Darleena Gesdart's POV

My life isn't great.

I have a mother who is disappointed with me and a sister who doesn't acknowledge my existence. They refuse to believe that I'm a part of their family, despite the fact that my mother gave birth to me.

I've considered suicide plenty of times. But every one of my friends has told me that life is something you should hold onto. They didn't stop my seven attempts at taking my life. Yet life was determined to hold onto me, and I'm not dead.

But finally, the day I've been waiting for has come. It's Reaping Day. I'm going to volunteer. If I die, I'll finally be ridden of my horrid life. If I win, my family will have to notice me. I will have gotten them a spot in the Victor's Village.

I take a small bit of tesserae and whip up some oats. They'll be the last poor meal I'll eat in District Six. And that's something I'm glad of. As I swallow the bland concoction, I visualize all the delicious Capitol food that I'll eat. Cakes, pastries, stews, stir-fries, you name it.

I put on a bland sort of dress and look at myself in the mirror. My black curls reach down to my shoulder blades, and for a moment I look like a shining star. But the vision fades and I'm left with boring old Darleena.

I leave my house for the square without even saying goodbye to my family. But what would they care. I don't really give a shit about their opinions anymore. They've done nothing for me.

As I walk, I consider that I am quite lucky with what combat I know. My friend Andara has paid for judo lessons that we both attend. We are both black belts, and I know I am fully capable of taking down a career. My hand-to-hand combat is also quite refined. I know where to hit someone in order to open them up somewhere else.

I finally reach the square and put myself into registration, before standing with everybody else.

Alfred Walnut's POV

Emily, Robert and Violet are all lined up on the seats in my house. I pull on the curtain string and the red curtain slides away, revealing me in my magic trick outfit. My top hat rests neatly on my head, despite the fact that there's an animal in it.

"Ladies and gentleman, I am the great Alfred Walnut!" I exclaim. I get a little clap, which is enough. I pull a coin out of my pocket in an over exaggerated way. I cup it in my hands and blow through a gap. The moment I pull my hands apart, the crowd gasps. It has gone. Now, I can't tell you how I did it, or it'll ruin the magic.

The rest of the show goes brilliantly, as I play some mind-reading tricks, a few levitating acts and finally, the pigeon out of the hat. When it's over, my audience gives me a huge round of applause. My little sister, Emily, comes rushing over and immediately begs me to teach her every single trick that I performed. I laugh and tell her maybe another time.

Magic. It is my life. I breathe it. But, I need to tell you where it all began.

I think I was about four years old at the time. I was at my grandfather's house when my parents were unable to look after me that day. He had been going through all his old stuff, and he had found a magic book. We opened it up and I saw amazing displays of tricks. I was instantly mesmerized. From that day on, I have loved magic.

Although not many people really appreciate it. My father, Charles, has never approved of it and is always trying to get me into the transport business, as that is what our district controls. My father has one of the most successful businesses in the district, and he wants to ensure that I run it after he retires.

My mother thinks I'm clever in the way I perform my tricks. But that's not all. I perform on the streets from time to time. Everybody usually passes me, but there was this one girl that stopped and watched. She was my age and she was the most beautiful girl that I had ever seen. Her name was Lily. Sadly, I haven't seen her since that day. I've got a real crush on her.

There's this one guy at school though, Vince McColough, that really ticks me off. He beats me up and abuses me. Luckily I have Robert as a friend. He usually gets Vince back. Vince usually goes around stealing my stuff and vandalizing it or destroying it completely. I wouldn't mind if he was reaped today.

Oh. It's Reaping Day.

My mother, Molly, calls for me to get dressed. I walk inside, constantly shuffling a deck of cards in my hands, like I always do. It helps me relax. On my bed, a simple shirt and a pair of trousers have been laid out. I put them on and make a few last minute preparations.

I pick up my red rubber ball, the toy I've had since I was born. I consider it my good luck charm. I place my cards in my pocket and straighten my clothes. I'm ready to go. And in good time too. The reaping siren goes and I'm off.

I take my place in a row of fifteen year-olds just as our escort, Leila, appeared on the stage. She welcomes us to the reaping and plays the nasty propaganda film, which says that competing in the Games s an honor and you bring pride to your district. Bullshit. It's kids killing kids.

When the clip ends, Leila walks over to the boys bowl. She winks at the crowd, before snatching a name from he top of the pile. She ever so carefully opens the seal and reads it to the district. "Alfred Walnut."

Crap.

I slowly walk out of my row, chewing on my tongue to calm my nerves. Out of everybody, it had to be me. Isn't that just great. But at least I get something that I'm glad I did.

Lily runs out of her row and up to me. I think she's had a crush on me as well. We look each other in the eyes for a second, before she leans in and kisses me. It's a marvelous feeling, her warm, sweet taste rippling through me. I've never experienced anything like it. When she pulls away, she grins. "Does this mean we're a couple, now?" she asked seductively. I reply in the same tone. "If I win."

As I walk up onto the stage, I hear her say, "Of course you will!" It touches me to think that someone actually loves me. When I get there, Leila whistles and comments on the occurrence. "Well, Alfred, seems you've got yourself a girlfriend." Yes I do.

Darleena Gesdart's POV

I stand in the rows and look at Alfred. I feel happy for him, because he's my district partner. Of course, nobody else knows that. Leila strolls over to the next bowl. She gently plucks a name from the top as if she were pulling feathers off a bird. She opens it and reads the name. "Lily Warbon."

It's Alfred's girlfriend. But she doesn't deserve to go. "I VOLUNTEER!" I cry out. Lily almost looks disappointed as she steps back into line. I see her and Alfred meet eyes before she disappears into the sea of children. I make my way up onto the stage.

"My name is Darleena Gesdart," I reply, when Leila asks me my name. She asks the crowd for a round of applause before they bundle us inside the Justice Building. Alfred goes to the left and I go to the right. Two Peacekeepers throw me into a room, where people say their last goodbyes.

As I expected, I wait the whole duration of time alone. I don't think my family even remembers who I am. I hear Alfred's visitors coming through but none of mine. Luckily though, at the last minute, Andara comes bursting through the door. I knew I could rely on her.

"Why'd you volunteer?" she asks. I tell her my story of being abandoned. "I understand," she finally says. "I know you don't expect to come out of this, so I may as well say goodbye." We both cry into each other's shoulders as we embrace.

The Peacekeepers eventually come in and pry us apart. She waves as they drag her out of the room. I am left alone, waiting. But finally, they come. The Peacekeepers escort Alfred and I to the train, where a lot of the district has gathered. We wave our final goodbyes as the train door closes us off from our home.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I surprisingly liked writing this reaping. Next chapter I haven't decided on, so you'll have to wait and see. Please review, I love your support!