Lady Red - the hunger games

00

Where I live the waves sing to us as the sand scrubs against our feet, ever so slightly taking away all the horrors of our world. Throughout the district the streets smell of sea spray and tropical fruits. Markets line the paths, filled with fish and many other seafood. Some of the few things we don't have to send away to the Capitol and its snobby citizens.

The beaches are lined with pearls that shimmer when they hit the perfect angles in the sun. The district's people learn to see the beauty in the imperfect pearls, the ones we are allowed to keep. We walk along the water's edge, waves dampening the ends of our clothes that are thin enough to catch the sea breeze.

We dance through the water, enjoying the feeling of it splashing along our legs. A symbol of peace in this war. Where I am from the children wear white on reaping day. An act of retaliation against those who enjoy watching us slaughter each other in their free time. A symbol of a child's purity and innocence, most of them die in that arena.

If they do return, their white is stripped from them. Ripped away within the depths of the cursed land. The very arenas that forced them to murder their friends. Their clothes are soaked in blood that is not only their own but also their allies, the ones they slaughtered to stay alive within this cursed generation.

Today is one among the many reaping days, the 66th to be exact. Last year our district produced yet another victor adding to the few we do have, 'so young yet so forced to grow up' was what my mother always described him as. I lay my white dress over my body, spinning in the mirror my once nice, young, bubbly 12-year-old self staring right back at me

Like a ghost just wanting to slip out, my mother tells me to myself but then again. What am I anymore? I can't be too nice because people will take advantage of it in the games, I can't be too powerful or people will know what I'm capable of. Can't be too weak or I'll be tossed away like garbage.

So many conditions to being myself these days. My mother slips into my room as I gaze at my mirror. My blonde locks fall perfectly as my mother ties them in a half-up half-down.
"Mom?" My voice is raw and delicate, not a voice a twelve-year-old should have. I believe that somewhere in another universe we are free, free to be ourselves away from the horrors of Panem.

But why not this one?

"Yes, Sweetheart?" Her voice sounds kind and pure but deep down I know she is scared. The likeliness of me being in the games is one in many. The likeliness of me surviving those games is close to zero. Just because last year a young boy did doesn't mean I will.
"I'm scared" The words come out quietly against the birds chirping and the waves washing upshore.

"You'll be fine" she whispers rubbing my shoulder, but it sounds like she's trying to convince herself. I spin on my heels and embrace her tightly, I have a feeling. A bad one, not that I'm an empath or whatever it is. I just don't like my odds this year. These were the moments I enjoyed, the calm before the storm. Where I got to spend some time with family peacefully.

"Where's Althea and Charlie?" Althea and Charlie were my brother and sister. Althea is 5 and Charlie is 4. They sleep with my mother and father in there room and I have my own room. Sometimes Thea slips into mine at night, sleeping against me like I will disappear. I don't blame her, it's her first year having a sibling in the age range for the games.

My mother looks down at me cupping my cheeks, "Don't worry Sicily, your father has them" she smiles. I open my mouth to respond but the irritating sound of the reaping bell echos over district 4. My mother kisses my forehead.

"It's time to go" she whispers, as we step out of the house and join the silent herd of district people. I'm split from my mother as the group trails into two, the 12-18 year old children and anyone elder or younger.
"12's over here!" A peace keeper is yelling swarming us together into a singular line.

So many kids, so many children here that the likeliness I will get chosen dies down every prick. Every prick. My finger is poked and my identity is documented under my age section. I step into line of the twelve years old group. Grabbing the hand of my best friend Tatiana. Tatiana was the mayors daughter though she attended the same fishing class I took.

T smiles at me as I squeeze her hand, Teletia district fours very own escort steps on stage. Her outfit even more ridiculous than last year, surprisingly enough. She died her hair a bright blue with seashells sewn among the fake curls. Obviously meant to represent the sea, her outfit was a statement. I'm sure if she stepped in the sun a little further she would blind us all by how many diamonds she was wearing.

"Welcome, welcome to district fours 66th reaping day!" She smiles clapping expecting everyone to join, but to her surprise like every year no one does.
"Well then" she starts again. "A special video from the Capitol to remind us why we have the games" she points to the screen still smiling brightly as the video starts.

I can see the eighteen year olds mouth the already memorised video under their breaths hoping they can escape this last reaping. I stifle a laugh and just stare forwards waiting for Teletia to continue.

"Wasn't that just lovely" she spins back to the crowd. I adjust my view to the victors, 6 victors in our district that haven't been driven to suicide or 'unspoken' diseases as the Capitol puts it. Yet I only know one name, Finnick Odair. He was the talk of the town for a certain time after he won, being fourteen and all.

I tune back into what Teletia is saying as I notice her clap again.
"Now let's get to the exciting stuff shall we?" Her Capitol accent is thick and annoying honestly.
"Yea let's do that" she spins around going towards the bowl to her right. My breath hitches, I am scared, nervous, worried. Any emotion that should be running through me is.

"Ladies first" she chimes, reaching her hand in swishing it around dramatically. Suddenly her hand stops picking up a singular paper. "Yay!" She cheers walking back to the microphone. "This years female tribute is.." she pauses leaving the girls on edge. Some breathing heavily, some crying, some shaking, some emotionless.

Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me, Please not me,

"Sicily oaths" the name slips out of her mouth proudly. Does she enjoy sending children to their deaths? My mother's scream penetrate through the district along with Althea's sobs. Charlie is clueless as always, he's only four. I'm frozen in shock. The twelve year olds part around me and I drop Tatiana's hand.

Peace keepers are waiting for me, as I step out of my line I put my head up tuning out my mother's horrified screams. Emotionless, be emotionless. I put a facade on, one that makes me look fearless and confident.

I look to the victors, some sighing that I was young, some are tuned out and don't even realise the reaping is going on around them. I step up the stage and approach Teletia. "Sicily oathes!" She smiles shaking my hand."shall we see who is to join you" she flashes a toothy smile towards me.

adria speaks 🫶🏻
I am so happy I can finally publish lady red!!
Honestly I have had many ideas for this. It's been so many long hours of thought and planning I can't wait!