I wake up with a start and turn to the edge of the bed, mom shook me awake. She has a grim expression,today's tthe reaping. I go to the kitchen and wipe my teeth with mint leaves, that should atleast make my breath smell better. I go to the corner of the room, where my mom pours the last bucket of water in to the basin. I strip, then sink in to the surprisingly warm water. I smile up at her, "It's warm." "It should be, i had to boil 8 kettles. Now, hurry up sweetie, your brother needs a washing too." Mom leaves to tend to Easton; i quickly but quietly wash myself, theres too much static in the air. I don't want to get shocked, again. Once i'm done i pat myself down with a towel and put on my reaping clothes.
"Be right back mom. I'm going to get food, okay." Mom knows that i tend to steal things, but she doesn't stop me. I walk to the market and find a respectable amount of people bartering. The perfect crowd, and everybody is oblivious to me. I start browsing, who will be easy enough to steal from. Hmn, that woman.I could just see the coins in her pocket. I pick up a basket and start filling it with random things. I start striding over to her and "accidentally" bumped into her. I knock my basket against herr pocket and when her coins fall out i drop my stuff. She turns around which makes her pocket rip open. Just my luck, yes!
We both start collecting my stuff, and i start fumbling "for the groceries." I start collecting the coins in a few quick hand movements. I start picking up the groceries in the basket and arrange them nicely. I look at my basket with a sorry expression on my face, "I'm so....sorry ma'm. I...I wasn't looking where I...I was going." "Dear, it's not your falt. It's just the bustlinging of the crowd. Here take some fruit cake, on me." "No ma'm, I can't." "Yes you can, dear." She firmly plants the cake in my hands, wrapping my fingers around the wrapping. Yes!! I got some money, and a fruit cake!! I guess today's my lucky day. I smile sweetly at her and mumble a thanks.
That was such a easy steal!! I start slowly backing up when i acidentally bump into someone. Did not plan this!! I turn around to see it's Daivat. "Stealing again aren't we?" He says holding a coin in front of me. I snatch the coin out of his hand. "It's not stealing, it's borrowing without asking." "Then why don't you learn to ask, Foxface?" "My names not Foxface, it's Finch. And i will not stoop to a beggars level!" And with that i take my leave. That was a close one, I'm glad that was just Daivat and not a peacekeeper. I walk back to my house and there my mom is setting up plates on the table. I plant the basket on the table and examine it's contents. A loaf of bread, vegatables, cheese, berries, eggs, ham, fruit cake, and money. Mom cuts the loaf into 20 thin slices.
Mom, Easton, Cyrus, and I sit down and eat a meager breakfast. I smear some fresh jelly, that Easton made, on my bread and chug it down with my milk. After that we eat some salted roots with a chunk of beef. Cyrus collects the dishes and puts them in the basin, "Goodbye kids, remember to wash your dishes and fix youur dad a plate. I walk to the basin and crouch down. I add a little soap to the water and start washing the dishes. Dad walks in and sits down at the table, he starts eating and asks for some milk. Easton clumsily pours Pa some milk and gets some on his shirt. "No, Easton. Now we have to dry your shirt, Cyrus go get a rag." Pa starts rubbing Easton's shirt while he fits in bits of food.
Pa takes a short nap and we walk to the Reaping. The peacekeeper takes our blood and soon, the reaping starts. "Welcome, welcome. It's again time to pick our tributes for the year. This year's tribute is Finch Vixen." What!!!! I got picked!!! I walk up to the stage feeling all eyes on me, be confident. Don't let them know your afraid. When i'm finally at the stage my legs are glued to that spot. How am i ever going to get out of that arena!! I get knocked back into my senses when Im ushered into the Justice Buliding.
A few seconds later my family walks in. "Fox, i'm so sorry i didn't volunteer for yoou i was just in shock." "Don't worry Cyrus, who else would take care of Easton?" I let it slide it's not like anyone would volunteer in my district. We're small enough as it is. "Goodbye Finch, just remember you are smarter than the rest. You have a wide range of knowledge. Just don't run into any Careers." "Bye, bye Finchy." My sweet little brother come of and hugs me. These are the things i'm going to miss. "Bye East." A peacekeeper tells my family to come out and i'm surprised that my next visitor is Daivat. I'm surprised I even have another visitor!! " Looks like you're finally being punished for stealing, am i right Foxface." Daivat says shifting his eyebrows. Hmn, a snarky come back....
"Well that's a nice way to put it. I see you're picking interest in certain objects in this room, aren't you?" "The Capitol has a million possesions, they wouldn't mind, i mean it's just some silver." " Whose the criminal now? Huh?" "Well i'm not the one who is going to their certain death?" That sure shut me up. "Well, here's some, what do you call it. Encouragement. You're smarter than the rest and craftier. You can survive, beat the odds!" Why would he be giving me advice? Oh my gosh! "Someone has a crush!! Wait a second, it's on me?!" "Who's the genius now?" Daivat walks out he door and i smirk,"Peacekeeper!!!!!!! That boy stole something!!!!!!!!" I hear a satisfiying thud. "Caught ya."
YOU ARE READING
ON HOLD-Kill or Be Killed
Fiksi Ilmiah"This is the story of the children who died. Who were too innocent to die, well most of them........" -Joanna S. Kelin
