Chapter 2
1143 Words
Here's the Two girl! Shoutout to Ibelieveinnargles for making a Two BOY and letting me make him into a girl.
Abrexa James, jr. 18(D2F)
Parents bring life to their children, and sometimes they bring death, too. I could have done a lot of things with my life. I was always good in school. My psychology teacher told me I should try for a scholarship. He had such high hopes for me. I used to dream about putting in for a college spot and how proud he would be, escpecially when I told him I was going to stop training. But that was never an option for me.
People always told me I could be anything I wanted. Everyone said "follow your dreams" and "be your own person". No one actually meant that. It wasn't that easy. I hated training from the day my mother marched me to the Academy and enrolled me as I pleaded that I didn't want to. The only time she was ever proud of me was when I did well in class or when an Academy teacher talked about my potential. Everyone in my family was looking forward to seeing me win. They talked about how great it would be for the family and how I was doing this for all of them. It was harder to follow your dream when everything in your life was dead set against it. If I didn't volunteer, I didn't know if I would have a mother anymore. The Academy said it would make us strong, but I wasn't that strong.
We had a guest escort this year, since our usual one caught sick. Some intern blushed up on the stage, hoping she wouldn't mess everything up and wishing she hadn't complained about wanting more as she fetched coffee for highers-up.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Nikki File, and I'm your substitute name-picker this year! How about... I do the boys first?" she said. "Manuel Guerrero!"
I waited for Pollux to volunteer, but he kept quiet. For once,I thought. Of all the times for Pollux Basalt to keep quiet... I didn't even know Manuel, but he looked surprisingly unscared as he took his place.
"That was weird. Usually someone volunteers," Nikki said, looking around nervously. "Oh well. Maybe the girls. I'll pick... Tallulah Chisholm! Do I have any volunteers?"
I had about thirty seconds to volunteer. I took the time to savor my last moments out of danger. If I wanted to throw it all off and live my own life, this was the time. I felt my mother's disapproving glare at the thought, followed by Artemis Krueger's side-eyed stare as she hoped my after-class complaints would come to life.
"I volunteer as Tribute," I said, the words sour in my mouth. I didn't shout it, like most volunteers. I had nothing to be enthusiastic about. I merely said it loud enough for Nikki to hear it. As always, I did the bare minimum others expected of me.
"Wonderful! Come on up!" Nikki said. We went through the pomp and circumstance afforded to volunteers in Two.
I started making my plans as I waited in the Justice Hall. Manuel not being a Career was going to change things. Despite my ambivalence toward him, I'd worked hard at making Pollux an ally. In my opinion, the best way to win was to have everyone think you were their friend. That was going to be a lot harder with a non-Career partner. On the bright side, Manuel wouldn't know about my unsavory reputation for lying.
Manny Guerrero
Another reaping day. Business as usual here in district two. I check in just in time and here I stand in a sea of fifteen year old boys. It's gonna go down the same as every year before has: Crazy capital person makes a speech, picks a boy and a girl, and volunteers step up to replace each. The crowd cheers.
I start to think about how the Games couldn't be any worse than my life has been. My parents both died when our house burned down three years ago. Shortly after that, my younger sister, Mia, was crippled when a group of career trainees decided they wanted to have some "live practice" outside of the training center. Since then, I've been doing what I can to take care of my broken sister and also take my revenge out on any career I can. School hasn't been possible since then. Sad, since I really excelled there. But me and my slingshot have been the cause of many a broken finger, busted nose, swollen eye-not major injuries, but major enough to ruin a trainee's chances of getting picked to volunteer for the games.
Then I hear, "Manuel Guerrero!" My first thought: It's Manny! No one calls me Manuel except… Then I realize what's missing: No one volunteered. The peacekeepers are already approaching to escort me up to the stage. They know it's me that will end up there. They have their hands on me; no career is volunteering to take my place… "Mia, Mia!" I shout. I scream, wail her name. "Mia!" I thrash against the peacekeepers' grip, anything to get away, to get to Mia, waiting for me in our hidden corner of the alley. I feel a hard knock on the top of my head, then blackness.
I wake up, in the justice building I assume. Across the room, I notice a man and woman, nervously standing and looking at me. Something seems familiar about them.
"Who are you, and why are you here" I ask.
Than man answers, "We don't have much time left. I'm your uncle and this is your aunt. We've been watching over you since your parents died. Your parents wanted us to stay out of your life because of our support for the careers in training. We're so sorry; we should have met a long time ago. We know Mia is still alive. If you would like, we'll take care of her for you…"
It takes a few moments to fully comprehend this load of information. Flashes of emotion race through me—anger, sadness, confusion—each one I'm sure registers on my face. But then all I can feel is gratitude, thankful that I can leave knowing Mia will be okay. Slowly, I walk over to them, wrap them in a huge hug, and whisper, "Thank you."
After they leave, I think back to the reaping just minutes before, fidgeting with Mia's bright pink hair tie.
Everyone who saw me scream and cry must think I'm a big baby-or just plain mental.
I have to show them I'm more than that…
I have to show the Careers I'm more than a match for them.
Only a few left now. Almost there! Remember, the FIVE MALE slot is now open.
- Writer
