I stood in line, with many others around me, waiting for the Reaping. `Great. Just great.` I mutter, realizing that in general, I was one of the taller ones at 6`2. On the stage, the capitol seal was projected onto the back wall, bright and clear to see.
Abruptly, the lights turned off, and a clip began to play. I zoned out. I mean, hey, who wants to listen to the Capitol rant about their victories and how generous they are to let one of us survive the bloodbath of the Hunger Games.
According to the Capitol, America was ripped into 13 Districts when they took power. The Districts rebelled, and after a brutal crackdown, and District 13 being destroyed, the Capitol came up with a punishment. Every year, each District has to supply the Capitol with one boy, and one girl, called tributes, and send them there. They will then fight to the death. The last one standing will continue to live, and their District will prosper. The Capitol also made everyone watch the games, whether at home, or on the big screen, and celebrate to it as a festival. The reaping was the time to choose these tributes.
The video ended with a bunch of people from District 4, my District, raising their three center fingers of their left hand, touching their lip, and holding it out. If anyone from another District tells you that that motion is their very own and no one else does it, tell them they're wrong. We always use it to say `thank you, admiration, and goodbye` to someone we love who is dead, or in this case, about to die.
Kate Shire, the representative of the Capitol for District 4 wobbled up to the stage in her ridiculously lengthened high heels. `Hello everybody, happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor.`
Yeah right, as if they mean it. Tara Wong and Finnick Odair filed onto the stage. They had won the Games before, and would teach the tributes how to survive the Games.
`At least we don't get that drunk idiot, Haymitch, for a mentor!` Someone on the sidelines called out.
Everyone laughed.
Kate spoke, clearly annoyed, into the microphone. `Let's pick the names now.`
Kate walked over to the jar containing our names. Let me tell you first off though, not everybody's name is on there. I know that's cheating, but District 4 trains certain kids, and the better ones gets their names in the jar more than the weaklings. I was trained against my will, and passed as a legitimate tribute, with a somewhat decent chance of winning. I guess it is District 4's way of trying to win. So here we are, the wimpy kids don't have a chance at going. The odds are not in my favor today, unless I have a death wish, which I don't.
Kate pulled out a name. `Karen Wong.` Oh crap. I stumbled onto the stage.
`Got any last words?` A voice called out.
`Yep, shut your pie hole.` I yelled good-naturedly into the general direction of the voice.
The crowd gave an uneasy laugh.
Kate walked to the other jar, and quickly picked a name. `Chris Mark.`
The boy, Chris, paused as the crowds around him parted. He looked shocked coming onto the stage.
`Great! Our two tributes of the 74th Hunger Games, Chris Mark, and Karen Wong!` Kate lifted her hands with a flourish, then signaled for the Capitol guards to escort us away.
Before the doors closed, I turned around, and pointed a finger to the general direction from where the previous outburst came. `Remember to keep your trap shut!` I nodded, smiling, as the crowd chuckled once again. Then the doors closed, cutting us off from the outside world.
A/N: So how do you like this one so far? I know it's a bit short, but I'll try to make the next one longer. I promise. :)
-Katara Macken