It was reaping day. Even if one didn't know, it was made plain and obvious. Nearly everyone was up and about, buying roses, getting dressed in their reaping clothes, which were the finest clothes they could find. Adults were getting their work done. The Peacekeepers were roaming around, keeping things more in order than ever. The schoolyard was empty as always and few children were out of their homes. The tributes were especially preparing for what would come ahead. This year, only so many people had taken the tessarae.

It was a chilly day, with an ice cold wind blowing across the district. But no one was prepared for it. The reaping clothes consisted of no over cover. So you could say that nearly everyone was nearly freezing. All the little children were scattered around the town, playing games, singing songs to celebrate reaping day, for all they knew was that it was a day of celebration. The older children were in their houses, being decorated in their best clothes and accessories, which were not hard to find in District 1. The adults of course, were preparing their children and praying for odds to be in their favor. Suddenly, a loud, shrill bell rang across the town. As if by magic, everyone stopped and listened. This could mean one thing, the Games were on.

It was time, no doubt. The children finished their songs and games, the tributes put on their last accessories, the adults said their last prayers. It was time. The Head Peacekeeper, Bontrilius Romaker, guarded the only entrance to the nicely decorated Square. The square looked luxurious with gold and silver outlining it. It was certainly unfit for a horrible event such as the reaping. In a short time, people were lining up at the entrance. Bontrilius explained the concept before letting anyone it.

"Now! Adults will file in near the lower right, close to the stage. Younger or older children than needed will be on the left. Tributes will take up the entire back. Everyone must have at least one offer to our generous tributes. Now, do as I say, or whoever doesn't will be punished."

One could say that the Peacekeeper was in complete charge. There was no doubt that anyone would be fearful of the man. He was tall and broad, like any normal coal miner, with dark skin, and ripped muscles across his back. He had a whip in hands and a sword in the other. His voice was deep, booming, and sharp. His face showed no emotion, except harshness. So the people filed in quickly without speaking. The only sound was the soft pattering of feet. The adults and younger children went in first, their feet skittering against the gold and silver floors nervously. The stage was covered in all kinds of goods and looked almost beautiful, except for the blood of tributes, seemingly spattered on them. A large podium was the middle of the grand and beautiful stage. Everyone held their roses and pressed them against their lips, these were for the tributes, they deserved it more than ever. No could tell why this Hunger Games felt so cruel and harsh, it was no different than any other. It got worse every year, perhaps. The tributes were last to enter. Bontrilius waved his hand at the crowd of people inside the Square. They all turned around. The tributes were lined in rows of three, a girl in the middle of two boys. They held hands as they entered. The people waved, shouted, and cheered upon their entrance, while their hearts panged worse than ever. When all the tributes entered. The younger tributes were in the front, and the oldest in the back. Their faces were solemn and serious with no aspect of happiness or goodness. Anyone, seeing these poor teenagers ; alone, wolf-like, they would've surely kneeled over and sobbed at the top of their lungs.

When the cheering died down, nothing was heard, no footsteps, whispering or anything. Tension slowly built in the air. At this signal, Bontrilius made his way towards the stage. As he did, a large opening appeared in the crowd, allowing him to go through without any trouble. His stare was cruel and straight ahead. He was now the fear of everyone in the Square, with a stare of his, the entire District would have fallen on their knees and kissed the cold, almost lifeless hands. But he showed his stare to nobody, and they all stayed on their feet with their lips hushed. He climbed up to stairs and stood straight and tall at the podium. Then, he began to speak.

"Citizens of District 1, the district of luxurious good, welcome to the 34th Hunger Games!" And out of force, the unhappy crowd cheered and screamed.

"Calm down! Today, we will be selecting tributes to enter the Hunger Games." He announced.

The tributes raised their arms to the sky and bent towards the floor, a sign of helplessness towards the Capitol. The Head Peacekeeper gave them a cruel smirk that could've killed. No one moved from their positions and watched unhappily. He then continued his speech.

"And now, we salute the Capitol for their greatness" he commanded.

Everyone turned towards the stage as the anthem of Panem played, a loud, lively tune which no doubted symbolized the power of the Capitol and the weakness of the Districts. When the anthem ended, the entire place remained silent. No one moved or made a sound, anxiety and fear overwhelmed the place.

"Now, we welcome our escort from the great Capitol itself, Wilma Reesh!" the Peacekeeper shouted.

For a moment everyone was silent. Then, at the crack of his whip, the entire place went crazy with cheers and roars of supposed happiness. Suddenly, the escort entered. The reason they did not clap was because this was a change. Their first escort had been executed, because she had shown kind pity towards the districts. This was certainly a change. She was very short, only five foot one with a pretty air. She had beady green eyes, a smooth mouth, and the palest face one could ever see. It was artificially white, which was obviously done by the Capitol. Her hair was as well unnaturally yellow. Anyone from these Districts would have spat in her face and called her a clown, but no one dared. She looked like a daisy with her draping green dress. It looked like a gorgeous green wedding dress, but no one paid any attention to that. She then smiled at the crowd to show them, that she was never going to be sympathetic. They smiled back and waved affectionately.

"Hello District 1! Gods this is exciting! I just can't wait. Right now, I want to thank the Capitol for choosing me now. This is going to be great. Let's hear some cheers for the Capitol!"

The District cheered, she smiled even larger.

"And now, we will choose our tributes, ladies first" she laughed merrily as she reached for the ladies hat.

Now the tension had expanded by twice as much as it had before. The girls' hearts were pounding. Wilma's hand searched within the hat before pulling out a name. Everyone quivered unhappily as she reached it up to read. Everyone's throats turned dry with fear as she read the name.

"And the tribute for the ladies, is…" Wilma paused to make sure the crowd was listening and having pains.

"Congratulations! Aurora McQueen!" Wilma shouted happily and the spotlight pointed to the poor girl.

Cheers arose from the crowd as the spotlight revealed a tall girl with auburn hair and hazel eyes. Her eyes showed no real surprise as she quickly made her away from the tributes area to the stage. Wilma smiled and kissed her on the cheek. In surprise and hate towards the Capitol, Aurora stepped backwards with a hateful looked. Wilma did not look surprised nor did she seem to care. But she held the girl's arm up high as flowers, goods, and food showered upon the girl. Aurora smirked and waved towards the crowd in response. There was great happiness in the crowd, for seeing a tribute so willing to enter. The Head Peacekeeper pulled Aurora backwards as he walked up to the podium.

"Shut up! Unless you wish to be punished" He threatened as he cracked the whip in the air.

The Square fell silent, but the happiness had not faded. They had hope, that their District would win this year!

"Now the gentlemen" Wilma announced as she girlishly flicked her hand into the boys' names. Tension once again filled the place. Her hand moved less and she pulled out the name in no time, and then read it aloud.

"For the gentleman tribute, Nate Morgue"

This time, the crowd froze, for they all knew the boy. The light turned on a boy in the back. His face, unlike Aurora's, showed no emotion. He cast his eyes on his shocked family below. No tears, nor fear struck his face, which was slightly handsome. His long black came to his neck and he had hazel brown eyes. His skin was slightly tanned from work. He was a good height, about five ft. eight. However, he wasn't very well-built either. Suddenly, there was loud sobbing from the crowd, his family. Bontrilius scowled and made his way towards the crying family. Seeing him crack his whip. Nate ran towards him. But luckily for both, since Nate was not feeling most gracious. Bontrilius only escorted his weeping family out of the Square. Nate sighed unhappily and approached the stage, the crowds watched sadly, unable to cry or cheer. That wasn't until the Head Peacekeeper made his way back, then they began cheering happily, throwing more roses and goods. Both tributes took a bow, after that, the Head Peacekeeper and Wilma escorted them to the building near. When he did, the crowds began to jumble together, both celebrating and crying together.