97th Reaping [District Twelve]

It wasn't a bad life.

No, for District Twelve she lived quite well. She had food, a house with no holes in its roof, and more clothes in her closet than the entirety of the Seam. In fact, her father owned the most popular (and possibly only) tailor shop in the whole District. When you lived in a place like Twelve clothes weren't replaced, they were repaired, and Sofia's father was damn good at it. He was also good at making clothes from scratch, but that was reserved for his daughters only. It's not like anyone could afford it anyway.

So, from the outside looking in, she had it pretty good.

And Sofia would have agreed.

Until she didn't.

One day, Father found out about Mama's deep, dark secret. He found her spell book, and something in him snapped. Without a word, he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her from the house without even a glance back. He moved them back into his childhood home, and just days after the people he hired to bring their stuff to their new house the old one mysteriously burned down.

With Mama in it.

But he should have asked. He should have looked harder.

Because he would've realized Mama trained her too.

__

The night before the Reaping was a full moon.

It was perfect really, all the stars seemed to be aligning for her very last Reaping. Her spell book was laid out in front of her, lit candles scattered across the room, a gentle breeze that tickled her nose. It was perfect as if she had written the night herself.

The bright glow of the moon shined through her open window, illuminating her in an ethereal glow. The smell of burning incense filled her nostrils as she closed her eyes, laid her hands on her book, and began filling the quiet room with whispered chants. It had been a while since she attempted to curse someone, to wish ill will upon a soul, but this one deserved it.

Could Stone would pay for what he did.

__

The birds sang loudly in the morning, as if death was not imminent, and Sofia got dressed in her loveliest outfit, as if the thought did not phase her one bit. She knew her spell had worked, the spirits whispered to her last night in her dreams, and it took everything in her to keep the smile from being plastered on her face. Father would ask too many questions.

And she knew she would end up like her mother if he ever had a clue.

She braided her hair in a lovely crown with a ribbon to match her dressed weaved throughout. Her sisters followed not too far behind as she made her way to the town square, and into the line that would group her with the eighteen year olds one last time. Neither her nor her sisters had their names in more than was necessary, so she didn't even bother saying goodbye as they parted, knowing they would be reunited soon.

The escort took her place, not dressed appropriately at all for a Reaping. Well, unless you count the black as preparation for two of the funerals.

Ironic, really.

Her carefully manicured nails fished into the bowl of papers, managing to just grab one out of thousands.

"Coald Stone!"

And this time she couldn't keep the smirk from finding its way onto her face. She never doubted herself, but to see her hard work come true was beautiful beyond words. His wide eyes and shocked face as he walked to the stage made her smile grow even larger, and it did not fade as Demetria dug her hand into the second bowl.

"Sofia Markus!"

Her face finally faltered.

Mama always said everything had a price.

She just didn't realize this time it would be her life.

( Sofia Markus accepts her position as tribute)
( fc: lily cole )