I wake up as the sun shines on my face. Lifting my head from the log it was resting on, and I look around. Quickly spotting Pearl, my dark black mare, eating the long green grass all around us. I yawn and sit up, stretching my long limbs. I smile as I watch Pearl walk over to me and snort in my face. Giggling I push her back. "Stay away, you've got morning breath" I mumble to her as she gracefully trots back to the apple tree, where a ripe red apple just fell.
I stand up and grab my black leather bag, Throwing the well used strap over my shoulder as I put two of my fingers into my mouth. I whistle and Pearl looks over at me before she comes back. I open the flap of the bag and give her a sugar cube. As she licks the sugary substance from her lips, I pull out a small piece of bread and eat it quickly.
I stroke the dark mane of the young mare, letting the smell of the woods over take me as I breath deeply. I close my eyes and wait for a few minutes. Suddenly my eyes flash open and my bright blue eyes are visible again. I swing my leg up, over the strong back of my horse and sit bare back as I tell her to move on. Lurching forward through the fields of grain I keep going. The speed making my dark red shirt flap in the wind, and my legs shiver slightly under the fabric of my tight black pants. I arrive at the square in minutes, the miles had passed by in seconds. I slide off the high back of the panting beast. I stroke her muzzle and hand her another sugar cube. I smile again as he soft lips tickle the palm of my hand. Patting her back as she trots off to wherever she wants to be. I don't ever have to worry about Pearl, no one messes with me, or my horse. No one.
I look around me quickly, watching as the lines get shorter and shorter. Soon enough I find my self two people away from those god damn books. I wait as the little boy in front of me cries as they prick his small finger. Watching, the small scarlet droplet stain the drawn square of the paper. The small blond woman looks at me expectantly. I put hand in front of her and stick my pointer finger towards her. she pricks my finger and I smear my blood on the page. I look down to see my precious red blood in the shape of a smiley face on the bright white paper.
I give the short woman a grimace and step past the gates. I walk slowly and cautiously, scanning the crowds. There are two guards at each of the obvious exits. two more are stationed at the sides of the stage, and all around the perimeter of the town square. There is no way anyone would be able to sneak out of here. But I'm not anyone. I'm Scarlet.
I make my way over to the edge of the square. A small girl is standing in front of me, crying and sobbing for her mother. A stab of sympathy hits my heart as I realize that this must be her first reaping that she has ever attended. I bend down and hold my hand out to her. Her small face lifts up and I see the wet tracks the tears have caused down her cheeks. She cries some more and neither of us speak, I hold her close to me and smooth down her bright curly gold hair.
The tapping off a microphone is heard and I pull away from the girl but keep a hold of her shaking hand. An overly dressed doll is standing front of two large glass balls, both filled with slips of paper containing the names of the people of my district. I glare at the prissy, snobby, rich lady strut around in her 18 inch heels. I tune out the high pitched voice of the lady and turn away. Over my shoulder I see a woman crying looking at the small girl at my feet. Our eyes meet and recognition is seen in her swollen, red face. "Save her" are the words she mouths, and that was all I needed to know.
I tighten my grip on the girls hand and she holds on lighter as well. I slowly move over to a shaded area,where two small buildings meet, and go into the small crevice, away from most guards. I look around, I see that the roofs are dipping slightly, and that they are almost reachable. I smile as my piercing eyes find something to climb on. A cart full of hay is resting forgotten around the corner from the small shaded area we are standing in now. I tiptoe over to the cart , my hand still holding the blond girls hand. We make it as I pull the cart towards the dipping wall. I smile as I see that we will be able to reach the roof. The blaring of a video being shown suddenly makes me stop. I shake my head and climb up the steps of the wooden cart. Reaching down, I and lift the girl up. Suddenly I hear shouts from my right. A jolt of panicked shoots through me as I see two guards charging at me. I grab hold of the yellow dress the girl is wearing and quickly, gently, toss her up out of sight, on the roof. I scramble to reach the roof when my foot is grabbed and I am dragged back down, back to the dirty ground where I see the entire population of district nine looking at me expectantly. I glare at them all. "Well, it looks like someone just volunteered for little Sophie over there" the screeching voice from before says. I look over at the stage to see a girl my age, who's name I'm assuming is Sophie, stands in front if the glass ball to the right. the terrified look in her green eyes makes me feel bad for her when the high pitched words finally register."what do you mean, I'm volunteering?" I sneer as I yank my arm out of the hands of a peace keeper trying to restrain me. He moves forwards again and I kick him in the shin. A gun is pointed at my head and I put my hands up. "Wow, a little extreme don't you think?" I snarl at the man. He ignores me and the doll starts talking again. "The bylaws dear, if you try to leave, well..." a small giggle escapes her green lips as I grind my teeth together at the sound. "it makes you the new tribute" she says proudly.
