A fate worse than death~~A Finnick Odair story~~

2. Reapingday

In ten days, Elizabeth Whitmore would turn 13. It was a day she looked forward to, she loved her birthdays, a day just for her, a day when they did only what she wanted.
Usually it was a day out in the garden with swimming, playing and fishing which then ended with a small cake, but first she had to get through this day.

It would be easy, her mother had already chosen a dress for her, it was hanging on the chair next to her bed that worked extra as a nightstand. The dress was simple, light blue with short, drooping sleves that reminded Elizabeth of waves. It reached below her knees and she paird it with a pair of freshly polished black shoes. She tied her hair up with a small silk ribbon and then she was done.
She went down the narrow stairs to the kitchen and joined the family who had already started breakfast.

"I like your dress Izzy, it suits you." She smiled at her brother words, they made him sound so old, never the less she thanked him. He had probably learned it from someone in the square, but the compliment warmed her heart just as much.

Otherwise they ate in silence. Elizabeth learned last year that her family didn't really talk on reaping day, not before the draw anyway. She didn't know why, but she thought she understood, and even if she didn't, she accepted it. She was eating scrambled eggs with seaweed bread, a breakfast they often had, but the silence was broken when there was a knock on the door. Elizabeth rose to open it, but before she could, Melinda poked her head in.
"Hello!! Ennybody home!!"
"I'm right here Mel!"
Elizabeth giggled at her friend and she giggled back.
"We have to go now, remember?"
"I remember!"
But before I went with Melinda, I waved to my family.
"See you soon!"
And then I went out to my waiting friend.

~~~

Almost immediately I understood that Melinda was not herself. She was always giggly and happy and gladly shared gossipt whit me, but today was different.

The way she had greeted my family was just a facade, something weighed on her, and I probably knew what. "How many times?"
"What?"
She looked at me a little confused, but when her eyes met mine she quickly looked down.
"15."
Good God! I knew they had a hard time after her father had died, but not that hard, they were 4 siblings thate were old enough, yet her name was in there 15 times!
"And the others?"
"Otis is 20, otherwise...Otherwise the others are only 3."
"But why?"
I wanted to bite my tongue as fast as it was said, I knew why, Melinda may only be 13, but she was still the bravest persie I knew.
"We needed the money."
And she wouldn't let the twins do it.

She didn't have to say it because I understand, I would have done the same if it was Ian, the only one she couldn't protekt was Otis, he was the oldest.
"And you?"
She took me off guard, but I still knew.
"Only 2."
I felt bad for my number, almost ashamed that we couldn't have helped her family more when her father died, but now it was too late.
"Why 2?"
"I'm testing the odds."
I tried to joke, but it didn't work, maybe because the joke was bad, so I said it like it was.
"Well, you remember when my dad... you remember in February."
I stopped my explanation and waited for a second, she nodded.
"We needed the money, so I did it, I didn't ask permission I just did it, said I caught more fish than I did and mom didn't question."
Melinda nodded again and we were there.

Before we got to go into the square they took our blood, just like last year and just like they would do for the next 5 years.

On the stage stood the District 4 victors, it was just Mage and Finnick. But shortly after everyone had gathered, Evernis Grimsly, fourses escort, joind them on the stage.

She started with the same speech as last year, the same speech as every year, before ending with
"May the odds be ever in your favor." Then she moved against one bowl. There were probably tens of notes, maybe even hundreds in ther, 15 off theme wering Melindas name.
"As always, ladies first!"
Evernis dipped one hand into the bowl, moved her hand around a bit as if she had to feel all the notes before deciding, then pulled one out.

"Ohh this is so exciting!!" She opend the smale paper and took a second to read before bringing the microphone to her mouth and sayng.
"The female tribute who will represent District 4 in the 66 Hunger Games is!!
Elizabeth Whitmore!"

It was like it was ringing in my head.
I must have been imagining it, I had heard my name leave the escort's lips, but surely that couldn't be right, right?
But the way the other girls backed away, just a tiny tiny bitt, a small step away from me proved my suspicions.

They backed away as if I were sick, as if I could infect them at any moment, as if I were a dead girl walking. But that's how I felt as I very slowly began to approach the stage.

Like death, as if at any moment I would wake up on reaping day from a horrible nightmare and go down to my waiting family, but as soon as I stood up on that stage and looked out over the sea of ​​people I knew, this was no dream , but soon I would be dead.

I heard the first name of the male tribute, Jamie, he was older than me, maybe by three years, we shook hands and then we were taken to our respective rooms in the building behind the stage, and there, in a worn leather armchair I sat, and for the first time in a long time I cried like the lonely little girl I was.

First my family came, mum and Ian were crying, dad looked absent. All three of us knew I wasn't going to win.
Even so, I didn't have the heart to tell Ian that we would never see each other again when he said.
"Wine for me Izzy, you can do it, I know you can!!"
He made it sound so easy, so instead of ansering, I threw my arms around him and cried.

Mom kissed me on the forehead and pressed something into my hand.
"Be strong my coifish."
And Dad had to rip Ian off my waist when it was time to go.
Mom was the one who had shocked me the most, she hadn't called me that since I was little.

Next was Melinda, we didn't say anything to each other, we just cried and hugged, but eventually she also had to go.

We were escorted to a train by peacekeepers, it was a big train, bigger than anything I've seen before.
Very hesitantly, I stepped inside.

Once on the train, we were given a tour by an enthusiastic Evernis.
Only when we finished it in the Food Cart and I sat down did I open my hand. Mom had presst her gold ring in to my hand. The ring that resembled fishing net, maybe she wanted it to bring me luck, but then and there I knew, I wouldn't return to four alive.