Chapter 2

Reaping Day

"Wake up Demi."

My mom woke me up.

Normally I would be fine with waking up early, but today was a day I would never ever forget….reaping day.

I sat up in bed….dreading standing up.

"Demi! You need to get ready!"

"Give me a minute!"

I finally got the strength to stand up and put on a summer dress from my closet. I French braided my beach blonde hair and applied my liquid eyeliner.

"Coming mom!"

I walked out to the living room and saw my mom braiding my sister, Michelle's hair. We call her Elle for short. Elle was wearing my skirt from a few years ago at a school dance and a white ruffled blouse.

"You look pretty Elle!"

"Thanks sis." She replied.

"Ok time to go." My mom said in a depressed voice.

Normally we would take the car to go places but instead we walked to Times Square because it was right down the road.

When we arrived in Times Square everything was crowded and very noisy. I followed the signs around large lot telling me and Elle where to go sign in for the reaping. I finally found a small unclear sign that said 18-19 year olds and stood in line. I saw Jay ahead of me. He looked back and gave me a smirk, a smirk wishing me good luck.

A few minutes later I was in the front of the line.

"Name please."

"Demi Moore."

"Age?"

"19."

"Thank you."

I waited for Elle to sign in, I saw her from across the lot with her arms folded in front of her, quivering in fear.

"Name please."

"Michelle Moore."

"Age?"

"15."

She walked over to me and we joined hands and took our seats. I tapped my foot anxiously; tears began to fall from my eyes. I had to keep calm. I could feel Jay's eyes on me. I looked over at Jay and he caught my gaze. He nodded at me and smiled then mouthed the words….

I'm sorry about yesterday.

I didn't care.

He acted like he was my father. I can protect myself, I'm strong for my age, and people know it.

I looked away from him, afraid of having an emotional breakdown in front of Jay.

"Quiet everyone!"

There she was the one and only, Mayor Annie Lovitt.

"Welcome to the first annual reaping! Ladies first!"

I held my breath as I watched Annie swirl the pieces of paper around in the bowl, and pluck one out.

"And the first tribute is…"

I started trembling.

"Demi Moore!"

Are you serious…..

Everyone turned to stare at me.

I blacked out.

I couldn't see.

I wanted to be dead.

Well I was going to be anyway.

I didn't believe what I just heard. I looked around, unsure if it was me who was called.

I must have misheard.

"Demi Moore please come to the stage darling!"

Yup it was me.

I slowly walk to the podium and stood motionless. The crowd stared at me in silence. I could hear Elle

Sobbing in the audience, watching me take my place on the stage. I felt like I was about to faint. I kept calm in front of the cameras though. I wanted to make a good impression.

"Any words to the audience?"

I shook my head.

"Any volunteers to take this young lady's place?"

Silence.

"Ok! Now our male tribute!"

I watched Jay.

"And he is….."

Jay got tense.

"Jay Remland!"

What was the odds of that happening…I swear it was rigged. At least it's me and not Elle. I thought to myself quietly.

"Here are our tributes for the 2017 games!"

The crowd was silent.

I held in my tears because I was on camera…But I was crying on the inside.