Author Note: FINALLY! We have District 5, i do apologize for the LATE update, many reasons why: homework, parents giving me 1 hr of computer a day, which most of it is taken up by homework. And also i have been forming the bases of the 3 NEW projects for fanfiction more details to follow. A big thank-you again to my beta Silver-nightstorm, take a bow. Anyway, enough rambling.

District 5 Reapings

Velocity Vector POV

Beep Beep Beep Beep.This is what I first hear when I wake up.

Beep Beep.Alright! Just wait a minute!

I turn over towards my digital clock, my vision still blurred by sleepy eyes. I can just about make out the time. 13:55.

Uh oh. Today's the one day you don't want to be waking up late. Reaping Day.

Right, time for a bit of quick math. The reaping starts at 2 but the actual drawings don't start 'til half past two so… that gives me thirty-five minutes to get ready. I take more time having a good soak in the bath. Thanks Mum and Dad, for getting me up on time. They're probably taking to much care over their little darling Verae – getting her ready for only her second reaping. Can't have little Verae getting reaped and looking like a dead frog!

I look in my wardrobe which makes a slight creek-like noise when I open it, despite its relatively new condition. I find the piece of clothing I was looking for. My fancy coat. It has got a proper name, but I just call it my fancy coat. I think my parents finally figured what I mean when I say 'where is my fancy coat?'

I leap down the stairs three at a time before jumping into the shoe cupboard and grabbing my black pair of lace-ups. No time for breakfast. I open the front door and sprint out, slamming the door behind me. I race down through our garden, opening our gate, racing out, and shutting it again. I sprint down the street towards the town where the reapings are to be held this year. I feel the wind press against my cheeks but I keep on running until I finally need to stop because I just can't keep up my pace anymore. Luckily, I'm very near the town. I can already start to hear the nervous chatter of the anxious parents waiting to know whether their child is safe or not.

I run past all the people attending while they watched me curiously, and sprint to the 16 year old section. Luckily, I haven't missed the start of the reapings yet. I don't know whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. Anyway back to the drawing.

The escort is drawing out the boy's names, his name is Arapeta Jewels. He walks up to the stage, what takes me aback is his size. He's built like a tank – a powerhouse – he would be a real threat to the careers if he can fight. Maybe District 5 will have a winner this year.

Yet this Arapeta is only 14. He's as tall and, by the looks of it, stronger than some of the 18 year olds. He waits for his district partner to be called. He looks so fearsome. I have a feeling he may just give District 5 a winner.

Now, it is time for the girls. I dread the name they call out but, in some strange way, I know what I have to do. I have to volunteer because the name called out is like a horror film to my parents. The name is Verae Vector.

Arapeta Jewels POV

Was it luck that my name was drawn? I shall never know.

I think back to last night, surely my last night with my darling, Amy. I spot her in the crowd, she is really struggling to hold herself together, but she sticks to our agreement, no volunteering for each other. We decided on this when we realised our relationship was serious. I've only introduced her to my family once.

But Toni, my older sister, has met Amy on numerous occasions. Toni doesn't make judgments or anything, unlike my parents. Every time I get into a fight at school, it is always the same talk I have with them. It isn't my fault I get into fights; I just lose it. I lose control of my body and let fly with the punches and because of my size they always think I'm the one who starts it. It's a miscarriage of justice. It's unfair, but I've always been told life isn't fair. My size has got me into trouble quite a few times in my lifetime. In the Games, it might mean my death.

The Careers will probably target me because of it. I wonder what my life would be like if I had been born in another district, where strength is better than brains. Not that I'm dumb or anything, I'm nearly at the top of the class.

But say I'd been born in District 2. I'd have been well known, respected. It's amazing, the contrast between the districts. They're all unique and I don't think the capitol knows that. We are treated like dirt. We need to take a stand and fight back. And now that I'm in the Hunger Games, I can show myself across Panem.

Velocity Vector POV

When my family comes in, I see a sight I have never seen and to be honest, thought I never would. My father iscrying.He looks a right sight. His eyes are going red, his nose is runny. He's not like the usual purposeful, organized father I know.

Verae looks sort of guilty, and I would too if I knew I had sentenced my older sister to her very likely death.

My mother says nothing, but she has sadness written all across her face.

Huh, I never knew my family cared so much about me. I always thought I never was never thought of, mainly because they never praised me and they were always worrying about little Verae.

It's such a shame that they only start caring about me when I could be sent to my death.