Author's Note: Hey everyone! Thanks to all of you who have reviewed this story. I just wanted to inform you that this will be the first in a series of POV stories for many of the tributes in the 74th Hunger Games. Enjoy!
Chapter 4: The Recap of the Reapings
As we all follow Aurelia into the next carriage to watch the Reapings, I am buzzing with curiosity about who my competitors will be, and particularly who my allies will be. Everyone in Panem is aware that Districts 1, 2, and 4 forms an alliance that is widely known as the Careers, and sometimes ask other adequate tributes to join. I wonder who they will be.
I sit down on the plush couch next to Morla, while Cato sits next to Borellius. The television in front of us is the widest one that I've ever seen. It is astonishingly flat compared to the box we have in our home, but what can one expect when travelling with the Capitol? Aurelia turns on the television and the Seal of Panem fills the screen, accompanied by the anthem. The Seal shows twelve symbols, representing the Districts, in the hands of a godly figure that I assume is the Capitol.
This scene and the music fade to show the square of District 1, where the first reaping of the day is conducted. The citizens fill the proximity, buzzing with excitement about the event. The buildings there are grander than they are in our District, but they are the makers of luxury items so it is only the standard. However, we are stronger and have a greater amount of Hunger Games victors, which I believe is more important than having a pretty exterior.
When the escort picks a slip from the female ball, a blonde girl older than I steps forward to volunteer. Her name is Glimmer, and she without a doubt lives up to her name. I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy at her unconditional beauty. Everything about her façade is immaculate, from her golden hair tousled to perfection to her lush figure. Not to mention her striking green eyes and features so chiseled that she looks like a porcelain doll. She will gain sponsors without having to blink one of her irritatingly long lashes. I know that Cato heartily agrees, as his mouth is dropped open with his eyes wide. For some reason, I'm a bit annoyed by this, but I don't know why. I've never wanted to be the object of Cato's affection's, so I quickly shake it off. I find that I have to keep reminding myself that just like the District from which she comes, what matters is what's on the inside in terms of skill. I could very well be much more talented than she where weapons are concerned. I couldn't for the life of me imagine her getting down and dirty in an arena, killing ruthlessly. However, you can never judge somebody without seeing what they can do, so she isn't counted out of the Career alliance yet.
The male tribute is another volunteer by the name of Marvel. How unrespectable names that the children of that District are given; how can a person be taken seriously when their title reflects such superficial things. He looks to be strong and capable, although he in no way compared with the physical strengths of Cato. Yes, he will be a fairly valuable asset.
District 1 disappears and is replaced by the stone buildings of my District. I feel nervous anticipation building up in my chest as I see Aurelia bounce onto the stage. It feels disconnected watching someone that is sitting very near me on the screen; it must feel even weirder when it comes time to watch myself. The next-to-me Aurelia squeals in delight at seeing herself; she must think in her deluded mind that she looks amazing. I hear her announce my name and I view myself coming up to the stage. I have to say that although I'm no Glimmer, I was quite attractive. My calm, collected, and strong presentation only strengthened my appearance to possible sponsors, so I'm bound to have close to the amount Glimmer has. Plus, the training scores haven't been shown, and I'm definitely going to get one of the best.
Then I see Cato, lunging through the crowd to earn his slot. He is smirking, so I am aware that monstrous is exactly the angle that he was aiming for. In my opinion, it suits him well. Borellius nods his head approvingly and announces, "See, that's a performance that the Capitol will go wild for. That's a tribute that will have no problem winning over the crowd." I was beginning to let his extreme favoritism toward Cato go, but I am now resenting the both of them all over again.
District 3 passes without an intriguing display. Both of the tributes seem the average for that District; ashen skin, scrawny figures that are shaking with fear, intelligent eyes glazed over. Their wise minds have been a problem before, causing them to prevail numerous times, but they are the least of our problems. After all, I could easily take both of them out in the bloodbath, so they wouldn't get a chance to enact whatever genius plan they have.
Next is District 4, who is the last District whose tributes are constants of our famed alliance. They are the lesser trained out of all of us, but are nevertheless very skilled. Sure enough, the female tribute, who is a volunteer, is tanned and muscular, so she is likely has experience with tridents, nets, harpoons, or any other weapon that involves the sea. The male is surprisingly average looking, and doesn't appear to be particularly excited about being reaped. Hmmm, he is something to contemplate, as we shouldn't readily let him in.
I am convinced that nothing special will come out of District 5, a place where all they do is generate power. I am not proven wrong with the male tribute, who is sniveling and weak, but the female has something…unique about her. Her flaming, sleek red hair and face that resemble a fox are mesmerizing, but what really get me are her eyes. They are a green, and have an intelligent sparkle in them, like she has a plan formulating even as she walks to the stage. That's another thing; when her name is called, she doesn't flinch or pale as the majority of the tributes do, excluding the Careers. She walks calmly to the stage, her features placid and knowing. I'll have to keep a keen eye on that one.
All of the districts up to District 11 passed by in a blur, with nothing the smallest bit interesting, at least not to me. In that District, the escort somehow managed to reap complete opposites. The female is a weak, young, underfed wisp, surely incapable. I grin with perceptible delight. With her in the mix, it might as well be 23 tributes. The male, however, rivals and may even surpass Cato in physical build. I inwardly shudder at the sight of the ox's muscles and broad shoulders. I push any ounce of trepidation that I have to the back of my mind; in order for him to kill me, he has to catch me. I know that I am probably nimbler on my feet than he is, so there is nothing for me to be worried about. I can see Cato's confident expression falter for a moment after he glimpses this Thresh, but he hastily pastes it back on. None of us can afford to be intimidated by him.
Last and definitely least comes District 12, the laughingstock of Panem. I almost laugh out loud at the sight of the square. The dilapidated buildings are blanketed in more coal dust than last year, and the cobblestone street is worn and cracked. The poorest setting for the poorest District, of course. The female's name is picked, and a petite blonde twelve year old begins to mount the stage. This is more than I could have hoped for. Two wisps in one Game? This is great news, as I'll have my hands full with that District 11 giant. A desperate voice and unanimous gasps from the people surrounding me jerk me from my thoughts. I turn my focus back to the television and see something that makes me wonder if I am hallucinating. I do a double take but the same image is still playing out. Some dark haired girl, screaming wildly, "I volunteer!" A girl volunteering in District 12? It's unheard of; I don't think that in the past 73 years of Hunger Games it has ever been done before. She doesn't look like much either; her build is lean and slim, and she is not particularly beautiful. What makes a District 12 imbecile think she can volunteer? This has surely caught the attention of all of Panem. She literally shoves the blondie out of the way and starts to climb the steps, but the blondie hangs onto her wailing. Oh, I think I see where this is going. A handsome boy retrieves the girl and takes her away. It is revealed that they are sisters, as I had deducted. The whole event is still confusing, though; how can one be so attached to a sibling that they are willing to risk their life? Well, I'm sorry to tell Blondie that her sister won't be coming home.
The male tribute is utterly forgettable in comparison to his District partner. He's stocky, supposedly muscular, and…that's about it. The anthem and seal reappear, and Aurelia shuts of the television. "Did you size up the competition?"She asks. "My, what a surprise District 12 was! And that boy from District 11 was frightening!" she looks guiltily at Cato. "No offense intended," she adds. "You two had better rest up, because it's going to be a big, big day tomorrow! You'll be arriving in the Capitol!" I retire to my room, but I can't sleep. All I can think about are the tributes, especially that girl from District 12.