Eleven

Reaping

Two years later...

    As I signal quitting time, I think about my older sister. How this was her job before she died. A mockingjay repeats the signal. I whistle again, just in case. Then, I start for home. On my way, I stop by the market like I always do. It's not like I buy anything though. My family doesn't have enough money. A richer citizen, Olive, stops me and gives me a few legs of groosling. The adults in the district are always nicer to me. I think it's because Rue died and they feel sorry for me. "Thanks," I say. And I mean it.

   When I get home, my mother tells me that Thresh's family is coming. It's not news. We get together a lot since our family members died.  I remember the groosling, so I tell her, "Look what I got today," and I hold out the meat. My mother takes them from me and holds them like they're gold.  Technically, for us, it is something like gold.  Saffron waddles in and says, "Yum. Good stuff."

    Thresh's family arrive and his sister sits next to me. Her name is Iris. She's nineteen. And she's about the closest thing I've got for a friend. I'm not exactly a celebrity among other chidren.  Her grandmother takes a seat next to my father.  "Hey, Sage." I jump. "Oh, hi, Iris." I reply, relieved.  Dinner goes fast.  Nothing special. Except tomorrow is the reapings.

  When Iris and her grandmother leaves, and Saffron, Heather, Lila, and Willow are put to bed, I start heading to my room. I hear sobbing sounds coming from my parents room as I pass. It's Mother by the sound of it. That's odd. She rarely cried after Rue's death. As if she had cried all her tears out that day. Apparently, it's about tomorrow. She's afraid that I'll get picked.  I rush to my room, not wanting to hear more.

   The next day, we all head down to the square. I can see Mother holding back tears. As I go to the twelve year old section, I start to pray that I won't get picked. I'm crossing my fingers, doing everything I can to hope that I won't get picked. I'm praying so hard that I don't hear my name get called. The announcer calls me again. That's when I hear it. I freeze, with only one thing in my head. They must have rigged it. The Capitol just wants entertainment. To see what will happen when a tribute's sister is chosen. I can hear my mother going hysterical. But some how, it seems like it's far away. Like I'm in my own world. Somebody pushes me. Probably a Peacekeeper. My feet start moving.  I see the triplets, standing in shock. Saffron seems to understand a little. She keeps on saying, "Bye, Sage! See you soon! Bwing Wue! Come back!"

    As I head to the Justice Hall, I try not to cry. I tell myself, "You can do this. You've been through a lot. Don't cry."  At the same time, a series of thoughts go through my head. Should I run away? Should I hide in the arena? Should commit suicide or try to die in the blood bath? Should I kill everything I see? Sould I get allies, or should I be alone? How do I get sponsors? Will I survive? Will I die of starvation, like District 12?

Finally, my mind settles on one thing. I will try to win for Rue.

Copyright © 2012 anniema3