Let the Games Begin.

Chapter 2- The Reaping

   That night, my dreams were filled with death. I kept seeing my mother. When she died, I was ten. I was sitting at our table drawing and mom was in the kitchen cooking. Mom would always sing when she cooked; she had an amazing voice. My father came through the door. He was drunk, again. He stumbled into the kitchen and started arguing with mom. They were shouting at each other. It got out of control. Dad started throwing things. There was a lot of shattered glass on the floor. Dad got so mad, he started to hit mom. I had seen them fight before- a lot- but not as bad as this. I saw dad push her back. He pushed her so hard she hit the fireplace and fell. I ran to her, but father pushed back. My right leg hit a piece of broken glass. That's how I got the scar on my thigh. No one knows about it- I am sure dad was too drunk, and he does not remember it- not even Travis. My dad kept beating mom. That is what I kept dreaming about. My mother’s body just lying there and my dad yelling and hitting her. I've always disliked my father, but after that night I hated him. My hate grew more and more over the years. Because of him I had to face my first year of the reaping alone. He never went to them- probably passed out somewhere- and I did not meet Travis till I was 14. I was so scared, even then my father made me put my name in more for tesseraes.

   When I woke up, I could see the sun through my window. I guessed it was about 9:30-10:00. The reaping started at noon. I did not really feel like doing anything so I sat on my bed and watched outside. The sun shining over a broken village, the wind blowing slightly through the trees on the other side of the fence; it all seemed so peaceful. Only I knew it was not. People die every dad from starvation, diseases, and the Peacekeepers. They would beat people every day, for no reason at all. And today starts the "Celebration of Murder"- that's what I call the Hunger Games.

   Before I knew it, the horn sounded which signalized that it was one hour until the reaping began. I decided to go ahead and get dressed and head to the Square. I put on my jeans then got my red shirt. I was about to put it on when I saw my mom's dress. It was in the back of my closet, not that I had a big one, two jeans and four shirts, and dad thought the dress was burned. It was medium length, short sleeve, and green. It matched my eyes perfectly, just like my mom's. I decided I was going to wear it, even if my dad hated it. I put on the dress, and it came down just above my knees. I left my hair down. I went out of my room, and into the living room. I found my father on the couch. Unfortunately, not passed out.

   "What is that?" He demanded looking at me.

   "It's just a dress. I am going to the reaping." I said

   "Not in that!" He said.

   "Yes! I am going in this dress!" I said a little louder than I had intended to.

   "No. Go back to your room, and change. Now."

   "No. I can wear whatever I want! You never cared about anything with me or mom, so why should I have to listen to you?!"

   "I am your father! You will do as I say!"

   "Ha! You're no father." I scoffed. "You don't care about anything except your stupid alcohol! Now if you will excuse me, I am off to my death, no thanks to you." I yelled and walked out the door. I ran to the Square. I hoped he would not follow me. I can't stand him! The one good thing about today, I might not have to deal with him anymore.

   A lot of people were already there when I got to the Square. They had sections for the different age groups. I walked to the 16 age group and stood there. The people who were not in the poll were all standing around the outer side of the groups, watching, and hoping their loved ones would not get chosen.

  They put us in front of the stage. On the stage were two bowls, a microphone, and Effie Trinket, Haymitch, and the Mayor. Haymitch was the mentor for the tributes, Effie was kind of like that, more just to keep everyone on time, and make sure the tributes actually get to the Capitol. Effie approached the microphone first.