A/N
Sorry about the delay. this chapter was supposed to be up yesterday, but my parents thought it would be fun to go ouot for the WHOLE DAY!!!!!!
This chapter is dedicated to Jeffdamagicpegacorn for giving me the escort Aurora Raine.
Anyway, here it is. Please comment and vote if you like it :)
Even more pictures!!! Left: Jazlyn, Right: Beatrice
Stacy's POV
I stand, squished up to Jazlyn at the back of our age section, my bare legs rubbing painfully against the frayed rope separating us from the sixteen year old girls. It's like this every year, there are just too many teenagers in our District to fit in this tiny square, shrouded by the huge black factories that make up my home.
The oppressed mood brightens dramatically as the tired mayor finishes his tedious speach and our escort dashes onto the stage surrounded by crude scaffolding. She runs a hand through her lose caramel coloured hair, straightens her simplistic red skirt and smiles evilly at the quickly retreating mayor. She pounces on him, kissing both his sunken pale cheeks and grabs him into a tight embrace whilst he desperately tries to break free.
Typical Aurora Raine I chuckle along with the rest of Three. After all, watching Aurora greet the mayor is the best thing to come out of the otherwise barbaric Games. I guess she must be a big hit in the Capitol too as she has been our escort since she was sixteen.
The mood changes quickly again when she turns her attention to us. The suffocating tension returns to the dirty square as everyone begins to pray that they won't be the one to be slaughtered for the entertainment of the Capitol this year.
Aurora's POV
I love having the chance to be an escort, but sometimes I wish I could move to a different District. As usual, the square is packed full of grey-tinged children, their hair dull and lanky hanging over their thin faces. No wonder very few make it past the bloodbath, they are all starving and are definitely not used to the terrain often used in the Games. They live in a cramped District, in tiny brick houses grouped around factories that constantly churn black smoke into the overcast sky.
Casting my pity aside, I begin the dull yearly speech remembering to tell the huddled crowd about the twist this year.
I briskly walk over to the right, where the single Reaping bowl is balanced on a small dark stand and thrust my hand into it, trying to shorten the ordeal for the anxious crowd waiting. I grab one slip of the thick, white paper and turn back to read the name of the first victim.
As I unfold the paper, out of the corner of my eye, I see several members of my scantily dressed crew holding up a large piece of paper at the back of the crowded square. I can just make out the the name etched in bold writing when I squint and guess what it means.
"Beatrice Barnes" I call, while scrunching up the unused paper in my hands and throwing it behind me.
Stacy's POV
I turn to my best friend in amazement. Her small face also registers the shock, her eyes wide under the suffocating masses of blond hair. I rise up onto my tiptoes and glance around. Everyone looks surprised, even the ruthless Peacekeepers who rule with an iron fist.
No one moves as waves of hushed whispers engulf the square.
"Errr... Beatrice Barnes?" Asks our escort turning to her strange looking crew, clearly confused by the reaction of our District.
Sadly, I once again return my gaze to the forbidding stage, to the mayor. His face is pale and he is shaking, seemingly oblivious to the cameras pointed at him, capturing his reaction.
He pulls himself together at last, faking a smile for the viewers while stepping forwards away from the shrunken old woman trying to comfort him. A previous victor.
"Come on up Bea" He says calmly before shakily walking off the stage and into the still crowd.
A few minutes later, he returns with a short black haired girl girl in tow. She acts as if she is oblivious to the whole thing, which I guess she probably is. Her grey eyes turn to her father questionally once the pair reach the stage.
"How old are you darling?" Asks Aurora, trying to regain control of the Reapings.
"She's seventeen" Mutters the mayor in response.
"How cruel is that?" Yells a sharp voice from the left.
"Why do you make a mentally ill child take part in the Games?" Screams another.
Other people start to yell, but not one person volunteers to take her place. Suddenly, one of the Peacekeepers fires his gun into the air. Everyone cowers as silence returns to the square.
Aurora's POV
I look between the mayor and the tribute confused. I wonder how he can know how old that one girl is, unless... could it be the mayor's daughter? But that has never happened before.
"Next tribute" I call quickly. I turn again to the massive bowl and pull out another slip. This time, I read the name on the thick, white paper held in my shaking hands.
"Stacy Wormwood"
Jazlyn's POV
"I volunteer!" I yell recklessly whilst running up to the stage before Stacy can react. Once I reach the stage, I turn and look at my best friend. Tears threaten to spill from her brown eyes as she watches me. I pretend I can't see her, instead fiddle with my two piece dress so I don't sucumb to the tears.
"My name is Jazlyn Kay and I'm fifteen" I say quickly, wanting this whole thing to be over as quickly as possible. This Reaping has been a disaster.
"Well please give a round of applause for District Three's tributes, Beatrice Barnes and Jazlyn Kay" Aurora squeaks, before turning and running off the stage away from the restless crowds. I look at Bea, who just stands there, staring at the sky blankly. I put my arm around her shoulder and lead her away. How is she going to survive in the Hunger Games?
*In the Justice Building*
Jazlyn's POV
I hug my malnourished mum again, never wanting to let go, very aware that this could be the last time I see my family. I begin to sob as my parents are pulled away from my embrace by impatient, uniformed Peacekeepers.
I catch a last glimpse of my two sisters, tears streaming down their cheeks as the heavy, oak door is slammed behind them. I hear one call out one last time before the sound of their footsteps fade away.
A few minutes later, Aurora comes to collect me. She too looks upset, worried about the after effects of the events today I guess. She silently sits on the cream carpet beside me and hands me a very thin piece of paper. I stare at it confused until she explains to me what a 'tissue' is.
"Why did you volunteer?" She asks.
"I can't let Stacy die." I reply honestly, before the lump in my throat can silence me.
The Mayor's POV
"Bea?" I question as I enter her room. She doesn't react, instead just stands there, engulfed in her expensive blue dress, her fingers absent mindedly twisting through the golden curtain tassels as she stares out of the window. I walk over to her, pulling her into my arms gently, worried she might break.
"What happened?" She asks, snapping out of daydreams.
"You're going away for a while" I gulp, desperate to keep the tears at bay.
"For how long?" She asks, her grey eyes staring through me.
"I love you" I gasp pulling her into another hug before turning and running out of the door, tears flowing down my cheeks.
It's all my fault. Now my precious daughter has to die because of my defiance. I should have hung the thief like the Capitol ordered. Then Bea would be safe.
