The reaping

The sun light streaming through the bedroom window woke up a boy with messy dark blond hair. His name was Jameson (call me Jamie) Guerison. He lived in district 4, Panem. Coming from a rather wealthy family, he never knew hunger and had the things he needed in life. Still something was missing. And that something was freedom. Sure district 4 was wealthier in comparison to say district 12. But it was still controlled by the Capitol. The very same Capitol that took the life of his eldest sister Daphne, back when he was three years old. She died a death not even worthy an animal during the 59th Hunger Games.

Jamie got up and went to wash himself. Today was Reaping day. The 73rd edition of the Annual Hunger Games. Jamie had promised himself to volunteer this year. He had turned 17 this year. Almost an adult. If he had to die, he would do it now. Not when he was 18. He didn't want to take the chance of being reaped during his last year of being entered as a possible tribute.

After his cold shower, he changed into the outfit his mother prepared for him every year on reaping day. It was a crisp white button down shirt with short sleeves, navy dress slacks and some fancy shoes. The fourth district was pretty wealthy. As was his family. He lived with two younger sisters and his parents in a two story, two bathroom house. Not overly fancy or anything. Just middle class of district four.

Breakfast was a silent affair. Mr. and Mrs. Guerison were silent, James was eating as if it were a normal day and Bloom and Heather were so nervous they barely touched their food. The same old atmosphere since all three children could be reaped as a tribute.

"James! How can you eat as if it's a normal school day?" Bloom asked slightly fed up with his attitude.

"I don't know," he said, "you simply get used to it I guess,"

"Simply get used to it?" Heather asked. "Have you lost all your marbles?"

"You've got something up your sleeve, sweetie," Mrs. Guerison said.

"I do, you'll see it at the reaping," her son answered.

"Don't do anything stupid, son," Mr. Guerison said.

"Define stupid, dad," Bloom said, "Jamie's definition of 'stupid' is equals to ours of 'suicidal',"

"I second that," Heather piped in.

"Jeez, what is this? Pick on Jamie day?" Jamie complained before gathering his empty plate, "I'm done. Call me when we leave,"

Jamie left an uncomfortable silence behind him. His family members shared a look of dread.

"He's going to volunteer isn't he?" Heather asked once Jamie was out of earshot, tears forming in her eyes.

"Aye, lass, he is," Mr. Guerison said sadly, "but that's what he wants. What he trained for,"

"But he can't die! You have to stop him!" Heather shrieked.

"He's trained. He's deadly with a spear. He'll make it far if not downright win the games," Bloom said.

"But he's…he's…" The youngest sibling stammered.

"Cunning? Lethal? Stubborn?" Mrs. Guerison supplied, "He is all three. I always knew this day was coming. My baby boy isn't a baby anymore,"

"But we…this is stupid! He won't be reaped!" Heather protested.

"He wants revenge on the Capitol for your eldest sister, Heater. He had a strong bond with her. She was the only one who could get him calm when he had a fit," Mr. Guerison said, "End of discussion,"

Jamie sat on his bed, staring out of the window. He saw the last preparations for the Reaping being made. He had heard Heather's plea with his parents. It simply tore at his heart, but he wouldn't be reaped next year. Hell must be freezing over before he would allow that.

"I'm sorry Heather, I really am," he whispered putting his head in his hands.

A knock on the door, interrupted his moment of self-pity.

"Can I come in, son?" his dad asked.

"Yeah, sure," Jamie said sounding defeated.

The door opened in his father stepped inside. Seeing his son, looking all lost and conflicted, hurt him. No words could describe the heart ache he felt. Having the emotional range of a ladle, according to his wife and daughters, he could not express his feelings that well. It cause a lot of conflict between him and his daughters and sometimes his son as well. The latter because he couldn't stand seeing his sisters upset and would go to World's End to keep his sisters happy. Even if that would cost him his life.

"Son, we need to talk,"

"It's about the Reaping isn't it?" Jamie asked. "I'll volunteer dad! You can't stop me!"

"Aye! Lad listen to yer father. I know ye wanna go out there and volunteer. Yer mother and I respect tha', bu' yer sisters don't,"

"How can I make them understand, dad? How?!"

"They will once yer in the Capitol. Volunteer fer Daphne. Avenge me daughter! Fer us,"

"I will dad! I'll come out as a victor! If Finnick can win this thing, so can I!"

"Tha' is the spirit boy! That's the spirit!"

Jamie hugged his father, something he didn't do often. He smiled but said smile didn't reach his eyes quite yet. The blonde got up and washed his face before heading down stairs. The girls were waiting for him.

They made their way to the Central Square. Where the Townhouse and the fish halls, the places where they sold their fish, were located. Boys were separated from the girls. Another paper was added to the bowl. Jamie's name was in there a total of six times, including this year's reaping.

As always, Mayor Brian Bumblebee gave a speech before handing the word to the Capitol representative and escort Shining Star. Ridiculous name, even more ridiculous character and behavior. Not to mention his clothes. He was dressed in what seemed to be very colorful robes. And the worst part was that the colors clashed more and more with each year. Jamie had seen him the first time Daphne was reaped. This year's robe was a frivolous orange with the most horrifying clashing greenish brown stars on them. His hair was done in the same color of the stars and was styled like a heap of…well in the collective humble opinion of district 4 it look like a huge animal just took a dump on his head.

"Hello district 4 and welcome to the yearly reaping for the 73rd annual Hunger Games! Isn't this exciting?" The man spoke enthusiastically in his annoying capitol accent, "As usual we start with the girls,"

He sauntered off to the pool of the girls' names. Picking one, Shining danced back to the microphone.

"And the female tribute of district 4 for the 73rd Hunger Games is…drum roll please… Stacey Davids!"

Jamie's eyes looked onto the girls section as he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Stacey walked to the stage, looking a little uncertain but other than that she didn't openly show fear. Jamie had to give the girl that.

"And now for the boys!" Shining actually had the gal to hum a tune as he picked the name of the male tribute. "And the male tribute is… Harold Poisson!"

Jamie's eyes went wide. He couldn't believe this. Not Harry, his brother in all but blood. His youngest sister's boyfriend. Jamie's eyes hardened. He stepped out of the group of boys.

"I volunteer as tribute!" Jamie's exclamation was met with an uncomfortable silence. "I volunteer as tribute,"

"No! Jamie! Don't!" Heather screamed as she ran out of line to hug him.

"I have to, sweetie. For Harry," Jamie said before heading towards the stage.

As he walked he could feel every pair of eyes on him. He didn't care. With a determined glance in his eye, his shoulders square and back upright, he walked up the stage.

"As expected a volunteer for district 4, ladies and gentlemen," Shining said, "Tell me your name, boy!"

"Jamie Guerison, sir,"

"Why did you volunteer?"

"Because I wanted to this year,"

"Well well, such courage! Ladies and gentlemen, district 4's tributes for the 73rd Hunger Games!" Shining said excitedly, "Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

After that the peacekeepers ushered Stacey and Jamie into the building. Once Jamie was roughly shoved into a room, he was told he had an hour to say good-bye to friends and family. Almost immediately his sisters came bounding through the double doors.

"Jamie! You can't go!" Heather exclaimed crying as she flung herself at him.

"She's right, Jamie! How can you be so stupid!?" Bloom asked, crying as well.

"Now, now," Jamie said, "I'll be fine! I promise I'll come back victorious!"

"You really think so?" Heather asked.

"I'm certain of it," the reply came from their father. Their mother only nodded.

"Here take this as a token from the district," mother said as she gave Jamie a necklace with a trident on it. She hugged him and once she looked him over, she could barely conceal her tears.

"Don't cry, mum! I'll come back,"

Jamie's family was ushed out by the Peacekeepers. The next person to come in was Harold. He looked angry and Jamie understood why immediately.

"Why?!" he demanded, "Why did you volunteer for me?! This was my way out of the clutches of my relatives!"

"You're my brother in all but blood, Harry! I can't let you die in the arena!"

"I would die here due to living with them!" He nearly screamed, hot tears running down his face.

"Think of Heather, then! You love her more than anything! You die in there, heaven knows what she'll do," Jamie said his voice breaking, "Be there for her. She'll need it,"

Jamie pulled Harry into a hug. Harry cried on his shoulder. His tiny shoulders going up and down with his sobs.

"Don't die, Jamie. Swear it!" Harry demanded.

"I, Jameson Olivier Guerison, hereby swear upon my life I will not die in the annual Hunger Games! So mote it be!"

"You really did it?" To say Harry was surprised would be the understatement of the century.

"Of course I did, silly! C'mon, let's dry your tears. Take care of my sister. I'll see after the games,"

Once again a Peacekeeper ushered Harry out of the room. Finnick came to collect him for the train to the capitol. They would arrive by nightfall. District 4 wasn't located that far from the Capitol.

"That was very brave of you to volunteer for that runt," Finnick said.

"That's my brother in all but blood you're talking about Odair," Jamie hissed.

"Didn't mean to offend you,"

"Watch your language then Odair! Or I'll wipe that smile of your face with my bare hands,"

"Cocky aren't we?" the blonde ponce just had to wink.

"Just because you're the Capitol's darling, doesn't mean your so called charm will work on me just as good!" Jamie glared at the blond victor.

"My my, you're a feisty one. You'll make it far in the games if not downright win them,"

"That's what I'm planning on doing,"

"What about Stacey?"

"She's dead as far as I'm concerned,"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," a female voice said.

Jamie turned around and saw the girl that was reaped. He took in her fragile body with her sun bleached blonde hair and shiny sea-green eyes.

"Well, unless you are exceptionally good with weaponry you won't make it past the Cornucopia Bloodbath,"

"Men! Always the same! Like a woman can't do anything," she hissed, "well guess what! I'd watch that sexy ass of yours Jameson!"

"Sweetie if you're going to threaten a guy, don't call their ass sexy. That simply doesn't work. At least not for this tough guy," Finnick said slapping Jamie's admittedly sexy ass.

"Oi! Keep yer hands to yerself, pervert!" Jamie growled in a weird accent that wasn't the Capitolian accent, "And ye! Keep yer eyes off me butt!"

Stacey slapped his shoulder, barely hurting him. It did stung a little bit though. Finnick just laughed at it, claiming district 4 had a chance to win the Games this year.

I recently got obsessed with the Hunger Games trilogy so I decided to write a fanfiction of it. I hope you enjoyed this story so far. I know it sounds cliché, but I actually dreamed parts of this plotline.

Reviews and well written and well argumented critique is welcome!