Marina Rivers stared back at the identical image of her in the mirror, wondering if this was what people would see if her name was called.
Today was reaping day.
The most dreaded day of the year. Marina was filled with an overwhelming apprehension for her sake. She had to not only worry about herself but her little brother as well. Caspian was twelve this year, meaning his name would be placed into one of the bowls this reaping.
Marina couldn't help but roll her eyes at the light pink dress she had on that morning. She hated that dress.
She wore it once a year for the reaping and her father had convinced her to wear it to her mother's funeral. She was convinced the dress carried bad luck.
Letting out a shaky breath she patted down the dress to rid it of any dust and dirt. Caroline, a girl from school once told her the dress clashed too much with her skin tone. She told Marina that the dress made her tanned skin look washed out.
Caroline was reaped into the Hunger Games last year and never came back. At least her snarky comments were the least of Marina's worries now.
Her racing thoughts were abruptly interrupted as the siren blared, a signal to gather in front of the Justice Building. Hastily she walked out of her bedroom, only to be greeted by Caspian. Marina frowned at the sight of her father who was in a wheelchair. He lost one of his legs in a boating accident when Marina was six, she never touched the ocean after that.
"Dad, we have to go," Marina said grabbing his and Caspian's coat off the coat rack and handing it to them, he gave her a small smile.
The girl held Caspian's hand as they stood in line, "promise me we'll be fine," he said as they got closer to the front. Gulping she kissed his little hand, "We'll be fine, Caspian." The little boy sighed before grasping onto his sister tightly, turning to run to his friends who were being shuffled into a different line.
She brushed her dark hair over her shoulder, letting the brown locks cascade in natural waves down her back. The line grew shorter and her chest grew tighter. She clenched her hands tighter to try and relieve her nerves.
She couldn't let them know she was scared, even if her name was called. Marina wouldn't dare let them think she was weak.
Though she felt weak.
She felt like a scared little girl.
"Breathe Mari, Breathe." She told herself under her breath, praying to whoever was listening.
"Give me your hand." The cold voice of the Peacekeeper spoke. Marina handed him her hand absentmindedly looking around for her father and Caspian. "Name?" He spoke again.
"Marina Rivers."
"Next."
She was quickly directed into the section of sixteen-year-olds. Her breath was short and choppy, almost like the waves on a windy day.
Something felt off.
She knew if her name was called she had to make it out alive, she was all he had. That little boy lost his mother too soon and his father was in no position to take care of him, the man couldn't even walk.
Marina dug the nail of her ring finger into the knuckle of her thumb. She could feel it piercing her skin but she couldn't care less.
"Welcome, Welcome!" Pearl Lockhart, the Escort's overly enthusiastic voice boomed over the microphone. It made Marina cringe. "Citizens of District Four. To the reaping of the sixty-eighth annual Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor. Before we begin we have a special presentation from our Capitol!"
The two screens from either side of the Justice Building began playing the same damn video they play every year. She took her eyes off the screen looking down until Pearl spoke up again "Wasn't that lovely?" she asked the crowd rhetorically, only receiving blank stares and scoffs from the people.
"Let's begin as per usual, ladies first!" Marina sucked in a breath as the white-haired woman twirled her hand in the glass bowl. She plucked out a slip gracefully, the only sound you could hear was her heels clicking on the stage. As she neatly unfolded the paper, Marina dug her nail deeper into her knuckle, and blood started to trickle down. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as Pearl blew out a breath.
"Marina Rivers."
Marina's ears were ringing at the sound of her name. The girls all turned to stare at her. She knew the look in their eyes. It was the same look they gave her the day her mother died, pity. The teenager gritted her teeth together, her legs carrying her forward. All eyes were on her. She couldn't afford to look scared "No! No! Mari!" Her head automatically whipped around to the voice, seeing Caspian being forced back by the Peacekeepers.
Quickly, she turned back around walking again only this time to be surrounded by Peacekeepers. They started pushing her to go faster, anger bubbled under the surface at being touched by them.
Huffing out a harsh breath she shrugged them off "I'm going." She muttered harshly walking faster. "Ah, there you are." The light voice of Pearl spoke as Marina locked eyes with District Four's latest victor Finnick Odair, who shot her a small smirk.
Marina narrowed her eyes at the victor and turned to face the crowd, "Now! Who was that yelling for you in the crowd?" She looked at the brunette with a smile, tilting the microphone towards her so she could speak.
"My brother." She gritted out, looking dead ahead. The numbness had begun to kick in, just like it had when her mother passed. She couldn't feel her heart racing anymore, just her nails digging deeper and deeper into her skin, a single drop of blood landing on the stage. "Now, for the boys." Marina held her breath. Please not Caspian.
"Pier Stone."
Marina finally felt like she could breathe again slightly. The ache was still in her chest, as she looked through the crowd. A boy around the same age as her brother started walking forward.
She tore her eyes away from the boy, with an unsettling feeling deep within her chest. He was almost the same age as her brother.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, your tributes for the 68th annual Hunger Games: Marina Rivers and Pier Stone! Oh come on, shake hands!" Pier stuck out his tiny hand and she shook his, giving him a soft smile.
Marina's face was blank as the Peacekeepers dragged her off into the Justice Building. The odds weren't in her favor, they never were.
