Maysilee Donner - The Hunger Games

Maysilee Donner - The Hunger Games Chapter 2 : The reaping

I must have fallen sleep with Pavarotti in my hands because his delightful chirp startled me awake. I sat up slowly rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I was never a morning person. Estelle's bed was empty, she must have crept in with mum in the middle of the night. I can tell that Estelles sleep was not dreamless, its been a year and she still wakes up screaming for Miranda, to run from a spear.

[Flashback to Miranda's death]

Estelle and i watched, petrified in the district 12 square. The crowd was silent as we watched our girl tribute Miranda starving in dessert. She was only 14. Her parents watched tearfully as their only child trekked through the dessert terrain in search of water.

Estelles bright blue eyes glared at the screen, not missing a second of what was going on. The screen then cut to Cesar Flickerman smiling face. "Well folks, it appears that District twelve's last tribute, wont last long unless she finds some water," he announced.I hated the capitol, it was just a game to them, nothing else. It's just a  chance for them to throw their money around, betting on people's survival. I hate it. 

There was a sudden squeal. It was Estelle, Miranda had fallen. I looked up at the screen with hope that Miranda wouldn't die, not now at least. But before i could grasp the thought, the tributes from districts 1,2 and 4 came into view. Miranda doesn't have a chance. I looked through the gawping audience, for Miranda's parents but in their place were another family. where where they? A scream came from the speakers. 

"RUN MIRANDA, RUN" my sister screamed, before breaking down in sobs of pain. I looked up to watch the spear pierce through her struggling body. 

I felt my stomach lurch as i watched her lay bloody and senseless on the sand. my hearing started to become fuzzy and all i could hear was Estelle's loud screams, then all at once my vision clouded over and i started to fall to the ground. I had fainted.

[flashback over]

Thinking back to that day, makes me feel sick. I hate this. i hate all of this. i just want the reaping over and done with today so we can come home and relax for a year. 

"Maysilee! Breakfast!" my mother called chippy. I didn't want to eat, it felt like my stomach could implode from all the feelings inside me. But I had to be brave, show that I could do this, for Estelle, for my family. I stood up slowly as all my bones and muscles cracked awake, and headed down the hall to the kitchen, the floor boards narrating every step. 

"morning dear" my mother smiled faintly, her normal big blue eyes were over cast with tiredness and stress. Estelle must have been keeping her up all night. I looked around, but Estelles blond hair was no where to be seen nor was my fathers. "wheres-" i looked around. 

"I sent Estelle and your father out for some fresh bread." said my mother handing me a plate with a boiled egg and stale bread.

"Thanks mum" I  said placing the plate onto the table. As I sat down the smell of the eggs filled my nostrils making my stomach relax a little. Mothers always been an excellent cook, even when we couldn't afford much she still managed to make food I'm sure, tasted as good as the capitols. Just as I stood up to put my plate away Estelle and my father arrived filling the room with the crisp smell of bread. Estelle ran over to capturing me in her arms nearly knocking me over from the impact. 

"we'll be fine maysilee!" said my sister refusing to let me go.

"Of course we will!" I said trying to sound convincing patting her back. Estelle let me go and handed mother the bread, she was already in her reaping clothes. She was wearing a dress i hadn't seen before, it was blue with simple frills at the bottom and a grey cardigan. She looked a lot older and elegant than normal. 

"I made you both dresses" said mother smiling at me. I knew she did this because our other reaping out fits were the ones that we wore when Miranda died. 

"they look great" I thanked her. I put my plate away a headed back to my room. Mother followed me down the hall taking light steps. 

"I'm proud of you, you know. For being brave, for supporting your sister."my mother whispered. 

"I couldn't have done it without you or father" I said kissing her on the cheek. My mother smiled her eyes more watery that usual. 

"Right you go in there i'll get your dress" my mother instructed breaking our moment. I went into my room to find Pavarotti chirpy as usual and started to get changed. The door creaked open and my mother came in holding a green dress similar to Estelles but it had sleeves. It really was beautiful. 

"I thought you would like to wear green since its the same colour as Pavarotti" my mother spoke. I smiled back at her and she handed me the dress. I quickly slipped the dress on and looked in the mirror, I looked different, like an older me. I watched mother me behind me as she reached into her pocket pulling out a small gold pin. She handed it to me. 

"Take this, i want you to have it, For everything you've done. I used to wear it to my reapings so its no use to me anymore." I looked in to my mothers smiling blue eyes as she attached it to my dress. It was a small gold ring with a bird in the middle, carrying a arrow in its beak. It was beautiful. 

"Thank you mother, for everything." i said smiling at her. Her eyes started to fill with tears again, so i quickly wrapped my arms around her squeezing her tightly. I hated seeing her cry. Estelle then creaked down the hallway towards the room, so I let go and she quickly dried her tears. 

" Ill go get ready" she sniffed.

after mother was ready and she did our hair we left the house. Estelle and i walked hand in hand to the square wich wasnt far, when we got there there were ques of nervous district 12 children waiting to be checked in. Estelle and I joined the same que she gave my hand a small squeeze and we got closer to the front. The peacekepers ask for our fingers and prick them with a small device then press them on a sheet of paper. Every year it seems to get more painful. Once we had both done it we headed to join the girls who were the same age us giving hope full looks to each other. Estelle and I looked for our parents who were standing with my best friend Catalina's parents and gave them a convincing smile they all smiled back as Catalina joined us. She didn't say anything but give us a convincing smile. I knew inside she felt the same as me that her heart was about to jump out her chest any minute so i grabbed her hand grasping it tight. 

The crowd was mostly silent, most people are to scared to talk in case their breakfast comes back, and others just can find the words. We all looked towards the stage that had been set up in front of the Justice building waiting for this to be over. Finally our escort Fern Berry stumbles on to the stage with her blue silk dress so rich that it would cost more than our sweetie shop. 

"Welcome! welcome!" her capitol voice echoed the aerie air. just get it over and done with. I think, while she reads out the same speech we hear every year about rebels and how the hunger games will be a reminder of those who rebelled against the capitol 50 years ago. "Now, the time has come to select to Courageous young men and women to take the honour or representing district 12 in the 50th anual Hunger Games!" she paused hoping for an applause, but no one moved a muscle. "Ladies first!" she said briskly. 

I squeezed both Catalina and Estelle's hands for reassurance as Fern stepped quickly over to the large glass bowl containing names, in her heels almost falling over. This was it she was picking the first tribute. The air was still and no one made a sound as she put her hand in and pulled one staight out again. She quickly ran back over to the microphone, my heart pounding hard against my chestand my stomach twisting, as she opened the slip and called out "Maysilee Donner!"