I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS SUZANNE COLLINS MADE THEM UP (EXCEPT FOR RUE'S LITTLE SISTERS' NAMES AND HER PREP TEAM/STYLIST)
I was singing to the mockingjays. A whole flock of them were perched on a branch, repeating my tunes back to be in a beautiful harmony. One of them flew down and landed on my shoulder, singing my melody back to me in its sweet, clear voice. It started flying away, but it was taking me with it, far, far away....................
I woke up with a start. For a moment, I was foolishly happy, still convinced that I was in the dream. The realisation came crashing down on me. Today was the day of the reaping. I could be going to the Capitol within two hours...or not.
My name is Rue Spring. I am twelve years old, and I live in District 11. I have a mother and a father and five younger sisters. I am the main food provider of this family, since I can get the tessera rations. I have my name in the reaping nine times. If I die, no one will feed my family, and they will die too. My parents work in the fields, but they don't get paid much. My whole family looks the same: Small build, dark eyes, dark skin, dark hair.
I dressed with great care, because if I was going to the Capitol, I would want to look nice, wouldn't I? I went down to breakfast with my parents and little sisters. As I entered the room, I saw my mother look up and exchange looks of worry with my father. Of course she is worried. This is my first reaping. I could be dead within a week if I get picked.
Rose, my youngest sister, reached up to hold my hand. "You look beautiful," she whispered. Rose doesn't really understand the reaping. She's too young, only 4years old. She's old enough to understand that it is not good to get picked from the big glass ball, but my parents don't think that she's old enough to know what happens to the people who get picked.
We journey down to the square. The whole of District 11 is assembled there, the 12-18 year olds roped off in a different area to everyone else in age groups. My family hugs me, and then walk to the area for the people not eligible for the reaping. I head towards the 12 year olds area.
The maniac escort from the Capitol, Jewel Ree, saunters onto the stage with the mayor and the previous victors of the Hunger Games. The mayor begins the Treaty of Treason. When he has finished he passes the reaping ball to Jewel Ree, who comments, "Happy Hunger Games, everyone! May the odds ever be in your favour!" She digs her hand into the reaping ball, snags a name, and reads it out.
"And our female tribute for the 74th Annual Hunger Games is......." I close my eyes, praying that I do not get picked.
But my prayers are in vain.
"Rue Spring."
I am the female tribute from District 11.
