1st POV- Alemia Brooke- District 12 Female Tribute- Age of 17.
The blazing hot summer sun glazed down on my forehead, sending beads of sweat out of my pores, as the crunch of the rocky road is heard under my feet. Old, wooden and broken shacks lay side by side along the road each seemingly releasing an aura of depression and screams of poverty and hunger. A dog strolled by, its fur a unique combination of white with black spots, panted down the uneven path. It's tongue hanging out of its mouth as it search its fruitless findings for water.
I continued to scrub away the grime from the Lexington family clothes as the sun continued to beat down rays of heat at my face. I am pretty much used to this as any District 9, 10, and 11 worker, due to my dad's requirement for me to do some physical chores. I don't complain though, as I am glad to help some of the most poor families in the Seam. It beats doing other jobs for a living, as I don't have the weaponry for hunting like some of the more daring people do, or either the skills for medical work, and selling my body is undeniably out of the question.
Folding up the last of the newly rejuvenated laundry, I put them in the basket and carried them inside the wooden, one room shack. Only Mrs. Lexington is inside, cooking over the fire a meager amount of vegetables. With the husband and the two older teens at work in the mines nearly all the time, I have only gotten to really know her and Riley, the only daughter in the household. I wouldn't exactly call her a friend, but me and her got to know each other as acquaintances.
I put the bucket down at the side of the shack, and began changing into my already prepared Reaping outfit.
"I appreciate your help Brooke, it really means a lot for my family." Mrs. Lexington smiled.
"My pleasure, though, if may I ask, where is Riley? I haven't seen her since I came." I asked, just simply curious, as I don't really think she is working or anything. I saw Mrs. Lexington smile drop a little bit.
"She... is with a client. Thank you for asking though."
Ah... ah!
"Sorry I asked." I apologized, shuffling through the pack I brought for a comb to straighten my hair.
"Don't be, it is nice to know that you care as well. Tell Burnet I said hi."
I nodded in compliance and went out of the small quarters and back into the heat. The cotton used in my dress only intensify the heat that builds up on my skin. The Lexington's isn't the only family I help around the Seam, though. It is mainly the most poor of District 12 that I help with small things, to ease the burden and load off their back. All that work makes me one of the more physically fit girls in the school.
Today, my dad told me to only help with the Lexington's, and the retired elderly couple who live across the street. Mainly because today is the Reaping day. A grand festival tailored to the entertainment of the Capitol to pick a boy and a girl off to die. We never had a Victor, and almost all of our tributes end up as a Bloodbath fatality. Even the eighteen year olds end up dead at the very most the first three days. There is no way to sugar coat that this isn't a death sentence in the least. It is all just repulsive and vile.
That is pretty much the reason why everyone fears the Reaping. While yes everyone have their name in there at least once, there is also the factor of tesserae. I myself had to take three of them to support my mom and dad. The coal mining business barely pays for our expenses and my mom is currently withheld from work till she finds a new one. I would have taken three more for Sally and her parents if only she forced me not to. In fear that the higher I increase my slips in the bowl, the larger the possibility of me getting Reaped. And worse of all, it is true. Nearly all the time a tribute is Reaped, it is someone who have taken a hefty amount of tesserae. The only time that didn't happen was five years ago in the 'Quarter Quell' as they call it. We had to actually vote for someone to be sent off to death. I don't remember the person I voted for, as I just picked any two random names off in the list. Even though they were not in the Games, it still disturbs me that I had voted those two off to die.
The Lexington don't live that far off from my home. I live in the more middle class area of the Seam. Though, considering what we see on T.V when it is on, our area would be like the poorest of the Capitol, possibly in the Career Districts as well. It is just a couple turns and blocks from the middle class, to the dirt poor. We all still live in the Seam, and we all experience hunger frequently. It is just that our area is just cleaner and slightly better off. The only ones that never experiences days of hunger are the upper class merchants who live near the Justice Building.
Walking towards the front of my house, I pass by it and knocked on the door to the one right next to it. Me and Sally have known each other for as long as I can remember. We were always neighbors and our parents knocked the fence between our yards so we can share the small garden behind. It brings in some food and profit, and we are able to basically share the whole lot. The door opened to reveal a girl, olive skin, greyish green eyes, and dark hair reaching towards her shoulders. She had a violet dress and holding a pair of red dress shoes in her hand.
"Hi Brooke! Just give me a second I will be coming right out." Sally greeted me, as she reached out to hug me. We held each other for a few seconds before parting. By all means I am straight, and same for her, but I guess that we have been together for so long that we sort of got used to being near each other.
"Alright Sal', but don't be late. Don't want to have Peacekeepers barging into our houses." Sally nodded as she quickly went back inside the house. Sitting down in the shade, I wait patiently for her to finish up. My dad is in the town out with mom for some interview with a merchant for a job position. While yes Reaping day seems like an off choice for this, I guess it is because not a lot of customers go out on this date. Why would they, when there is a possibility for your children to be slaughtered in possibly the first few minutes in the Games. If you were lucky, a day or so, but that haven't happened since the year after the Quarter Quell, when some District 1 brute took out seven tributes before winning, it was one of the bloodiest Games since the 20th, when the wretched Careers was formed officially.
I never have, and probably never will understand how people like the Capitol could honestly enjoy watching mere kids being killed in gruesome, horrifying ways? Are we just toys? Plain tools for entertainment? It is sickening, but it is a fact of life apparently. Like hunger and disease.
A let out a breath of relief as Sally came out of her house, saying goodbye to her parents. We walked in silence on the main Seam road, baring through the thick heat of the sun now even higher in the sky as we get closer to the merchant section of District 12. I spot a group of seniors, some arrogant troublemakers and some of the school's sass queens. I paid them no mind while Sally seem to glare at them from the corner of her eyes. It is not like they focus more on me at the high school, they know I am just as fit as most of the guys in the group. Their constant picking on other classmates and the abuse of other girls make them distasteful around the district.
As we walk into the upper class of District 12, the road is no longer uneven and rocky but more smooth, not paved, but hard packed dirt that doesn't make shoes dirty and ragged. It is full with teens and kids lining up to the sign up area, all somber and not a lot of activity or conversation is heard. Mainly the soft murmurs, sobs, and the Peacekeepers in the front desk if the only sounds I generally hear in the back of the line.
With each step closer to the front of the line, it conversation starts to get quieter and quieter, maybe because the parents have to comfort the little ones before they go in the line, or because most of us generally don't want to break the solemn silence that fills the area. It continued in this pattern till I am in front of the desk. Cold, hard masks gaze at me as they flip through pages of the sheet they are holding. I gave them my name and age as they pricked my finger using some large stinger that draw blood. I don't know for sure how it works, but assuming it feels like a small sting from a fire ant, I guess it is like an electric shock. District 12 barely gets electricity, and we do most things by hand. Only the rich can afford batteries and electricity from a separate line that supply it for them.
After Sally and I got our blood drawn, we stood in the seventeen year old section, where it is nearly filled up to the brim. We stood next to each other, as the masses begin to fill in more throughout the square. I focus my attention to the center of the stage, where the mayor and the escort are sitting in the chairs waiting for the Reaping to begin. The mayor is generous and good willed lady who came from the merchant class of District 12, blonde hair and green eyes depicts that. She have three kids, two boys and a girl, all under reaping age. The area in the merchant area starts to look more fresh over the years, thanks to recent funding that the mayor put out for, and food gotten slightly cheaper. Some economic boom perhaps, well, to us in District 12, a few cents off for some fruits is certainly a boom.
The clock rang as the escort comes up to the platform. We have a new one this year, since I our last one Tiania have retired. It is a young guy who is quite tall, his hair cut into a natural flat top with dark caramel skin, with a suit splattered with a mesh of many colors on.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I am your new escort Karan, and I am honored to be the escort of District 12." He announced professionally. "First off, there is a video from the Capitol that we want to show you, an inspiring one that you are all familiar with."
The screen turned black till the booming sound of the annual video began playing. Tuning all of it out is easy when nearly the whole square is not even paying attention. It is the same old propaganda about some war more than three decades ago and the same flicks about how amazing and prestige the Hunger Games are. After that the screen stopped playing the video, the mayor went up and read out the Treaty of Treason, in which I also tuned out by watching the camera crew film preparing the for when he is finished. They don't show the video, Treaty of Treason, and the List of Victors on the television. The Capitol people want to just see the first glimpses of the tributes. Only for us and District 9 we don't have a List of Victors, as anyone reaped from us never come back alive. After the mayor was done, Karan came back up to the front.
"Now that the pleasantries are over, it is time for to choose two brave young man and woman to represent District 12 in the 30th Hunger Games. We will start with the girls."
He walked over to the girl's bowl and picked a slip out of it. The whole side of the square became deathly silent, as the escort walked back to the microphone and read out the name and fate of an unfortunate girl.
"Our female tribute is Brooke Alemia. Please come to the stage."
My whole body froze as a statue, as the section gave a sigh of relief. Everything in me just paused, like being hit with a cold bucket of ice. I came back to my senses when the section made way for me. I am too shocked to give away any signs of sorrow or tears, as I turned to face Sally. She had a mournful look in her eyes as I suddenly realized what truly happened.
I was going into the arena.
I walked over to the stage without any form of emotions shown on the outside. All I feel is sadness and dread in me as Karan helped me up the stage. I forced tears not to spread forth as the escort read out the name of my District partner.
"Edward Lexington."
I remembered that last name clearly. One of Mrs. Lexington's sons, the one who is his last year being eligible for Reaping. I watched as he had fear written all over his face, but like me, doesn't show any tears. Maybe he is also too shocked, or he knows what the Capitol is looking for. Maybe he was prepared in case this happened, he is always one of the more observant ones.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this year's District 12 tributes. Let us wish them the best of luck in this year's Games." Karan stated, as the crowd just stayed somber. No one came close to winning the Games in over sixteen years, and since then, it have been Bloodbath. The only hope I have is to survive the first day. But even then it seem like a far off dream. A fantasy. It dawn on me that I will need allies. That is what got that tribute close to winning.
We were told to shake hands, and I turn my focus into my District partner. I know that he would have to die if I were to come back home. Everyone, even the Careers, are well aware of that, but I can't survive long by myself. We may not know each other well, but we come to an unspoken agreement that we understood each other. He works long hours in the mines, and I labor for broken people and starving families.
I shook his hand as we are lead inside the Justice Building to say our goodbyes. I know very well that there is very little chance of me making it far, even with allies, but there is know I am going down without a fight. I will make sure I come back. Even if I have to break a few bones for it.
1st POV- Prep Smelts- District 1 Male Tribute- Age of 14.
The wooden shaft of the spear rests firmly in the grips of my hands, before soaring through the air and landing dead center on where some poor guy's brains would have been. I don't exactly know why I am training today, as they are calling who will be District 1's volunteers soon. Maybe because it sort of help me calm myself down. No, I am in no way scared of the Games at all, as if I would back down on the opportunity, though I am pretty much the youngest candidate for it.
Unlike District 2, we don't have a minimum age required for volunteering, and I have no clue if District 4 have it or not. It is purely decided on skill and experience, though our youngest Victor we had was sixteen, and the youngest in all of Panem was some guy from District 3 who won at the age of fifteen. Only a year older than me. Well, somebody got to break the record, and I am determined to volunteer for a special reason. Some people volunteer for fame, others even I know of go in for bitter revenge. Mine is much more reasonable and a good motivation as well. There is this special girl, whom if I win, will gain her heart for me.
So why am I nervous? Well, District 1 have a reputation for rather violent volunteer callings in the Training Centre, and if I actually manage to surpass every guy who also wanted in on the Games, I might have to fight in actual combat with them, and it might not just be a usual friendly spar.
I breath out a sigh as I picked up another spear, and without a care in the world, threw it into some dummy's stomach. It went straight through, making a gaping hole in the center. 165 feet... decent enough, I suppose. If I were to be chosen, not only would I capture the heart and attention of my love, but also would have to fight some rather strong competitors. Mostly they would specialize in short ranged hopefully, so if I am the only long ranged fighter in the arena, it would be a major advantage. If they can't get to me without getting impaled by either my spears or my arrows, then they can't do harm to me. Which is why I am even a candidate in the first place.
Taking a quick glance at my watch, I guess that I should head over to the Main Hall, where they would call out the volunteers. They started this Career program about ten years ago, at the start of the 20th Games. District 4 joined in a year after that, producing a Victor as well. Some trapper who is one of the rare type of them that actually make it far in the Games. So many students, both Training Centre ones and the average civilian, want to bring glory to District 1 in the Games. The only reason why it is not a rampage at Reaping is because of the legal threats in which the consequences will not be named...
But, I can't simply not be chosen, before it would be too late. I am afraid, so much, that my love would probably pick some guy from the in crowd of the popular kids and I would be forever alone. With a win in the Hunger Games, she would have no choice but to love me. Seeing her, with beautiful, flowing golden hair, with sharp, emerald eyes, with such an elegant body, it angers me that those wretched guys would try to steal her away from me. It is a good thing that they don't allow us students to bring weapons home, Otherwise, the Peacekeepers will have to investigate a few corpses with knives extruding out from their skulls.
Calming myself down, I strolled inside the spacious Main Hall, where dozens of students were grouped around, chattering amongst each other, while others looked tensed and nervous. I caught sight of a certain, dark haired guy conversing with Seeth, one of my brothers, while laughing humorously with him.
"Haha! Is that what happened? Dude, you got to be kidding me, seriously man!" snickered Seeth, as Giver was smiling all the way.
"Dead serious. Though, I had to admit, it was such a good sight though, too bad I didn't have my phone on me for pics." Giver smiled, as Seeth patted him on the back.
"You know, they said it is quite rude to leave someone out of a conversation, don't you think?" I entered in, as he pulled me into the merry parade giving me a noogie on the head for good measure.
"And jumping in on this golden story isn't little bro?" He laughed as I swiftly got out of his rather nauseous armpits. Fantastic, there goes my neatly combed hair. I glared at my brother in exasperation then turned to face Giver.
"So what's happening? What did I so oh opposed missed?" I questioned, as Giver had a massive grin on his face, as if he won the Hunger Games itself.
"You know the leading girl for candidate right? Flavia?" I nodded slowly, remembering her back in sparring. Unlike District 2 and 4, it is much rarer for cross gender sparring. Supposedly, proper mannerism is still in affect while training future tributes to live off the wild and murder some poor, weak bloodbath type tributes. Never understood most of the pretentiousness about it, though it shouldn't really affect me much. Anyways, Flavia to say in the least, is quite fierce and is certainly well rounded in hand to hand combat. If it wasn't for me impressive speed and reflexes honed from many years of dodging and training, I would have been pounded into the dust. Quite literally since it was in the outdoors combat area.
"Well, I stumbled across her, after that arrogant buffoon Aris tried to test his luck and tried to cop a feel of her in one of the viewing rooms. She thoroughly handed his ass back to him on a bloody platter. He most likely should be coming back from the clinic though, but I couldn't believe I was there to witness it and is still breathing." Giver reminisced, as I too snickered at Aris' fate. He is this brute gorilla who constantly makes fight with practically everyone since he is the Head Peacekeeper's son and came from District 2. Only the grunts he garnished even want to stay close to him, as he could make the most patient trainer lose their stability due to his sheer agitation. It is almost celebratory that this is his last year, though he is a candidate and would probably be going into the Games this time.
As we all were goofing around, a loud ringing sound penetrated the air and all noises and chatter ceased within seconds. All eyes and ears was now focused on the stage right in the front of Main Hall. One by one, a Victor came out of the door that led to backstage and sat in their chair. A new one is just being placed for the recent Victor, Ruby Syed. I remembered the aftermath of her victory, the whole District 1 was in a collaboration of celebration and cheer, welcoming the newly crowned Victor with open arms. How I would love for that to happen to me. The whole city cheering me on, as I stand proudly up, raising my hands up in success and achievement.
It might just happen, being accepted to be a candidate for volunteering at this age when guys older than me can't even get close to one, I feel as if I have pretty good odds. But there are many other eligible people to vouch for the spot too. In fact, this whole Main Hall is filled with them, each one is accepted as a candidate. There are much, much more people like me who train for the Games, and if all came to this Hall, there would be barely and place to walk around.
As the Victors finished seating, with the eldest one, Erin Swist- Victor of the 6th Hunger Games on the left, to Ruby Syed on the far right, Amaze Luther, Victor of the 26th Games, stood up in the middle of stage and stared down at the chosen students, making sure all noises are dead. As if it wasn't quiet enough, I can guarantee that if a pin were to drop on the other side of the room, I would very well be able to hear it like a shout or scream.
"To those who I call out, step up forward at once." He ordered, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. Amaze was, of the six victors we have, the clear Capitol favorite, both for District 1, and one for the whole Panem as well. Brawny, muscular, and is commonly commented in magazines as 'one of the most handsome man in Panem' as well. No one forgot his Games, four years ago, where he had a Training Score of 11, lead the Careers with an iron fist, and killed over seven people throughout the Games. Amaze, as I remember from numerous training sessions with him, is very intolerant of foolishness, and is not hesitant to beat some sense over the students. His size and brutality makes me feel very sorry for whoever his opponents were in his Games.
He called out several names, which includes mine, my two brothers, Aris, and some of the other prominent students who are also on the top of the class. I realized quickly that he is already thinning the herd by just announcing the top picks. I wasn't expecting this, I thought that even though I am one of the best long ranged fighters, that they would want me to gain more experience in Training before even making me as a top pick. Seeth was looking pretty proud and high up already while Capias, my other brother, showed no other emotion on his face rather than mild focus. Aris, however, was grinning maliciously, and I could feel the excitement and arrogance radiating off of him, even though he is several students away from me.
The other students who were called either had a look of pride, focus, or anxiety. Ruby stood up from her chair and walked over next to Amaze. He gave her a different piece of paper and after a series of rather coarse whispers, they faced the mass of students. The stages that is inside the Academy doesn't need microphones or any other sound enhancing devices because the rooms were designed to reflect sound coming directly from the stage to be heard all around the room with clarity, minus the echoes that comes after each sound. It saves tax money, because all three of the Academies of District 1, 2, and 4 are funded by the district itself. The President only gave approval of the project and a Head Architect to make a blueprint of the Academy, as well some paid trainers. We ourselves provided the builders, the paycheck for the trainers, and the funding the run it.
"To represent District 1 for the 30th Hunger Games, and to provide the glory, wealth, and a prosperous Victor for the people of this great district, I choose no female to represent District 1. You lack either motivation, pride, or mindset to be a proud representative for the Academy of District 1. Think wisely if you are to volunteer, because in a battle of life and death, there is no going back." Amaze announced in a deadpan monotone. It is customary for a Victor to announce the opposite gender chosen volunteer, at least, that is what I heard. Turning his back, Amaze walked back to his seat, right next to Lucy Kaylock, Victor of the 23rd Hunger Games, while Ruby stepped forward. The five called girls had a different display of emotion on their faces. Two of them looked rather relieved, one was trying hard to refrain the tears, but I could easily see the wetness on the side of her eyes, and the one on the end of the row looked rather infuriated. They should've trained harder, I suppose.
"To represent District 1, for the 30th Hunger Games, and to provide the glory, wealth, and a prosperous Victor for the people of the great district, I choose Prep Smelts to represent District 1."
I do not know what I looked like, or what is even on my mind. All I know I was just as shocked as Seeth next to me before he split a smile at me. Only one question is floating in my mind.
"Why?"
Ruby's smile only widened. "You shown enough courage, skill, and determination to make a suitable Career, and to be the ideal representative of District 1, Smelts. The youngest to be chosen, and a good four years ahead from the seniors. Well done."
If one were to just describe the amount of pride I am feeling right now, it would take several dozens pages just to scratch the surface. A few hours ago if one were to tell me this would happen for today, I would have asked if he or she is mistaking for a couple more years or so, not this year against the other strong, capable seniors. For me, to be able to surpass all of that, and to be hand picked to represent my home and district is beyond my imagination. I nodded feebly at the victor, graciously thanking her in my head, before a furious cry penetrated my mind, sending like a shock and vibration through it.
Having battle instincts thoroughly ingrained in my system, I jumped when I heard the roaring sound. Turning around quickly in a guarded stance at the noise, which happened the same for most of the other called students. Aris, to say the least, was by far not 'infuriated' or 'enraged' or any other words to describe anger. It was much, much more than that. He face was contorted, twisted in fury as some blood vessels were strained and visible from the parts of his scalps. His fists were as white as paper and his teeth was clenched shut and grinding upon each other. He was sending hateful, animalistic glares at the new female victor, as she just glanced at him in annoyance. This sent him deeper into rage, as he let out another furious cry, making the proctors who were standing near the walls to be on guard and ready to restrain him at an order. The rest of the onlooking students spectated the scene, as Capias, who had the misfortune of being next to Aris, backed away from his quickly, unwilling to be in a conflict with the beast.
"YOU PICKED THE DAMN BRAT?! OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS DAMNED BUILDING?" He roared at Ruby, who continued to stare at him, not even spurred by his size, or fury. Impressive, considering she was only a year older than him. "I WAS THE ONE WHO BEAT EVERY, SINGLE, ONE OF THESE SORRY ASSES IN HERE, AND YOU GAVE IT TO SOME BLONDE BITCH WHO CANT EVEN LAST A FEW MINUTES IN A RING?!"
At this point, all the Victors looked crossed at his display of humiliation and enragement. In this Academy, and most likely in the other two as well, there is a strong sense of order and discipline or rules and regulation. Chaos would hamper the success of training, and students lacking common sense and refrainment was punished, and most of the time stripped of their access to the Academy. Aris would have been kicked years ago if it weren't for his high standing father, for many, many disputes and fights he had part in over the time, and this will no doubt be the last straw.
Amaze stood up, and walked across the stage and in front of Aris. His cold glare seeping into Aris' provoked one, as the tension contaminated the air.
"Want to know why you were not chosen? You are foolish, Loprinus. An arrogant, childish fool, who is now sad because he got his toy taken away. Grow up, and get your face out of this building. I don't want to see you in here ever again. If you so much as step a foot in here, your father and his position be damned, I will kill you."
The entire was silenced by this speech, the other students staring wide eyed at this proclaim, as Amaze continued to stare Aris down in a hard, cold glare. Then, Aris stopped for a brief second, as he then started to grin a frightening grin, as he then swiftly broke his gaze off of the commanding Victor and onto mine. Something flew at me at a lethal rate. Without even thinking I move my head to the side as it flew past me and hit something, or someone, behind me. Regaining focus, screams filled the air as a sickening crack was heard. Looking back at where the knife apparently came from, I see Amaze standing over Aris' body with its head twisted at nearly a 240 degree angle.
Erin Swist nodded his head towards the proctors, who immediately went spread across the room to contain the pandemonium that was happening behind me. The knife that I dodged hit some guy, who was about a year older than me, right in his stomach, as blood dripped down from the wound which still contained the blade. I know all too well that if this continues, it would be an all out brawl, and I wouldn't even want to be close to that. I may be the chosen volunteer now, but one against a whole room of other aspiring Careers, some who had their dreams crushed this very minute, is not enough for me to stay. Capias was already ahead of me, as he grabbed me by the wrist and ran out the room, with Seeth tailing behind us.
All of this, went from me, being crowned District 1 chosen male volunteer, to escaping from an attempted murder before even going into the Games. I will have to get used to it for the arena, I suppose. I have to win though, now I can't go back. I will get her heart, that is my only promise, that I won't run away from. In a month, Panem will know me as the youngest Victor of the 30th Hunger Games. Then, I will get Goldy's love.
1st POV- Yale Hendric- District 8 Male Tribute- Age of 14.
...Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one. Much shorter than the last time, look like the spray actually works for once.
Urg, I should get up, today is Reaping after all, shouldn't really be counting the ants that march across this alleyway that I claim as my lair. But, what would it matter? Not like anyone would even notice another kid missing, Besides, with the merchant gone, I could be able to snag a few apples and maybe even oranges while they are all standing around the Justice Building.
Yeah, that would be nice. No one would even have a clue. If only I could find some way to do this without the Peacekeepers walking around during each Reaping. The last good meal I ate was a week ago, and between then, it is scraps of what I can loot from trash cans or behind people's back. Not since I left the damned Community House earlier this year have I even had at least something to keep in my stomach for more than a day. It have been rather on and off about food lately, mainly a day in, a day out.
Better than listening to the quartermaster ramble on about conduct and behavior like those adults also bother me about. If they don't like me, screw them and leave me to do my own stuff. After all, I have my life, and I don't want them to include me into theirs.
Good thing Reaping is today, because then people would normally leave more scrap, high quality scrap, for me to feast one. Heck, I got a dozen of good, clean loaves of bread from one of those rich wheat farm managers who was to busy getting it on with some woman who is too young to be his wife to notice he forgot his crate in the yard. It was even easier because of all the noise I heard from inside. With the moaning that loud, I might have been able to get inside the house and even get a glimpse of the action going on in there.
Taking a piece of the bread from one of the pocket in my jacket, I chomped down on the delicious, soft loaf for quite a while. Not all the time I could find some good food like that, and better to savor it now then wait for it to go stale later on. Tesserae tastes like dog shit anyways.
Meh, I would much rather roam around the district and increasing my supply of food, instead of attending the Reaping. If I do, I would be free as long as I stay away from the troops of Peacekeepers patrolling, but I just had to take tesserae. They know that I would have to come and sign up, and if they don't check me off on their list or whatever it is they keep track of each and every single teenager in District 8, Peacekeepers would be storming around, this time looking for me.
If I get out of the Reaping early enough, and run back quickly, I just might snag some more loot, and not just food, valuable stuff. That I could either keep for myself, or make a fortune out of. Maybe a new watch with some more batteries would be great... I don't even know what time it is, and the last watch I had someone stole from me. If I know who it is, I would not hesitate to even stab that person. I had worked hard to steal it from an unwatched merchant cart, and it was practically one of the best things I obtained.
The only reason I know for a fact it is not Reaping time yet because of the lack of people walking north, towards the Justice Building. So lately, I just been sitting around in this alleyway for most of the morning. Nothing to do this summer because of lack of school. At least then there was something to do, and barely anyone is outside during Reaping morning, with all those factories closed for today. Parents would be wishing their child luck before being picked to die in the Games.
What many people say and think about the Games is a joke. It is not a harsh punishment at all. The President already are starving most of us, so now they are taking only two kids from each district to compensate for the Dark Days. Don't get why it is wrong as most people describe it, or those who are daring enough to say it aloud. It is only two. Not like a whole classroom or something like that. Yeah, we never even had a victor, but that is because the people who are reaped were the weak ones, those who don't really know what fighting is all about.
If I were reaped, heck, I could handle the Games. Not like it is such a big deal. I have seen the carnage. Looks exciting, having to fight in cool battles and surviving through frantic weather and gruesome mutts. Much more appealing than wasting my time out in these streets. I don't plan to volunteer, I don't want that much attention on me, and I would rather wait a couple years to see if I am still alive anyways. No one wins at fourteen, and very few come even close to winning at an age before sixteen. The Careers are the only thing in the Games I would hate to fight. Not that I cant handle it, but all six vs. me? Ha, no. I can take on one, no doubt, but then it would definitely alert the others to me.
To hell with it. I am just going to the Reaping this year, and not take tesserae for next year. Then I would be free. Might as well get my ass off of the floor and start walking. Picking myself up, and hiding some of the bread inside my backpack, the only thing I really own, even the clothes I am wearing are mostly stolen. I put my backpack under the dumpster where no one would bother looking and began trotting down the paved but cracked sidewalk.
Most of District 8 is home to people like me, without four walls and a roof over their heads, or have that an is just as poor and with extra mouths to feed. So the houses are not of high quality. Ancient, unstable blocks of stone or whatever the hell they used to build it, and roofs that leaks when in the raining period. It is not common to see people skinny as bones and someone that starved to death. I don't know if they are better off in the other districts, and quite frankly I don't care, but all I know that I just do what I do to survive.
Speaking of skinniness, I noticed a whole family of them, all dressed up in most likely second hand formal clothes, looking depressed and silent as they walked on lane. Why do they look so damn familiar. I am almost certain I don't even know them.
It clicked. Ah, they were that family from two years ago who lost their son in the Games. Died second in the Bloodbath by that chick from District 2. Hot stuff, right there. I remember how gorgeous she looked, and shame that she died rather early in the arena. Not even reaching the final eight. District 8 lacks any cute girls, aside from some of the older teens. Magazines that contain hot babes without anything covering them is so hard to find, even harder since school is out. Wish I had one, could have used it to entertain myself before the Reaping.
I have no fear of it. While yes, District 8 is not one of the biggest districts, that much I know, but there is still a lot of other teens that could get reaped for the Games. Tesserae barely would have increased my odds of being reaped. Even if I did, I would most likely survive it. I can fight, I have survived the streets for a good five months, and the Community House for eleven. What is there from stopping me in the real deal?
Continuing walking towards the Justice Building, I notice that a lot of people who I know from school that would be chatting away till the world end are eerily quiet. As if they have been accused and sentenced to execution, and is walking towards the public electric chair. It is not uncommon to see people die in that chair, it happens at least twice a month for various reasons. From people who are too inexperienced and got caught stealing to illegal merchandise trafficking and even several times 'government treason'. All those charged with that have been heard about inciting rebellion.
That is why people should keep their mouth shut and just continue surviving. The Capitol is far too strong. Would rather go to the Hunger Games each year after my victory then even go against them. The same goes for my parents, from I what I heard the quartermasters in the Community House talk about when they think they are not being watched.
So, the kids who are walking together just continued on, not whispering a word. Fear of going into the Games stuck into their minds. How old are they. Thirteen? Twelve? Doesn't matter. Geez, they have practically the lowest chance of getting reaped. Sure twelve and thirteen year old get reaped, but not all the damn time.
Not my problem, I still have, like four more years to go. I barely have any chance of going into the Games. I don't even know why I even bother anymore, but better to go for an hour or so than deal with the bastards in white. Certainly not what I want to do in my free time.
As I got closer to the Justice Building, more and more cars and people filled the lot. Nothing exciting happens in this urban wasteland of a district, so this is practically one of the few times so many people are in one spot. Even in school there is not much teens who bother showing up. Besides, after school, then what? Work in a rusted factory for fourteen hours using machines that doesn't need twelve years of learning? Sell clothes with very little cash to earn? Wonder why I have to there in the first place.
Once there, I got in one of the lines for signing up. Where they took my info, and pricked me with some type of gadget taking a sample of my blood and sent me to the designated spot. Being crowded with other boys is also not on my highlights. Most of them I wouldn't even trust with a few seconds holding something. Fights are like a daily activity around them, and just the sight of them makes me reel in anger. If it was not for the Peacekeepers next to us, I could guarantee that a brawl would've broke out.
The bell started ringing, and the escort, some crazy lady with deep baby blue hair, curled into large bangs that falls to her shoulders. Her clothes, or lack of it, is a very tight dress shirt with a low mini skirt and some high heels. Probably the only thing I enjoy in Reapings is the escort's clothes. With that curvaceous body, and soft creamy skin. Lucky eighteen year olds who gets front row view...
"Hello baes! I am your escort, Layla Henman! We got a video presentation from the amazing and fantabulous Capitol!" She screeched, as I had to cover my ears from the annoying high pitch of her squeals. If someone had her in bed, they would have an amazing time having that body, but a horrid time with her moaning. Urk, it is horrifying just to think about what it might be like.
"Then, after that, your mayor will do his pleasantries and we will get to the most exciting part of today, the Reaping!" She squealed, expecting some grand clapping and cheering.
Silence, I almost outright laughed. Almost.
"Humph, well watch this video." She said in disdain, disappointed that she didn't get any applause.
The video started up, but like every time I am forced to come here, I totally ignored the screen, mainly focusing on who to snag from later on after this. Maybe I could get revenge on one of the other guys and take his bike. But where am I supposed to hide it? Barely anyone have a bike, and it is very expensive to get one anyways. I could break it, but if he bought the bike, he could repair it or even get another one if he is rich enough... Maybe his wallet? He do wear loose jeans, easy to pickpocket.
My food supply isn't running low, at least for the week, and I can't hope for someone to win the Games for a parade and feast. Only one person from District 8 won, and that was thirteen years ago. Some guy who is losing his sanity named Woof Landerbrough. Don't know, don't care how he won. It was before the Careers were formed and he clearly can't mentor, otherwise we would've had a Victor aside from him.
After the long wait for the clip to be over, our mayor, some old guy who I never bothered to know about him, went up to the microphone, thanking the escort on the way and greeted us. He have some sense, at least pretending for this to be like a celebration. It is not like a funeral or some depressing shit like that, so why be so sober and solemn about it?
The mayor read out our Victor's name, who in particular, raised his head immediately in attention, staring wide eyed at the mayor. Must have been a grand time for him when he was in the Reaping. Sarcasm, mind that. The mayor let the almost nude escort back on the microphone as she beamed at us with glee. Of course, sending two weaklings to the Games, what fun, also having to spend a week with them would certainly be a blast as well. Might as well get the sweets and wine, because she is going to have to deal with them.
"Now, I am super excited! It is time to pick the girl and boy representing your District! Ladies first!" She announced, as she like, skipped over to the bowl and quickly pulled a name out from the top. She got back to the microphone and unwrapped the slip.
"Honey Green! Come on bae, you will be great!" She announce, trying to give some encouragement to whoever the hell the girl is. I can guarantee that she will die early in the Bloodbath, and if lucky, the first night or second morning
The crowd was silent for a while, like if they had a breath of relief for some sort. Then came the girl, or should I say, chick. She walked out of the eighteen year old section, going as slow as she can, either in shock or terror, before the Peacekeepers grabbed her arm and shoved her to the stage. Honey, is actually pretty damn hot. Surprising I haven't noticed her, maybe she works in the adult industry or doesn't go out much. Brown hair put into a ponytail with the tip resting on her shoulder, and she is also tall, at least as tall as the other guys and have nice curves to go along with it. Props to the guy who is getting Reaped, to have such a good partner as that.
The escort smiled cheerfully as she chattered a bit to the girl before going to the boys' bowl. This time, she reached deep inside and pulled out a slip. Strolling back to the microphone she read out whoever is going to go in the Games this year.
"Yale Hendric! Come on young man, show your strength and represent District 8!"
Ha, what irony. Imagine if I didn't show up, that would've been a pain having all those Peacekeepers after me. Much worse than fighting off twenty three other tributes.
I heard a few snickers from near me, and normally I would have punched the lights out of anyone who did that. However, since now everyone in Panem will be keeping an eye on me, I ignored them and walked down the pass to the stage. Wouldn't want to show my fighting skills too soon, now would I?
"Oooo, so cute~! You will be great with the sponsors bae!" She giggled in my ear. Cute? I am called cute? Two reasons why I didn't smacked the escort is because I didn't want to be targeted as a threat until I surprise the competition, and the other reason is because I like the view of her chest from here. Now that I got a closer look, I notice that the curves... are too round. Artificial, fake, an immediate turn off.
"District 8, your tributes for the 30th Hunger Games!" Layla squealed. Well, at least my partner could provide me entertainment if I play my cards right... I shook her hands as we are lead off to the Justice Building. No one will come to see me, so it looks like I would have a good thirty minutes or so to relax on a comfy chair as I plan out how to win these Games. I have no ambitions of dying, and I have a will to survive.
This year, District 8 will have a Victor. That much I will promise.
Oh my... Close to three months since the last update. I want to apologize deeply for the massive delay. I have not, and hopefully will not, forget about this SYOT or abandon it.
The reason why it took so long is because there was a virus type of thing, in which my files were deleted, included the outlines for future chapters, so I kind of lost the will to write for about a month. I had to rewrite everything, and Mid Terms Exams and essays got in the way. I got three weeks to supply you guys with chapters and get back on the road with this SYOT.
Also, for the District 1 Reaping, I decided to do something different and do it based off the Volunteer Choosing in the Tribute Academy. Rosemarie, don't worry. Your tribute will also receive its POV of its own, same for all the others who didn't get an appearance in the Reaping.
Okay, so for the weekends, while I am writing the next three chapters (Train Rides, Night/Next Morning on Train, and Parade Preparation), I will be re-editing the filler chapters to make it more appealing. I had little experience with writing during those times, and I feel as if I need to fix the massive amount of errors in this. Thank you all so much for sticking through, and expect the next chapter soon. The latest would be next Wednesday.
Happy Hunger Games!
~Danny Takuto.
