Reapings
District One
Galilee Schwartz (18) D1F
I did not want this. I never asked for this. And yet I had to do this.
Although I couldn't complain much. At least it would make mom happy. My father did not want this but since I had been chosen, I couldn't really do much about it.
The weather was quite pleasant that day. The sky was the brightest blue and beautiful white clouds hung in there. My room was on the second floor and from my window I saw my little sister Zion rush out of the house. She didn't have to train. She didn't have to volunteer. She was not interested in the Games and valued her life a lot. She wasn't burdened with the whole volunteering pressure. I was happy for her.
I had joined the training academy just for training and to ease the tension that I used to go through. Never in my life did I think of volunteering. The environment there was pleasant, the trainers friendly and so I decided to continue.
And then they told me that I had to volunteer.
I wanted to refuse. The Games would be the end of me. But my mother, my mother's joys knew no bounds on hearing the news. I always wanted to please mother and knew it was a good opportunity.
Sadly, this 'good opportunity' could easily lead me to be killed.
"Aargh!" I cried and slammed my fist into the wall. Death was too close. And there was nothing I could do to avoid that. Why was I in such a fix? On top of that my District had the wonderful reputation of producing dumb, catty female tributes. Now that I was going in, I seriously hoped I could get rid of that image.
A while later I was in the kitchen, cooking. Cooking was life. Both my parents were chefs and I had spent quite a lot of time to learn cooking. Different ingredients were thrown in together to make marvellous delicacies that could be enjoyed by just anyone. Cooking was often the stress reliever for me. Plus, I cooked depending on my mood. And right now I felt frustrated and worried, scared and yet excited. I felt the thrill and the feeling of impending doom at the same time which was odd.
"Snap out of it," I told myself.
"Snap out of what?"
I turned around to see mom walking towards me with a barely suppressed grin. I didn't know whether to be happy that she had so much faith in me, or to be sad that she was so keen on sending me on my way to death.
"Nothing mom," I replied.
What was I cooking anyway? I had not even noticed what I was doing… I saw potatoes and I had done something that-
"Looks tasty," mom said.
"It will be ready soon…"
"Let it be dear," she said, "I think you should go get ready."
"Galilee."
Looking up, I saw my dad standing in the doorway. Smiling at him, I walked towards him and gave him a hug. He grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes.
"Don't do it, child," he said softly, "Don't. I don't want to lose you."
"Oh come on!" mom said as she joined us too, "Our daughter can do it! Don't discourage her! Sweetheart, I believe in you. Go and win it for me, for your District. Go and show all those kids who bullied you at school."
I nodded slowly at her but caught dad's eye. He shook his head firmly. I couldn't take it anymore. I agreed with dad. The arena was not a place for me. Why couldn't I be a chef too? Why me? But I had to do it for mom, for the academy. How was I supposed to refuse? I would be shunned if I didn't do that.
"I'll get ready," I said and then walked upstairs, trying to appear calm and collected although I felt nothing of the sort.
I slammed the door shut behind me and combed my platinum blond hair carelessly. They were brown originally but I had dyed them. My huge eyes stared back at me from the mirror. In fact, the most remarkable feature about me, if I must say so, are my eyes.
"Calm down. You need to look good."
The long white dress that I pulled on only made me look better. Mom had bought it especially for this occasion. She said it would make me look like a princess. I didn't feel like a princess.
"I should get going," I muttered, wondering why I was talking to myself like this, "I need to see Adonna and Haley before the Reapings."
And when I went down, I saw my mom was also completely ready, looking much better than I did, as if it was her year to volunteer. Clenching my fists, I smiled at her, dad, Zion and then walked out of the house.
"See you later!" I said as I almost ran away. They knew I had gone to see my friends. It was expected that Adonna would volunteer but that wasn't going to happen now. I was glad that at least my friend would get to stay alive.
But still… I wished someone else had been chosen.
Bennett DeVallier (18) D1M
Swinging my legs back and forth, I listened to Adrian intently. After all, listening really had been all that I could do in a conversation, although Adrian always tried to make me take part in discussions. He was easily the best brother in the world and I didn't know how I would even survive without him.
Grabbing my shoulders tightly and gazing at me with an intensity that might scare other people, he spoke, "And you must believe that you can do it. Just because you can't speak doesn't mean you can't do anything else. This is your chance."
I believed him, of course. How could I not? Adrian was my everything. The dependable brother, the trustworthy friend.
I moved my hands wildly to tell him that I did believe in what he said. As such I used very simple sign language and most people got it but Adrian didn't really need it.
"I believe in you."
Those four simple words were always enough to make me smile, to boost my confidence. Ever since my accident, everyone had either treated me with pity or with wickedness. My parents were overprotective of me. My peers bullied me. Countless times they had locked me up, beaten me, harassed me just s that I would scream. Or rather, try to scream.
When I was three, my dad and I had a car accident. Luckily we both managed to survive it. My dad lost his leg and a glass shard buried itself in my larynx. After much effort from the doctors and prayers from my family, I lived. However, my vocal cords were permanently damaged and we were not rich enough to actually afford the treatment.
Long story short, I was mute.
I hated it. I hated it with passion. My parents treated me like a fragile glass, as if I would break any time. My school mates were exceptionally mean to me. Realising I could not speak, they did not leave one single chance to use my weakness for their entertainment. I was, to be honest, tired of this treatment. I wasn't a lesser being. I was a human, just like everyone else. Sadly, nobody wanted to accept that.
Well, except Adrian. My brother treated me as his equal. He didn't give me any special attention, or look at me with sympathy-filled eyes. My parents did not enrol me in the training academy at first, thinking that I was way too delicate for that. They could not afford something else to happen to me. But Adrian trained me and my friends, Wallace and Winnie Shire supported me through everything. In fact, they were my only friends apart from my brother and I was really grateful to have them.
Gradually I became stronger and skilled. The trainers at the academy noticed that when Adrian told me to show them what I could do. Everything happened too quickly after that. They trainers took me in, Adrian convinced my parents that training was what would make me happy, and then I was suddenly chosen to volunteer for my District.
It was the biggest opportunity that I had ever got. When the academy declared their decision, the bullying stopped, the harassing ceased and yet I could feel the envious gazes burn through me.
It did not matter.
People had actually looked at me without bringing up my disability. No way was I going to throw away my chance. I had to win the Games. I needed to show my gratitude towards my parents, the academy, Adrian, the Shires. And then there was a small, hidden desire in my heart. A small hope and yet strong enough to drive me forward, to fuel my determination.
Maybe, just maybe I could speak again if I won. Maybe I would be able to get my vocal cords treated. Maybe…
"Ben?"
I was snapped out of my stupor by my friends. I hadn't even noticed when they had arrived.
I smiled at them and then raised my hand in greeting.
Winnie linked her arm with mine and then grinned. "So, our volunteer is all ready?"
I nodded, giving her a hug. Her smile faltered just a little when Wallace squeezed my hand tightly.
"Think again," he said, "Take a wise decision. If you don't want to then don't do it."
I moved my hands vigorously telling him that I did want it, that he need not worry.
"But what if-?"
It will be fine, I signed.
"Well, seeing that you are already dressed up and looking very handsome and all, we should go," Adrian said softly. I nodded at him.
I was so excited that I had dressed and done everything early in the morning. My chocolate brown hair was brushed back neatly, my grey suit complimenting my grey eyes. People told me they found my eyes to be very startling. I was tall, standing at six feet two, with a lithe figure that wasn't too muscular but still quite strong. I appeared to be as good as I could ever be.
Even on my way to the Square, my parents continuously fussed over me, trying to dissuade me from volunteering.
"We don't want to lose you, dear," mom said, her eyes bleak.
"Yes son. Please. Training is fine but-" dad almost cried out but I stopped him.
I want to do something, dad.
From the other end of the road, I saw Galilee walking towards the Square too. Having noticed me, she raised her hand in greeting and smiled. I smiled back. She was a sweet girl and I knew she was going to volunteer too. We didn't interact too much but I knew she was not very keen on doing this.
"Hello Bennett," she said.
Hi.
"Nervous?"
I nodded and then raised my brow at her.
"Same," she replied, "I- I don't want to- but you know there are some things you have to do even if you don't want to."
I agreed. In fact, I was not eager to see Galilee in the Arena. For me to come out, she would have to die. All I was hoping for was that it didn't happen by my hands. She was too nice for this.
Getting our fingers pricked, the two of us parted, after wishing each other luck. I took in a deep breath. This had to be done.
Galilee Schwartz (18) D1F
Was it just me, or was Verity taking a little too long to choose a slip? Our escort was strange. She never showed enthusiasm. She never dressed weirdly. She didn't even have too strong Capitol accent.
"Clara Monteria, please come up."
"I volunteer as tribute!" I said in a loud, clear voice and forced myself forward. My legs felt as if they had turned to lead. There was no turning back now. Maybe it was not a good decision after all. But…
Verity offered me a sad smile, as if she knew I didn't want to be here. Nodded at her.
"Your name, young lady?" See? No enthusiasm to see a volunteer. I like it better.
"Galilee Schwartz," I said, "And I will do my best to make all of you proud."
There was a mild applause at that and I caught Bennett's eyes. He nodded at me and smiled and I smiled back. How was he going to volunteer? He couldn't speak…
"Desmond Lartz, can we have you here?"
As a young boy started towards the stage, three people yelled "I volunteer as tribute!" However, I saw Bennett racing ahead with a remarkable speed, something that I had not expected, and then literally diving over the younger ones' heads, landing spectacularly on the stage. Verity smiled at this show and a lot of people clapped as Bennett thrust a piece of paper towards Verity, who read it quickly.
"This is Bennett DeVallier, your male volunteer, and I am sure he'll do a good job. And now, District One, give it up for your tributes Galilee Schwartz and Bennett DeVallier!"
The two of us shook hands, and he looked at me shyly just as he always did. I laughed.
"Good luck."
He nodded and then the two of us were being led to the Justice Building, the applause still ringing in the air.
Hello people! Here it is, the first Reapings! Just because I wrote District One first doesn't mean I'll go in the order though. Many of you know I don't like following any order. Anyway, these two were fun to write for and I loved them. What do you think of these two? I'd love to hear your opinion but I request you to be respectful of other submitters. We're all here to enjoy, aren't we? Why should we make anyone sad, even though it was not intentional?
Also, I want to apologise to many of you who submitted girl tributes because I could not accept them all. I never thought I would get so many submissions and it was so hard to choose my female tributes since all of your submissions were so great. I hope you'll read the story but I will understand if you don't want to.
And I have not proofread this chapter, I never really do actually, so forgive me for any stupid mistake that I might have made.
Have a great day!
