Chapter 1
I woke up. The sun was peeking in through the small window across the room. I sat up and looked around to see that my sister was still asleep in the bed across from me. "Maris. Maris wake up." She stirred. I laid back down and decided I would give her a minute. I really didn't want her to wake up. I wanted her to stay right there. I didn't want her to have to go to the Reaping. Not like it wasn't our first times. I was seventeen and she was fifteen. We had been a part of our fair share of Reaping. But this was my last year. I couldn't stand the thought of having to watch Maris to get through two more. But I knew that this wasn't something that could be avoided. They do keep track of who comes. I tried again. "Maris you need to wake up." I sat up and saw that she was already sitting, legs dangling off the bed with her head bent down. "Well good morning."
"Says you."
"Grumpy today are we?"
"Averil. Seriously."
Maris was not in a joking mood. I could see it in her face. She was worried. "Maris, you're going to be fine."
"How could you know? That's what I told Reia" She was getting angry and I could see tears in her eyes. I remembered that her best friend Reia had been Reaped the year before and had been decapitated during the bloodbath by the District 1 victor, Gloss. "I'm sorry Maris"
"I know. It's okay."
I went and sat next to her on the bed. "We need to get ready. We slept in today. It's going to start soon."
We got up and walked into the small kitchen of our house. It was cramped and dirty and smelled heavily of animals. That's what you live with in District 10. A lot of animals. Of course everything's going to smell of it. Maris worked in the chicken coop and was able to sneak some eggs, which we fried quickly and ate. During the shuffle, our parents woke up and came in. They were both grim. Understandable. I greeted them with a "Morning." My mother walked over and hugged me and then went to Maris and hugged her as well. "I have the bath all set up," She was distraught. I could tell. My father was possibly more emotional than her. He said nothing and he just kept looking at us. It's hard for the parents of District 10. We haven't had many victors before so it's almost a death sentence for those of us chosen.
When we were cleaned and dressed in our nice clothes, our parents came up and hugged us again and said that they would be there as soon as my father made sure the cattle were secure in their pens. We began the long walk to the Hall of Justice in the middle of 10. I looked at Maris and saw her short brown hair and and her brown eyes. I had brown hair too, but my eyes were blue. Her skin was tanner than mine. It seemed like I never tanned. I just burned whenever I worked in the sun. As the Hall of Justice got nearer, I could see her begin to tense. Maris and I saw other children begin to arrive as well. When we reached our destination, we were checked in by the Peacekeepers. There was a stage set in front of the Hall and there were two large sections marked by white paint. One side for girls, the other for boys. Maris was sent to one and I was sent to the other. I looked at the long stage and saw the heads of the town lining it. They were all older men and women. I couldn't help but think that they were lucky that they had managed to dodge the Games from age twelve to eighteen. Of course I'm sure that they were well off enough that they didn't have to receive more rations and put their names in more times. I had my name in at least thirty times. Probably more. Maris maybe had ten. Much better odds. That eased my mind.
The doors to the Hall of Justice opened and a massive purple shape came through. Pollis Mox. The Capitol escort for District 10. His job was to take the lucky Tributes to the Capitol and be with them throughout the process. I didn't like him. He was rotund, loud, and the only color he wore was purple. His black hair was slicked back and put into a huge pompadour on the front of his head. He waddled up to the microphone. "Good morning children! Welcome to the Reaping for the 69th Annual Hunger Games! I know that I usually go on and on at these sorts of things…" That was an understatement. "But this year I've decided to just get right into it. I'm sure you're all excited as I am." 'Terrified' is a word that I would have used. "I'll start with the lads. Lasses will have to wait this year." He did his funny walk over to the giant glass globe with the names in it. He stuck his hand in and fished around for a name. Each year I secretly hope that he'll get his fat hand stuck in it and they won't be able to continue with the Reaping. He finally selected one that he liked. He opened his mouth and somehow, I knew it before he said it. "Averil Prist!"
My body went numb. I stared at the ground and hoped that somehow he had made a mistake and that I wasn't the Tribute. I felt the eyes of everyone around fall on me. I watched their feet inch away from me and create a gap that I could walk through. My feet wouldn't move. "Averil Prist? Where are you boy?" I heard Pollis's voice, but I didn't want to go. I knew I had to though. I moved, one foot in front of the other, slowly until I reached the stage. I stood next to Pollis. "There we are. Now. For the ladies." I didn't even pay attention to what he was saying. I just stared into the crowd. I looked and I saw my parents. My mother was crying and my father was holding her in his arms. I felt my heart start to sink. I felt like everything was moving in slow motion. Nothing seemed real. I wanted to run. To hide. I didn't want to do this. My reflection was cut short when I heard then next name called.
"Maris Prist!"