Tavian Brae

Reaping Day! The day that begins my journey to everlasting fame and glory. I jump out of bed and take a quick shower. I head down the stairs to the kitchen for breakfast, man am I starving.

I sit down, unfortunately the only open chair is next to Lux. I take a big bite of bacon, then look around. One, two, three, four...five? I count again quickly. Yeah that's right, five. I mentally go through the checklist. Mom, Dad, Lux, me. That's four. My calculating gets interrupted by a cutting voice, "You're observant this morning."

Finally I connect the dots. "Aasir?" I hadn't seen my brother for the past, I dunno, year and a half. He looks like crap. His nose is broken and the whole right side of his face is practically mutilated. At least I won't get mistaken for him. "You look great! You just got a little cut," I reach up and touch my face where the gash is on Aasir's face.

"Shut up." he growls angrily.

"Aasir! I can not believe that you let District 5 uncivilize you! We do not use phrases like shut up at the breakfast table," Mom lectured him. I laugh and she glares at me for a brief moment.

"So," Lux starts with his mouth full, "What happened to your face? I must say that the look fits you."

He rolled his eyes. "Nose broke when I got into a fight with this huge gambler. If you think I look bad, you should see him." He laughs bitterly. "My battle scar is from when some idiots decided to start a rebellion. I killed them and that freaking bit-" he stops and looks at Mom, "I mean brat, took it hard. Knifed me. No big."

Lux grins, "So you got fired?"

Aasir just grits his teeth, "I wasn't fired; I'm on break."

"That's not what the letter on Dad's desk says."

My Dad looks mad, but Mom speaks out, "Lux, you shouldn't be reading other's private property!"

"It's my house. It's my property!" he snaps back. Oh no. The beginning of another Brae family argument. I'm going to sneak out while I still can. I scoot back my chair and leave the kitchen. No one even noticed. I decide to head to the District's center, where the Reapings are held. Might as well position myself where the cameras will get a good view of me.

I'm standing there thinking about my victory, when a hand claps down on my shoulder. My first instinct is to spin around and punch my attacker in the face. I get a solid hit, but then I realize who it is.

"Nice shot. Hey, I wanna tell you something, before you volunteer." Lux says.

"Don't tell me not to." I scowl at him, no one is going to stop me.

He laughs, "I'm not. Just warning you. It's not all fun and fame. There is a lot of pain too."

"What are you talking about? You didn't even get injured!"

"Not physical pain, though there might be some of that. I meant, like, mental pain. I can't close my eyes without seeing those kids I killed."

"Ooh scary. I didn't know you believed in ghosts." I laugh. He can't be serious.

"I didn't, don't." he sighs, this is the most emotional I've ever seen him. It's funny. "When you go on the victory tour, you'll understand. You see their families with tears in their eyes. Or worse, glaring at you wishing you dead because you killed their son, daughter, or sibling, or something."

"Whatever, you just don't want me to do it because I will outshine you." Lux just stares at me and then rolls his eyes. He turns around and then marches up to the stage to join District 2's other victors. There are a lot of them up there.

Some Capitol lady with purple skin and aqua hair bounces up to the podium and peppily starts reading the Treaty of Treason. I sort of space out during it, only because I've heard it so many times.

I'm jerked back to reality when her squeaky voice says "What's your name, sweetie?" Some blonde chick is standing there, she probably just volunteered.

"Cleo Hart, your next victor!" Yeah, right. That's my job. I look over my competition. She looks strong, but I'll kill her with no problem.

The Capitol lady chirps "Now for the boys!"

That is my cue. "I volunteer!" I yell before she even reaches the giant glass bowl. I lock eyes with my mom. She looks disappointed. Oh well, tough luck.

"Oh, how exciting!" She looks at me for a long moment, "Oh, I bet you are related to Lux Brae!"

I just knew she was going to say that. "Yes I am," I say, "I'm Tavian Brae"

She squeaks into the microphone, "Oh goody! This is going to be fabulous! District 2, I present your tributes for the 47th Hunger Games!"