Bright was the day as the sun poured through my window. I awake to the sound of screams coming from my older sister, Willow. Night terrors again. She was afraid of the reaping. It gave her unbearable anxiety. Though she is 14 and is petrified by the thought of being chosen for an untimely death, I am 12 and not nearly as afraid but, I am still nervous.
I leap from my tall bed onto the floor and head towards the closet. I try to look for a dress but the screams are to loud for me to even think. I rush into the next room over at see Willow drenched in sweat and tears. I shake her until she is awake and the scream cease.
"Oh Brooke, I am so sorry." She apologizes. I can tell she is embarrassed by her outburst.
I hug her and reassure her by saying, "It's okay. It happens to the best of us. Now we should probably start getting ready."
"Thank you. Yeah, I should get up and get ready. Where's mom and dad?"
"Still in bed." I reply. They're heavy sleepers so they've only heard her screams once, maybe twice. She nods and I leave the room. I go back into my room and search through my closet. I pull out my best and most expensive dress. It's dark green and goes down to my knees. There's green lace that covers it and the lace makes up the sleeves. It also has a little black belt on it.
I slipped it on. It was beautiful and I loved the color. It brought out my hazel eyes. I walk to the door of willows room and knock on the door. She opens it and is wearing a stunning bright blue dress that is similar to mine except without the belt. I walk in. "You look gorgeous but, what do you think about mine?" I ask.
"Stunning."
I smile and together we walk out of the room. She goes to the kitchen, I go to the bathroom. I comb my hair but leave it down and curly. I brush my teeth and go to the kitchen. I'm not in the mood too eat today but Willow was there and I wanted to spend sometime with her. I enter the kitchen. I see mom, dad, and Willow. Willow was putting her bowl in the sink and mom and dad were sitting at the table.
I look at the clock, only minutes before we had to leave. I hugged mom and dad and without saying a word, we left. We had to walk but it was short. On the way, Willow and I made awkward small talk. Every time I asked a question, her answers were short and I could hear the utter fear in her voice. So I stopped talking.
Upon arrival, Willow showed me what to do and where to go. We signed in together. A peacekeeper pricked my finger and drew blood. It was a lot more painful than expected. Willow directed me to the back of the group of girls while she stood farther up.
Our escort caught me by surprise when she said, "Um, hello District Eleven? Who's ready to start this totally awesome reaping?"
Her name was Io and she dressed brightly in all blue. Even her lips matched her outfit. I could see from the back that her eyes were the color of a clear summer sky and her hair, the color of a red rose fresh after its bloom. She was beautiful. Her personality was electric and fun. You could feel her excitement in the air.
"Let's start this thing off with a video."
I watched intently with wide eyes as the music played. Then, I hear President Snow's voice speak and say, "War. Terrible War. Widows. Orphans. A motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land. Thirteen districts rebelled against the country that loved them, protected them, and fed them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained. And then came the peace, hard fought and solely won. The people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born. But freedom has a cost. When the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation that we would never know this treason again. And so it was decreed that each year, the various districts of Panem, would offer up in tribute one young man and woman to fight to the death, in a pageant of courage, honor, and sacrifice. The lone victor, bathed in riches would serve as a reminder of our generosity and forgiveness. This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future."
I watched as it showed skulls laying on the ground and explosions. Then a peaceful wheat field with children running and playing. An adult throwing his son into the air to catch him. It showed past victors standing gloriously and proud.
The attention was turned back to Io when she shouted, "Ladies first!"
I waited patiently. I could see Willow shaking with fright. Then Io announced, "Brooke Parker!"
I didn't say a word. It didn't even hit me until my sister screamed "No" at the top of her lungs and lunged for me. She hugged me and squeezed me tight all while screaming and begging for this not to be real. She was then pulled off by several peacekeepers who knocked her to the ground. I began to cry. Once Willow was on the ground I didn't not see her get up. I was pushed to the stage by the peacekeepers where I continued to cry.
I didn't pay attention much until a guy volunteered. His name was Adam. He was tall and covered in tattoos from what I could see. Once he was up there he took my hand on forcefully shook it. His strength almost crushed me. I looked back into the crowd and all I could see was Willow laying on the ground. I'm going to win this. For her.
