Some people think that reaping day is the worst day of a child's life or if their called the first day of the hunger games but for me it was my last day in there.
Reaping day in district 9 is just as sad as any district. Children snatched from their families like a ritualistic killings. And lately the reapings seem to be targeting the smallest and weakest as if the Capitol is trying to send a message. We haven't had a victor in almost 30 years and the three that are alive are no spring chickens. But here I sat on the train ride to the Capitol trying not to remember the hours before this.
It was a beautiful summer day, offsetting the morbid event occurring at precisely 10 am. My mom had picked out a forest green dress and a tan dress for my sister and me to wear. Like I cared what I wore, either I was just going to have a typical Sunday after this or I was going into the hunger games, neither scenario called for a pretty dress, maybe a noose but those are usually frowned upon.
My sister went with the green dress and begged me to put her hair in braids, I did of course, feeling a little sentimental. She had survived her first reaping but lately district 9s tributes had been on the younger side. Almost a reminder that we were never safe, like we needed another one.
I don't think I even brushed my hair before heading out to the reaping. My mom obviously took this as a personal offense, but didn't yell too much since we could be gone for good in a couple of hours.
I hugged my sister as she joined the thirteen year old girls and I went to join the seventeen year olds. I had completely zoned out until our escort, Athena, who I'm not entirely convinced is a girl underneath that makeup, announced that it was time for the main event.
"Let's start with the boys," Athena walked over to the bowl that held a merger thousand names. Almost no one dared to take tesserae, afraid of increasing their chances. "Blaze Feeder!"
My heart went through my stomach. I knew him, well mostly his brother, but still. He was twelve years old, basically no chances in hell in winning. I watched as possibly the smallest child in district 9 made his way up to the stage.
Athena didn't even spare him a glance, knowing he wasn't going to bring her any glory. She went to the girls bowl, "Emmer Buckwheat."
Me. I was going to the hunger games. I did the only thing I could think off. I pumped my fist and yelled out "Yes!"