Reapings
District One
King Tychun (18) D1M
A person had different reasons to feel blessed. In some cases, it was money, some cases the fact that the person was alive. For my parents, I was the blessing, as they themselves said. A divine blessing, someone who would define success, someone who would carve his own path and a person who would rule the entire world with his strength and power.
I stared at the mirror, brushing back my violet dyed hair, a slight smirk on my face. Being tall and athletic was always good, but with the image I had created for myself, my teeth and tattoos went the best. Dyed to look like steel, a simple smile from me was enough to scare anyone. Add to that the tattoo that went from my lower lip to my chin. It really fulfilled the purpose.
Making sure that the tuxedo looked good on me, I turned away from the mirror. The room I inhabited was lavish, with all the luxuries one could only dream of in the Outer Districts. Or maybe not even that. It didn't matter. None of them did.
I glanced at my watch. There was still thirty left till I left home for the Reapings, but I'd have to get there. There would be too many people who would want to volunteer, and I could not let them get the chance.
There was a very sophisticated knock on the door and I frowned. It must be either mother or father.
"Come in."
The door opened and in stepped my mother, her eyes shining with pride, adoration and something else that I enjoyed. It was as if she was looking at something so unworldly and divine, along with being dangerous, that she could not comprehend it. But there was also a happiness in her eyes.
"You're looking very good."
I smiled easily at her, a thing I did only for her and my father. "Thanks."
"I never thought this day would come," she said, her eyes bleak, "That you will volunteer. You- are going to the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games! Your father always wanted to volunteer himself, but, as you know, he didn't have the valour to do it. Nor the greatness. Plus, there were so many other problems. But you overcame them all! No, it's not your destiny to be a mere goldsmith. You were born for greatness. And I will witness it! I'm so proud to be your mother! I-"
"I understand, mother."
She was about to hug me but then restrained herself. It might crease my clothes, and she didn't want it.
When I was younger, and new to the training academy, my results used to be so pathetic that I almost gave up. Almost. I worked hard to learn but to no avail, and ultimately I arrived at the conclusion that I was untalented. However, that was not something I could believe, even if it was true, and I started reading on how to improve my skills in general.
I realised then that reading was very important after all.
With the help of the book I discovered the art of psychological warfare, the beauty of targeting a weak human where it would hurt most effectively without letting them even realise it. It was wonderful, and just what I needed.
The most important factor was to intimidate a person, to instil fear, and honestly, I was witness to that. There was a certain way to behave to make people think I didn't mean well, and after vigorous training, that… act became a true part of me. and it was honestly what I liked. It didn't matter that nobody wanted to be my friend. In fact, that was good. Friendship would mean they'd know me, and that was the last thing I wanted.
"King…" mother said, "I- you should leave."
I nodded and then rose up from the sofa. Patting my mother on the shoulder, I left the room, entering the hallway of my house.
The weather outside was pleasant, with the blue sky and small, white clouds. The sun was shining too brightly and there was a pleasant wind blowing. People all around me were getting ready to go to the Reapings. My eyes set on the boy standing a few yards in front of me.
Rosilio irritated me beyond anything else did. Despite the fact that the Academy selected me as the chosen volunteer, he wanted to go to the arena. He had tried to throw some big words at me, but a simple glare shut his mouth. I knew the truth though. He was definitely going to try and volunteer. Not if I could help it.
I was about to smile at the thought of me volunteering when a tiny figure bumped into me. The little girl looked up and I smirked at her, my silver teeth glinting menacingly, making her gulp.
"I- I am s-sorry," she stuttered, "I-I d-didn't mean t-to-"
"Now, now," I said gently, resting my hand on her shoulder. Her eyes went wide at that, fear etched in them. "Just be careful where you are going, okay? Luck doesn't favour everyone all the time."
The girl nodded fearfully and then fled at such a speed that I never imagined she had it. She probably thought I would harm her, or that I was threatening her, but neither was the case. I was just trying to read her, and she, like the majority, thought the same. It was almost funny how so many ordinary people thought alike. One would think that there was some difference. Sadly, there wasn't. All of them were easy to frighten, all of them easy to fool, and all of them gullible.
It didn't matter.
I saw Rosilio converse with his sister. Giving him one glance, I walked past him. I had to reach the Square before him to have a better chance at volunteering.
A person like him could never steal my chance. I was destined to be a victor, and be the best among them. There was nothing that could stop me. Nothing.
Gretchen Golden (18) D1F
"Sit still Gretchen, your hair isn't done!"
"Mum-"
"Wait a minute, this braid will look amazing on you."
"Mum-"
"Sit still."
Sighing, I went silent and let my mother play with my hair. She was a hairstylist for the Capitol, and she always insisted on giving me the most beautiful hairstyles for the Reapings. This year though, she was doing her best, making the most intricate braid I had ever seen. It did look good on my golden locks. Then she set to work on my face, insisting that she would herself give me a makeover for such a big day of my life. I appreciated that. My parents had done a lot for me, supported me so much. They paid so much money to get me trained, and by volunteering I would be thanking them. That wasn't enough too, but it would have to do. I wanted to be a victor for them and for Garnet, my twin. They were my everything.
The black mascara brought out the blue of my blue-grey eyes and the light pink lipstick worked wonders for my full lips. Mum always told me I was very pretty, and I couldn't really deny it. But then, mum was always complimenting me.
When I had put on my pink strapless dress, mum beamed at me.
"You're looking like a princess!" she exclaimed happily.
"I am a princess," I replied with a laugh.
"Mum's right," Garnet said as he entered my room, "You do look like a princess. Goodness, my little sister is adorable."
"I'm not your little sister," I said matter-of-factly, suppressing a grin, "We're twins, Garnet."
"Yeah, but you act like a little girl."
"Only for you."
"Really?"
"Yeah," I replied with a sweet smile, "When I'll be in the arena, you can see for yourself why I'm not a little girl."
He laughed at that.
"The other tributes better watch out," he said, "My little pink princess is coming at you."
I playfully punched him on the arm. Being who he was, he made a big show of how much it hurt and exaggerated the whole crying process until I punched him again. He gave me a one arm hug, chuckling as I giggled.
"Wow…"
I turned towards the door to look at my father. His eyes, that held sight of me, had pride in them. I smiled. He had every reason to be proud and happy. He was the father of the future victor.
"You've done a good job, Agate," he said, looking my mother and then giving me a hug.
"Thank you Jasper."
Dad pulled out a small pendant and put it around my neck. It had a somewhat reddish-pink stone in it, and it went well with my dress. I simply loved it.
"Thanks dad!"
"Anything for my princess," he said.
"Well, I appreciate you all so much. I can't even tell you how much this all means to me…"
"We didn't do much," mum said, "It's your own hard work of ten years that has made you this way. Strong and powerful, and brimming with confidence. Just remember we love you."
I smiled at her and then my eyes set on the clock and my smile turned into a gasp.
"There's no time," I said impatiently, "I need to be there!"
And with that I ran out of my room, out of the villa, out onto the street that was full of people who were in a celebratory mood. They should be in celebratory mood.
"Gretchen!"
Hearing my name, I looked in the general direction of the sound, spotting two very familiar figures coming towards me.
"Ivory! Amber!"
I called out to them, waving my hand as the two jogged over to me.
"You are looking stunning!" Amber said.
"Very pretty," Ivory added softly with a gentle smile.
"That's good and all, and thank you for the compliments, but we are a little late, so we might need to run along."
"We're not late," Amber said and then shrugged, knowing what I meant to say.
The walk to the Square was a nice one. I felt so excited that I could hardly walk properly. My time to return my family's favour had come. I was going to give my best, and my best was going to be the best. There was no other way at all.
"Your finger please," the Peacekeeper said politely when we reached there. Most of the people had already arrived and I didn't like it. I should have had come early. What if someone else volunteered?
"No!"
The Peacekeeper looked at me, stunned, as I moved my finger forward.
"It wasn't meant for you," I said with a smile. He nodded and then took the blood sample. It stung a bit but nothing too much.
The next big challenge was to wait. I moved my foot restlessly. When would the escort show up?
And just when I thought that the wait would never end, a petite woman, caked in makeup wearing a very glittery dress got onto the stage. We clapped enthusiastically for the escort, who introduced herself as Kassidy. She was pretty, that was for sure.
"Hello District One!"
Everyone cheered and called out her name. It was a wild crowd, each one of us enthusiastic about it.
"Guys, the lucky girl representing District One is Esmeralda Shawn!"
"I volunteer as tribute!"
Nobody challenged me as I walked towards the stage, head held high, not when I was next to Kassidy, shaking hands with her. This was it. I was here. I was the volunteer.
"District One," I said, "This is Gretchen Golden here, your representative in the Hunger Games. I promise you that there will be a victor among you soon. Just keep faith in me. I'll be back for you."
The applause was deafening as I stepped back. Kassidy patted me on the shoulder and I smiled at the crowd. This was it, I'd done it.
"And the lucky boy is Silver Trent!"
"I volunteer as tribute!"
Two voices. At the same time. What was going on?
I saw Rosilio from the Academy run towards the stage and I saw King, the chosen volunteer walking casually. Rosilio overtook him but then King grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. The two locked eyes for a second and then Rosilio's shoulders slumped and he stepped back, letting King take his place beside me.
"Gretchen is right, citizens of One. Your victor will soon be with you, and it will be me."
I raised my brows. That was a direct challenge, I'd say.
When told to shake hands, I stuck mine out and he took it with a smirk. I smirked back, refusing to admit defeat.
This would be a wonderful experience.
Hi! The first reaping chapter! Okay, I had thought that I would write two districts in one chapter. I think that for every story but it never works. So again, sorry for the short chapter. My chapters are never long. :/
I loved writing these two. King was slightly harder to write but I enjoyed writing both and hopefully I didn't mess them up too much.
Also, the blog for the story is complete. The address is dawnoflighthg. Weebly. com.
I'd appreciate your thoughts on the characters and the blog, and if you can make a blog review I'll be grateful to you. You don't need to if you are too busy, but it will be nice to know your thoughts on the characters from the blog.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a nice day.
