D I S T R I C T 1 2
JAY MELLARK
The Night Before The Reaping
Mockingjays are extraordinary birds. They first appeared during the Uprising, when thirteen districts made their best attempt at rebellion against the Capitol. They were a result of a mating of a Capitol made species called the Jabberjay, designed to infiltrate enemy bases and report whole passages of human speech back to their instructor, and the beautiful Mockingbird. The result was a thrilling, eye catching bird who can identify and easily recall both simple and complex tunes. The older the bird gets, the more skilled it becomes. Mockingjays are now often used among districts to signal to each other, or as an alarm or warning. District eleven is known to use Mockingjays as a signal that the working day is over; a trend started by a young tribute, who, sadly lost her life at the 74th Hunger Games...
Jay slapped the book shut, tossing it aside so it landed at the foot of her bed. Rue. The sweet, attentive 12 year old who died as she worked to help Katniss destroy the career's mountain of supplies. Rue always struck a sore spot in Jay's heart, since she lost her life when she was allied with her mother. If it wasn't for Rue, Jay was sure that Katniss never would have spotted that Tracker Jacker nest and given herself the opening to flee. Jay would be ever thankful for saving her mother. Jay had just settled under the covers when the door to her room creaked open. The brunette propped herself up onto one elbow and looked over, waiting for someone to come in. "You asleep?"
"No...All I can think about is tomorrow...The Reaping. I..." Jay stopped talking, the lump in her throat threatening to give her fear away. She was not scared. She was strong, tough and fearless. She had to be. A slender hand curled around the edge of the door and teased it open. Katniss stepped into the room, her head tilted to the side in a display of what...Pity? Jay frowned, not wanting to upset or worry her mother. "I'm fine..." she lied, sitting upright. "No...No you're not. Don't pretend with me, I can see. It's scary, I know. But, your name is only in there once. They won't pick you." Katniss froze, paused near the end of Jay's white wood bed. Those were the exact words she had said to Prim 17 years ago. The exact promise she had made. And yet, Effie's painted nails still managed to rake up the one slither of paper that had the youngest, most innocent girl's name printed on it flawlessly in black ink. Katniss had had to volunteer. This year, she wouldn't have that option.
"Mum?" Now it was Jay's turn to be concerned. She peeled the covers off of her legs and pushed herself up onto her knees. Her hands reached out and took hold of one of Katniss'. These 'episodes' were becoming more frequent as the Reaping drew closer. Katniss would remember something about the 74th Hunger Games and completely freeze as she relived it. Sometimes, Katniss would be lost for so long that Jay had to take care of her. Peeta, Jay's father and Katniss' husband, would become worried about Katniss and help Jay. Peeta was stronger than he gave himself credit for and had managed to almost obliterate the memories without the help of drink like Haymitch. He often held the family together year after year. He helped them the year Katniss' mother had died. The year Prim had turned 15 and was almost entered into the games, until a friend volunteered for her. He kept them going the year Gale was sent into the games and never made it back. Peeta was the glue that held the Mellark's together.
Jay sat on the edge of the bed next to her mother, after coaxing her to sit down, and rhythmically rubbed her thumb over Katniss' knuckles. "Sssh...it's alright..." Jay smiled, starting up her usual ritual of fetching a cup of hot, sweet mint tea and singing the District's now famous song.
"Deep in the meadow,
Under the willow,
A bed of grass,
A soft green pillow...."
Jay stopped singing when her mother took up the song, put her teacup down and wrapped her arms around Jay. Katniss stroked Jay's hair as her elegant though unrefined voice finished the song almost peacefully. "Remember," Katniss started, holding Jay at arm's length by her shoulders, "District 12 is with you." This was something that had started to be said as District 12 watched Katniss and Peeta live their lives through many perils and troubles. 'District 12 is with you' It was a sign of unity that not many people used to show, but now it was the center of the district. No longer was District 12 known for their coal. They were known for their families, friends. Their unity. Their defiance.
Katniss lay Jay back down, picking a stray curl away from the young girl's face and pulling the covers up to her chin. "Sleep, Jay. Tomorrow will come sooner than you'd like, and you need your energy if you are going to be strong for the Tributes." Katniss kissed the tips of her middle three fingers and pressed them to Jay's head, then leaned down and kissed the same spot. "Sleep tight, my beautiful Mockingjay."
JAY MELLARK
The Night Before The Reaping
Mockingjays are extraordinary birds. They first appeared during the Uprising, when thirteen districts made their best attempt at rebellion against the Capitol. They were a result of a mating of a Capitol made species called the Jabberjay, designed to infiltrate enemy bases and report whole passages of human speech back to their instructor, and the beautiful Mockingbird. The result was a thrilling, eye catching bird who can identify and easily recall both simple and complex tunes. The older the bird gets, the more skilled it becomes. Mockingjays are now often used among districts to signal to each other, or as an alarm or warning. District eleven is known to use Mockingjays as a signal that the working day is over; a trend started by a young tribute, who, sadly lost her life at the 74th Hunger Games...
Jay slapped the book shut, tossing it aside so it landed at the foot of her bed. Rue. The sweet, attentive 12 year old who died as she worked to help Katniss destroy the career's mountain of supplies. Rue always struck a sore spot in Jay's heart, since she lost her life when she was allied with her mother. If it wasn't for Rue, Jay was sure that Katniss never would have spotted that Tracker Jacker nest and given herself the opening to flee. Jay would be ever thankful for saving her mother. Jay had just settled under the covers when the door to her room creaked open. The brunette propped herself up onto one elbow and looked over, waiting for someone to come in. "You asleep?"
"No...All I can think about is tomorrow...The Reaping. I..." Jay stopped talking, the lump in her throat threatening to give her fear away. She was not scared. She was strong, tough and fearless. She had to be. A slender hand curled around the edge of the door and teased it open. Katniss stepped into the room, her head tilted to the side in a display of what...Pity? Jay frowned, not wanting to upset or worry her mother. "I'm fine..." she lied, sitting upright. "No...No you're not. Don't pretend with me, I can see. It's scary, I know. But, your name is only in there once. They won't pick you." Katniss froze, paused near the end of Jay's white wood bed. Those were the exact words she had said to Prim 17 years ago. The exact promise she had made. And yet, Effie's painted nails still managed to rake up the one slither of paper that had the youngest, most innocent girl's name printed on it flawlessly in black ink. Katniss had had to volunteer. This year, she wouldn't have that option.
"Mum?" Now it was Jay's turn to be concerned. She peeled the covers off of her legs and pushed herself up onto her knees. Her hands reached out and took hold of one of Katniss'. These 'episodes' were becoming more frequent as the Reaping drew closer. Katniss would remember something about the 74th Hunger Games and completely freeze as she relived it. Sometimes, Katniss would be lost for so long that Jay had to take care of her. Peeta, Jay's father and Katniss' husband, would become worried about Katniss and help Jay. Peeta was stronger than he gave himself credit for and had managed to almost obliterate the memories without the help of drink like Haymitch. He often held the family together year after year. He helped them the year Katniss' mother had died. The year Prim had turned 15 and was almost entered into the games, until a friend volunteered for her. He kept them going the year Gale was sent into the games and never made it back. Peeta was the glue that held the Mellark's together.
Jay sat on the edge of the bed next to her mother, after coaxing her to sit down, and rhythmically rubbed her thumb over Katniss' knuckles. "Sssh...it's alright..." Jay smiled, starting up her usual ritual of fetching a cup of hot, sweet mint tea and singing the District's now famous song.
"Deep in the meadow,
Under the willow,
A bed of grass,
A soft green pillow...."
Jay stopped singing when her mother took up the song, put her teacup down and wrapped her arms around Jay. Katniss stroked Jay's hair as her elegant though unrefined voice finished the song almost peacefully. "Remember," Katniss started, holding Jay at arm's length by her shoulders, "District 12 is with you." This was something that had started to be said as District 12 watched Katniss and Peeta live their lives through many perils and troubles. 'District 12 is with you' It was a sign of unity that not many people used to show, but now it was the center of the district. No longer was District 12 known for their coal. They were known for their families, friends. Their unity. Their defiance.
Katniss lay Jay back down, picking a stray curl away from the young girl's face and pulling the covers up to her chin. "Sleep, Jay. Tomorrow will come sooner than you'd like, and you need your energy if you are going to be strong for the Tributes." Katniss kissed the tips of her middle three fingers and pressed them to Jay's head, then leaned down and kissed the same spot. "Sleep tight, my beautiful Mockingjay."