All things truly wicked start from innocence -- Eve of the Reaping
Logan had been training Bette all day. This not only kept the two of them out of the house that during this time of the year was not their home, but also prepared Bette for the worst case scenario. This prepared them both should either one of their names be summoned to the stage tomorrow.
As much as Bette loved her family, during the recent weeks, what with her mother's episodes, her father's exhaustion, her siblings everywhere and Logan always over her shoulder, telling her to train harder, go longer, Bette was at her breaking point.
At heart she was a loner. Usually she could escape the chaos of her house whenever it became too much, but lately, she hadn't been able to. All Bette longed for was to run; run through the fields as far away from the stress of the upcoming reaping and it's affects on her home.
Finally, Logan dismissed Bette for the night. He was cleaning up the barn, assuming Bette would head towards the house to get some sleep before tomorrow, but Bette exited through the back door. Once outside she inhaled the fresh, warm air deep into her lungs. Then she ran.
Bette took off at full speed towards the barley fields. She felt the night air fly through her blonde hair; the wind brushed her face. She was finally free.
She ran far, further than she ever had before. When she couldn't force herself forward anymore she collapsed onto the ground, forming a cocoon of grain stalks around her body. She stared up at the night sky. It was so clear. Bette couldn't remember such a beautiful night in a long time. The moon was full, allowing for just enough light, yet still allowing for Bette to feel secluded. Out here was her world. Out here no one could hurt her, touch her.
No thoughts of the Reaping entered her mind in the fields. She did not think about her mother or her father, her siblings, each one struggling with what tomorrow could bring. No one entered her mind out here. In the fields, her mind could be blank, and that was just fine.
No matter what happened tomorrow, right now she was here, in her favorite place, looking at the beautiful sky. Bette was alive and even if something happened tomorrow that would change her life forever, at least she had this moment; this last night of normal to always hold in her heart.
