It was cruel really, how the Capitol found entertainment in children murdering one another. But for it to be children of the ages five to eleven was just barbaric. Even Effie Trinket, escort for District Twelve, thought so, and she had seen her share of horrific deaths. No one had expected the third Quarter Quell to be so drastic a reminder of the rebellion, not even President Snow, she was sure of that. It was one thing to escort young teenagers and young adults, but children, true children, were a completely different story.
"As a reminder to the Districts that a future can be stolen in the blink of an eye, this year's tributes will be reaped from the youngest children, ages five to eleven." That one sentence had shocked all of Panem, and just like that, the entire nation, save the Captiol, was grieving. Who knew such a small card could do so much damage?
She could hardly bear to walk onto the stage on Reaping Day. And she definitely couldn't look out into he crowd as she usually did. Forlorn and terrified faces stared back at her. She noticed Peacekeepers were positioned around the square so that the parents couldn't swoop in and save their children. The teenagers stood glaring at her, and she couldn't blame them.
For the first time since she began escorting twelve years prior, she truly felt like a monster.