A Victor's Valor | F. Odair

O N E

T H E   R E A P I N G

May the odds be ever in your favor.

『+』

Something wasn't right. Of course, because it was the day of the reaping but it was something more. It nagged at Juliet's mind but she didn't know what it exactly was. She looked at the ceiling, and inhaled the salty air. The sun that peaked to the horizon signified dawn was beginning to break. She slowly sat up her bed, careful not to wake her brothers, and grabbed the over-sized jacket on the rack, and slipped through the door unnoticed. Her bare feet touched the cold floor as she walked towards the kitchen to make coffee.

Her fingers drummed across the wooden table lightly as she looked out of the window, immediately taking sight of the water kissing the sand gently as the breeze was moderate. The sky that was like an immense canvas, with the mad painter testing out different shades, never getting contented. The white smoke swirling around the different hues of deep blue, almost touching the peaks of distant mountains, were the parts that never met the delicate tip of the paintbrush. The view was that of a paradise, carrying wonder in it and stretching on for miles.

Her gaze locked on to the windowsill. Something was clawing at the pit of her stomach, making her unease. Yes, it was reaping day but she didn't usually wake up so worried. It would usually take a few hours for anxiousness to creep up. But this morning, it was different. Because the second she opened her eyes, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she immediately felt a wave of fear.

The kettle whistled and Juliet broke out of her trance. She stood and poured steaming water in her mug. Holding the handle tight, she strolled to the door and unlocked it and exited their house as quiet as a mouse.

Her feet was immediately met with moist sand that sunk a bit to her weight, leaving visible footprints. She wrapped the jacket around her tighter with one hand and began to walk faster, determined to settle down by the docks and sip on her hot coffee before the sun rose up fully. Cold breeze nipped on her nose and she'd made it in time and sat down the edge, her legs dangling and her toes meeting the calm surface of the water. She brought the mug on her lips and a bittersweet taste filled her mouth.

It was the same route for Juliet every morning. Wake up before the others do, grab her brother's jacket that she claimed hers, make coffee, and go to the docks. And in just a few moments, he would wake up, go make himself coffee as well with the hot water Juliet saved for him and sit beside her.

She took another sip of her coffee before placing it down and retrieving the pad and the charcoal pencil in her pocket. The pencil was now the size of her index finger but, nevertheless she flipped through the pages to finish where she left off yesterday.

Weeks ago, she'd wondered what was like in the other districts. Like, how waking up and seeing a cow outside the window instead of the sea. So, she began drawing the landscapes of other districts with a brief description down below along with the district number to quench curiosity. She was stroking the cornfield of District 11 when Enoch sat himself beside her, half awake with the coffee in his hands.

"Roy still asleep?" Juliet mumbled, not glancing up.

"Yeah," He mumbled back. They were both silent, occasionally sipping their coffee. Eventually, Juliet placed the sketch pad on her lap and leaned her head towards Enoch's shoulder to look at the rising sun.

"You've just got this reaping to attend to, then you're cleared," Her voice was barely in a whisper. "you won't be called later, anyway."

"Gut feeling or consoling?"