Lily's POV:
I am starving, I haven't eaten in 2 days, Jame's Mom can't afford to get us that much food. I had to spend my savings on bread so we don't starve. My name is Lily Drew and I am so hungry.
Everyone at school was talking about The Finding Games, I don't know why some people are excited about it. Aunt Matilda and James couldn't couldn't survive without my savings, I can't be chosen. Oh dear god I am praying I don't have an envelope waiting for me when I get home.
I met up with James outside the math classroom.
"Today is the choosing" James spoke casually, but I new he was just as nervous as I was.
"Yeah, Wonder who they will choose" I spoke very rushed trying to act casual.
He glanced at me and nodded "Yeah"
We walked out the school, and after glancing around to make sure no one was watching us, we darted into the woods on the right of the school yard.
We quickly ran down the trail that went to our house. We soon came to the fence that marked our property. James tossed our bags over then turned to me, "You want to go first or me?"
I nodded "I'll go" I gulped I hated heights but it was the only way to get over the fence as there was no gate. I walked over to the willow tree that grew next to the fence. James made his hands into a step for me, I stepped into his hands and he boosted me into the tree. I crawled along the branch, trying not to look down.
When I got to the end of the branch I slid onto the fence, then the ground. I waited as James did the same.
We climbed the steps to our little cabin. Aunt Matilda was asleep in her rocking chair on the porch. we tiptoed past her and went in our house. When James closed the door we saw the mail lying on the mat.
I stared at James with wide eyes. "We never get mail" James said slowly.
I nodded, to scared to speak.
He stared at me for another minute, then he bent down and picked up the envelopes.
He looked at the front of them, "There's one for each of us" He said his voice shaking.
I was trembling, I was so scared. If there was one for both of us, then no one would be able to look after Aunt Matilda.
He handed me one, I turned it over to the front with shaking hands and read:
Lily Drew
47 Cork Rd.
Salt Lake City UT, Faction 2
New America
I shakily slit the top and pulled out a letter which stated:
Ms. Lily Drew,
The Council is please to inform you that you have been accepted into Team #2 for the 31st Finding Games. You will find enclosed a list of supplies. You will meet the other teams at the Capitol on Jan. 3rd, 2067.
Transport will be provided to get you and your Team mate to the Capitol.
Good Luck in the Games.
~The Council of the Games
"No" I whispered, "NO" I shouted I threw the envelope on the ground, "NO!" I shouted, I pulled at my hair and sobbed.
"Lily, Lily, It's going to be ok" James was trying to calm me down but I was hysterical.
"Ok! OK! How can you even theink this is going to be Ok!?" I yelled turning on him my hair flying into my face. "We are so poor we can't even get a christmas dinner let alone fly all over the planet!" I was in a rage now yelling and waving my arms around.
"How is Aunt Matilda going to survive when our wages are the only thing putting food on the table!" I screeched at him sinking onto the couch.
"We'll find a way" He stated gazing down calmly at me. I stared up at him.
"No" I staed as I stood again. "No I whispered. I wasn't going to go, no one from their darn council was going to get me to leave Aunt Matilda. I took some steps toward the door, and felt myself getting dizzy.
"No" I whispered one last time before falling to the ground in a dead faint.
James POV:
I gasped as Lily fainted and immediately ran over to her, I knelt down and turned over her head to see if she hit her head hard, there was a small bump but it didn't feel that bad.
I picked her up and lay her on the couch after I had checked her for more injuries.
as my cousin lay on the couch asleep I decided to open my envelope.
I picked up my envelope and glanced at the front:
James Peach
47 Cork Rd.
Salt Lake City UT, Faction 2
New America
I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter:
Mr. James Peach,
The Council is please to inform you that you have been accepted into Team #2 for the 31st Finding Games. You will find enclosed a list of supplies. You will meet the other teams at the Capitol on Jan. 3rd, 2067.
Transport will be provided to get you and your Team mate to the Capitol.
Good Luck in the Games.
~The Council of the Games
I gulped as I finished reading, the chanches of the Council picking both of us were slim, but I am glad I will be able to look after Lily.
I stood and after checking Lily one last time I walked onto the porch.
I sat down on the swinging bench and sighed staring into the trees.
"So you opened the envelopes?"
I jumped at the sound of my mother. I glanced over to see her awake in her rocking chair.
I nodded and looked back at the trees.
"I heard Lily screaming is she alright?" My mom asked, concern lacing her voice.
"Yeah she's fine, she fainted but now she's on the couch sleeping" I explained still looking at the trees.
"Everything will turn out ok" My mom said soothingly, reaching over to grasp my hand.
"I hope so" I spoke, looking at her in the eye.
"I know so" My Mom whispered.
