Rowen Hart was not a rule follower. She was never afraid to speak her mind or follow her convictions no matter where they lead her. She was absolutely certain that the Capital could never take away her spirit.
But the Games change everyone.
Years a...
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~Let the Games Begin~
"Are you ready?"
Tightening my hair that I'd tied into a ponytail, I turned to face Lou, who was waiting in the doorway with a grave expression.
"As I'll ever be."
My choice of clothing for today was very deliberate. Snow always told my stylists to dress me in dark colors to go along with the Reaper nickname, and today was no different. Dressed in a black zip-up jumpsuit that clung to my body like a second skin, I appeared both deadly to the people and attractive to sponsors.
Little did they know that I'd spent multiple hours last night sewing hidden pockets throughout the suit to store my knives in. I would never go anywhere without a weapon to fight my way out if things got ugly.
My hands lightly skimmed over the unnoticeable bumps on my inner thighs, upper ribs, and shoulder blades to double-check check everything was there.
Ever since my Games, I've always harbored a particular hatred for Reaping Day. The empty streets and vacant town square made me feel like the life had been stolen from the one place I called home.
The same feeling washed over me as Lou and I stepped out onto our street that was empty save for Visha who was walking toward the center square and one other. Behind us was a man by the name of Orion Plaindrop who was a victor from over thirty years ago. I'd never spoken to the almost fifty-year-old man, but seeing as he was the only male victor in the district, we would soon be in close quarters.
Orion was known for being particularly sociopathic in his games, having slowly murdered all of his victims and then staging their bodies in disturbing positions afterward. I heard that he now takes pleasure in the hobby of taxidermy.
A small shiver ran down the back of my spine. I doubt the two of us would be allies.
A bird squawked from above catching my attention. My eyes followed the sound until they found a black crow circling the skies, most likely looking for food.
My mind flashed back to the baby bird I had killed all those years ago. I had cried and cried about taking that little life and now here I am, about to volunteer to mercilessly kill human beings.
It's funny what the hope of survival can make someone do.
*start song* (replay) Soon enough Lou and I reached the square where most of the citizens living in the surrounding area had gathered. The air was thick with dread as Lou found her place in the front of the crowd and I found mine on the stage.
Visha stood beside me, her head held high and mouth set in a straight line.
"Welcome, welcome. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary and 3rd Quarter Quell Games." Quill Fargrove, announced over the speaker, signaling that it was time.
