Hello everyone! Here it is, the first Reaping Chapter! It would have been up last night but I was watching Catching Fire, so ya know. Enjoy!

Also, I need escorts as well! Feel free to submit, the form is on my profile :)


Aniseed Rosethorn – District 12 Female

Age: 13

"You can try to intimidate me but I'm not afraid - I know everyone has good inside them!"


"Wait. So five times three is fifteen?" Says Mishal, she really struggles with this kind of work.

"Yeah and if you multiply it by 10?" I say attempting to coax something more out of her. Mishal is a lot better at other subjects, Maths is the only one she struggles with.

"150!" She says. Yes! She got it. It only gets easier from here on out.

My face cracks into a massive smile, "Here, let's have some candy, I've had enough of arithmetic!" I say, running over to one of the jars in our store. I grab a huge handful for Mishal and I to share.

My parents run a candy store in District 12. It's called Rosethorn's Sweets, I know… my papa is very creative. I love him, and my mother as well, she can be strict sometimes, though. I run back to Mishal and drop the handful on the table. We dig in.

"Mmm… These are really good, thanks Annie!" Mishal squeals. I love them too, I've always had a weakness for candy, not one that most District 12 citizens can afford.

All of a sudden my dad walks in. His shaggy red hair floating around his face and his baby blue eyes scanning the place for something. "Annie, have you seen the keys, your mother said it's time to lock up." Again. Lykos, my father is always forgetting something, one time he lost about 5 candy jars worth of money, mother wasn't happy.

"Yeah daddy, they're over there. On the counter, but I was hoping Mishal could stay a bit longer, we're just onto arithmetic, mummy won't complain. She likes her!" This is true, I have loads of friends, though Mishal is the only one that is allowed to come visit, apparently kids from the seam are unsuitable for people like my family.

"Umm, sure darling," he says heading towards the counter, his foot misses the step by the tiniest amount and he slips over. Face-planting right onto the floor of the store.

"Oh no! Papa are you okay?" I say, this happens all the time though, daddy is super clumsy as well as forgetful, mummy and I often laugh about it.

"Yes I'm fine, thanks, go back to arithmetic," he says with a smile on his face. He pulls himself together and locks all the doors apart from the side door, so Mishal can leave when she wants.

Mishal and I stare at our homework… This is going to be a long night. I go get some more candy and put it on the table. "I've got an idea, every time we answer a question we get some sweets, okay?" This is a good idea, it always works. Sometimes I help kids from the seam with their homework, candies always get them going.

About ten minutes later, mother comes running down the stairs. "ANISEED OLIVIA ROSETHORN! What are you doing up so late?! And eating candy! Darling, I told you to watch your figure! Oh well, off to bed. Now! It's the reaping tomorrow. And little miss Marable, I'm terribly sorry but it's time to go. It's been a pleasure having you!" She hollers at us. We start to pack up Mishal's homework and mummy walks back up the stairs. I don't see why my parents care so much about the Capitol, they support them in every way possible. I know they are necessary for the survival of our country. But the things they do… Trust me I know what they do…

"Goodnight Annie, thanks for all your help, see you at the reapings!" Says Mishal, bringing me in for a hug.

"You too," I say smiling at her as she slips out into the night. Mishal is probably my closest friend, only because mother thinks she is suitable, sometimes she can be a bit of a prig. But I love her.

I lock the door and run upstairs. I dive into my awaiting bed, pondering what tomorrow will bring.


Keene Abilio – District 12 Male

Age: 18

"You die eventually and the best way to do that is to welcome it with open arms."


"OI LOOK! It's Abilio's boy!" Shouts a voice from the other side of the square.

I spin around quickly and there they are, on the opposite side of the square. "…Shit!" I say to myself, forcing myself away, sprinting as fast as I can. I leave through the path towards the seam, where I live. If I can get away from them without them noticing, I'll be safe. The houses in the Seam aren't in any formation, it's like a maze, I can get rid of them easily there… Game on!

I run as fast as I can, but these are trained men, I can hear them catching up on me. I get to a point in the seam where the houses start getting closer together, less space for me to run. The streets start getting muddier and the buildings scummier. We are nearing my house.

I look behind me, the peacekeepers are only a few houses back. It's now or never.

I turn off onto a side road and pull my body up onto the roof of someone's house. I roll over and lie on their roof, peering down onto the street below.

The peacekeepers run straight on past, assuming I kept going. I let out a long breath I didn't know I'd been holding. I was safe, forever. Tomorrow would be my last day in this district and then the peacekeepers would finally leave me alone, they'd have to, if I was victor.

In case you were wondering, I am not a bad person. I haven't done anything wrong, the god damn white shirts have no reason to be after me. They're after me because of the father I never knew, he left a decade ago, apparently he couldn't deal with having a child. I don't know much about him, but around the district he wasn't very popular. As my mum always phrased it, he had a 'criminal' streak. Apparently, he was a drunkard and was foolish enough to get involved with a street gang. The peacekeepers have been after him for ages now but he disappeared a year back, no one knows what happened to him. I don't really care, I don't have many fond memories of him.

After a minute, I slide down off the roof into someone's flower bed. Hopefully, mum didn't note my absence. Not that she would, she hasn't been the best mum, since dad left. Pulling myself together, I trod on home.


"KEENE!" Brooke squeals as I open the door. "You're home!" She sprints at me full on and jumps up into my arms. It's kind of an overreaction, I saw her this morning but she is forever worried about my safety and staying at home with mum all day is all kinds of boredom. My sister and I share a special bond, we look out for each other, and she is my everything. It was mum's idea to send me into the games, we needed money for the family, but Brooke is definitely the driving force, I'm doing this for her, if I win we can live together, safely.

"Hey Brooke, did you miss me?" I say teasing.

"Of course Keene! Garnett's here he wants to talk to you," She says, her freckled cheeks lighting up in a smile.

My mood immediately falls. Garnett is my best friend, has been for a good seven years. He is originally from District 1 but was transferred here when his parents… Fell out of favour with the mayor of the district. He's kind of like my personal trainer, when he was young he wanted to compete in the hunger games but his dreams were crushed when he was moved. He was going to give up, but he saw promise in me and inspired me to train and volunteer for the games. He's 23 now. We had a bit of a falling out a week back.

I walk into the kitchen and there he is, sitting at my table, sipping a cup of my tea. It's mine, not my mother's. My whole life I've worked odd jobs, supporting Brooke and mum, I've earned the food in our cupboards and the excuse of a house in which we sleep.

"Keene! Fancy meeting you here," He says with a sly smile, slurping my tea. "I assume you've continued training after our most recent… Obstacle?"

"I have, tell me you're not here to persuade me again, I'm volunteering no matter what, my family needs the money…" A week back, Garnett decided he didn't want me in the games, I was too honest apparently, he feared I would halt in the sight of murder, afraid of killing innocent. He's training another, Jorum, a year younger, I assume Garnett wants him to volunteer instead.

"I'm not here to persuade you, only to inform you. The Hunger Games are a dreadful thing, young children pitted against each other to murder, violate and torture each other. It's a place people go to die! Knowing this, make an informed decision. You don't want to waste this glorious life you have been given." He pleads. That had to have been the fakest shit I've ever heard! Garnett knows I have a life that can be wasted. But I'm not going to waste it, shivering in my hovel, I'm going to spend it in the Victor's Village.

"Look Garnett, you know that what you are saying is a lie, you spent a good seven years of your life training me for this and now you're telling me not to do it, I don't understand. If this is about Jorum, I'm impressed. Jorum is a worthless tribute, he won't make it past the bloodbath. If you want District 12 to be a career district like you've always dreamed, then let me win, people will be inspired! I refuse to not volunteer." I retort. Turning around I realise Brooke is still here, standing in the doorframe, just out of Garnett's sight. I signal for her to leave and she scurries off.

"Listen Keene, this isn't about Jorum, this is about saving your life, please… trust me, You know I've always-" He starts, I cut him off.

"STOP. Please leave my house… now. If you want to see me, visit me at the goodbyes," I say, a twist in my gut. That hurt, this guy is one of the only people I thought I could trust.


Garnett Aldridge – District 12 Citizen

Age: 23


I stand, shivering outside Keene's house as night falls, thinking of a way out of the dreadful situation I got him into.

Keene doesn't understand that this is bigger than him. Only a week ago I realised how torturous the Hunger Games are, they aren't something I want to be training kids for. He doesn't know that I love him, like the brother I never had, perhaps like a father loves a son. I couldn't stand losing him. That's why he can't be in these games. I never should have trained him.

Eventually, it comes to me, after a good hour of standing alone in the darkness. I realise that Keene gave me an idea, and as much as I hate it, it has to be the only way safely out of this entanglement.

I knock on Jorum's door. Jorum is the baker's son, he lives in the inner part of District 12, he stands a chance of winning these games.

"Hello Garnett, are you here for Jory?" I look up from my shoes and stare right into the face of his father, a rather unpleasant man that often smells of dead animals.

"Yes, could I come inside, it's dreadfully cold out here," I say with a smile, trying to be polite, it's the only way into this man's house. Manners.

"Sure, Jorum is upstairs, I'm sure he'll be excited to see you, so unexpectedly," says the big man, gesturing for me to go inside.

I've been here before, it has to be the best house in the town, well, apart from the mayors of course. I walk upstairs and open the boy's door, he sits on his bed, reading a book on sword techniques I lent him.

"Jorum… We need to talk"


Aniseed Rosethorn – District 12 Female

Age: 13

"You can try to intimidate me but I'm not afraid - I know everyone has good inside them!"


I stand in my room, staring into the mirror. The sun comes in through my window, shining glorious rays across my bedroom floor. Shades of yellow, orange and red, turning the dull carpet into a work of art.

This is my second reaping, last year was my first, standing in line, among the hundreds of children, I felt a connection, I felt loved. The Capitol brings us together. We need them.

I'm wearing a beautiful salmon coloured dress that mummy bought from the tailor a while back. She said it would be perfect for the reapings, leaving a good impression to the Capitol about our family. My blue eyes stare back at me, examining my freckled face and red-blonde hair, my typical town girl face.

"Annie! Could you please come help us with the accounts!" My mum calls from downstairs. They do this often, apparently I'm the best mathematician in the district, and my parents rely on me to complete their accounts. Honestly, it's not that hard, I've tried teaching dad before, he's getting there, I think with a smile.

I run downstairs bursting with happiness and launch myself into a chair by the table. "You look splendid this morning Annie, just right for the reapings!" says my dad with a smile as mum hands me a sheet.

I fill it out quickly, adding all the numbers and writing them in their own spots. Multiplying, Dividing, Adding and Subtracting, this is what I was born for. I feel free among numbers, there truly is no limit.

My father, Lykos, pours me a bowl of cereal and sits in down in front of me as I work. He goes over and kisses mum right on the lips… right in front of me. "Get a room," I say with a smirk. They laugh.

"Darling have we told you about the time your father and I met?" Says my mother. I'm about to answer but she keeps on going. "Your father came in to buy some candy for your aunt, she was only little then, I was working behind the counter. Our eyes met and we fell in love, true love. If I recall that was the day of our last reaping wasn't it?"

"Only a thousand times," I mumble under my breath, but no one gets it, they've all moved on.

I scoff down my bowl of cereal and grab a huge handful of candy. Placing it carefully in my pockets, I hug my parent's goodbye and run outside to join my friends.

We dance around on the streets chucking candy around, playing hopscotch and chasing each other until we can't play anymore. It's time for the reaping.

I head back home solemnly. No matter how nice and helpful the Capitol are, they have to have the games. They are necessary for the peace of our country but that doesn't stop them from being cruel.

When I get back to my house, there are a boy and a little girl standing by the shop window, gawking at the sweets. I skip over to them and pull out the remaining sweets from my pocket. "Would you like some?" I say smiling down at the girl. She's probably only a few years younger than me, but she looks so small.

She looks up at me with huge eyes, staring at me with a huge smile on her face. She grabs one and scarfs it down. I pour the rest into her hands and she squeals. "THANKS!"

"Hi, I'm Keene, nice to meet you," Says the taller boy with a smile, offering his hand. Normally I would avoid big boys but he seems nice enough, so I shake his hand.

"I'm Annie, nice to meet you too," I say, "I've got to go do something now, catch ya later," I say, skipping off into my house.

I was hoping to talk to my parents but they've already left. There is a note on the counter that tells me that they had to run some errands and they'll see me after the reapings. Don't forget to lock up. I smile, of course.


As I stand in the square, awaiting the escort, standing alongside my many friends, I notice an old lady crying in the square, it awakens a memory.

A young girl, only eight years old, is playing in the streets with her friends, they leave but she continues to dance around. A lady is dragged in by terrifying men in white uniforms who surround her and pump her brains full of lead. She falls to the ground, dead. The little girl screams and everyone turns her way, her parents run out of a candy store and carry her away, saying that the lady deserved it, she was a thief after all. The girl believes them, trusting in their knowledge, but as the lady died she was staring right at the young girl, right into her soul it seemed and she saw the truth.

I shake it off, that was years ago, a dumb lady was shot for thievery after she stole someone's milking goat. For some reason it terrified me, silly really, the poor lady was a crook. Justice was served, wasn't it?

Justice. Was. Served.


Keene Abilio - District 12 Male

Age: 18

"You die eventually and the best way to do that is to welcome it with open arms."


Well, that was nice of her. A young girl just came along and handed Brooke a big handful of lollies. Who says there aren't nice people in the world?

Brooke and I walk back to our house, the reaping's in an hour and we need to get changed into some nicer clothes.


I stand in the kitchen straightening my shirt and sliding on a jacket. I'm ready for this, Capitol here I come!

My mum walks into the room and pulls me into a hug, "Oh, Keene, I'm sorry I've been such a bad mother, forcing you into this, but we need the money darling. I love you," she says. Jeez, I can't handle all this soppy stuff. I pull away and plant a kiss on her forehead, believe it or not, I'll miss her. She smiles at me and heads back into her room, probably to get changed.

Brooke emerges, dressed in a beautiful scarlet dress, "Holy cow Brooke, you look spectacular!" I say with a smile, she beams back at me. "Where'd you get that dress from?" I question, normally we couldn't afford something this nice.

"Aah, I'm not sure, mama gave it to me, I'm pretty sure it's special, she said I could borrow it for my first reaping," she says, strutting her stuff all over our tiny kitchen.

I crack up laughing and she joins me, it really did look funny, my slim little sister in a beautiful dress, strutting in our lean-to hovel, like she's a superstar.

We leave our house and walk down into the town square. The peacekeepers prick our fingers, I've always been nervous for this part, if the peacekeeper knows I'm 'Abilio's boy', I have to make a quick escape after the reaping, which is always annoying.

I stand in line among the other eighteen-year-olds, who all look morose, lucky for them, I'll be volunteering this year, they don't have to worry about getting drawn. I glance over to seventeen-year-old section, where Jorum stands, a smile on his lips, I know he's going to volunteer, I just have to get there first.

Wish me luck.


Ezekiel Quill – District 12 Escort

Age: 24


District 12! Here I come!

Well, I've already been here for a week, tasting the local cuisines, savouring the lovely sunsets, breathing in the fresh mountain air. It's not exactly fresh, full of coal dust and smog, I'll probably have a throat irritation by the time I get back.

I'm the talk around the town in this district. Walking around in my splendid attire, among the filthy workmen and impoverished ladies. I feel like a star. Which I am of course. Everyone is talking about my clothing here. It's such an amazing sensation, in the Capitol, I was same old, same old. My spiky gold hair and dyed gold skin make me feel like a king!

"Zeke! We need you on the stage in ten seconds! All the guests have arrived," says my assistant, Gloria, as she fumbles around with my script. Stressed as ever.

I straighten my suit and step up onto the stage flashing my delicious smile at all the citizens of the district. I shake hands with the mayor and this year's two mentors – Delly Cartwright (Victor of the 77th Hunger Games) and Francis Donner (Victor of the 98th). They are the only two living victors, the victor of the 50th Hunger Games, Haymitch Abernathy, was killed in the finale of the 75th Hunger Games.

"Ladies and Gentleman!" I bellow into the microphone, I hear my voice boom throughout the square, how fantastic! "I am Ezekiel Quill and I invite you to the reaping of the 103rd Annual Hunger Games!" I say, beaming at the crowd, how exciting is this! This is my third year of escorting, but it never loses its awe.

I rush through the formalities, watching a clip from the late president Snow, publicly honouring his death and announcing the important people with me today.

"This is it, the moment you've ALL been waiting for, which brave tributes shall we send to the hunger games this year?" I question the crowd, but am only answered with dull stares, if there is one thing I don't like about this district, it's its rebelliousness. What could possibly be wrong with behaving?

"As always, ladies first!" I say, marching over to the ladies bowl. I plunge my hand into the depths of the large glass bowl, grasping the first card I find. I make a silent apology to whoever I'm about to announce.

I peel off the black tape and unfold the ticket. I wince. The girl's only 13, that's too young to die. "Aniseed Rosethorn!" I announce, calling it out across the square… It can't be undone now.

A plump girl with red-blonde hair, in the thirteen-year-old section jumps. Like really jumps. A couple of other girls whimper a bit and all look a bit displeased, she must be popular. I can't imagine why, she doesn't have the looks.

She starts to walk towards the stage, evidently holding back tears. I almost feel sorry for her. And then I remember it's an absolute honour to compete in the hunger games. May the odds be ever in her favour!

Once she is on the stage, I give her a light smile and shake her hand, gesturing for her to stand by the glass bowl her name was drawn from.

I smile at the crowd "Time for the boys now!" I say.

As I pull a ticket out of the other glass bowl I feel something very peculiar, like something important is going to happen to me. Maybe I'll get a promotion, I think with a smile.

"Brandon Mellark!" I holler. A stocky blonde boy starts to walk towards the stage.

"I Volunteer as tribute!" say two voices in perfect symphony. A stunning boy from the eighteen-year-old section and a petite boy from the seventeen-year-old section start running to the stage. This is interesting, there is hardly ever a volunteer from district 12, let alone two!

The older boy is sprinting a lot faster than the other boy, longer legs I guess. But the other was closer to the stage.

He starts to catch on the younger boy and when he gets close enough he dives for his feet, grasping them, he tugs and the boy smashes into the floor of the town square. The victor smiles at everyone and struts up onto the stage. "Hello, I'm Keene Abilio and I'm going to be the victor of the 103rd Annual Hunger Games!" He says, all cocky. I'm a trained escort though, I know a fake when I see one, and this boy is super insecure.

The crowd roars despite this, apart from a man in the viewing section who wails. Keene flips him the bird.

Well, that was exciting, I think with a smile.

And then, to ruin it all, the female tribute bursts into tears and runs off stage.

Just perfect.


Aniseed Rosethorn – District 12 Female

Age: 13

"You can try to intimidate me but I'm not afraid - I know everyone has good inside them!"


This is horrible, just horrible. I've worked so hard to enjoy the life I've been given, I've loved and honoured the Capitol. And now it's all being taken away from me… The place I knew and loved… And so I cry.

Not just whimpering crying, full on bawling your eyes out crying, I'm not prepared for these games, I know deep down I won't last a second. But I must stay strong, for my mother and for my father, they'll expect great things from me.

Mum and Dad are let in by some peacekeepers and immediately my expectation is flawed. They are both crying their eyes out, obviously upset by our situation. They fall down on the leather couch beside me and hug me. We lie in a huddle, whimpering.

And then, to top it all off, my 7-year-old cousin Cinder walks in, he's crying as well, he dives into my lap.

"I'm so sorry Annie! I didn't want this! I'm sorry for being naughty and for being a pain and… and… and…" He begins before breaking down into a useless huddle. If things weren't bad yet, they are now. Cinder's parents both work full-time in the coal mines, I have to babysit him all the time. He is the bane of my existence; yelling; screaming and whining. 'Gimme this, Gimme that!'

"Time's up," says the gruff voice of a peacekeeper as they peel my family away. Mum and Dad plead with me to come back, I really expected more from them.

Next, my friends pour in. Big ones, small ones, young ones, old ones, fat ones, fit ones, all shapes and sizes. We talk together and they promise that they'll send me sponsor gifts, it isn't up to them but the thought counts. It has to be one of the most awkward situations I've ever been in, though. Each and every one of them is fitter than me and some would have a real chance at winning the games. I don't wish that they had volunteered, but I know they are guilty about not doing it. They purposefully skirt around that fact.

The peacekeeper comes in again and sends them all away.

The door closes behind them, locking me from the district, my home, sealing me from any escape, sealing me to my fate.


Keene Abilio – District 12 Male

Age: 18

"You die eventually and the best way to do that is to welcome it with open arms."


First in is Brooke, all sunshine and smiles. She runs at me and hugs me, telling me how awesome I was and that everyone is going to love me. "You'll be a star in the Capitol, everyone will cheer for the volunteer from district 12," she says with a smile.

"Their victor from District 12," I correct her, chuckling. It's all an act though, secretly I am terrified of the games and what lies ahead of me in the Capitol.

"Yeah," she says, gazing off into the distance. She gives me one last squeeze and looks at me, staring intently into my eyes, "Promise me you'll come home though?"

"I promise," Now that I've said that, there's no going back… I will return.

The peacekeeper comes and gestures for Brooke to leave.

Next person in the door is mum… No, that's not mum.

"Hey…" he says, as he bustles into the room, knocking over an expensive looking vase, Garnett has never been particularly cautious. "Shit."

I glare at him, no way am I going to be the first one to talk.

"I'm coming with you," He says with a smirk. What? How on earth could he afford that? After the inter-district travel act was passed by President Snow in the year of the 84th Games, It wasn't long before someone organised a Capitol Visitation act. It was accepted soon after. However, it costs a lot of money for this and no way could anyone from an outer-district afford it, let alone Garnett.

"No, you're not. I don't care if you can afford it, you're not coming. You purposefully put Jorum before me, he can shine next year, this is my year, leave me to my spotlight," I say, rebutting him. He smiles at me, a kind of sad smile, before leaving the room.

Hopefully, I'll never have to lay eyes on him again, in my eyes he is scum.

Delly and Francis, this year's District 12 mentor's come in, Annie walking between them, her cheeks red and blotchy from crying.

"Time to go mate," says Francis giving me a smile.

As Annie and I walk towards the train that will take us to the Capitol I here Delly saying to Francis "You take the fool," I wonder if she means me…

I wonder if she's right…


I hope I captured Annie's super trusting, sweet nature.

Who'd you like better? Aniseed or Keene?

What about Ezekiel?

Thanks to z-fun2001 and Buffyrocks401 for these awesome tribute submissions as well as ThomasHungerGamesFan for Ezekiel!

Also, Garnett will be playing an important role in this story I think, and not just with Keene, with the District 1 Tributes as well. What do you think of that?

Don't forget to vote for your favourite presidential candidate!

If you want to submit an escort to Campaign, the form is on my profile :)

Also! The Tribute Blog is up! The address is: campaign103hg . weebly . com

Hope you enjoyed!

Please Drop a Review!