District 4
Sean McConnell
Day of Reaping
The following week had been a mix of horrifying, anticipation, and solomness in the life of Sean McConnell. His mom decided that she would do all things in her power to help Sean win, and had started collecting money to be able to send items to him in the arena, and his siblings helped her with that. Sadie helped his mom as well, and Sean was sure that if he was ever in need of anything in the arena, he would be set.
So he awoke that morning confident. He dressed himself in his khaki slacks that he loved, and his navy blue button down shirt that really brought out his sea blue eyes. He looked himself over in the mirror, but alas his moment was ended by the inconsiderate banging on the door from his little sister Erin.
"Sean! You're a guy, why do you spend so much time in the bathroom?" she yelled through the door.
"Because it's only the biggest day of my life now shut up and give me privacy," he yelled back, a smile beaming on his face.
Erin groaned, "Well hurry up and finish, I still have to dry my hair."
Sean put his simple black watch on, ran a hand through his curly blonde hair one last time, and exited the bathroom. He ran downstairs and hopped on the couch with his brother, James.
"Hey Ma!" Sean yelled to his mother in the kitchen, "I think I'm going to take James and head to the Square a little early, is that okay?"
"Yeah," she yelled back, "But be safe, and none of that 'you only live once' teenage hormonal stuff that's running through your head. Oh, and come back to get your sister."
He laughed but she was right, he had been thinking of doing some fairly stupid stuff since he was going to the Capital today. Most of it involved women but that was beside the point. He was 15, he still needed to live a little.
"Yes ma'am," He saluted back. He grabbed his jacket and him and James left the house.
"So where are we going Sean?" James asked him. Truth be told, Sean didn't entirely know, he just wanted to get out of the house.
"Let's get some food," Sean said.
James nodded and they went to Sean's favorite restaurant, 'Porter Paul's'. The brothers walked into Paul's and they sat at a table. After they finished up and were getting ready to leave, Jayson White and a few others that Sean didn't know walked in. Jayson noticed Sean and James and motioned for him to come and join Jayson's crew.
"Guys, this is Sean McConnell, the guy I was telling you about. He's going to be our male tribute this year," Jayson introduced, "And I'm to assume this is another of the McConnell clan right?" Jayson laughed, pointing at James.
James stepped forward, "Yes sir, my name is James McConnell and I'm Sean's little brother."
Jayson smiled, "Well McConnell Jr, I hope I get to train you at the academy someday. Anyway, Sean. This is Phil Collins, District 4's escort, Luna Rogers and Shane Snow, 4's stylists, and our past victors, Sarah Hollings, Killian Smoke, Izzy Evans, and last but not least, the grumpy old man Finnick Odair, in his last games before retirement."
Sean couldn't believe his luck, running into the most important people in the district on the most important day of the year.
"It's very nice to meet you guys. I'm Sean McConnell, this years tribute, but you guys already knew that," Sean mentally facepalmed.
"Oh Jayson, you didn't say he was cute too," Izzy said to Jayson, prompting Sean to check his watch.
"I'm sorry Mr White, but I must get going, I have to get my sister before we go to the reapings," Sean said.
"It's no problem kid, and call me Jayson, we'll be spending a lot of time together after all," Jayson said to the McConnell brothers and they left the restaurant. They walked the sandy roads back to their home, where they met their mother and Erin.
"Okay, I'll be there in time to see you off, I just have some business to take care of before I head over, so you guys go ahead and go to the square without me, okay?" His mother said.
Sean nodded his head and they left.
"So Sean," Erin started to ask, "When you come back we're going to be super rich right?"
Sean laughed, "Yeah Erin, we will be. And you two won't be going to the academy at all."
James frowned at this but didn't say anything. Erin took James' hand, and they skipped to the square. The three McConnell's checked their fingers on the needle, checking them into the reapings, and they went to their age groups.
Sean found a group of guys he knew and stood by them, one of them being Dean, whom he had beaten for the spot of tribute just a week earlier. Sean didn't have too many friends, in between the academy and his mom not letting him do much if he didn't have a sibling with him. That part was okay with him, because he loved Erin and James, and they were his best friends.
He saw his mom come in, through the back and join the adults, and then the gates shut.
"Good morning District 4!" Phil Collins yelled from the stage, addressing the crowd in front of him "Are we all ready to get started?" He asked. He knew the answer. They always did.
"Before we start with the reapings, good ol President Gold has a message for us!" He hit play on the projector, and the video that flipped Sean's life over played.
"The Hunger Games." Gold's voice rang through the town square. "A sign to the districts of Panem that is from the Capital will not tolerate rebellion. A reminder of all the lives lost in the Dark Days. These games have defined our Panem for years," President Gold, on the tape, declared to an unknown body of people, "These games are our livelihood, our culture. This year celebrates the One-Hundredth annual Hunger Games, and with that number, a new Quarter Quell. In the past, we have had three Quarter Quells. The first, as a reminder to the districts that the Capital rules, each district voted for their tributes. The second, doubled every tribute from each district. The third, reminding us that no one is safe from the Capitals reign, the tributes were chosen from the pool of former victors. This years Quarter Quell, as a reminder that even the youngest tributes aren't safe, only children ages fifteen and under can be reaped or volunteer," President Gold finished.
The silence in the square was to be expected. Sean had forgotten that it would be a shock to the rest of the district.
"Well you guys heard it!" Collins enounced, "This year is 15 and under I'm afraid. Let's get this party started shall we?"
A woman brought a bowl over to Collins. Everyone in the district knew it wasn't needed, but procedure is procedure after all. "Ladies first?" Collins asked the crowd. He stuck his hand in the bowl of girls names, and called one out.
"Natalie Finch!" He called.
"I volunteer as tribute!" A voice rang out. Sean knew it was Kensley, and wasn't at all surprised when he saw her saunter up the stage.
"What a brave young soul," Collins spoke to Kensley, "What's your name miss?"
"Kensley Yandell," She said.
"Well there you have it folks! District 4's female tribute, Kensley Yandell!" Collins spoke with such enthusiasm that it sparked a round of applause.
"Now for the boys!" Collins said after the applause died down. He reached in the bowl and called the name "Dean Odom!"
'Oh how ironic' Sean thought. "I volunteer as tribute!" He yelled proudly. He practically sprinted up to the stage, and shook Collins' hand.
"And what is your name, young man?" Collins asked him.
"Sean McConnell." Sean said proudly. The peacekeepers then led them to the back room where their families were waiting.
His mom was in tears yet again. He knew she had every right to be worried, he just hated that she was. "It's okay mom, I got this. Trust me," Sean said. He wrapped her in his arms, her head barely reaching his chin. His mom was short, and Sean was quite the opposite.
"I know son, I just worry. I hope you never have to go through this when you get back." if you get back. Truth be told, Sean wasn't entirely sure if he was going to win or not, but he sure as hell wasn't planning on losing.
"I won't mom. My kids won't worry about this. Now go home, get some rest. Don't worry about me," Sean told his mother. She nodded her head, and left him with his siblings.
Sean turned to James. "You're going to have to take care of them James. I don't know if I'll be back, but even while I'm gone you'll need to care for them. You got that?" He asked.
James nodded, and the three McConnell kids hugged it out before Sean left to get on the train. He turned and watched as his last link of home left, and for just a moment, he was alone.
"Ready to go sir?" A peacekeeper asked him. Sean nodded, and they boarded the train.
"Welcome aboard Mr McConnell." Jayson said to the dirty blonde. "We leave for the capital in a few minutes. Your luggage has been put in your room, which is the left room on the third residential car. Stay in here though, we have some business to take care of."
Sean did as he was told, and sat and waited for Kensley to join them, which she did a few minutes later.
"Okay," Jayson started, "This is my first year to mentor, as you both know I usually work at the academy, but this year Killian and Sarah have teamed up to run it, so I will be here helping the old man mentor."
"Yes, I'm stuck with the inexperienced, immature, Jayson White for my last year of mentoring. How great can life get?" Finnick said, cynically, but with a smile.
"That's a good attitude grandpa, let's see if it's still there after 8," Jayson joked, causing Finnick to burst out in laughter.
"You're not wrong there kid," Finnick laughed, "anyway, down to business. McConnell, you're with me, and Rogers is going to be your stylist. Yandell, you've got funny guy over here and Snow. Now go get some rest, we have a long day when we get to the Capital."
Sean and Kensley both left the room with a smile on their faces.
"Those two are hilarious," Kensley said to him, starting conversation.
"They really are," Sean agreed.
"So have you thought about what you're going to do to win yet?" Kensley asked him. Truth be told, he hadn't yet.
"No, I was gonna wait and talk to Finnick tomorrow about it." He replied.
"That's smart. So do you think we might still be able to have the Career pack?"
"I don't know. It seems like a smart idea, but I'm not going to risk teaming up with someone who will probably stab me in the back at the first chance they get."
"Yeah, thats kind of what I was thinking too. Let's just wait until that moment comes to decide," Kensley agreed.
They reached the third residential car and said their goodnights. Sean stepped into the room and was caught in awe at the view of the world passing by. The whole back wall was glass, just glass, and the outside was beautiful. At that moment they were passing over the ocean outside of District 4, and Sean began to feel an urge to just jump in the water.
There was a knock on his door and a servant came in and asked him if he wanted anything. He asked for a water and changed into some of his sleepwear before heading in for the night. He dreamed of the ocean and 4, wondering if he would ever see it again.