The Reaping- Part 1
Katniss's POV
The painful time of the year has begun
when they select the doomed
to die.
Anyone can be chosen, really, anyone.
Although the rich are better off than the rest of us.
They don't have to sign up for the tesserae.
As soon as you are 12,
you can be picked to fight,
until there is but one person still alive.
These, are the Hunger Games...
The whole of our district
must come out to see
which two of the children
will be sent to a most certain death.
I find my sister.
This is her first reaping. I comfort her,
"Your name is only in there once,
they're not going to pick you."
She nods, and makes her way
to the back of the square,
where the 12-year-olds stand.
I am hoping so bad
that she won't be chosen.
My dear little sister...
I love her so much.
I walk over to join the other 16-year-olds.
My friend, and intelligent hunting partner
winks at me, as he slowly walks
towards the front.
I stare at the stage,
at the two glass balls
with thousands of names in them.
The mayor, and District 12's escort arrive.
The escort is fresh out of the Capitol.
Her hair and clothes so obscure compared to the drabness of our district.
She sits, while the mayor walks to the podium
to give the same speech,
that he gives
every.
single.
year.
When he is done rambling
about why the Hunger Games
are played every year,
he sits.
The Capitol woman rises,
gives a short intro,
and walks dramatically
towards the Reaping balls.
"Ladies first," she says,
slowly swirling her delicate hand
around in the girls bowl.
She pulls out one slip of paper.
On it, reads the name
of District 12's female tribute.
I am hoping and praying it's not me
as she bounces back towards the podium.
She reads the name.
I almost faint from disbelief.
Her words still ring in my ears.
"Primrose Everdeen...Primrose Everdeen...
primrose everdeen...primrose...primrose..."
It's not me.
It's my sister.