In which sixteen-year-old Barley Miller from District 9 is thrown into an arena to fight to the death with not only 22 other children but with her younger brother as well, Barley has to figure out how she can keep both of them alive as well as deali...
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BARLEY WAS AWAKE before the sun had risen, she sat atop the rock looking out of the monkey cage and into the zoo around her. It was quiet, very quiet seemingly nobody was around Barley had to guess it was very early in the morning as she could see the sun beginning to rise from behind the clouds.
Barley was proven wrong about nobody being around when she saw a young girl walking up to monkey cage, the girl was alone and couldn't be any older than Adam was. Barley stood up from her rock and slowly walked over to where the child was.
"You okay kid"Barley asks her voice full of concern as she walks up to the kid and crouches down to her height.
The child looks up at Barley with wide eyes, like she wasn't expecting a tribute to come and speak to her.
"I'm fine, I wanted to see the tributes and I didn't think anyone would be awake yet,"The girl explains honestly.
Barley looks at the girl with a small smile. "It's very early to be out on your own"Barley tells her.
The young girl sighs. "It's the only time I can sneak away to see you, my mama doesn't want me near your guys she says you're all animals,"The young girl explains.
Barley wasn't surprised by this statement it was something shared by the majority of the people of the Capitol.
Barley looks at the girl curiously. "And what do you think?"Barley asks.
"You don't look like animals, you look like people"The girl tells her with a smile.
"That's because we are"Barley tells her with a smile. "My name is Barley, What's yours?"
Barley extends her hand through the bars as slowly as she can not wanting to spook the young child who was brave enough to break the rules to come see them.
The girl looks at her hand hesitantly like a thousand thoughts are running through her brain all at once, she made eye contact with Barley before shaking her hand. "Emerald. Emerald Ashbrook"Emerald says introducing herself.
"That's a very beautiful name"Barley tells her with a smile.
"Thank you"Emerald responds. "I like your hair,"
Barley smiles sadly. "Thank you, I got it from my mama she had beautiful blonde hair just like me"Barley tells her.
"Is your mama back in your district?"Emerald asks.
Barley has to fight the tears that a forming in her eyes. "No. My mama died when I was little"Barley tells her.
Emerald goes quiet for a few minutes. "I'm sorry,"Emerald says with a sad smile.
"It's not your fault,"Barley tells her.
Suddenly a beeping sound is heard and Emerald looks down at her watch. "I have to get back before my mama wakes up,"Emerald says before running off but then she quickly runs back and hands a small plastic bag of food through the bars and into Barley's hands.
