Abram POV
Today is quite the celebration in District 2.
Peacekeepers are lining the walls in their fanciest uniforms, children are dressed in clean outfits and the parents wait eagerly to find out which potential tributes will be reaped. Some children are scared to hear their names while others find it to be an honour. District 2 is known as the district with the most Hunger Games Victors. In fact, last year's Hunger Games winner is from my very own district – it was a great year with a lot of supplies earned. We can see him right now sitting on stage as the new District 2 mentor. Alaric Sparda has a lot to prove since this will be his first year replacing the last mentor that retired. From what I can remember last year, his arena was an empty desert with buildings that I believed were called pyramids. A majority of the tributes died in the sandstorm and he ended up just taking out the remaining tributes one after the other – the Games lasted four full days.
A few remaining tributes file into their lines and the attendants close their stations. Cameras are moving overhead and images of people's faces flash on the large television screens that line opposite the main doors. Hector Blaise, another 13 year old boy from my district, taps me on the shoulder and points to the main stage as the politicians walk to their seats. The reaping is about to begin and I search around the space to find my father. He's standing with all the parents and gives me a stoic expression, possibly not trying to express the fear on his face. I have nothing really to worry because if I'm not the one personally reaped then I know I won't be selected. Careers and volunteers normally fill the District 2 tribute spots and the remaining non-Careers (like myself) are guaranteed to see another day. Though, I know what his expression really means. Since this year is a Quarter Quell, there are different rules. If a person is selected by a tribute or reaped by the draw, they can't back out or hope for a volunteer to take their spot. This year, if you're selected to compete then you MUST play in the Hunger Games. Volunteers can pitch their case to the reaped tribute but it's their sole choice in whom they want to fill the three other tribute spots.
Bradferd Dunsmore, a golden haired young man from the Capitol walks up on stage and all the adults start to clap enthusiastically. Bradferd has been our district escort for the last two years with already one win under his belt with Alaric – the adults and Peacekeepers hope that he'll pull out another win. He casually walks to the microphone and is given the mark from one of the Capitol technicians standing by with a mobile camera.
"Hello District 2! I'm proud to be back as your district escort. Before we start with the reaping, let's give round of applause for the reigning champion – Alaric Sparda!"
Parents and children start cheering in the crowd. District 2 is different when it comes to their Victors; we celebrate and honour them at every opportune moment. I've seen footage from the other districts and when another past Victor is mentioned, there is usually silence, especially during the reapings. The Hunger Games informational video is aired on the large television screens. It never changes and certain adults could repeat it word-for-word. The screen cuts back to Bradferd and the large glass jar are wheeled on to the stage.
"Well, now is the time to announce which special boy or girl has been chosen to represent District 2. This tribute will get the ONLY choice in which other three tributes will be competing for this year's Hunger Games. Shall we start?"
Alaric hands Bradferd one tiny piece of paper and returns to bring the jar off stage. He looks over the name at first and repeats it through the microphone.
"Here it is. The first District 2 tribute is... Abram Matthys!"
Silence. All I can hear is silence. Everyone is staring at me now and I whip my head around to look for my father. The stoic and cold expression on his face has been replaced with a slight smile. He's alright with the idea of me competing in the Hunger Games.
I wish I felt the same way.
Knox POV
Poor kid – he won't stand a chance.
Abram stares back toward the little kids and we can tell he's staring at his father. Peacekeepers arrive to lead him to the main stage where Bradferd is waiting. Even in District 2, nobody likes to hear when a younger child is reaped into the arena, that's why we have older volunteers choose to compete instead. Abram is rushed to the stage and is greeted by an overly enthusiastic Bradferd. At the side of the stage, Alaric couldn't look more disinterested than he is right now. He's a previous Career and we both know that Abram has never stepped foot inside the training centre. He doesn't have the natural experience needed from a top District 2 tribute. He won't be able to get out of this now.
"Congratulations Abram! All of Panem must be excited to see how you'll perform inside the arena. Is there anything you want to say to the audience before we get to the business at hand? Make it quick..."
"Ummm, well. I want to let everyone know that I'll try my hardest and will bring back another victory to District 2."
"Great sentiment! Abram, please reveal which three children you've selected to take part in the 250th Hunger Games."
Bradferd moves to the side and motions Abram to stand in front of the microphone. I have no idea whom he'll select to compete. There are a lot of tough and able teenagers that could be great competitors. Maybe Ogden? Cirie? Hera? District 2 can offer a large variety of Careers with various skills, it's only a matter of choice and opinion to what Abram thinks is best. He might be starting with the girls because he's looking over at the oldest girls in the back.
"The first tribute is going to be Piper Clarke."
I've met Piper in the past; we've trained together in the program. She's a deadly Career who would not pass up the opportunity to be a tribute. From what I can remember, she's great with fighting someone directly without a weapon – her speciality is performing an execution with snapping her opponent's neck. She makes her way to the stage and smiles as she greets the crowd. Bradferd welcomes her with open arms while Abram moves his focus to the boys now. His expression is one of thought and he's contemplating which tribute to choose. There's no way that he's going to pick me instead of more athletic and eager male tributes. I've spent years in the Career program but I don't have my heart in it anymore. Hopefully Abram can tell from my eyes that I don't care about being picked.
"It's going to be, ummm, him."
His hand points out into the group directly into my area but I don't know if he's choosing me. The two equally strong boys besides me are unsure if they should move. Bradferd can understand the confusion in our faces and steps in to clear the situation.
"Excuse me Abram, which boy exactly are you choosing?"
"That one right there... the one with the shaved and buzzed head. I can't really remember his name right now."
"Are you sure? Would you rather choose someone you know?"
"I've seen him around before and I know that he can compete. He's my second choice."
The two boys at my side back away and the Peacekeepers usher me to the stage. Piper has a slight smirk on her face while Abram cowers to the girl's side of the stage. While he's thinking of the last tribute, our district escort asks me to reveal my name to all of Panem. Abram may not have remembered my name but now all of Panem will.
"My name is Knox Venters."
There are claps and cheers coming from the crowd. Half of the applause was for me while the other half is for the last tribute selected. I missed who it was but she's making her way onto the stage and I recognize her only by face. Her bright red hair sticks out in my memory and the only name coming to mind is Collette but that's all I can think of. She's a mystery at this point but with Abram and Piper also on the team, we four District 2 tributes might actually stand a chance to win the Hunger Games again for another year.
Stranger things have happened.