59th Reaping [D8]

Today is just like any other day. I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs on the stove. I jumped in the shower, I brushed my teeth, combed my hair, got dressed. Sure my clothes today are nicer, my hair a little neater, and my mom was weeping at the kitchen table, but it was just another day.

Well, there is something special about today. Instead of carrying out my chores, and going through my lessons, I'll have to go into town and stand with kids my age and younger, and watch the District 8 tributes get picked for the next Games. I was actually excited, any reprieve from the monotony of my life was welcome. It was like a little vacation to me. I wasn't worried about getting reaped, I was rich; I didn't need to put in for tessera. Most the kids my age weren't so lucky.

I ate quickly, excited to get the day started. It was rare that I was let off the property, and I always enjoyed the outings, reapings were no different. My Mother watched me with blurry red eyes, sniffling and moaning. She wasn't as excited as me about today. "I can't loose my baby boy!" She moaned and blew her nose. I rolled my eyes at her, and finished chewing and swallowing the gob of food in my mouth. "Mom, I'll be fine. This is my last year anyway. Just calm down." She started crying louder.

I choked down the rest of my food and shoved away from the table. "I'm going on ahead! See you later today!" Before my mother could say or do anything, I was out of the kitchen and down the hall. I was just walking out of the door when my mother's sobs grew suddenly louder. I knew she was running after me, and my heart spasmed in fear. I threw myself out the door, sprinting down the lawn and skidding around some bushes, before she could catch up to me and smother me in kisses and fuss all over me. I could still hear her weeping as I made my way toward the property line.

I was elated. I was free for an entire day! I would not see my doting mother until later tonight. I giggled gleefully, and picked up my pace. I heard a familiar bark, and turned to see Rook, my border collie, bounding after me. "Her girl." I laughed, petting her once she reached me. "You can walk with me until we reach city, but then you'll have to go home." Rook bounced all around me, sniffing anything and everything, tail whipping back and forth in a blur. She never got out either, and she was apparently excited to be off the property.

Eventually I reached the city, and said goodbye to Rook. She whined, sad to be left behind. "Don't worry girl, I'm coming back." I smile at her reassuringly. There's no way she'd know what today was, but I like to pretend Rook is smarter than other dogs. She was my only friend and confidant, so to me she was just a fuzzy human.

By the time I made it to the square, only a small crowd had gathered. I was exceptionally early. I leaned back against a wall and watched people file in. Young lovers held each other tight, parents clung to their children, brothers and sisters avoided each other's eyes, knowing that if one of them were picked the other wouldn't stand up for them. I was amused by these relationships, intrigued by some of the dynamics. I was glad I didn't have anyone to pretend to worry about. I didn't want to experience that awkward moment when they are picked and you're not and they look over and hope that you love them enough to step up for them, but you don't, so they go into the arena knowing their love ones don't love them enough to save them. I've seen that scenario played out year after year, and it just affirms my belief that humans suck and dogs are way better.

Finally, it's time for the reapings. The mayor steps up and rattles off the female tribute's name. I don't recognize it of course. I feel nothing for the girl as she makes her way toward the stage. He pulls out another slip of paper with the male's name on it. I'd be lying if I said that at the moment I wasn't a little scared. I was. My stomach seized and I leaned forward, ready to breathe a sigh of relief. I didn't. The name sounded. My name. My name. Berkley Ichabod. Suddenly everything was muffled, and my head is spinning. I pitch forward into someone, they push me away violently, causing me to crash into someone else. They shove me on the ground. Berkley Ichabod. That's not my name is it? There must be some mistake.

It isn't a mistake.

Suddenly everything clears, and all I can think is I'm going to die within a couple of months. I was always going to die, it was just a matter of when, how and why. Now I know. When? During the games. How? Murdered by another kid. Why? Because the Capital likes it. In some ways it's a huge relief, and in others I'm scared shitless.

I pick myself up off the ground and push through the crowd to mount the stage. I climb up the stairs, my steps heavy and forceful. I take my place next to the girl and look out at the crowd of relieved faces. I don't expect anyone to step up for me, I'm not counting on it, but it still stings that no one does. Distantly, I become aware of a shrill keening toward the back of the crowd that I immediately recognize as my mother. A small pit in my stomach forms, and I realize that my mother would take my place if she could, and I realize that if she were in my place, I wouldn't do the same for her.

I'm a terrible person, but that's okay because I'll soon be dead.

ooc: Berkley Ichabod is entering the Hunger Games.