Chapter 1: Cato's Reaping
Cato opens his eyes as the sun peeked through his window. He sits up in his bed, knowing that in a few hours he would be on his way to the Capitol. He smiles. His victory awaits him. He gets out of bed and walks out of his room into the kitchen where his mother had breakfast made for him. She smiles at her son. He walks over and hugs her. His younger brother, Kirin, walks into the kitchen in his reaping clothes. It is his first reaping, and he is excited to watch his brother bravely volunteer for the Hunger Games.
"Morning champ," Cato pats his brother's shoulder, "ready for this?"
"Yeah." He smiles and sits at the table.
"Thanks for breakfast, Mom." Cato kisses his mother's cheek, picks up the plate and walks back to his room.
He eats and then showers. When he is done getting dressed, he walks back to the front of his house where his mother and brother are waiting for him. He grabs his mother's hand and puts a protective arm over his brother's shoulder. They walk out of their house and make their way to the center of District 2 where the stage is set for the people of the Capitol. He goes into the line where other kids his age are waiting. He gets to the front and checks in. When he is in the crowd with the others, he spots Clove, his training partner. She looks at him and winks. The Announcer walks onto the stage.
"Welcome to The 74th Annual Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor," he says, "let's start with the ladies."
He walks over to the round glass bowl and digs into it pulling out one single strip of paper.
"Thalia Galloway!" he says.
Clove looks at Cato and their eyes meet. Still looking at him she says:
"I volunteer!" She turns her attention back to the Announcer.
She pushes through the crowd and walks on stage with pride on her chest. She shakes the Announcer's hand, and smiles.
"What is your name?" The announcer asks.
"Clove Lockwood." She says.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, Clove Lockwood, your female tribute of District 2!" he says holding up Clove's hand, "now onto the boys."
He walks to the glass bowl and pulls out another strip of paper.
"Kirin Hayes!" He says.
Cato's younger brother steps out of the crowd smiling. He hears Cato's voice.
"I volunteer!" Cato walks to the isle and makes his way to the stage.
He steps up to the Announcer.
"Your name?"
"Cato Hayes." Cato says sternly.
"Was that your brother, Cato Hayes?" The announcer asks.
"Yes."
"Well, that was very brave; of course, volunteering isn't exactly new for your district. So much pride in this district. Ladies and gentlemen, District 2, here are your tributes for The 74th Annual Hunger Games. Give them a hand." He yells.
The audience roars with applause. Cato looks at Clove and she throws a devious smile at him.
"Please shake hands." The announcer says to Clove and Cato.
Clove turns to Cato and hugs him. Shocked by the action, Cato doesn't know what to do so he hugs her in return. The audience sighs.
"Are you two, perhaps a couple?" The announcer asks Clove.
"Hah, I wish." Clove covers her mouth and turns red with the remark that had slipped out of her mouth.
Cato kisses her cheek and lets the Capitol officials escort him into the building. Clove stands on the stage, speechless. Then the Capitol officials escort her into the building.
Cato is sitting in the waiting room when his mother and brother walk in. His brother is smiling. He walks over and hugs Cato.
"Let me be the first to say, 'You better come back a Victor, or don't come back at all'." Kirin says.
"You realize that if I don't come back a Victor, I won't come back at all." Cato laughs.
His brother stands there trying to figure out what Cato had just said. Cato just laughs again, ruffles his brother hair and pulls him into a hug. He pushes away to fix his hair. Cato walks to his mother who is also smiling.
"I'm so proud of you. You have grown to be a very strong, brave young man, and I can't be any happier." She says.
"Thanks mom. I love you." He hugs his mother and kisses her forehead.
At that moment the Capitol officials come in and take Kirin and his mother away.
"You better make us proud!" Kirin yells from down the hall.