Chapter 10: District Four Reaping

~The Witch and the King~

District 4- Kia Leoni, 18

"Miss Kia, you look... stunning." I can see the dazed look on the mayor's face. Of course. I know that this long strapless black dress with a pink Hawaiian flower pattern would compliment my soft olive skin, dark green sparkling eyes, my waist-length jet black hair and the flower in my hair. Nothing, not even my tattoo of a pink Hawaiian flower on my lower left arm, can blemish my appearance now.

Of course.

"Oh, of course. I want to look the best for our District when I volunteer, dear mayor." I let my voice drawl with grace and suggestiveness, furthering swaying the mayor away from reality. "Now, about those extra money you say the Capitol sent you..." A sickeningly sweet smile spread on my face. "Of course, some of it will go to my family, yes?"

I tilt my head gracefully, letting my words enchant him even more. The mayor look confused, but dazed nonetheless. "Please?" I push one more time.

The mayor nods enthusiastically. "Of course, Miss Kia. Your words are my command!" He says with a smile on his face. This time, I smile slyly. "That's very good. I shall be expecting them as soon as the reaping is over, yes? My mother will pick them up." The mayor nods again and I leave the room.

The sun is blazing today, and coming from District 4 still doesn't make me feel okay with the scorching heat. A couple of boys start to follow me around, but I block out all their voices from my head.

I let out a gentle sigh. "I wish I have an umbrella and a glass of lemonade. It would be... spectacular." Three out of the five guys who's following me around run away in the speed of lightning and return with a green umbrella, a glass with ice cubes, and a pitcher of lemonade. I beam at my slaves, oops the boys. "Thank you boys!"

They escort me to the Justice building, trying to keep me entertained. I laugh slightly at most of them, trying to let them know that I'm amused.

"Kia!" Two voices call me at the same time. And I quite know who have them. Ransom and Xena walk towards me. I look towards the boys and pull my best apologetic look. "I'm sorry boys, it seems that our time is over. Let's play again sometimes, okay?" They all disperse at my command, looking dazed and satisfied.

"Hypnotism again? You should know the rumors you caused!" Xena then launches into hottest and newest fad of the District. I listen to them, interested, but I also notice Ransom's hand snaking around my waist.

Ransom is pretty much the only boy who I never charmed. I always adore the way we meet each other.

Sometimes, my words can be too powerful and much more forward boys would come and attack me. There was that one time that I was just too exhausted to fend for myself. A boy with red hair came to my rescue, telling me not to worry.

From then on, I always have a thing for him. Ransom is now my boyfriend.

"And there're rumors that Maylene Bato from the sunny beach area is going to volunteer! Can you believe that, Kia? That's just horrible! I don't want to have such an ugly girl to represent our District!" I laugh at her and shake my head. "Of course I won't let that happen!" I beam at Xena, who laughs.

Of course I won't let that happen, because the one who will volunteer is me, the Bewitching Mermaid of District 4, Kia Leoni.

District 4- Issac Blackfin, 16

It's still 5 minutes before the reaping actually starts, but I've registered to the nice Capitol lady over there (oh, sarcasm) and stand in the place 16-year-old males will stand. I always hate being late doing pretty much everything. Some people even say that I'm OCD because of that. But, guess what? Who cares? As long as I'm Issac Blackfin, nobody can get in my way.

Four years ago, my brother is reaped and nobody volunteered for him. Those miserable peasants, but I know they must think that he can fend for himself. And he proved them well. He lasts until the final two.

My little sister, Calypso and I are literally speechless when the arena only has him and another. A District 8 boy. The boy has a rather huge sword and my brother has his spear. My brother threw his spear, and we're confident that it'll hit, but he missed and the District 8 boy stabs him with his sword and was declared Victor. I can still see the look on my brother's killer face. Along with an emblem of fire embedded on his necklace. I hiss begrudgingly. I'm not going to make the same mistake.

I can see other people are starting crowd this place. The reaping must be commencing soon. I keep standing on my place, not budging for a second as the others flood the place.

Soon, the entire District is present and the escort, Colonnello, starts to ramble about the Hunger Games.

We watched the video, yadda yadda, and then soon, the reaping bowls are brought up. That's just stupid. I actually think that there isn't a need to have a reaping bowl in Career districts. Because people would just volunteer anyway. But the Capitol people is not as smart as me, so I let that pass.

"Ladies first, hey!" The yellow-haired and blue-haired man says as he takes a name from the girls' reaping bowl. "Maylene Bato!" Oooh, I recognize that name. It's that peasant from the sunny beach area who's rumored to volunteer. Guess she got reaped, huh? That's fine too.

"Please wait," a very sexy-sounding soprano chirps enchantingly from the crowd of 18-year-old female. "I volunteer." I know who she is. Her name is Kia Leoni, the heartthrob Mermaid of our District. She looks so sexy in that outfit.

Well, that's really good. She'll definitely be a good ally for me.

That's why I didn't let Colonnello say the name of the boy who would be reaped and volunteer. It's just easy, right? I'm Issac Blackfin after all.

Goodbyes

District 4- Kia, 18

The Justice building has never been so crowded before.

I never expect my goodbyes to be emotional. After all, I'm a Career, I'm meant to do this. The room only has me, my mom, my trainer, and my best friend. But the outside room...

I think two-thirds of our boy population is out there, trying to bid their goodbyes to me.

Mom looks sad, but proud at the same time. I guess the fact that my Dad died in bloodbaths even when he volunteered still saddens her to this day. But it's all right. I know that I won't be like my Dad. He's 16 when he volunteered and apparently Mom is already pregnant with me by then. I'm 18, I'm trained by the best trainer in the entire District. I'm ready.

"You're ready, Kia," Corina Wavelle, the victor of the 11th Hunger Games and my trainer, says to me with a smile. "Just focus on your surroundings and adapt to the arena. You can do this." I nod. I know that I am ready. Xena hugs me with a broad smile on her face. "When you come back, I'll supply you with everything you've missed." I like that she uses 'when' and not 'if'. Because that implies that she knows that I will return.

There's a huge commotion when they try to leave. I can hear some of them shouting my name, some I love yous, and also good lucks. But there's a certain yell that's very familiar.

Ransom, my knight in shining armor.

He yells for all of them to leave and enter the room, looking hot and anguished.

He puts on a flower ring on my ring-finger, kind of like engagement ring. No words are exchanged between us as he pushes me to the sofa, murmuring incoherent good lucks and we kiss one another like we never did before.

District 4- Issac, 16

Another part I really like for being a Career: there are no sob stories in our goodbyes.

Our family knew that we are destined for this. Heck, some families even pressure their kids to do this. My family doesn't, though. Both Calypso and I are free to choose whether or not we want to volunteer. And I do want to. Why? Because that glory is mine. Rightfully mine.

Not to any other kids out there, not even the other Careers.

"Good luck, bro." Calypso hugs my torso and pulls me down. She kisses my cheek and return to my father. Both Mom and Dad look proud and expectant. I smile. "I'll do better than Neptune, guys. I promise." To do better than my brother means being a Victor. They understand this implication and nod.

When they leave, I can't help but let a cocky smile spread on my face. "Hunger Games, here I come."

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