off the white background harshly. It was the only nice piece of clothing I owned, a dress that had been passed down for generations. There may have been tears at the edges and stains on the fabric, but it was perfect in my mother's eyes.

Reaping Day was one of the only days a year I bothered to wear something other than my usual well-worn navy jodhpurs or faded jeans, and today my dirty blonde hair had been weaved into a pair of plaits. Luckily, the rest of the girls in District 10 looked similar to me, and I'm glad I made an effort. 

Minutes pass and the Justice Building's courtyard grows quiet. I suck in a breath and keep my gaze low, rubbing my ring. Soon we can get this over with, and I can continue living my life herding cattle, butchering meat, and riding horses. 

Right?

As soon as the town clock strikes one, the mayor steps forward to the podium. I can see District 10's escort, Reverie Rhea standing behind him alongside our measly few victors that we've somehow managed to collect over the past 73 years. 

In total, District 10 has 6 victors, but only 5 to show for it; Tule Roxen having succumbed to an illness a few years ago. Phox Yule, Greir Rollo, Alto Combe, Tiffany Waxler, and Jackson Spidell are all that's left, a dull, defeated-looking lot. I wonder how many of them are drugged up on morphling. 

I've somehow managed to completely zone out during the mayor's introduction so I quickly shake my head to try and reawaken. 

"District 10! Hello, hello!" I let out a quiet groan, gaze lifting to the utterly ridiculous figure of Reverie Rhea clip-clopping her way over to the microphone. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" I knew the routine and lowered my gaze to the floor again. "Before we begin, we have a little video all the way from the Capitol for you!" 

"War... terrible war..."  I wanted to put my fingers in my ears and close my eyes, but I knew the Peacekeepers wouldn't take kindly to it. Besides, it's not like I really had the nerve to do such a thing. 

Back home, I was impulsive and loud, but past the gates of the Wilkin's Farm, that Rory was gone. I guess it shows how much of an impact the animals have on me. 

Before I knew it, the video was over and Reverie's focus shifted back onto the audience in front of her. I wondered whether she felt out of place with her pink curly locks and rosy cheeks, but she seemed like the kind not to mind. The brighter the better.