Reaping Day
Just want to say im writing another Hunger Games story. Its an OC submission story. The tribute list is not yet full so im writing this until it is full. When it is full I will take a break from this story and finish writing the rest of it. When im done with that story, I will continue writing this one. Also spellling and grammar may be off, ok. :D
Reaping Day. The most terrifying day of the year. I hate how I have to experience this day a couple more times. I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. I'm glad my sister Guinevere isn't eligible to have her name in the reaping ball yet. She's only eleven. One more year and she will be able to have her name in the reaping ball. I don't want that happening. If my sister was taken from my family to compete in the Games, I'm sure we would be a wreck. She's such a sweet girl that doesn't deserve to compete in the Games. Well, really no one deserves to be in the Games. But unfortunately the Capitol is in control, so the Games still go on. I hope something will be done soon. If Katniss Everdeen is the symbol of rebellion everyone is talking about in all the districts, why doesn't she act and stop these Games. It was only last year that she won. That she defied the Capitol by pulling out those berries. My family isn't fooled that she did it for her love for Peeta Mellark. In fact, no one in all of District 11 is fooled by that lie. It's just the Capitol is to stupid to figure out that she did it so they could both win. Someone must have broken the news to her that she is the spark of rebellion, and that spark will soon grow into a nonstop fire that will spread upon the districts.
On the victory tour a couple months ago, she gave a great speech on Thresh and Rue, my neighbors. Thresh and Rue lived on my street. But her speech left a spark on District 11, that grew into a fire. Chaos was brought upon District 11 after that speech. People randomly getting shot by Peacekeepers. All this had to end. Someone needs to tell Katniss that almost all of the districts are counting on her to end the Games and declare war. The rebels may not have won many years ago, but many people are convinced that we could win today.
I got out of my bed and headed downstairs for what my family called a kitchen. The kitchen is made up of just a table and an oven. For breakfast, (If were lucky enough that we have food that week), we usually eat slices of fruit that my father sneaks from the orchards. When I arrived in the kitchen, my sister, father, and mother were all sitting at the table eating slices of apples. I saw my share was at an empty space on the table. "I thought we didn't have enough food for the rest of the week." I say as I grab a chair and sit down. I bite down into the slice of fruit and it tastes ripe. "One of your father's friends from the fields dropped by this morning and gave us four apples and oranges." my mother said happily. "That's really nice of him. What about is family?" I say. "Oh, they must have enough then they can handle." says my father as he reads the newspaper. I nod, thinking of how that man got those fruits. Probably stole from the fields. Boy, if he gets caught, the Peacekeepers will send a bullet straight through his head.
Since the Victory Tour, things around District 11 changed dramatically. They added a corner in the square that was dedicated to public punishment. There was a whipping post, a stage where people would be shot through the head, another stage where people would have to confess what the Peacekeepers thought they did only to be shot before their families. Things were bad.
When my mother was done eating she got up and I noticed she was in her reaping clothes. A simple white dress with white heels. I looked toward my father and saw he was in a light t-shirt and pants. I then looked toward my sister. She was only wearing an orange t-shirt and Capri pants. Her dark hair was combed back. My family didn't look like many people that came from District 11. Most District 11 people had really dark skin and brown eyes. My family had a nice tan skin color and hazel eyes. Our jet black hair matched many in District 11. "Lanzus, why don't you go and get dressed in you reaping clothes, maybe you'll have time to visit Nyla before the event." my mother said.
Nyla is a lifelong friend. We have known each other since we were in diapers. Since then we have grown to be best friends. If she was chosen to compete in the Games, I would be a complete wreck, it would feel like losing a family member. I'm sure she would feel the same way if I were to attend the Games.
"Ok." I say. With that, I strode off to my room. When I got to the closet I opened to find a few clothes, the few that I owned. I chose out what was the fanciest clothes in my closet, a black button down shirt, beige dress pants, and dress shoes. I quickly acquired them on and headed towards the mirror. I looked no where near anyone from District 11. I was somewhat muscular, (which was rare since mostly everyone in District 11 is weak and helpless), I had nice tan skin which was something that attracted many eyes. My jet black hair was nothing new. It reached down towards my shoulders. My hazel eyes were another trait that confuse people with a different district. I combed my hair and then headed out of the house towards Nyla's house.
On my way towards Nyla's house, (which is a couple houses down the street), I passed Thresh and Rue's house. Memories flooded back into my mind. Memories of playing football in Thresh's backyard, Rue watching us from her room window. Thresh was one of Nyla and I's best friends. The Games had to tear that friendship apart.
When I arrived at Nyla's house, her mother answered the door and gestured me up to Nyla's room. When I entered I found her sitting by her bed watching T.V. Nyla was one of the only people that had T.V.'s in their room in all of District 11. When she saw me she ran over and gave me a big hug. I hugged back. "Lanzus! Wha-what are you doing here?" she says happily. "Just wanted to visit." I say before breaking apart. I sit down on her bed and she sits next to me. I look towards the T.V and find a pack of kids camping under a tree. The camera rises and up on the tree we see a Tracker Jacker nest. Then the camera tilts to the left and we see her. The great Katniss Everdeen about to let the nest fall upon the Career Pack. This was last years Hunger Games.
"Why are you watching this?" I ask her. "This is on every channel. I have no choice." Nyla says. "Then just turn it off." I say as I reach towards the remote and press the power button. The T.V. Doesn't turn off. "The Capitol invented this certain signal that is sent every time you watch the Games. The signal doesn't let you turn off the T.V. Until the Games are over, so no matter what you have to watch them. So now I'm stuck watching the recaps of last year's Games." says Nyla with disappointment in her voice. I think of the cruelty being caused if your child is being murdered on screen and you can't even shut it off. It's like the Capitol has found a way to infiltrate people's homes in the districts.
"That's terrible." is all I say. Me and Nyla spend the rest of our available time watching the 74th Hunger Games. Watching the star-crossed lovers of District 12. All of a sudden I slip out, "Do you think we'll win?" Nyla looks at me with bewilderment. "What do you mean, win what?" she asks. "The war," I say, "you know, the rebellion against the Capitol." "You think there is going to be a war?" she says surprised. "Well, yeah! There has been rumors all over the districts about rebellion and war! And it's all because of Katniss Everdeen! Nyla don't you see! War is bound to come! A war that could stop the Games and take down the Capitol once and for all!" I yell. Nyla looks at me confused.
"Forget it, I think I should get going now." I say. I leave her house without waiting for her response. When I get to the square, it's loaded with people. I guess the reaping is starting soon. I find my family and stand with them. Th mayors voice booms around the square. Everyone faces the stage and the mayor speaks about the Dark Days and how the Hunger Games came to be. Soon after, a plump woman with red hair comes up to the microphone. "It's time for the reaping to commence!" she squeals. "Ladies first!" she says. She reaches into the female reaping ball and takes out a name. She then reads aloud, "Nyla Sons!"
I feel my face turn red as Nyla walks slowly to the stage.
NO!
This cant be happening! I can't lose my lifelong friend! I won't allow it! Nyla sits on one of the two chairs provided for the tributes.
"Now for the male tribute!" the woman says into the microphone. She picks a name out of the male reaping ball and then calls out "Peter Mattes". Immediately I say "I volunteer!" I walk up to the stage and take my seat next to Nyla. "And what is your name?" asks the woman. "Lanzus McNair." I say. "Welcome to the Games you two!" says the woman into the microphone.
"Lets give them a round of applause!" says the woman. At first no one claps, but then the Peacekeepers that surround the crowd take out their guns. That's when the crowd starts clapping.
The cameras center on Nyla and me. "Smile and act like you want to be here." I whisper to her. I smile and wave towards the cameras. I even give a thumbs up. I glance at Nyla and she's doing the same.
…...
My family embraces me with a group hug. I know this may be the last time we hug ever again. They know it too. After about five minutes of hugging, we break free. My father has my mother in his arms. My sister is holding her sock monkey. "Lanzus, I want you to know that we love you." says my mother. "So much." "I love you guys to." I say with a smile. My sister walks up to me and holds my hand. "Can you promise me something?" she asks. I crouch down to her level. "Anything." I say.
"Come back."
"I promise." I say without thinking.
My mother starts to cry and says, "It's just not fair, you and Nyla are only fifteen, you guys don't deserve to be in the Games. I smile and say "Well no one really does." A Peacekeeper comes over to us and says that I should get on the train. "Goodbye." I say with a tear sliding down my cheek. The Peacekeeper escorts me towards the train entrance. I see another Peacekeeper by the entrance with Nyla. She walks on the train crying. I am next to get on the train. Once I am on, I don't get a chance to get a last glimpse at my family before the Peacekeepers slide the door behind me. The train's engine starts and heads for the Capitol.
Ok so watcha think of this first chapter? Please review! I want to know what people think! :D