Title: SYOT: One Last Game
Author: KatTheGreat
Summary: After the rebellion, the officials want one last game, including 2 tributes from every district. It's a battle to survive and win - forever.
Rating: T
Chapter: District 4 Reaping
Authors Note: Here's District 4's reaping – enjoy!
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
~Glee/Kelly Clarkson~
District 4 | Althea 'Allie' Schylla | 17
The water is cool when my toes dip in the ocean. Sand curls under my legs, like a soft blanket. I look at the sea, wishing I was just a simple fish, just living its life.
"What?" I snap, looking up at Meredith. Great, now she's turned into my stalker.
"I have news." She says, looking out at the sea and diverting my eyes. She intakes a deep breath before beginning. "I guess this can sort of be some sort of disadvantage, but District 5 and above get to see our reapings before proceeding towards theirs."
"What does that mean?" I ask. There's nothing wrong with that, well, at least to me.
"That means," She starts again, annoyed. "That District 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 get to see District 1, 2, 3 and 4's reapings before starting theirs. It was announced this morning, which I call unjust." Of course she does. I really don't care, but Meredith worries about everything, no, it irks her. I roll my eyes.
"I don't see why it's not fair." I say, dipping my foot deeper.
"That's because you don't care," She snaps angrily. "When you should. Allie, I didn't have a chance to go in the Hunger Games, but you do. And if you do, this is important."
"Tell me something, Meredith." I suddenly start. "If I were to volunteer and go into the Hunger Games, would your attitude towards me change? Would our relationship change?"
She doesn't respond. Silence emits from her as my toes dip deeper into the cool ocean water, mixing some sand in. I wince as the saltwater enters a cut located on my ankle, burning it. I pull away.
"Maybe." She finally says. "Get ready, Allie, it's almost time for the reaping."
She walks away, visibly bothered. Well, I'm sorry for being ever so truthful. I look towards the ocean, catching my wavy reflection. My curly brown hair that barely reaches my biceps, the majority pushed to a side. My sea green eyes, olive skin, my scar. I let my finger trace the tiny scar located above my left eye, sighing. The sun was clearly saying that it was almost afternoon and the gathered waves agree. I stand up, letting a few curls come out of place as I head back to our beach house, the sun bathing my skin and sharpening my sun-kissed tan.
I slip in through the glass door and quietly tip toe pass the kitchen where my mom is cooking. I run up the stairs and decide to take a nice bath. I steal a glance at the time – 11:48. I barely have 15 minutes to get ready and leave. I roll my eyes as I start my bath, undress myself and slip into the cool water.
I decide on an 'Ocean Breeze' scented shampoo and hurry my pace. I wrap myself in a towel and begin blow-drying my hair, setting it in its normal do. Meredith is already knocking on the door, angry.
"Althea, hurry up! We're supposed to be in the square in a few minutes!" I pick up the pace and finish the last strand, putting on my undergarments and some random clothing. After poking and pulling here and there, I'm ready. I smack my lips together and walk out, meeting an angry Meredith.
"Mom's already at the square." She mumbles. "Let's not keep her waiting."
"But you're not even ready." I say bluntly. Her dark brown hair with a light blue strand on the back is in a total mess like she had been deciding what style to wear it, but totally failed. At least she's dressed.
"I don't have to go." She reminds me. "Uh, hello, I'm 19. I can stay here if I'm not eligible anymore."
"Then why does mom go?" I snap back. "I can take care of myself perfectly."
"You know the woman." She starts. "She doesn't care about that, because she knows you can. She spent millions of dollars on our training, so she definitely knows you're a big girl. She's betting, like always."
Of course she is. She's part of the crowd that loves betting on which tributes will be chosen and such. She made sure Meredith and I got the most exclusive and guaranteed training instructor of District 4, and would often test us by making us chop the head off some dummy in the training center.
I had this terrible feeling over her. I despised her, for not caring enough about us and always placing bets and wasting money on useless stuff when others had absolutely nothing. She would often arrive home late, drunk and if Meredith and I were sound asleep, she wouldn't hurt us. Meredith had the terrible luck a few years ago to receive painful slaps from our drunken mother one night, when I had fallen asleep early. I shook my head and slipped into some comfortable sandals before stepping out.
Meredith called out, "Good luck, Allie!"
Whatever.
The walk to the reaping centre isn't far, since it's close to the sea, whereas I live in a beach house. I take the beach path instead of the sidewalk one. Sand and water slips into my sandals, comforting me. But the last thing that comes into mind when I approach the reaping centre is that I'm volunteering today. To escape Meredith and her bitchy attitude, my mother's drunk state.
And I'll come back as victor, no need to flee under the wing of my mother anymore.
Smiling, I make way as I sign my name and head towards the 17 year olds area. I tap my foot impatiently when someone pokes me. Angered, I whip around to see Marina, who looks rather surprised at my expression.
"Well, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today." She comments casually, standing next to me. I roll my eyes. "The girls were looking for you, y'know."
"Mhm," I say, not disturbed. "What'd you say?"
"Nothing." She says. "Did you hear the news? District 5 and above are going to see the career districts – and district 3's –" She says spitefully, like if she hates district 3. I can't blame her – they're usually bloodbaths or nerds that die early. "Reapings. Ugh, like totally unfair."
"What I find unfair," I say, pushing that away. "Is that the hot Finnick Odair is nowhere to be found."
Of course, everyone everywhere knows he died a tragic death during the rebellion, in which they won. At least he didn't die in vain. In his position sits the next hottie of Panem – Peeta Mellark, District 12's male victor. He volunteered to take Finnick's spot this year and let his mentor, Haymitch, take his spot. Of course, I know he only volunteered to make sure Annie will be fine, because after her husband died, it's obviously painful. She's also crazy, if I haven't said that before.
Sadly, Peeta's off limits.
Everyone is finally assembled in their areas before Marina says, "Yeah, but Mellark's there. He's rather hot." But just not Finnick. Mhm, he'll do. He does look a little lonely, though.
"Welcome, District 4, to your last ever Hunger Games!" Tessa Lotus, our female escort, exclaims. She's going for a totally mermaid-like outfit this year, because her blue hair is not in some sort of loose fraction with the rest all wet, her skirt now a friggin' mermaid's tale and some seashell top covering her torso. It's scary, because she's like 50. How can she stand? "May the odds be ever in your favor!"
Yeah, whatever. She said a few stuff before handing the microphone to our Mayor, who said how proud she was of District 4 and even made us have a moment of silence in honor of Finnick. Annie was sobbing about this. What a wimp.
Tessa's back. She talks a bit more, being talkative, before heading towards the girl's bowl. She greedily stuffs her hand in a pulls one out excitedly, commenting on how 'proud' the girl should be.
"Majolica Boliden!" She yells into the microphone, causing most of the kids to cover their kids. Majolica's a pep girl, so she walks into the stage proudly. Did I mention how much I hate her? Time to steal her spot of glory.
"Any volunteers for Ma-"
"I volunteer!" I announce loudly. Marina is looking at me desperately as I pry a way out of the crowd, walking down the aisle and into the stage. Majolica glares deadly at me, hatred emitted darkly from her eyes.
"Step off now, Maji." Tessa says, pushing Majolica off the stage. Albeit proud, I turn and take my spot to her right. She heads towards the male bowl and picks out a name, some kid named Flynn Cox. He's a hell of a tiny kid, I notice. His bottom lip trembles notably as he makes it on stage. What a prick. Tessa symbols us to shake hands, so we do so. And damn is this kid's hand humid.
"Now, District 4, clap for your tributes; Althea Schylla and Flynn Cox!"
It's a total uproar, but I know it's for me. I smile a bit for my fans while Flynn trembles.
Loser.
District 4 | Flynn Cox | 12
It's rather quiet today, at my house. I hear seagulls, something rather common. I climb out of bed in a cluster and half-drag myself into the bathroom, ready to take a warm, refreshing shower. It's rather quick because I'm aware that my parents and Kaiser might be downstairs already, beginning breakfast.
I dress into the reaping clothes my mother has told me to wear. After reapings, she goes ahead to clean it by the sea shore. It's a rather relaxing scene which I enjoy while I hunt for seashells.
Those memories are coming rather fast. I shake it off as I walk downstairs. Sure enough, dad and mom are there; dad drinking his usual coffee and reading the newspaper, my mom serving breakfast to him and Kaiser, who's the first to notice me.
"Flynn!" He greets warmly as I take my seat next to him. "How are you?"
He ruffles my hair before I get to respond. "Fine." I comment quietly.
"Today's the last reaping day." Mother comments, sighing happily. "After this, Flynn won't have to worry about being chosen."
"Isn't this the first year you're eligible?" Father adds. "That sounds safe – first and last."
Thank whoever is in the heavens.
"Well, we should get going." Kaiser adds, sparing a look from mom. "It's getting pretty tardy."
I finish my pancakes quickly and swallow down the orange juice. I kiss mother goodbye and my father gives me an encouraging pat on the back. Kaiser walks me out, looking rather – upset?
"Well, kid." He says on our way to the reaping centre. "Aren't you happy?"
"About what?" I say shyly.
"Like your dad said, 'first and last'." As soon as he finishes, I know what he means. I nod slightly.
"Do you think I would have a chance?" Comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. Kaiser thinks about it for a while before saying, "Yeah."
He sounds doubtful, but I don't question him. We arrive to the reaping centre and he points at the 12 years old line, where he says I need to sign my name. I nod as I wait patiently, taking a look around. Everyone's in a mess, is the first thing I notice, but they'll settle soon. At least, I think.
When it's my name, I write my name as neat as I can and head towards the 12 years old section. The crowd has calmed down and now everyone's in place as our escort gets on stage. She begins talking before she hands it to another woman, which I guess is our mayor. She talks a bit and asks for a moment of silence in honor of Finnick Odair, District 4's long time male (and favorite) victor. He was well known for his looks and for winning the games at age 14, I think. His wife, Annie Odair-Cresta, looks devastated and weeps quietly.
Tessa, the escort, heads towards the girl bowl and calls out a girl's name, apparently called Majolica Boliden. She enjoys a bit of victory before another girl volunteers – Althea Schylla.
She seems scary in personality.
Tessa approaches the male bowl. She stuffs her hand in and pulls out a name.
"Flynn Cox!"
I feel my bottom lip quiver. I can't hide forever. I begin my way towards the stage, nervously. Tessa smiles at me while Althea looks at me with a disdainful look. I wonder if someone will volunteer for me, but no one does.
We are ordered to shake hands, so we do so. Even then she doesn't drop the look. Tessa announces us to District 4 and there's uproar.
Oh my.
District 4 | Althea Schylla | 17
Like, total ew. My fellow tribute is a 12 year old prissy. That's just great. Thank gosh Peeta's a mentor or else I would have totally regretted this.
My first visitor is Meredith, which expression I can't really read. It's sort of angry, sad and depressed, but it's also happy, proud and excited. Huh, who understands this girl.
"Allie," She says. "Remember everything you were trained. Show everyone who's the bigger person – don't be immature and start fights."
I feign being offended. "Mhm, yeah, whatever."
"Here's your token." She says, handing me a necklace with a dangling seashell. The seashell has possibly the smallest pearl ever – but it's still pretty. I allow her to put it on me. "Take care, Allie."
I nod as she leaves. I wait, expecting my mother, but she never comes. So much for mother-daughter relationship. I sigh, accepting this. I knew she wasn't going to come anyways, but I had allowed myself to hope. Oh well, now I have to put up with the prick, the wimp, and the hottie.
I'll live – hopefully.
District 4 | Flynn Cox | 12
Mother comes in, crying. Father cradles her in his arms.
They both know I won't be coming back.
"Please, Flynn," My mother says through sobs. "Try to come back." I nod back, depressed and angered. Why do these games have to exist? More importantly, why was I picked? What have I done to earn this horrible thing? I have always been a good son and obeyed my parents. I let a few tears fall out in frustration.
They leave, but not without wishing me luck. Kaiser is next, but he's looking rather desperate and depressed. "Flynn, you've been trained. You're amazing with ropes. Ropes is something essential in the Hunger Games, so remember about that."
I nod, trying to keep up. He hugs me and wishes me the best of luck before slipping something in my hand. "Your token." He says before leaving. I look down and see a necklace and a silver hook dangling from it.
Will I be victor, me, shy Flynn Cox?
I FINISHED OMG
This chapter is notably smaller, so I just want to say sorry about that. I had a whole week and I couldn't update it earlier.
Good news! I have a tumblr now and I'm updating all the tribute pictures there to make it easier for you guys. Just go to your search bar and write down 'KatiaTheGreat . tumblr . com' (with no spaces)
I'll get working on the 5th reaping right now! Thank you for reading, guys, I love you all!
