Chapter 7
1011 Words
Eddin Cavitch
The highest good is like water. Water benefits all material things well, and does not contend.
I didn't even know where that came from. It had to be ancient. I didn't mean to base my life off it, but that's how it turned out. What the line meant was that it was better to adapt then to try to force change. Instead of planning ahead, it's best to think about things as they happen and adjust accordingly.
I had a good life in Eight. My parents weren't able to care for me, so they did what was best and took me to the District group home. I had a nice factory job that helped me contribute to the group home and save a nest egg in case I could ever afford to move out. I liked all my housemates and we had a good thing together. It could have been a lot worse. I was glad I had a home and food. I liked to be with my friends, and my main goal was keeping them happy. I worked as hard as I could to bring home wages that could make all our lives better. I never wanted any of them to go hungry or end up on the streets.
It was hard to find a silver lining to getting Reaped. I was so shocked I couldn't even say anything as they announced me, but that sort of worked to my advantage anyway. I was a tall boy, and I probably looked like a silent, hulking giant. After I got down from the stage, I thought of something I could be happy about. My best friend Jamie was a few months older than me. Now he'd never have to worry about getting Reaped. It wasn't enough to stop me from being scared, though.
I'd said before the Reaping that I didn't want anyone to visit me if I got picked. I didn't want to make it harder for them. Jamie and Headmistress Halion didn't listen, though. Jamie sat down next to me, but the Headmistress kept standing.
"Just say what you have to," was all she said. She left, and Jamie watched her in confusion.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked. True to my nature, I thought quick and didn't plan ahead.
"She means- you- I like you a lot," I said. I was blushing like a maniac.
"You mean... a lot?" Jamie asked with narrow eyes.
"Yeah, like... that a lot," I said. I was so relieved to have it out that I broke into a goofy smile.
"I knew it. I didn't want to press, but it's good we finally got that cleared up," Jamie said. He lurched forward and we grabbed each other in an embrace. "Why couldn't you tell me before you got Reaped?"
He was right. I should have told him ages ago. All the same, it felt amazing to know he felt the same way. It was a much better silver lining. It actually did make all this worth it.
Martha Lewis
It was Reaping Day. It was the greatest nightmare any of us ever faced. It hung over our heads every day. From our thirteenth birthdays until the day we turned eighteen, it was constantly in our heads. Every year we didn't get picked, we remembered another slip with our names was in that bowl. The odds were in our favor, but all we could see was that we each had to spin that wheel five times, and the odds were a little worse each time.
The crowd was different every year. Sometimes we were dead silent. Other times a single scream would set us all off, and we could hardly hear the escort. This time, it was a mix. I could hear a little boy crying, and another girl was calling for her brother. The Peacekeepers stood in rows along the edges of the Reaping Center, as silent and still as ever. I knew why they were there. Someone had to die for the Capitol to be happy. Whoever got picked would do anything to make sure it wasn't her. The Peacekeepers were here to get the girl to the stage, but they were here for the others as well. A girl who got picked would be willing to do anything. Even kill whoever was standing next to her.
It was worse when our escort came out. In the crowd, we were all trying to hide inside ourselves. We were looking at the ground and trying to fold into ourselves until there was nothing left. It wasn't possible with Rhodius there. His shrill, screaming voice cut through all our defenses.
"Are you ready?!" he crowed. We'd never be ready for what he was doing.
"It's time for... THE REAPING!" he screamed. "First, a lovely laaaaaaady! Who's it gonna be? Who's the llllucky winner? It's... It's... MAAAAAARTHA LEWIS!"
It was possible, I discovered, to be so scared you forgot how to be scared. I could feel my blood pounding in my chest, but I couldn't feel my legs as I walked onstage. The worst thing possible had happened. It was almost serene. The worst thing possible was over. I was going into the Games. I was going to die. It was all over, and I didn't have to be scared anymore.
I'm going into the Games. It was me. I was the pick. There weren't going to be any more Reapings for me. I had to stop being afraid and start getting ready. There was nothing left to be afraid of and nothing left to lose. As far as I knew, I was already dead. All I could do was try my best, and maybe things would work out. Maybe I could claw my way back to life.
Snowstar2 has an open SYOT for the 1st Hunger Games. I submitted and you should too so I can see my Tribute!
Eddin is just over six feet with red hair and blue eyes. Martha is pale with black hair and blue eyes.
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