Dawn of Destiny - (Hunger Games FanFic)

Chapter 1

"Mom, don't go to sleep yet."

I sat beside Mother as she layed down, trying to stay awake. I knew she was tired, but I just wanted her to stay awake a little bit longer... You never know when someone you love can just pass away, just like that.

Mother looked into my eyes, and smiled.

"Okay, Destiny." she told me.

We looked at eachother for the longest time, no words. Father was still at work, and I couldn't belive my birthday was tomorrow. I was turning twelve... the exact age to be entered in the draw of the Reaping...

"You can sleep now, mom." I said. She held onto my hand, and drifted to sleep.

I got up, trying not to disturb her, and walked into the kitchen. I walked over to the cabinets, looking for some ingredients. Maybe I could make Mother some soup when she wakes up? I shouldn't waste the food for myself, we don't have a lot left...

"Destiny!"

I turned around and closed the cabinets. It was Father! He got home early from work today.

"Oh, um, hi Father!" I said, looking confused. He's never been home this early before, and plus, I've haven't spoken to him in a while!

"Are you trying to make your mother something?" he asked me.

"Well, yes, but we don't have enough ingredients and-" I tried to reply.

"No worries," he said, and walked over to me. "I can make it."

I looked up at him. I nodded and headed to my room. I sat on a chair. Across from my room was my mother's, so I felt very safe. But, when I looked over at her, I saw worry washed over her face while she was sleeping. I really wonder what she was dreaming, or thinking about. I looked away.

I glanced at my knives, hanging on the wall. Thoughts began to race through my mind. I didn't know why, but something triggered my brain to start up.

~~~

There was some herbs growing outside the fence. I could reach them by climbing the fence, but I wanted to be more adventerous. Instead, I put my two knives in my pocket and climbed a tree that was very close to the fence, and jumped across. So there I was, on the other side of the fence. The only way getting back was to climb, though.

I cut the herb with my knife. I could use it for trading, but these days the people only take animal pelts and skin... 

It's worth a shot... I told myself, and cut more of the herb. It was fresh and smelt great, and could be used for spices on food.

I had a handfull after I was done, and quietly climbed over the fence to get back to my District grounds. I wouldn't want to get in trouble...

I walked over to a stand. The wrecked overhead sign read "Cooked or Baked", so I knew they probably only wanted meats, or ingredients used for baking. The herbs I had probably couldn't be used.

"What can I-" the man at the stand turned around "Oh! You must be Destiny. Hello there!"

My Father must have spoken to this man before, because I remember nothing of him.

"The name's Rick." the man said.

I slowly placed the herbs on the table. Rick looked down at them and smiled.

"Ah, Ternmalc. A very great spice used on meats." he said, and looked at me.

"Sorry there not washed, sir," I said. "but I would love to trade for some bread." I pointed at the back of his stand, peeking at the blackened bread.

"Ah, sure Destiny," Rick replied with a faint smile on his face. "But it's kind of burnt. Is that alright?"

I nodded. It's better then nothing. I gave him the herbs and he handed me the bread from the back of the stand. I thanked him.

"Hey! Dad!"

A boy came running over. He glanced up at Rick, then looked at me.

"Oh, am I disturbing anything, dad?" he said.

"No." Rick replied.

I thanked Rick quietly before leaving. I let the him and the boy talk.

~~~

I arrived home, taking my silver hair out of it's braid. I could feel it unravel to my hips. I walked into the kitchen and placed the bread on the counter. It was still warm.

I visited my mother's room, looked around the house, then went back to the kitchen. Father was gone, and I was guessing he was probably back at work. Him coming home was too good to be true. He works for a very long time, and only comes home when I'm in bed. I hate when I don't get to see him.

I grabbed my knives and sliced the bread. I took off a peice and went off to Mother's room again.

"Mother?" I whispered. Her weak eyes fluttered open.

"Yes, Destiny?" she coughed.

"I got some bread. Would you like some?" I asked her.

"No thanks, I'm not hungry." she croaked, and her eyes slowly closed.

"Mother, you haven't been eating for the past three days," I sighed, and put some bread beside her. "Only eat this if you're able to."

I walked back, to see that I accidentally left the door open. How irresponsible! I ran over to close it, but before I did, the sound of chirping caught my attention. I turned to face the kitchen. There was a bird pecking at the bread!

I had no idea what kind of bird it was. I calmly walked over to it as it still pecked at the bread. I ripped off a peice from the other end and threw it out the door. The bird followed it. I slammed the door shut before anything else could find it's way in.

~~~

I looked out the window. It was dusk, and Father wasn't home yet. I hung my knives back onto the wall, and glanced over into my Mother's room. Their was a bowl on the floor, so Father probably made the soup for her.

I tucked myself into bed, but I just couldn't fall asleep. There was too much on my mind. I thought that was at the back of my mind made it to the front, and tears came to my eyes.

The Reaping... I thought, with tears blurring my vision.

It was on my mind before, but it became more of a threat now. I was scared. My name could be drawn out, but that was only a slim chance. Besides, my name would only be entered once...

I tried to push the thought aside, but it was there. It could never dissapear into thin air. It would always be there. Everything slowly faded to black. It took me a while before I knew I was falling asleep.

I let myself close my eyes. I needed sleep. Tomorrow was a big day...