Nightlock

Chapter One

It's the day of the reaping, less than a year since the murder of our beloved President Snow, well, beloved by most. To be completely honest I never truly liked him. He had a distaste for the poor, even if you were into poor by the Capitol's standards. I also never liked his sadistic and power hungry moves. Sure, the Hunger Games kept the hand of power in check, but it was cruel and pretty uncalled for.

So when my name is pulled out of the reaping bowl, I feel numb and in shock. What did I do to deserve this? I never once watched more than a moment of the Hunger Games or cheered on the careers. I lead a simple life, I work hard for what I want, and I don't gorge myself in riches or foods or parties. I am the first one picked, and Katniss Everdeen read my name out loud into the speaker. "Odette Sterlingshire."

I hear my mother scream in the background and the new 'peacekeepers' drag her away as she screams and fights. It's cruel to name them peacekeepers, to me they were a source of comfort and safety. I knew that no matter how hard the rebels tried to fight their way in that the peacekeepers wouldn't let them. Knew. My father was a peacekeeper and as I stop to watch my mother dragged away in a suit similar to my beloved fathers, I grimace. Then I continue on the long trek up to where Katniss Everdeen is standing, holding my name on a slip of paper. The only other person standing up on the podium is a pale faced Juliette Snow.

Juju and I have known each other since we were young, in fact, my mother is her grandmother 3rd cousin or something or other.  We were good friends until the middle of elementary school when Snow decided that I was too below Juju's level to associate with her. Her fate was decided before the reaping, she specifically chosen to participate because her grandfather was Snow. Poor Ju.

22 other children are picked. 10 girls, 12 bits. 2 12 year old are chosen, both boys. Mothers and Fathers scream and fight and are dragged off by peacekeepers. My face stays cold and stony. As Katniss Everdeen passes by me, our eyes lock. I almost glare, but decide not to. I don't know the details of the decision to hold a 76th Capitol Hunger Games and I don't want to falsely accuse her. I truly hope that the decisions wasn't her's, I respect her and almost admire her. I slightly pity her for having got caught up in the Capitol's power struggle.

Peacekeepers lead us to separate rooms where our family and friends come to say goodbye to us. My mother is first. The hot pink hair tips me off. Her pale pink stained skin is wet and her her bright blue eyes are red. She looks very young, like a teenager. Most people think she's my sister, but that's pretty common in the Capitol. Her hot pink hair is long and she has straight across bangs. No wrinkles. She wears an elaborate black Victorian dress with a royal blue lace over lay and silk gloves. She's tackles me in a hug. "Oh, my poor baby," she sobs.

We don't look much alike, though may we have if she hadn't dyed her hair and stained her skin and gotten so many procedures. I have never stained my skin, ever. My natural hair color, black, I inherited from my father. Everything else, I inherited from my mother. My bright blue eyes. My heart shaped face, small figure. And, my singing voice. Mom inherited it from Grandmother. Truth is, President Snow was in love with my Grandmother even though he was betrothed to her cousin.

The females in my family come from a long line of gardeners for the Kings, Queens, and Presidents associated with Panem. My grandmother was named Ophelia. Many said that her voice sounded like a nightingale's. When she refused to let Snow break off his engagement and marry him, he cut her tongue out. She was the first avox. She gardened in his greenhouse for many years to come, it became not a safe haven for her but a prison. Snow swore that he'd take her first born child. My grandmother was a smart woman. She promised to hand my mother over when she turned 10. My mother was born on leap year.

Snow became enraged, but kept his promise, for he claimed to be a man of his word. Instead, when I was born, he condemned me to live a life knowing only the greenhouse. I would receive proper schooling and would be provided everything I needed, all in the Greenhouse. My home, my prison. The first time I saw the outside world was when Juju snuck me out. We were severely punished when caught and I didn't leave the greenhouse until the day Snow died.

"It's okay mom. I'll come out alive," I tell her, rubbing her back. "I've got a better shot than most," I tell her remembering all the self defense lessons with Juju in the greenhouse. The tree climbing. The running laps to burn off unneeded energy.

"I know you do baby," she says wiping her eyes, smearing lots of makeup. "I just can't stand the thought of you...." Her lip trembles and the second wave hits. "Promise me that you'll come back alive. I already lost your father and," she suddenly perks up. "Take this, as your tribute token," she tells me, while in latching a necklace. It is silver with a black pearl. Small waves cascade over the pearl.

"Mom..." I say. It was my father's. After he died, well, after snow murdered him, they brought us two things. His necklace passed down for generations, and his wedding ring. To this day, we still don't know where he is buried.  He upset Snow because he was a compassionate peacekeeper, so he was killed.

"It'll be a good luck charm," she says.

A peacekeeper pops his head in. "Miss, your time is up," he says, beginning to lead her away."

"I promise!" I call after her as the peacekeeper drags her out.

The door opens again and a few minutes later, Katniss Everdeen appears in the door way. "Hello there."

"Hi," I say tiredly.

She closes the door behind her gently. "My name is Katniss Everdeen which I am sure you are already aware of."

"Very aware," I nod yawning.

"What was with that look? Was it pity? Quiet hatred? Ignorance?" She asks, sitting down in an armchair.

"I don't know. Not hatred, possibly ignorance, most likely- pity. The fact that you believe that since our 'beloved' President Snow put your children to death, that you have to put ours to death. Your path of hatred is pitiable. This cycle of hatred will not end until one side is completely destroyed. This senseless vengeance will only bring more senselessness. It will perpetuate the cycle again," I say sadly, shaking my head.

She stares at me. "Odette, am I correct? How old are you?"

"You are correct," I say. "And I am 15."

She sighs deeply. "Such wisdom at such a young age," she looks me in the eyes. "I do hope you are the one who rises to the top," then she silently leaves.

The 76th Hunger Games were soon to commence.