District 1, 2, and 3 Reapings
All characters belong to Susan Collins
Shine Collins, age 15, District One female tribute
I woke up, rubbed my eyes and glanced at my calendar. Reaping day, finally. I rolled out of bed and went down stairs and ate a quick breakfast.
I could hardly wait. I dashed upstairs. I wanted do get to the train a bit in the academy before the reaping. I grabbed and put on my training clothes. They were plain and unfashionable, and most girls hated them. I was not like most girls in District 1. I didn`t care about clothes or hair or other girly things. Frankly, despite the fact that we made and supplied luxury items, I didn`t give a damn about any of those things. I lived to fight, and I loved it.
I brushed out my shoulder-length curly red hair, and brushed my teeth before I ran down stairs.
"I`m going to train with Vic!" I told my mom.
"`Kay Shine, make sure you're home in time to get ready for the reaping," She told me. I nodded and left to go train.
Gem Kye, age 12, District 1 male tribute
I threw one last punch at the punching bag before I saw the clock. Shit, the reaping!
I quickly grabbed my stuff and went home.
"Here, I got this for you to wear at the reaping," My dad said as I walked in.
"Thanks," I mumbled as I took the clothes. I was dreading the reaping. I had watched the games each year and all the blood made me want to puke. I knew I wouldn`t stand a chance. I was small, and although I was a black belt in karate, I probably wouldn`t last three seconds.
"Look," My older sister Jewlie, said, "You`ll be fine. Don`t worry, just go hurry up and get dressed."
I went upstairs, put on the sweater and dress pants, and tried (and failed) to flatten my messy blond hair. I looked in the mirror.
"Hey handsome," I said and did a few stupid poses before someone tapped me on the back.
It was Jewlie. Her wavy blond hair was in braids and she wore a pretty blue gown that brought out her eyes. It was one of my mother`s dresses, and she had died a year ago from an unknown illness.
"You look nice," I told her.
"You too, now come on," My sister grabbed my hand. "We don`t wanna be late."
Shine Collins, age 15, District 1 female tribute
In the crowd of other 15-year-old girls, I stuck out like a sore thumb. Most girls in our district had blond hair, and my bright red curls made me different. Also, while the other girls were dressed up in their best clothes, I wore khakis and a plain blue t-shirt. I hated dressing up. I was probably the only tomboy in district one. I looked over a my best friend, Victor( a.k.a. Vic ). He was the same age as me and looked uncomfortable in his dress clothes.
"Ladies first!" Our mentor, Candy Glow squealed excitedly as that boring video finally ended. We all turned towards her. She was wearing a wig made out of cotton candy and a hideous dress made out of candy wrappers. Her perfume smelled like chocolate and was so strong I could smell it from over here. It made my mouth water, and I`d wished I had eaten more for breakfast that morning.
"I volunteer!" I shouted before she could choose a name. I lived for the thrill of the fight, and the hunger games was my dream.
"A volunteer?" Candy squeaked. "Wonderful, come on up dear." I practically skipped up there.
"Your name?" She asked.
"Shine Collins," I said proudly. I`d always like my name. Most of the names in 1 were girly and stupid, but not mine. Mine inspired me to shine. And I will.
Gem Kye, age 12, District 1 male tribute
I knew Shine. I`d seen her train, and she was pretty good. She could definitely win the games.
"Now our boy tribute, Gem Kye." Candy announced.
No, no. Not me, it can`t be me. I was shaking and couldn`t catch my breath.
Suddenly my sister was beside me. Her blue eyes glittered with tears. Jewlie wrapped her arms around me and I hugged her so tightly she probably couldn`t breathe.
"I love you," She whispered and I let go of her. I went up to the stage and stood beside Shine. And we were taken away to the capital, to our death.
Rayna Lark, age 17, district 2 female tribute
"Rayna, come on, wake up!" My twin brother, Randall said irritably as he shook me awake.
"What?" I asked sleepily.
"It`s reaping day, duh!" Randall said. "Hurry up and get dressed, your gonna be late!" He was already dressed up in a light green collered shirt that looked nice his hazel eyes and khaki pants. His dark brown curls were slicked back with hair gel and he wore the locket that his girlfriend, Prina had given him on his birthday.
"Oh, damn!" I exclaimed. I hopped out of bed and quickly grabbed the clothes I had picked out- a silky pink dress that reaches my knees- and rushed into the bathroom and got dressed. I combed the tangles out of my long dark brown hair and tied it back with a matching pink ribbon. After I put on some sandels and brushed my teeth I came out.
"I`m ready," I told him.
"Thank the lord," My twin joked. "I was starting to worry you fell in the toilet or something, you were taking forever!"
I rolled my eyes and took his hand as we walked to the town square for the reaping. I winced as my finger was pricked and held my brother`s hand when it was his turn to have his pricked. Randall hates needles.
"Good luck!" I said as I went to the area designated for 17-year-old girls and he went to the one for 17-year-boys.
"Welcome!" Our escort, Luna Silver practically screamed into the microphone. Her hair was dyed silver and she had grey eyes. Her skin sparkled and her dress and shoes were midnight blue with a pattern of stars. "Happy hunger games! And now let`s watch a very special video from the capital!"
I groaned inwardly. I`d watched that video a million times. I just wanted to get on with the actual reaping. This may sound crazy, but I wouldn`t really mind being reaped. I have dyslexia, so I never really do well or enjoy school, but I enjoy fighting and I`m good with a sword.
"And now," Luna shrieked, "Let`s see who will be representing us in this years hunger games. Ladies first!" She drew a slip of paper.
"Rayna Lark!" She announced, and I froze in shock. I wasn`t upset about my name being picked, I was an okay fighter, but surprised. my parents had pretty good jobs, so I never took any tesserae. It was only in there seven times, which was more than most since I was one of the older kids in the reaping, but still. I always imagined I`d have to volunteer. I slowly walked up to the stage. I caught Randall`s eyes in the crowd. He looked pretty scared and upset. My brother was like my best friend, and he looked a if his worse nightmare come true.
"And our boy tribute," Luna said loudly. She grabbed another slip from the boys` bowl. "Oh wow, this is interesting. Our tribute is Randall Lark!"
It felt as if someone had punched me in the stomach. My beloved twin, in the games! Randall was pretty smart, but he spent more time studying than he did training. he was a fast runner, but he was super clumsy. Worst of all, it might be me who kills him. And I knew that I had a choose, lose my brother, or my life.
Randall Lark, age 17, District 2 male tribute
When my sister, my precious sister was reaped, I thought things couldn`t get worse. The my name was drawn, and I lost it. I haven`t cried since I was a little kid, but tears were now running down my cheeks and I just couldn`t make them stop. I took a deep breath and walked up to the stage.
Immediately Rayna wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed tightly. Her head rested under my chin and I could feel her heart beating, steady and strong.
After a few moments I let go and wiped away my tears. I forced a smile on my face.
"I believe you guys are twins, am I correct?" Luna squealed and I resisted the urge to cover my ears.
"Yes," We said at the same time and laughed.
"Well," Our escort said exitedly. "I believe this is a first! Happy hunger games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"
Based on how my day was going so far, the odds were not in my favor. Not at all.
Talia Wright, age 13, District 3 Female Tribute
I stood with the other 13-year-old girls, as the boring video from the Capitol played. Instead of paying attention I was brainstorming ideas for my next invention. Like many people in District 3, which was responsible for technology, I enjoyed building and inventing, and I was good at it. You could give me anything and I could build something to use.
If it weren`t for my inventing skills, I would probably be dead. My father was killed in a factory explosion two years ago. My mom worked pretty hard and she was always exhausted, so I had to look after my five-year-old sister Meadow. My problems have come up in my life and I`d been able to solve them with a simple little invention.
"Now," Our escort, Poppy Loom exclaimed, "It is time to pick our tributes, ladies first!" She wobbled over to the bowl in her way-to-high heels that matched her scarlet dress. Her skin is dyed pale pink and her eyes and hair are dyed crimson. She looks terrifying.
"Our female tribute is," Poppy looks at the piece of paper. "Talia Wright!"
Me? No, it can`t be me. I can`t go into the games and leave my family behind! Who would take care of Meadow? We`ve already lost one family member. I held my head high and walked up to the stage. I looked at the crowd.
My little sister was crying and clinging to my mother. My mom had the most broken, lost look in her eyes. My best friend, Chrissy is looking around desperately, as if she hoped someone would volunteer and save me. I knew Chrissy would volunteer for me herself if she could, but she was only 11. You had to be age 12-18 to be in the games. The sight of them so upset made me just want to cry.
Smoky Tinker, age 16 , District 3 male tribute
I watched the small, Talia Wright, girl walk up to the stage. She had olive skin and brown eyes, and dark hair was chin-length and shiny. She wore a drab looking pale pink dress and looked about 13.
She looked like she was fighting back tears. I immediately felt bad for her. She was only 13. Most kids that young didn`t have a chance in the games. The odds were definitely not in her favor.
I nervously glance over at my little brother, Kindle. He was 12, and it was his first reaping. Kindle was autistic, and had been freaking out about the reaping all morning.
"And now for the boys," Poppy said. She drew a slip of paper. "Kindle Tinker." I can`t breathe. I can`t move. I can`t speak. I`m paralyzed with shock.
"No!" Kindle screams. The fear in his voice brings tears to my eyes. "No, no! It`s not me! Smoky said they wouldn`t choose me!"
Two Peacekeepers grab him by the arms and march him up to the stage and he begins thrashing around, crying and screaming.
"Smoky! Smoky! Please, don`t let them take me! They`re gonna hurt me, please! I don`t wanna die!" My brother screams desperately. A Peacekeeper puts his hand over his mouth.
Suddenly I`m moving towards my baby brother.
"I volunteer!" I scream. They release Kindle but he`s still sobbing.
"Hey," I said gently. "It`s okay, you`re safe now. Safe and sound.(no pun intended)"
"You`re gonna die," He said thickly. "My brother`s gonna die."
"No, no," I assured him. "I`ll be okay. You worry about yourself. Take care of Ivy while I`m gone." I told him. Ivy was our 5-month-old baby sister, and Kindle adores her.
I walk up to the stage.
"What`s your name?" Poppy asked.
"Smoky Tinker," I replied shakily.
"Well congratulations, to our tributes for this years hunger games, Talia Wright and Smoky Tinker!" Our escort shouts.
And then, something happens that would never expected.
Kindle presses two fingers to his mouth and lifts them up in the air.
Well that took a long time to write. I worked pretty hard and am already quite attached to my characters. It`s going to be really hard for me as well as you when they are killed in the games. I don`t even know how I am even going to choose who lives. Anyway, please review and tell me who your favorite tribute is so far.