The Hunger Games Galaxies

District 10 Introduction: Part 2

Shayla numbly stared at her brother as he ascended the steps to the stage, his face set and furious. He nodded to his sister, before standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her. Most of the crowd was silent, though Melody's anguished wails could be heard clearly throughout the entire stadium. Shayla was certain her parents were equally distraught, though she couldn't make them out here.

"Before I ask you to congratulate and bestow your blessings on your tributes… the Voice of the Gods wishes to address you," said Lady Shandra.

Shayla tried to get Jack's attention as they looked up to the massive screens along the walls of the stadium, but he refused to meet her eyes. Instead, she looked across the stage to where many Initiates sat. She picked out Siyon almost immediately, but her cousin refused to look her in the eyes, too, instead staring pointedly at the screen above Shayla's head. Shayla sighed in frustration and finally turned her full attention to the screen, where the Great Seal of the Gods appeared.

After the usual Hymn they sang to welcome the Voice's presence, the screens faded to the static image of the universe. The Voice welcomed them to the Reaping, making all the usual well-wishes and addressing some of the rule changes they'd already been made aware of, what with the relaxed age restrictions. This was another thing Shayla had seen in dreams, perhaps dozens of times, but as she listened, the tone of the Voice changed, and she realized this was something she hadn't been made aware of previously, either.

"Each year, the 24 tributes provide ample opportunity for not only the Gods but all of you in the Districts to observe each other in a cultural exchange of sorts… but we were wondering… how could we make this exchange even stronger and more varied…?" the Voice of the Gods stated.

Shayla felt her stomach drop out. Her vision became cloudly for several seconds, and she heard what was coming next just before it happened. She cut her eyes to both her brother and Lady Shandra. The latter's face was a mask of grim understanding, and even Jack's eyes were wide and his jaw was agape. He may not have been a Seer, but Jack Harper wasn't an idiot, either, and Shayla knew that he'd guessed exactly what the Voice was about to say.

"And therefore, the Gods have decreed that, from each District, we shall Reap a second group of tributes, ensuring this year's Hunger Games provides even more entertainment than the last!" cried the Voice.

Lady Shandra didn't let the crowd register too much panic before she was addressing them again, trying to keep things under control as much as she could. There was usually no reason for the Peacekeepers to get out of control in District 10, and Shayla knew that well. Between the rumors, stories, and her own visions, she knew that certain other Districts, like 4, 6, and 9, were especially prone to Reaping violence, but District 10 behaved themselves. It was one of the reasons they received the volunteer stipend, or so Shayla believed.

"Our second female tribute, who will take up the mantle of destiny in the Hunger Games arena…" read Lady Shandra. "Nayoko Yakako, from Linthicum."

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" came a beyond-hysterical screech from the front of the tributes.

Before Lady Shandra could even acknowledge her, Melody Moon was on the stage, leaping into the arms of her stunned boyfriend, sobbing openly. Shayla whirled to stare at her, not even bothering to try and hide the shock this time. Gasps and frightened shouts from their Whitestone counterparts rolled through the stadium.

"What are you doing, Melody, are you an idiot?" hissed her brother.

"No… I-I'm not…" said Melody, gulping and wiping her eyes. "I just… I'm not losing you."

"You can't go into the arena," Jack said. "I can't let you do it. Take back your offer."

"That is impossible," Lady Shandra muttered. "Once a tribute has volunteered, he or she cannot revoke their decision. That is the rule."

"I can't… I can't bear the thought of being without you…" muttered Melody. "I want to be there for you… until the end…"

Somehow, the realization of Melody's words suddenly hit Shayla like a truck. Between the shock of seeing her brother, and now his girlfriend, entering the stage with her… she didn't even give a moment to think of the ramifications. In the Hunger Games arena… only one could survive. That meant, at the very least, two of the three of them would have to die. And they still didn't know who the fourth person was going to be.

"The burden of time in the Hunger Games arena will be shared by a second man," said Lady Shandra, back into full-on business mode. "And his name… is Teruhiko Yakako, from Linthicum."

Most of the tributes from that particular suburb must have been way in the back, because it took the teen a lot longer to make it to the stage than it had the others. Shayla watched as the boy carefully mounted the stage, clearly attempting to swagger like it wasn't a big deal. He was huge; Shayla couldn't help but feel that he spent more time in the gym than anywhere else in the world.

"'Sup, guys," he said, grinning at them. "Looks like we're going to the arena together, huh?"

"I… yeah…" said Shayla, nodding at him. "You're… remarkably bright about it…"

"Yeah, well, it's whatever," said Teruhiko. "By the way… Melody, was it? Thanks for volunteering for my sister. She's useless, so she wouldn't have made it more than five minutes in the arena."

"N-No problem…" Melody said, nodding to him. "I-It's a pleasure to have you… Teruhiko…"

"This shall be my final announcement," said the Voice of the Gods, quite suddenly. "To each of our Districts… and to our viewing entities… there is one additional rule change to this year's Hunger Games. If the last 2, 3, or 4 tributes are from the same district, they shall be declared the victor, and the Games will end."

After this final announcement, cheers rolled up and down the aisles, into the stands, as everyone clapped. Teruhiko grinned and waved at everyone, and Melody's tears of sorrow were replaced with tears of joy. Even Jack couldn't help but smile at the rest of the crowd. Shayla, her mind still spinning, waved out the crowd, a half-smile playing across her face, if only to place it in a default look of positivity.

"Citizens of District 10, the Reaping has ended. Rise, now, and bestow upon these brave souls your prayers and congratulations. It is only with your well wishes that our tributes will have any success in the arena."

Once they were escorted from the stage, they were taken to separate rooms in a inn just down the road. They had a few minutes to receive last-minute visits from friends and family before they were going to be taken to the secret location to receive the port to the realm of the Gods. The rooms were fairly nice, though special privacy shades had been installed. A small platter of snacks and other food sat on the desk, and Shayla actually ate a couple of bites of food, realizing how hungry she was.

Among the first to visit were Shayla's parents, as well as her aunt and uncle. Her poor mother's eyes were red and her face was swollen, but she didn't cry at all when they stopped in to see Shayla. She could definitely see tears leaking in the rest of them, however, as she reassured them that they were going to be perfectly safe.

"I must confess… I knew all along that I would be the first one chosen in the Reaping," said Shayla. "I've had dreams and visions of it for weeks."

"You… knew…? You knew this would happen?" asked her dumbfounded aunt. "But… then… why no tell us? We could have done something, maybe gone back to Angora! Or maybe Siyon could have intervened—."

"No… that was never an option…" muttered Shayla's mother. "Once the games were over last month, everyone was locked in to their country… they would have found us anyway."

"What about Jack and Melody? Did you see them too?" asked her father.

"No…" replied Shayla. "I had no idea there would be a double reaping… or that Jack and Melody were going, too. And I certainly didn't foresee the volunteering."

"Are you scared?" asked Shane.

"I was… the thought of it being either me or Jack or Melody or Teruhiko made me very nervous…" said Shayla. "But… now that I know we can team up… I feel much better about it."

There was a knock on the door, and a Peacekeeper ducked his head in, ordering the Harpers to make their final goodbyes. One-by-one, they gave Shayla a tight hug. Her mother whispered one last warning to stay close to her brother, and then they were gone. Shayla had no visitors for a short time, so she contented herself with eating a few more things on her plate.

Several of her close friends from school came to visit her in small groups, some openly bawling, some trying to crack a joke or put on a brave face, and others merely begging Shayla to stay safe and protect the others. She was extremely surprised when a family of four she didn't recognize entered. She nodded and bowed lightly to them, and they returned the gesture, though didn't speak at first.

"May I ask who you are?" asked Shayla.

"We are the Yakakos…" said the boy, who had to be just a year or two younger than Shayla. "This is my twin sister… Nayoko. Your brother's girlfriend volunteered for her. Our older brother is Teruhiko."

Shayla nodded, grimly. "I'm so sorry you had to endure the fear of a double reaping from your own family…"

The Yakako's mother let out a small sniff at that, though she smiled through her tears at Shayla. "I can only imagine what your parents must be feeling right now… we were blessed with a reprieve with Nayoko…"

"But Teruhiko… ironically… has the best shot of getting you through this arena," said the father, his voice vague and high, as if he wasn't fully with them. "He's basically lived in the gym since puberty… so… stay close to him… he'll bring victory to District 10."

"I understand… and we are very fortunate to have him joining us… though I understand the sorrow this causes you. I will do my best to keep him safe as well," said Shayla. "Thank you for coming to see me."

After the Yakakos made their departure, it wasn't long before Melody's parents arrived. Mrs. Moon fanned herself constantly through the ordeal, her make-up running all over her face, while Mr. Moon gave Shayla a strong, tight hug, thanking her for introducing Jack and Melody, and for promising to keep their baby girl safe with her brother. Melody's younger sister gave Shayla a small, gold necklace.

"I gave one to all the others, too," she said. "It's a way to keep you all united."

"Thanks," said Shayla, smiling. "Plus, we'll all look really good during the parade."

"Then… take care. We'll see you in a few weeks," said Melody's father, leading his family out.

Finally, just before Shayla was about to leave the room, the door opened, and her cousin entered. Siyon looked, for the first time, a little scared. Shayla gave her a hug, and the two proceeded to sit on the sofa, back-to-back, as they'd done thousands of times over their lifetime. Shayla closed her eyes and began to push her spirit beyond the bounds of her body, until she was sure she could feel Siyon within her own mind. They began to talk, though through their minds, as opposed to out loud.

"How are you holding up?" asked Siyon.

"Fine," replied Shayla. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner that I was going to be one of the ones Reaped."

"I actually had a vision last night about Jack and Melody…" said Siyon. "I… apologize for being unable to warn you ahead of time."

"It's fine," replied Shayla. "By the way… do you think the Gods can hear us when we talk this way?"

"I don't know…" admitted Siyon. "I know for sure those in other districts and the Gods watching us won't be able to see… but… beyond that…"

"That's fine, I'll keep it short, just in case," said Shayla. "About our… plan… I guess this is fate's way of giving us the green light, huh?"

"Yeah," said Siyon. "So… once you're in the arena… I will make contact with you as soon as I am able to. So… stay alive until then, okay?"

"Of course. I'll try and recruit as best as I can, too," said Shayla. "Hopefully I get some people to believe me and I don't turn into the crazy chick in the arena…"

"Don't worry... lots of people will be willing to make alliances to begin with. Especially now that there's 48 people in there…" Siyon said.

"Correct. In that case… all there is left to say… is thank you, and I'll await your call," said Shayla.

Almost immediately after she said that, they heard a knock at the door. She felt herself falling back into her own body, as she opened her eyes. The Peacekeepers, accompanied this time by Lady Shandra, beckoned them out into the lobby of the hotel. Outside, Jack, Melody, and Teruhiko stood waiting. They were all remarkably put together, especially Melody, who shared the same hard, determined look of the other tributes.

"We will make our way out into a waiting car, which will take us to an undisclosed location for our travel to the Realm of the Gods," Lady Shandra explained. "Remember… though there are no sponsors in this year's Games, you will still be under the spotlight over the next few days. My advice, starting when we walk out the door, is to hold your head high, and do not make yourself a target. It has been an honor to serve as your guide. May the odds be every in your favor."

They didn't speak as they walked outside. Jack and Melody led the way, their arms interlocked. Teruhiko and Shayla glanced at each other, before he placed his mammoth arm around her shoulders, and she did the same to him. At the very least, they were going to show the worlds that they were united, and would be the biggest and strongest District 10 group in over a lifetime.

Author's Note:

This completes the introduction for District 10. Once the remaining introductions are uploaded for the remaining districts, I will finally be able to start writing the story of the actual games, starting with the introductory parade and interviews.