All I know is prizes | Portia [JB]

”You’re really going in, nobody volunteered!” Are the words that Astra uses as she greets me first in the Justice Building, my other sister and parents follow through the door behind her. Astra is the youngest, she hugs me and so does my mother. ”I think less people are volunteering…”

”No.” My father is abrupt. Clio says no too, adding ”There’s been volunteers every year before today.” Clio is younger than me, the middle two. I am middle one, Nova who is in Three is the eldest. ”It is one of our competitors, they paid to get one of the Maybachs reaped. That is why nobody volunteered.” Father is not even looking at any of us as he projects his conspiracies. He is stood peering through the window, paranoid, rubbing his chin with his fingers.

For a family that usually follows a strict routine, one so strict that we sometimes don’t even share an hour in the day, the past few minutes have been the most frenzied in my life. All I do is hold onto Astra who is clinging onto me. Watch my mother and Clio comfort each other and share the only words of support that are being said in the room while my father continues with his rage at someone, I am sure does not even exist. I don’t consider myself as someone with enemies, perhaps a few people envy me, who want to be me but not anyone who would want to tear me down. But I am saddened to learn today that there is nobody out there willing to sacrifice themselves for me. Not even the guys at the career academy who like to flex their muscles at me or the girls who show off their sharp blades with me. Not a single admirer. Does that mean my life isn’t worth saving?

”Please Dad, you’re not helping me right now…”I say as I collapse my head onto the table that I am sat at and pull my arms away from Astra.

”Maybe this will.” Astra dangles a medal that she has been carrying in the pocket of her shorts. I can see it swaying beneath the table as I refuse to lift my head up, but it doesn’t look like one of hers, it is mine. My hand reaches out to it, poking the gold metal circle. It is the first medal I ever got, a participation medal in a kindergarten egg and spoon race. ”I ran all the way home to get you a medal, I hope this is a right one…” Astra drops it into my hand, the red, white and blue ribbon sinks onto the medallion in my palm. ”it is a perfect token.” I hug her and the moment brings silence into the room. Father is still looking out of the window; his arms are crossed. ”What are you going to do?” Clio asks as she joins the group sisterly hug, I just wish Nova was here too to complete it.

”I will bring home something so much more special than a medal. There is a crown waiting to be fitted to my head. Don’t worry about me, it is what the training has been for.” It is a tragedy that District One’s record is so dire, it is hard not to think about the past results of a District with such an esteemed career programme but with nothing to show for it. Except I am different, my whole family is different. We’re moving with the times quicker than One is. I am the one to set records and this is just another tournament for me to bring home a prize from.