After this chapter, we'll be halfway done the Reapings! Also, if you're looking for a really interesting SYOt to submit to, check out District 9 Tribute's SYOT! I won't spoil anything for you!
Caxton Beel II, 17
District 12 Male Tribute
"I'm, warning you kid, rub me the wrong way one more time, I'm gonna bruise you so hard, you're gonna be the color of coal dust!" Rhett hissed at me.
I wanted to laugh but I didn't. Rhett was a year older than me and a year stronger, which meant he had a high chance of taking me down. But I had a good feeling that I could outsmart him.
"Oh, you think you're all muscle and bones. But I bet you can't even throw a punch properly!" I laughed.
This definitely upset Rhett. He tried to launch himself at me, but two of his friends grabbed him by the arms and yanked him back. "Down do it buddy, he's just trying to make you mad."
Rhett continued to struggle away. "Let me at him! I want to punch his smug, little, handsome face in. Let me at him!"
I knew I should've just walked away or something, but I was too caught up to even think straight. "Really? I'd like to see you try!"
Rhett pulled his arms out of his friends' grasp and lunged ta me. Before I had time to block myself or fight back, his fist collided with my face and I fell over. As Rhett went to take another blow, someone grabbed me from behind and yanked me out of the way in the nick of time.
"Sane!? What are you doing here!?"
"Shut up, Caxton. Alright, you got what you wanted, you punched his face. Now, leave the kid alone and get out of here before I get the Peacekeepers on your measly little trails!"
Rhett scowled as he beckoned to his croonies and the group of them left. As soon as they were gone Sane released his grip on me. "What the hell were you thinking!?"
"I thought I could take him...I knew I could, he just...he just caught me off guard!"
"Did you really think you stood a chance!? They're all older than you and they've been doing this thing longer than you have. This isn't your little slap-hands fight and roast-downs you did when you were 12. You've got to be smart about this Caxton, I can't always be there watching you!"
I've been chewed up by multiple people on multiple occasions, but hearing the disappointment in Sane's voice was different. he was the only person in all of 12 who actually cared for me. He knew when to fight and when to stay on the sidelines. He taught me everything I needed to survive out here. He was the one who kept me...well...sane.
Tihi Lowe, 15
District 12 Female Tribute
"Thanks, deary." Adha smiled as I helped her clean up the shop. "So, what are you and your parents up to today?"
It was very common of Adha to want to know what was going on with my family, mainly because she had no kids of her own. That was probably why I was the only one who helped her out in the shop, but also because it distracted me form classmates who would try to make fun of me.
"I don't know...something about Reaping Day, I guess?"
"Yes well, that would be a logical answer on a day like this. Because of the horrible deaths that last year's kids had to suffer, we should all a reason to be worried today in case we or someone close to us is chosen."
I pulled the broom out of the corner where it usually stayed and began to sweep the layers of dust, dirt and who knew what else off the floor. Adha helped me, saying, "My mother taught me a quote about this once. 'Closed eyes, heart not beating, but a living love.' I wonder what it means."
One thing that separated me from most kids my age was because sayings like that, I couldn't quite understand. I knew it was somewhat related to today, but I couldn't figure out why. I could spend all day attempting to make sense of that quote and I never would. Instead, I decided to forget it and continue sweeping.
Once I finished, Adha took the broom from me. "Go home, sweetheart. Your parents probably want to spend a bit of time with you today."
Adha was right; as an only child, my parents would want to be with me today. After washing some dirt off of me, I headed home. Dad of sewing together a couple pieces of leather and Mom was fixing up a stand that held several pairs of shoes. As the owners of the only shoe shop in District 12, almost our entire first floor was dedicated to selling them.
I decided to take a quick shower, then changed into some nicer clothes. Then, I headed downstairs for lunch.
The atmosphere was silent while we ate. Which was fine with me because I didn't feel like talking.
Caxton Beel II, 17
District 12 Male Tribute
My dad, the original Caxton Beel, was passed out on the couch when I got home. I made myself a small sandwich for lunch. As I ate, my dad stirred lightly, then sat up. He was holding a half-empty bottle of alcohol and smelled of it too.
"Uhhhhhhh...hey, Caxton. What's today again? I forgot."
"Reaping day," I muttered in annoyance. "You should really stop drinking. I'm tired of wasting all my hard-earned cash on you."
"Oh son, stop being so dramatic. You go on ahead to the Reapings by yourself, I'll catch up in a bit. I just have a nasty hangover."
Rolling my eyes, I put on a nicer shirt. The dirt on the other one reminded me of Rhett punching me in the face, so I grabbed a mirror to check out the damage. A blackish-blueish mark was forming on the ridge of my nose, just between my eyes.
I sighed. Just great. But since there was nothing I could really do about it, I muttered a hurried goodbye to my dad, then made my way to the Reapings. Several other kids my age or a bit younger were already there. I checked in, then found an isolated spot in the 17 year-old section, where I stood.
Once the mayor gave her speech and the Reapings began, a rather plump, but kind-looking woman named Marissa appeared. She had brown hair that had streaks of pink and carefully drew a name from the glass ball.
"Tihi Lowe!"
A girl, a bit younger than me, made her to the stage, looking stiff and robotic-like. Tihi quietly took her spot beside Marissa, who drew another name, this time for the boys. I sucked in my breath. Hopefully, hopefully...
"Caxton Beel...the second!"
I could feel my face flushing with anger and my hands clenching into fists as I walked up towards the stage. Most people knew me because of my father's betting habit, which was not a good image. I wanted to punch something, or fight someone, but I held it all in until I was taken to the Justice Building.
Tihi Lowe, 15
District 12 Female Tribute
Caxton had tanned skin and grey eyes, like me except his hair was short and black while mine was red. He seemed rather upset about being reaped, which was understandable. Marissa said nothing the entire time, but to me, she looked like she wanted to avoid Caxton's fists entirely.
Following the Peacekeeper into the Justice Building, I sat until the door opened and my parents came in.
"Oh Tihi...what will we do without you?" Mom sobbed as she gave me a hug; I felt rather squashed in her arms. "We're gonna miss you so much."
"I know," The response didn't feel right but I had idea what else to say. I let Mom hug me until she decided to let go, crying quietly.
Dad put an arm on her shoulder and whispered something into her ear. Mom nodded and left. Clearly, the grief of losing her only child was too much for her to bear.
It was now Dad's turn to say goodbye to me. "Tihi, I can't guarantee anything, but you'll make us proud, no matter what."
"Okay..." that response didn't feel right either. "I...I love you."
"I love you too, my dear. You'll be in our prayers, no matter what."
Before I could ask what Dad mean about that, a Peacekeeper poked his head in. Dad exited without another word and I was left alone. My mind began to wander and soon, I was thinking about that quote Adha had said to me.
Closed eyes, heart not beating, but a living love.
Now I knew what it meant. That my friends and family back in 12 would love me...even if I were to die.
So, that's the 12 Reaping! I kinda struggled a bit portraying these tributes, but I hope I did them justice!
Next chapter, we'll have a bit of a look on the President's family, then we'll head back to the Reapings. So stay tuned for that!