I never understood death; I doubt anyone does. Yet, every year I am forced to witness it: children screaming, being tortured, and of course, dying. My question is, for what? So the Capitol feels powerful? So President Snow doesn't have to worry about rebellions? It's laughable when one thinks about the reasons. There is no purpose in murder, no point in killing, and if I am to take part in the Games, I vow I will not be a cold-hearted killer.
The Reaping
It was the morning of the reaping and I was prepared to listen to some overenthusiastic Capitol worker gleefully pronounce the names of two children to fight to the death. Joy…My mother dressed me in a fine blue dress and styled my hair into long curls that covered my shoulders. "My little fox," she gushed, "All grown up!" I just stared blankly into her eyes but I was aware of her excitement. I was now seventeen and this would be the last year she would have to worry about my name being reaped. She had gone through this numerous times with my other siblings, and being the youngest meant her worries would be over after the reaping today. Please understand though, my mother isn't coldhearted. Like every mother in District 5 she mourns with those parents who watch their children being taken by the cruel Capitol and cry as we see our friends, neighbors, and family members being shredded. She just doesn't want me to be the tribute. Unfortunately, District 5 is one of the losers of the Hunger Games. Yes, we have winners just like everyone else, but in comparison to the Career Districts we cannot compete. At least we stand a better chance than District 12!
My father walked into the room at the moment and smiled weakly as he looked at me. "Ready Piper?" he asked and I nodded. We walked out the house with my mother holding my one hand and my father grasping the other. "Last reaping," my father said and I nodded again, my throat too tight to speak. We approached the square in the center of the District and I noticed the Capitol workers already had the stage erected and the cameras set. I saw our reaper, Yzzay Stint, with her usual bright blue hair and powered face. My parents left me in the girl's zone of the potential tributes after giving me a quick hug and wishing me luck. I mumbled a quick thanks and then began to glance around the crowd. "Piper!" I turned to see a familiar face and saw my best friend Trim waving at me. She gave me a big hug and I smiled. "Last reaping!" she sang, but I failed to match her enthusiasm. "Don't celebrate quite yet," I said bleakly, and Trim stuck her tongue out at me. "Can you be a little more pessimistic please?" she asked. I was about to respond when Yzzay asked the crowd to be silent.
"Settle down. Settle down," and the crowd quieted at her words. "Excellent! Excellent! Welcome to the 74th Hunger Games reaping for District 5," Yzzay said while ignoring the disdain that ran throughout the crowd. "Now I know that we are all very excited to find out who will proudly represent District 5 in the Hunger Games! So let us begin! Shall we do men first?" She reached for the reaping ball and stuck her hand into the ball and stirred up the tiny slips of paper that had the names of all potential male tributes on them. She stopped and plucked a tiny piece of paper out of the ball; I glanced quickly over at the male tribute zone and saw a sea of white faces. Yzzay tore open the paper and stepped up the microphone. "The male tribute for District 5 is…Current Portira!" A tall boy of about fourteen began to walk towards the podium and I heard a mother's scream ring out throughout the crowd. "No!" she yelled, her voice pained, "No! Current! Current!" and some peacekeepers had to restrain her from grabbing her son. "Current!" she cried while tears ran down her face. I saw many people glancing at the mother with deep sympathy in their eyes as Current's mother collapsed upon the ground with sobs vibrating her body.
"We have our male tribute!" said Yzzay ignoring the tone of the crowd, "Come up here dear boy." Current stepped onto the stage with an emotionless expression. "Now," said Yzzay, "It is time for our female tribute." She reached into the other reaping ball and my stomach tightened. Your name is only in their once, Piper. I reminded myself but I couldn't help but feel sick as Yzzay's long fingers swirled the papers inside. Will she just pick one? I wondered as time seemed to stand in place. Finally she plucked a piece of paper from the ball and opened it slowly. "The female tribute that will represent District 5 is…Piper Cunning." Shit…