ATTICUS

I groggily open my eyes, the eager sunlight outside my small bedroom window stinging them at first until they adjust. I slowly sit up, stretching my stiff limbs.

Wait, sunlight?

I make a grab for my watch on my nightstand. Rubbing my eyes furiously, I read the time: nine thirty. Nine thirty? School started over an hour ago! Looking across the room, Allegra's bed is empty. I curse as I stumble out of bed, grab for the nearest clean clothes I can find, and yank them on. Why, wouldn't Allegra wake me? She knows how much I hate missing school. And sleeping in. And being late. You'd think your twin sister would have a better feel for you than that.

I throw the door open and race to our small kitchen, where a box of cereal is waiting next to an empty bowl. My sister Helena is already eating breakfast. She laughs when I come in the room. "What are you wearing?" she cries, laughing. "You look awful!"

"No time," I explain. "I'm late, and Allegra didn't wake me up. See you after school?" I ruffle her hair and move for the front door.

"School?" Helena asks, a hint of confusion in her voice. "There's no school today, remember?"

"Wha-" I stutter. Then, before I can even finish the word, it hits me. The Reapings are today. Oh my God.

I slowly turn to face Helena, who is grinning ear to ear. "It's the Reapings today, isn't it?"

Helena nods.

"And we have no school today?"

Helena nods again, still smiling. I sigh, the tension leaking out of my shoulders. Thank God.

"What time are they, again?" I ask her.

"Lyra said they were at twelve o'clock," she answers. She looks me up and down. "You might want to take care of that before you go."

I pause and take a look at myself. My shirt's inside out, my pants are backwards, my socks don't match. Yikes. Helena keep talking. "Who knows, you might even be on TV!"

"Let's hope not," I reply, finally returning to the table. "I'm going to eat breakfast first, anyway."

Helena shrugs. "Suit yourself," she says, digging into her bowl of cereal once again.

After a minute of eating, I ask her, "Where is everyone?"

She pauses, thinking. Finally, she answers, "Mom is already there, 'cause she got picked to help set up and stuff. Lyra is out with Roman. I don't know where Allegra went."

"Awesome." I finish my cereal, slurping up the rest of the milk. "Listen, I'm going to go change out of this, and then come back down. Do you want help getting ready?" I add, noticing her pajamas.

"No," she says. "I can do it myself."

"Suit yourself," I reply. "Be back in a minute."

I put my bowl in the sink and head back up the stairs, hoping to find a slightly more presentable ensemble than the one I've got on right now. Even Capitol people would hate this look.


Half an hour later, I come back down the stairs, my hair combed and my clothes right side out and facing front. My socks don't match, but they never do, so no big deal.

Helena is still at the table, reading the newspaper like I did when I was her age. God, she's smart. I forget that sometimes.

"What're you reading?" I ask, pausing on my way out the door.

"There's been a bunch of mining accidents out in District Twelve. The Capitol's all mad because their coal quota hasn't been met 'cause of it," she responds, not looking up.

"Anything else?"

"Just an interview from last year's Victor."

"Alrighty then. I'm going to go find Allegra. I'll see you after the Reaping?"

Helena nods, still scanning the newspaper. I turn and head out the door. I have a feeling I know exactly where Allegra is, even if Helena doesn't.

ALLEGRA

I never see my mother pray. She's never really been the most religious woman. Not that there's a whole lot of religion in Panem to begin with, but our family's just never been involved. Today, though, I came downstairs at sunrise to find my mother praying at the kitchen table.

She opened her eyes, snapped back to attention, when she heard my footsteps coming down the stairs. "Good morning," she said, standing and pushing in her chair. "You're up early."

"I couldn't sleep," I admitted.

She smiles faintly, but it disappears quickly. She was worried, same as me. "What do you want for breakfast?" she asks, busying herself with pots and pans. "I was thinking maybe some eggs this morning?"

"I'm fine with cereal, thanks," I replied. I got the box out of the pantry and poured myself a bowl. I handed the box to my mother, who in turn poured one for herself. We ate in silence before she finished, putting her bowl in the sink for cleaning later.

"I was selected to help set up for the ceremony today," she told me. "I'll see you afterwards, okay? Make sure your siblings get up before ten."

"Okay," I said. Then she left after leaving me a kiss on the forehead, her mouth tight and full of tension.

I'm turning this scene over and over in my head when Atticus finds me.

"You okay?" he asks, sitting down beside me. I ignore him, choosing to look out over the river instead.

District Six, being the District of Transportation, is more known for its trains, planes, and cars than boats. That doesn't mean it doesn't have any, though- a couple of large rivers allow for abundant water traffic, on its way to and returning from the Capitol, among other places. It's my favorite place to go when I need to think. I watch the steamboats chugging along, the sailboats gracefully floating past, the rare rich man's yacht.

"Hey," he says, nudging me. "It'll be fine. We'll be fine."

"You can't know that," I reply, turning to face that. He tries to speak, but I cut him off. "No. You can't."

"Allegra-"

"It could be me! It could be you! We don't know!" I say, becoming tense. "And I hate it!"

"Allegra. It's okay."

The world becomes blurry, tears filling my eyes. "I hate it."

"I know." He hugs me.

What I'd do without Atticus, I don't know. He's my brother. My best friend. I can't imagine life without him.

When he draws away, he looks at me, concerned. I wipe away the stray tear that had escaped my eye the moment before.

"Allegra, it'll be fine. The chances are so low we'd be picked in the first place. Don't think about it," he coaches.

I smile in spite of myself. Usually I'm the one coaching him. Usually he's the uptight mess. The quiet one. The worrier. I guess on days like these, we cope as well as we can.

"What're you smiling about?" he asks. "You were literally crying a minute ago."

I sigh. He may be my best friend, but sometimes he's such a brother.

"You're so good at this," I say. "Usually I have to calm you down, not the other way around."

"I learned from the best," he says, smiling with me.

We sit there for a while in comfortable silence, lost in thought together. I try not to worry about the upcoming Reaping. Usually, I can tell what Atticus is thinking, but not today. It frustrates me.

Even then, though, I'm still grateful to have him by my side. I don't know what I'd do without him.

I would probably fall apart.


ATTICUS

It worries me to see Allegra like this. She's always the strong one. She's never afraid of any test I spend hours stressing over, or any drama at school. She leaves it to me. But today, I can almost see the fear and worry radiating off of her.

It's okay. I'm sure it will all turn out fine. We won't be Reaped this year, just like we weren't last year or the year before. Just like we won't be next year.

We sit in silence for a while, watching the boats. After a while, Allegra turns to me.

"Thanks for calming me down," she says quietly. "I appreciate it."

"I know."

She searches my face, her question clear in hers. Will we be safe?

Yes. I promise.

She hugs me suddenly, which she never does. She's not the touchy-feely type. Never has been. Out of surprise, it takes me a minute to hug her back before she draws away.

"What time is it? We probably have to get to the ceremony soon," she says. "And we have to get Helena first too. Or is Lyra getting her?"

"Lyra's getting her," I reply. Our sister Lyra has survived the Reapings as of last year. She's safe, thank God. So now she gets to sit on the sidelines and watch with our younger sister Helena, as we wait to see if our lives will be put on the line for this year's Games. "We should probably start heading over there soon, though."

"Right." Allegra stands, smoothing her dress. It's a simple navy blue with long sleeves and her favorite silver necklace. The same outfit as last year.

I stand with her, and together we make our way back into town towards the ceremony.


After registering, we separate into our respective categories; Allegra into Females, Aged 15 and myself under the banner labelled Males, Aged 15. Then we wait.

Some of the other boys chatter nervously. Some are mute, the desperation clear in their faces. Another year, another extra ballot with their name on it in that giant glass ball of paper slips. This year, we all have four slips in that glass ball.

After another fifteen minutes of mindless chatter and nerves, our district escort takes the stage. It's the same one as last year, Xaveria Oberon, a tall, pale woman with golden hair piled high atop her head, her height accentuated by her impressively tall high heels. The woman's a skyscraper. This year, she's dressed as a rather tacky train conductor who seems to have fallen into a giant vat of glitter. Twice. It's no secret she'd rather be in District One or Two right now, especially when looking at all that glitter. It's nearly blinding.

She introduces the mayor and our most recent (and only living) Victor and Mentor, a man in his early forties named Errol Rudolph. The mayor of Six gives the usual speech- I'm pretty sure it's the same one every year, just with a couple of words changed here and there- before Xaveria mentions how excited she is to be here, and how exciting the Games are, and how excited we all must be, and how exciting the Reapings are. Finally, after all the excitement, she lowers one bedazzled hand into the girl's ballots, reaching around for a moment to emphasize the suspense before drawing out a single white slip. She takes a short moment to read it before announcing the name.

"The female representative of District Six this year shall be Allegra Cahill!" she declares, setting the ballot on a small table next to her. Applause answers her.

No.

NO.

My heart drops. My worst nightmare has become reality.

Someone pats my shoulder in sympathy. I can barely feel it.

I see Allegra shakily make her way down the path the crowd has parted to create for her, her face pale and eyes full of fear. They're searching for me, for Mom, for Lyra and Helena, but find none of us before she reaches the stage. She's trying to keep it together, but I can tell she is breaking.

"And our male tribute…"

Xaveria Oberon turns to the second glass ball, reaching overly delicately into its contents to draw out the second unlucky tribute. I pay no attention, my mind in a million places. I vaguely see Allegra biting her lip, watching Xaveria. I can see the plea in her eyes. I'm so busy panicking and thinking, I don't hear the name Xaveria calls next.

ALLEGRA

"...is Atticus Cahill!" she announces, setting the new ballot next to mine. "Oh, my!"

The air flies out of my lungs. NO!

I finally find Atticus in the crowd. He seems not to have heard, his eyes distant and lost. Someone nudges him and motions him to the stage to take his place next to me, and I see the realization hit him. I want to cry, I want to cry so badly, but I can't, I can't look weak, not right now-

Atticus slowly approaches the stage, eventually climbing the steps and standing next to me. For the second time today, I can't read him at all. He's just empty. Xaveria continues blabbering on into the microphone.

"Allegra and Atticus, our District Six tributes!" she cries, standing between us and lifting our hands up. The crowd applauds politely for the last time before the mayor dismisses them. We, on the other hand, are ushered offstage by Xaveria, her glittery nails poking us here and there as she guides us. I grab Atticus's hand, which is clammy. I give it a squeeze anyway. He squeezes ever so lightly back. We're lead across the square and shoved into two separate rooms. I suppose this is where we say our goodbyes.

Lyra is the first to come in, alone. She sweeps me up in a hug. God, I love Lyra's hugs- there's no other hugs like them in the world. She's crying softly. Finally, she draws away, her anxious gaze searching my face in concern. "God, Allie, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I honestly can't believe it."

No one calls me Allie anymore except for Lyra. I always hated it. Now, it just makes me cry. I finally let the sobs I've been holding in go. Lyra swoops me up into another hug.

A few minutes later, I dry my tears. "Where's Mom? Where's Helena?" I ask.

"They're with Atticus," she reassures me. "They'll be in in a minute."

"Okay." I sniffle. "Can you stay until they come?"

"Of course," she says. We sit there for a moment, her arm around me, my head on her shoulder, and she's the one to break the silence.

"Allie, I want you to know that no matter what, I'm proud of you," Lyra says. I close my eyes. "Atticus will depend on you. I know you two pretty well, and I know how you operate. I know you'll put his survival ahead of yours," her voice choking on the word survival, "but I want you to come home if he can't. Okay?" She wipes her eye. "Please try to come home."

"I will," I whisper.

Mom and Helena appear at the door. Lyra gives me one last, quick hug, whispers I love you, and then leaves, only glancing over her shoulder once. Mom and Helena come in, both of their eyes red from crying.

"Allegra," Mom says. "I don't know what to say."

"It's okay," I say. "I'll try to get one of us home. I promise, Mom. I love you."

My mother cries. I haven't seen her cry, truly cry like she is right now, since Dad died.

Helena takes my hand in hers. "Please don't die," she says quietly. By now, she's old enough to understand the Games and what happens to those that compete. She has an idea of what could happen to me. Something a ten-year-old should never have to worry about.

Yet here we are.

"I'll try not to," I respond. "Helena, if I don't come home, I want you to know that I love you and Atticus loves you and Mom and Lyra love you so, so much." I'm crying again. "Come here."

I give Helena a big hug, then one to my mom, and then a Peacekeeper comes in and motions for them to leave. Helena walks out looking over her shoulder, her eyes never leaving mine until the door is shut behind her. Again, I dry my tears.

A Peacekeeper, a different one than from outside, brings me to the train and leads me into a bedroom compartment. When he leaves, he shuts the door behind him. I stare out the window as District Six disappears into the distance behind us.

The door isn't shut long, however, before Xaveria Oberon opens it right back up again. "Dinner is at five o'clock! Dress appropriately!" she chirps before shutting it again, not even looking me in the eye.

Then I'm alone again with my thoughts.

*Hey guys! I'm back after a fairly long hiatus. I hope you guys enjoyed the Reapings- leave me a review! Updates should be fairly frequent, but I do have a life. Next chapter should be out fairly soon. Hope you enjoyed!