Chapter 1: The Reaping

AN: I do not own the Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins does.

I walk down the road, pushing my grandfather along in front of me. Every person in the district will be in the Justice Building Square today, hoping and praying that they or their child or sibling will not be reaped for the Games.

If I were honest, I would be slightly okay in the Games because before the accident - which was about 2 months ago - my grandfather was teaching me martial arts. My father had been taught as well but he had never been reaped.

I wheel my grandfather to the edge of the Square where I find members of his old crew from the hydro-plant and leave him there with them.

I make my way to the designated area in the square, before the Justice Building, and stand with my fellow 15-year-olds.

While waiting for the Reaping to begin, I crane my neck to look behind me so I could search for the members of my crew.

I only manage to spot the triplets, sticking out quite easily with their shocking red hair, when I hear the Justice Building's heavy doors slowly groan open. I look towards the stage to spot our mayor, Zena Bane, walking towards the mic to start the Reaping, after she finishes her piece she retreats backwards to the only seats on stage and their occupants.

One of the woman stands and waltz's towards the mic while the other just looks at her feet. A deafening boom sounds as the district 5 escort, Olriv Larstrai, taps the mic and speaks cheerily with her Capitol accent, "Welcome one and all to the Reaping of the 76th Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"

I don't listen to what Olriv says while she speaks. I mainly run my gaze to the other side of the square trying to locate Alla. I didn't see her before the Reaping and I am beginning to grow worried.

I'm brought back to reality when Olriv starts to walk towards the glass orb holding the names of all the girls of District 5. Olriv's headdress rattles as she walks across the stage.

Her outfit is typically Capitol, she has on a skin tight black leather leotard with a strange looking headdress that covers her face completely except for her mouth. She also has black lipstick on. She moves quickly back to the mic when she grabs a slip and opens it swiftly and reads out the name: "Lydia Hollen!"

I turn my gaze towards a girl moving through the 18 year-olds. Her facial expression is neutral, not showing any form of emotion. Her slender form is complimented by the grey dress that she wears. Her face is made clearly visible by having her dirty blonde hair tied up in a simple ponytail.

When she takes her place on stage she focuses her gaze on one of the many buildings surrounding the square and remains unmoving.

"And now, for the boys!" Olriv says excitedly.

I continue my search for Alla while Olriv does her thing. I finally manage to spot Alla amongst her fellow "safe for the year" girls when Olriv's voice cuts through the air. "Our male tribute for this ear will be… Gin Xing!"

Wait… What…?

I look back at Olriv to see her craning her neck to try and spot the unlucky boy she just called for, her headdress rattling all the while.

Eventually Peacekeepers arrive and start escorting me to the stage - more like shoving - and I am now facing a small flight of stairs.

I look at the stairs, then at the crowd desperately hoping that someone would shout out the words that would save me, but no one does.

I climb the stairs shakily and stand next to Olriv, "Well," she beams with excitement, "let's give a warm round of applause for this year's tributes." Olriv's request is met with barely any response.

I'm going to die… I'm a tribute for the Hunger Games… I'm going to die...