Aloe Mellark: The Hunger Games Epilogue

Chapter 1:

I wake to the sound of my mother's screaming. She's been like this for as long as I can remember. I was young when I learned about the Hunger Games. I asked her why she woke screaming, and she tried to tell me that sometimes the nightmares never go away from when her and my dad were in the arena. But that was 30 years ago.

I sit up in bed and look out my window. The sun is just coming over the horizon and the birds are chirping. I sigh, slipping my feet from under the covers and heading to my closet. I pull on a blue dress my mother gave me. It's made of some sort of smooth fabric that makes you love it even more. She told me that her mom gave it to her when she turned 17. But I've seen the tapes of my mom's and dad's reaping at school. She wore it to her reaping.

I've seen that tape so many times that I have it memorized. A lady my parents call Effie is on stage chirping in her annoying capital accent "happy hunger games" and "may the odds be ever in your favor". When she reaches into the girls bowl, she calls Primrose Everdeen. She was my aunt, but died during the uprising. I never knew her, but I do know her and my mom were very close. Primrose walks slowly, as if in a trance, toward the stares. Them my mom starts screaming Prim name and volenteers to take Prims place in the arena. After she volenteers, Effie walks in her 6 inch heels to the boys bowl. She calls my dad's name and the screen goes black.

I don't know why she gave me the dress. I think it means more to her than to me, but who am I to complain? It's nice for special occasions. . . Especially today.

President Paylor announced that there would be a mandatory meeting in the city center. Everyone is supposed to gather in the circle while another annoying capital woman talks about the same thing over and over again.

I go to the washroom and pit some makeup on. Eyeliner and maskara are a must and then concealer. By the time I'm done, I look radiant. My blue eyes almost seem to glimmer. I tie my hair back in a tight bun and check myself out in the mirror. I smile at the outcome and head downstairs.

I can smell the bacon before I hit the main floor. My mouth starts to water and stomach growls. I turn the corner to find my mom is sitting by the table with a cup of orange juice. She stares out the window until she hears my footsteps.

"Good morning," she says "ohh, don't you look beautiful!" She looks my up and down. I smile and do a little spin to show it off. I look at my dad who has stopped flipping bacon and stares.
"I recognize that dress." He says simply.
"It's the one mom wore to the reaping when she was my age. Remember?" I say trying to hide my smile.
"Of coarse! I remember everything about your mother wore. I don't think there is anything she wore that I don't remember." He walk over to mom and gives her a kiss on her forehead.

"Ech! Can't you do that when I'm not in the room?" Rye complains. I roll my eyes. He streaches and sits in his usual spot. He's still in his pajamas, and his hair is a mess. He looks so cute and inocent when his hair is a mess and he wears his elephant pajamas.  I set my coffee down and sit by the window. Dad sets the bacon and eggs on the plates in front of us and we dig in. I love mom's cooking, but dad's is way better.

"So what's the occasion? " Rye asks breaking the silence.
"There is a meeting with President Paylor in town square today at noon. Remember the announcement last night?" I reply.
"Oh. Right," he says "wonder what she wants? The Capitol never interacts with the outer districts." I consider what he says. Although it is true, I can't help but notice to scowl on my mom's face and Dad just stares at his eggs.
"Ya" I  say "I wonder what brings here this far out?" Mom and dad look at me and then at each other, then back to their food. A look of worry on their face.