𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕕 𝟞𝟡𝕥𝕙 ℍ𝕦𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕘𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕤

Proceeding

     That night we returned home and the next two days went by ordinarily. It was the night before the reaping. Our minds were anxious about what the next day would bring. The three of us whipped up a simple mushroom rice dinner and we took turns showering. It wasn't long before we each found our way onto the living room couch. It was the last night proceeding the reaping. Falling and staying asleep on reapings eve was difficult. Over the years it's been an unspoken tradition we just sit next to one another in support, and at least attempt to sleep. This year was no different. The lighting in the room was dim and the cool winter wind softly hummed outside. Sphinx got up and turned on our living room space heater before returning to his seat beside Lenna and me.

        There were a good number of Vanguard members. Regardless of whether we wanted to or not, as a Vanguard member the older and more lethal you were, the higher the chance that you would be chosen by instructors and made to volunteer for the games. Decades ago in the academy's early days, the few teens who were not enthusiastic about the games would tone down their performance in the academy. This intentionally put them at a much lower risk of being selected. However, despite these efforts, it is very hard to hide things about yourself from instructors who have been watching and teaching you for well over five years over your life. This action is looked down upon by most adults in the district. To nullify this behavior, instructors would have offenders publicly flogged shortly after being caught. Usually, dozens of district members were present for this. The fear of physical pain and embarrassment deterred most trainees from this practice and these days it is rare. I was among fourteen, 18-year-old Vanguard members. Unfortunately enough for me, I was good at my craft. My siblings knew this just as much as I did and it weighed heavily on our minds. I laid my head back into the couch cushions.

        "Five more years guys... just five more nights like these". I said breaking the silence. We extended our arms around one another and hugged. It would be five more years of reapings until the three of us were in the clear and could lead comfortable lives. Over the next several hours, sleep caught up with the two of them, and anxiety reared its head into my mind. I needed fresh air. I silently stood and slipped past Lenna and a now snoring Sphinx grabbing a small coat before exiting the house. I wanted to see one of our District's hidden gems. To get there you'd need to pass under the fences that bordered the District and continue east which I did. Due to the stonework that we did, our District had two mountains that we mined from. Because of this, there were pathways throughout the thick fields on the edges of our District. I walked the familiar route careful not to make noise beginning down a path. I folded my arms over one another pulling my coat closer to me as a result of the icy winter air. After twenty minutes I reached the end of the path which was a high peak that showcased District Two from an elevated position. Before me, I could see unmanned Construction sites, large buildings, and even the faint glow of lights from windows that housed residents awake at the late hour. The wind cut down my back and I shivered sticking my hands into their pockets.

      There was so much to take I surveilled the sites. I was interrupted by an image out of the corner of my eye. A figure. I squinted in the dark and my eyes began to adjust to the darkness. They widened at the realization. We have a strict curfew here and it was illegal to be outside the District limits as I was. Anyone else here would know this. There is little chance said person would be up to anything good up here. I glared at the figure and took a step toward them. Retreating would only alert them. My only option was confrontation. My step snapped a twig and the figure shot its head towards me. They stood up from a seated position and I readied theirself.

I was relieved to see a familiar face.

"Synthe?!" "Helena?!" We asked in unison.

    The paranoia of the night had gotten to me. I wasn't the only teenager that came here. Helena and a small few others also liked to enjoy this spot from time to time when the opportunity presented itself. " My heart is literally in my throat right now! You scared me." She said sighing with relief. " You're telling me, I was over there making up all types of scenarios in my head about who you might be. " I laughed. " Can't sleep either?" I asked as we both took seats on a smooth boulder. To which she shook her head. Our conversation had been focused on her little sister so much the last time we spoke, that we hadn't discussed the games much at all. " The reaping's been on my mind. I just... It's a lot of pressure. " She started. I moved myself closer to her and wrapped my arm around her pulling her in closer to me. To return she rested her head on my chest. " We're going to get through this. " I sighed. We sat there for a while longer mostly in silence enjoying the view, before I walked her home. After which I made my way home and managed to at least get three hours of sleep on the couch.  Morning came. Before I knew it I was getting my clothes on. It was Friday. 

I was outfitted with burgundy slacks with a matching vest accompanied by a white button-up collared shirt with a contrasting navy blue tie. I slipped my feet into a pair of tan Chelsea boots and met my siblings once again in the living room. Seeing my siblings all dressed up brought a melancholy smile to my face. I was proud of them, and they looked nice. They too were wearing shades of red and burgundy, something that most District Two children did as a sign of patriotism and respect for our District. Sphinx wore a deep crimson suit and Lenna, a vibrant coral dress. The three of us again made our way outside but this time we were headed to the town square.