Reaping Day

3027

Jack Storm slowly rises from his bed. Today was perhaps the biggest day in Panem history. Today was the first ever Reaping. Jack continues his slow start to the day, taking his time walking down the stairs to the kitchen. He slides into his chair at the kitchen table and waits for the rest of his family.

Jack's dad walks in carrying a sack full of fish for breakfast. He slams it on to the table.

"Who's hungry?" asks Bradley Storm, his father.

"ME!" yells his 13 year old brother, Ark, running in and taking his plate. His 15 year old brother, Derek Storm, slowly came downstairs and took his chair. Amber, his mother, was the next to come. The family of five sat around the table to eat. Jack wouldn't touch his food. He just made a mountain out of his mashed potatoes.

"Sweetie, you need to eat," says Amber.

"I'm not hungry," replies Jack.

"You need to be well fed for the Reaping," says Bradley, while shoving his face full of mashed potatoes.

"I'm not hungry," repeats Jack, now annoyed.

"Imagine your little brothers! What if they get picked? They are so young" says Amber.

"SO AM I!" roars Jack.

"Seventeen is better than thirteen and fifteen," points out Bradley.

Jack growls. The morning was normal from that point until the Reaping. The president plays the anthem at the Reaping then stands up.

"Today, we make Panem history! Today is the first ever Reaping!" says the President. The crowd erupts in cheers. Every person between the ages of twelve and eighteen and their families fill the streets. "In this bowl, we have the names of every child between the ages of twelve and eighteen. When they are 12, they put their name in once. Thirteen twice, fourteen, three, fifteen, four, sixteen, five, seventeen, six and eighteen six. We have a total of three million, forty-three thousand, and three hundred names in these twenty-four bowls. We will pick one from District One Boys' bowl. We will pick one from District One Girls' bowl and so on until we have a boy and a girl picked for each District. Then the Games will begin," explains the president.

He picks one name from District One Boys' bowl. He flattens the piece of paper and reads the name aloud. "James Cernunnos!"

A twelve-year-old boy walks up with his head down.

"Any volunteers for this young man?" asks the president.

"ME!" roars a voice from the crowd. He ran to the stage. He had blond hair and blue eyes.

"And your name is?" asked the president.

"Silvius Cernunnos," says the new boy.

"First ever boy Tribute!" roars the president. The audience erupts in more cheers of approval. Silvius takes the District One Boys' chair were the tributes were supposed to sit. "Now for the lovely girl tribute to go with Silvius" He pulls out a piece of paper from the District One Girls' bowl. He flattens the paper and yells out "Opal Emerald!" A twelve-year-old girl walks up to the stage. "Any volunteers for this young woman?" asks the president.

"Me," shyly says a girl walking up.

"And what is your name?" asks the President.

"Amethyst Emerald, call me Amee" says the shy girl.

"Go join Silvius, Amee!" says the President, still with great enthusiasm.

He moves to the District Two Boy bowl. He pulls out the paper and flattens it and yells "Blaze McCormac!"

Blaze walks up to the stage. "Does…" starts the President.

"I want to go. No volunteers" says Blaze.

The President shrugs and moves to the District Two Girl bowl. "Jeannette Garse!" announces the President.

"I VOLUNTEER!" roars a girl running up.

"And your name is?" asks the President.

"Call me Aggie" says the enthusiastic volunteer. She joins Blaze at the District 2 chairs.

"Now for District Three!" says the President, taking the boy's name from the bowl. "Rivan James!" says the President. The boy walks up to take his seat. The President picks the girl. "Tempest Brockette!" She takes her seat. He moves on to the District Four bowl for the boys. He picks the boy name. "Ark Storm!" The name rang in Jack's ears.

"I VOLUNTEER!" he screams, rushing up there before Ark could even mount the first step.

"I'm not letting you take my place," refuses Ark.

"Yes, I am taking your place!" Jack yells and pushes his brother back towards the crowd.

"No!" yells Ark. "He can't volunteer for me," says Ark to anyone who would listen.

"Yes I am. I am older. I should be the one to go," Jack tells Ark with superiority.

Ark slaps Jack, but it is a weak hit. With all his might, Jack slaps back. Ark falls from the stage and media rushes over to him.

"EVERYBODY! YOUR DISTRICT 4 BOY…" starts the President.

"Jack Storm" says Jack.

Here are all the Tributes that were picked.

District 1- Boy: Silvius Cernunnos Girl: Amethyst (Amee) Emerald

District 2- Boy: Blaze McCormac Girl: Agility "Aggie" Winters

District 3-Boy: Rivan James Girl: Tempest Brockette

District 4-Boy: Jack Storm Girl: Meeri Marinos

District 5- Boy: Thorne Daily Girl: Holly Star

District 7- Boy: Jonte Lejonhjarta Girl: Jenny Kaan

District 8- Boy: Henry Nightgaurd Girl: Sage Florence

District 9- Boy: Jake Atlas Girl: Luna Night

District 10- Boy: Aramis Crod Girl: Jenna Leas

District 11- Boy: Daniel Carter Girl: Kimmy Rogers

District 12- Boy: Lucas Rits Girl: Rayne Sanders

Now I will continue with the chapter.

"Why did you do that?" asks Ark as they enter their home after the Reaping.

Jack refuses to answer and instead asks a question of his own. "So…I guess the fall is what broke your arm?" asks Jack, looking at the new cast on Ark's right arm.

"Of course," says Ark running to his room.

"So, we say good-bye and I leave?" asks Jack.

"They're giving us an hour," says Amber, her face stony. Jack says gloomy good-bye to Derek and his parents then went to Ark's room.

"I know you didn't want me to go…" starts Jack. Ark cuts him off.

"I know it was for my own good" says Ark in a mocking tone of their parents.

"Do you forgive me?" asks Jack.

"Yeah, you did save me from what could have been my death," admits Ark.

He hugs Jack as tears start to run down his face. "I just don't want you to leave me" sobs Ark.

"I'll come back when the Games are over," lies Jack. He didn't know if he would ever see his brother again.

"What if you get killed?" asks Ark, tears running in streams down his cheeks.

"Don't think like that. Think, 'Jack will come back and we will be the first family ever to live in the Victor's Village!" says Jack in a fake cheerful tone.

"I can't," says Ark, hanging his head down. Jack tickles Ark near the ribs to get his brother more perked up even in this sad time. Ark laughs his head off. The moment is ruined when a group of Capitol attendants come in to get Jack.

"Bye Ark," whispers Jack as he is taken away.

"Bye," whimpers Ark, now trying to hide his tears.