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This chapter is of Damian Andel's reaping, submitted by Pixelfun20.

Disclaimer: This is a FANfic, clearly we're fans not Suzanne Collins the hunger games universe belongs to her not us (however much we wish otherwise).

~The Lonely Geek and Cct0331

Damian Andel's POV (District 5 male, aged 17)

Reaping day

"As your mentor, I won't be able to visit you during the visiting hour, but I have something for you to take as your district token which I can give to you on the train." Reed tells me as he gets up to leave.

"What is it?" I ask him eagerly.

"You'll just have to wait and see." He smiles. "I'll see you soon though."

"Yeah," I reply as he heads towards the front door. "And Reed?" He waits, but doesn't turn to face me. "Thanks, for everything." Reed is like a father to me.
I don't really feel nervous as I walk through the streets. After all, I have trained for this for my entire life. My only concern is that other strong career tributes will take this quell, like I have, as an opportunity to achieve greatness. I already declared 2 weeks ago that this game was the one I would volunteer for.
These games probably will give me a greater chance of success because more than one person can win. The problem with this is that in order to attract admirers and glory, I have to make an impression. Now, I may be a great fighter, but I am horrible at speaking to other people. I can't talk to a crowd or even make small talk. Basically, my interview is going to go horribly. But! I can't think of the negative today! I need to be fully prepared for victory.

If I don't win, my younger brother, Aaron, will have to go into the games. This whole endeavor is just part of my parent's scheme. My sister, Rosalie, will marry into a rich Capitol family in one week, my job is to win the games to build a good reputation around our family, and Aaron is backup in case any part of the plan doesn't work.

We were all assigned these rolls at birth and have been trained to fulfil them. Sometimes I wonder if Aaron feels excluded or unwanted because he's the "backup plan". I know I would hate to feel like a last resort. Thankfully, my parents are as calculating as I am and I have no doubt the plan will be executed perfectly. If it is, Aaron can choose what he wants to do in life, as long as my parents approve it and it doesn't damage our reputation.

I push through the crowds and make my way to the front of the line. The monitor scans my wrist and passes me through. I stand with my age category and wait for the representative to announce the reaping. I spot Reed sitting up on stage in the space reserved for mentors and past victors. He makes eye contact with me and nods slowly in encouragement a1s the representative begins the ceremony.

"The female tribute representing district 5 in the 5th quarter quell is….. Lena Gray!" I watch a girl who I assume is Lena detach herself from the crowd and walk up to the stage. She appears to be shaking, but those might just be my own nerves which seemed to have finally kicked in. "Moving along! The male tribute from district 5 is…" she shuffles around the papers in the glass bowl, "Brian Hethser!" I hear a woman shriek and a man shout something unintelligible that sounded like a curse. I assume they are Brian's parents. How thankful they will be when their son is relived of his death sentence.

I take a deep breath and announce loudly, "I volunteer as tribute!"

An audible gasp from the crowd reaches my ears. No one has volunteered in the last 15 years. In fact, I'm not sure if Reed volunteered. I march up towards the stage and try to subtly wipe my sweaty hands on my pants. As I said, I'm not good at being in front of a large group of people.

"OK Damian, we are all counting on you now," my father says the minute he comes into my visiting room, "you will win and give us the reputation we need to gain ranking in the Capitol."

Sometimes I wish I had a family that cared about me as more than a source of wealth and power. My parents are completely power-driven and dedicated to becoming gentry in the Capitol. If I can't win, Aaron will have to win and I can't put that much pressure on him. I have to win. My father's initial message is basically all I hear for the entirety of their visiting time. Towards the very end, my parents and sister all leave and Aaron is left alone with me.

"I hope you know that even if you don't win, I will still think you are one of the best people I know," he comforts, "I will still love you and though it will be hard, I think I could rise to fill your place."

"I do want you to win though, and return home safely." He reassured. This conversation is probably the longest I have had with him in several months, seeing as he rarely speaks.

"Thank you," I responded, hugging him, "But I plan to win!"