District 2 Reapings
Phoenix Cameroon POV
"Boy, get up!" my father growls.
I spring up from my bed. It's reaping day. And I'm up at 5am to prepare. These games mean everything to me. This is the only year I can volunteer for them so you better believe I'm gonna. I don't need any more training. I'm already the deadliest tribute out there.
"Hey boy, can't you hear me? It's 8AM! You're late already" yells my father.
8am? I'm 3 hours late? That can't be right. I rush downstairs to my mom. We don't get on well. She can't say boo to a goose and stutters when she doesn't know what to say. She's such a weak character like that. If she behaved like me and my father, there wouldn't be any problems but she hasn't got the brains or the bravery to do that. Right now, she looks terrified. So she should.
"MOM! You said you'd wake me up at 5am! What's the matter with you?" I scowl.
My mom shakes her head nervously. My father walks in, twice as angry as I am. My mother shrinks into the corner of the kitchen, shaking.
"Maria, are you a complete moron? Do you not want our son to succeed? Do you want him to die in the games? Is that it?" he screams.
My mom, like the spineless coward she is, begins to sob. She looks up at him.
"I d-don't, no. Pollux, I just, I forgot. The reaping isn't until 10 so I thought…" she stutters but my father slaps her before she can finish her sentence.
"Nobody asked you to think Maria. God forbid, that must have nearly killed you"
My mom goes to speak again but my father stops her before she can say a word.
"Don't speak, you've disgraced this family enough with you unintelligence. Come on boy. We may as well get in some last minute training"
We leave my mom in disgrace to train before the reaping. My father probably won't allow her to leave the house. Well that's not my fault. I don't need her weeping after my reaping. Weak characters only make their children weaker.
Brynn Kale POV
To say I'm anxious is an understatement. In fact, as I pour the milk onto my cereal, I'm so anxious I let the milk overflow onto the table.
"Shit!" I growl to myself standing up as the milk drips down my pyjamas.
I knew it was a good idea not to change before breakfast. I shower and wash my chocolaty brown hair before putting it up into a bun. It doesn't take long so by the time I'm ready it's only nine o'clock. I get myself some orange juice though my hands shake as I pour it into the glass but I'm not letting something spill on me again, especially not in this dress. I picked it out especially from a boutique owned by Ms May. In District 2, they've built all of these huge department stores. Ms May's is the only store left that actually has good quality stuff. Not cheaply made crap. But unfortunately its prices aren't cheap either, this dress cost a fortune. It's out of my own pocket too- like my Dad would give me a cent. I feel kind of sick thinking about my dad. I sip my orange juice and peer around the empty table. My head's not playing tricks on me. I'm alone. A couple of years ago the table was full- me, my mom and my dad. That was back when my mom was training me. But, she wasn't just training me in training time- she was training me all the time. She just wanted me to be perfect. She always told me what to eat, what to drink, how to walk, how to dress; I couldn't take it. Then one day, I got so mad at her- I just told her to back off. I thought she'd just blow it off maybe go a bit easier on me. But when I arrived for training the next day, she wasn't there. There was just a note. It said she was sorry, that me and my father would be better off without her. I didn't get it at first but then they found her car in the lake, and I knew it was all over. My dad hasn't spoken to me since. I finish the last of my orange juice and then look up to see my dad standing in the doorway. He doesn't say a word. He just nods, grabs a granola bar from the cupboard , throws something onto the table and leaves. This is the most conversation we've had in two years. I have a look at what he's thrown. A large purple jewel shines on a ring of gold. Mom's ring. I pick it up and carefully slide it onto my finger.
"Thanks dad" I whisper, even though he's long gone by now.
I look at the clock. 9:30. Reaping time.
Phoenix Cameroon POV
The sun is shining down on District 2 today. I get in line with the other 18 year olds, violently pushing anyone who gets in my way. It's their fault- they should see me coming. I see my friend Garett but don't take the time to say hi. After probably my hardest training session yet, my father sat me down.
"It's time boy. Don't let me down. Or don't bother coming back to this house" he grimaces, as if I've already let him down.
I don't care if I let him down. It's my games, not his. And I will win.
A dark purple haired young man takes the stage. He looks awfully pleased with himself, but considering he looks like a stick insect, I doubt he's ever picked up a weight in his life.
"Hello and welcome to the 76th Hunger Games. I will be the escort for this District, Caesar Lightdew. So let's get this reaping started. It's been decreed we do this" Caesar breathes in as if he's disgusted by his next statement "ladies first" he mimics in a stupid voice.
I don't blame him for making fun. If they reap the girls first, it means I have to wait longer and I hate waiting. Well I suppose you don't win the Hunger Games by complaining.
Brynn Kale POV
I stand in the line with the other 16 year old girls, shaking. Everyone else here is scared too, of course. But they don't know for certain they'll be competing in the games. In fact, if they knew I was planning to volunteer, I doubt anyone here would be that scared at all. Our new escort, Caesar Lightdew, is just dipping his hand into the girls reaping bowl. He digs deep into the bowl, reaching right to the bottom. Whether it's me or not won't make a difference; well I suppose I'd be saving someone else if I have to volunteer which is good. Caesar finally grabs one of the pieces of paper and walks up to the podium. He unfolds and clears his throat.
"Rosalita Mays" he smirks.
Rosalita Mays is pushed out of the 12 year old girl's crowd, tears going down her little red cheeks. Well, I guess it's time.
"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE" I yell.
The crowd parts for me and I walk toward the stage. I pass Rosalita and whisper "Go back to your line. You're ok now", then continue up to the stage.
"What's your name, kid? Come on, we don't have all day" says Caesar, impatiently.
"Brynn Kale"
"Ok then Brynn Kale, just stand still and don't say anything got it?"
I don't really have a witty response planned so I just nod and move out the way. Caesar walks back the podium, looking quite bored now.
"Let's just get on with this shall we?" he says.
This time instead of digging right to the bottom, he just picks out one of the pieces of paper without looking.
"Mick Rye" he mumbles without even bothering to go back to the podium.
"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE" yells a boy in the back row.
"Another volunteer? Great!" mutters Caesar sarcastically.
The boy wastes no time getting up to the stage. In fact, I don't even think Mick Rye heard Caesar call him.
"Name please?" asks Caesar.
"Phoenix Cameroon. The pleasure's all yours I know" he smiles smugly.
Eurgh, typical District 2 snob. He's gonna be fun isn't he? Caesar puts on a big smile, obviously glad it's over.
"Ladies and gentleman, our District 2 tributes, Brynn Kale and Phoenix Cameroon" he grins.
Once the microphone is off he looks to both of us as if we know what do.
"Hurry up then" he commands but we just look at him blankly.
He sighs.
"Go to the justice building. We'll send up your immediate family and friend to say their goodbyes" he explains patronisingly.
I don't know about this guy, but I'm not expecting anyone to turn up for me. I never had time for friends before my mom's death because of training, and afterwards making friends just seemed… difficult. As for family, everyone knows if my father were to turn up at all the only words he'd have to say were "Good riddance". Still, we shall see.
Phoenix Cameroon POV
I sit in the judgement building until they call me to go. I don't expect anyone to arrive. My father knows I'm coming back so won't bother and my mom definitely won't turn up after this morning. All of a sudden the door is opened and in comes a Peacekeeper with none other than my mom. She's awkwardly slumped as usual and believe me when I say I'm not happy to see her.
"Get out. Now" I say bluntly.
"Phoenix, can we just talk? I need to tell you something" she murmurs.
"Speak up, you stupid mouse!"
Then to my surprise (and to be fair respect), for the first time, my mother rolls her eyes at me. At me.
"I know you have not always respected me Phoenix just as your father hasn't. But your still my son and I care about you" she says nervously.
"What's your point?" I snarl impatiently.
"All I'm saying is- don't get too arrogant in there. Because that arrogance will kill you in the end" she says, more confident this time.
Boring. What's with all these talks? I'm not arrogant anyway, I'm just aware of my own strength.
"Are you done now Mom?" I ask casually.
Predictably, my mom's awkward demeanour returns.
"Well err yes. Goodbye Phoenix" she whispers.
I don't say goodbye to her. Most people would be all soppy and regret not saying goodbye but not me. I don't care about anyone but me.
Brynn Kale POV
I sit impatiently in the judgement building, thankfully in a separate room from Phoenix. I do not wanna be allies with him but I predict I'll have to be. He looks like he could rip me apart. But then, this guy hasn't seen me throw axes. I open the door of the room I'm in and tap the security guy on the shoulder. He automatically aims his gun at me. I put up my hands defensively.
"You're not to leave the room until after your family have visited" he says in a deep, monotone voice.
"But they won't. You see the thing is…" I begin.
"These are the rules" he says.
"Yes, but my father…"
"These are the rules"
Before I can respond for a third time, he pushes me back into the room. Who am I waiting for? No one, that's who; I look out of the one small window in the room at the view of District 2. District 2. My home. I get distracted for a moment.
Knock knock
"Come in" I say and there standing in the doorway is my father.
"Hello Brynn. I see you're wearing the ring I gave you" he says, stone-faced.
There are a few seconds of silence and then my father goes to leave.
"That's it? You can't just leave. You might never see me again and all you have to say is that I'm wearing mom's ring" I say angrily.
"What do you expect me to say Brynn? That everything's different now? That I have new found respect for you? Because I'm not gonna say that" he says sternly.
He just doesn't get why I did this does he?
"I did this for you so I could earn some respect from you, isn't this enough?" I yell.
"No, Brynn. It'll be enough if you come out" he continues.
"You know what, you may have lost your wife but you're forgetting I lost my mom. Stop feeling so sorry for yourself; I'm in the exact same position"
"I know that, Brynn! Do you even know why we don't speak?"
"Because you hate me. You think mom killed herself because of me. But it was her choice dad and the fact you blame it on…"
"That's not it! I don't blame you, not at all"
"Well, what is it then?"
"It's because… you look like her"
I look like her? What's he talking about? I get my brown hair and turquoise eyes from him. But before I can ask him, a peacekeeper comes in.
"Times up. Sir, you need to leave" he says.
"Yes. I do" says my dad and follows the peacekeeper out without saying another word.
Now, I know I have to win. I need to know what that was all about.