I hope you're all liking the reapings and the tributes so far, those that have contributed I hope you're liking your tributes competition. Anyway that aside I hope you enjoy District Ten's Reaping!
District Ten Reaping
Mykal Duncan
I miss my dad quite a lot. I don't think my two best friends Syrup and Tyra really understand that babbling on about their own dad's is making me remember my own ... I wish he hadn't died. He was the only one that made money, mum was busy being a house wife and me, Caden my brother and my little sister Caroline were too young to take up a job but a year later Caden started working and food began to grace our tables again, nice food not that tesserae that we always got when Caden would sign up for some every year. I'm not allowed, Caden had made me promise not to on my first reaping, well today will be my fourth and I've stuck to that promise and haven't signed up for some this year.
"Yeah anyway my dad is totally great and got me this nice little dress for the reaping." Syrup says, giggling away like the immature girly girl she is. I love her for that, Tyra is more tomboyish and shy and I've been called weird and caring which I like.
"My dad got me this dress." Tyra says, standing up from our dining room table and giving us a little twirl. He pink dress looks really pretty actually, much better than my black one, I had to tear off some old clothes and sew it over the large holes in my dress. Although Caden works we don't earn loads and my clothes are quite worn out. Better than wearing rags like I had to for a year, before anyone in our family started to work to get us some money.
"That's really pretty Tyra." Syrup says giggling again and giving me and Tyra a little twirl in her beautiful purple sequin dress. People try to get all dressed up for the reapings, I hate that they expect you to look so nice on something like a reaping. A day like today you should be able to wear whatever you like, for all you know it might be your unlucky day.
"Where's Caroline, Caden and your mum?" Syrup asks, sitting back down in the little, cracked chair.
"Mum took them to the reaping early, Caroline and Caden are helping her set up some stuff. Mum said I didn't need to help her because I had a late night last night."
"My mum and dad are helping too, the peacekeepers can't be asked to help out, they leave it to the volunteers."
"Well they're peacekeepers what do you expect." Tyra says, we all pause then together burst out laughing. This is where I like to be, with my two best friends just talking. If it wasn't a constant worry that someone was listening in we would say what we really thought on the Games and the Capitol. Every child is like that I think, unless they like the Games that is.
"You know we should probably bet going, I hate being late." Syrup says, standing up and twirling again. It doesn't annoy me, I quite like that I'm the least fashionable, it makes me different which I've been called on several occasions. Tyra's second to get up and then I am. I glance over at the small framed picture of my dad and give him a smile. He was reaped when he was my age, another fourteen year old volunteered for him. He never forgot that and neither have I. That brave guy won as well, I thank him whenever I see him. I have to, if it wasn't for that man I wouldn't be here. Before leaving through the door one by one we all gaze in the mirror. After Tyra combs her black hair with her fingers I do the same but instead of black hair I have auburn, something I inherited off my dad.
"Let's go." I say and together we leave my house and set off for the reaping.
Keldon Peak
"Quick he'll be here any minute." Quinton my twelve year old brother says. I hurry and place the whoopie cushion under my dad's cushion on his favourite chair and barely able to hold in the laughter me and Quinton hurry upstairs.
"Hey dad." We both say as we pass him on the stairs.
"What's up?" He says looking at us with his eyebrows raised. We bite our lips to not burst out laughing and carry on into my room. Normally I wouldn't let Quinton into my room but whenever we play a prank on someone I always do. I can't really ask Caylah my sixteen year old sister, she's so serious and she spends most of her time either in her room or staring at the window hoping Caden Duncan walks past our house. I like Caden, he's a nice guy but the reason I like him is because of his sister Mykal. I've had a crush on her for some time now and the best thing about it all is I think she likes me to. Whenever I'm looking at her I catch her eye and she blushes, and sometimes I catch her looking at me as well. But I'm not the bravest guy in the world, I haven't got the guts to go up and ask her face to face to go out or something. So I have a crush on her from a distance instead.
"Well look what I found!" We hear dad shout from downstairs, my eyes widen and I look at Quinton who's staring at the door. Bloody hell dad ... he's too smart for us now.
We hear his footsteps and then watch with shock as the door flies open and the whoopie cushion comes flying through the air and smacks me right in the face.
"OW!" I shout, I fling it back at him and rub my cheek where it hit me. He laughs, catches it and gives us the goofiest grin he can make.
"Enough mucking around, Quinton go to your room and get changed it's your first reaping today and I am not having you look a mess. Keldon you always look a mess so try and make your hair at least look a bit neater." He gives me another goofy grin and then leaves.
My hair doesn't look bad I think to myself, looking in the mirror on my wall. Okay my dark brown hair is a bit messy but I can't ever get it to go neat, it's like it has a mind of its own. Quinton laughs at me before leaving and closing the door behind him. I chuck a pillow at the door just to pretend that he was still in my room and then frantically start patting my hair down.
Mykal is going to be there and I have to look nice for her, every year I turn up looking scruffy and if I want her to come up and actually talk to me I can't look like a mess. With a few more attempts I make some progress, the bits of brown hair that usually stick up are down, it's just my fringe over my amber brown eyes that's a bit scruffy. Oh well, Mykal's hair sticks out a bit so we balance eachother out.
I straighten my red tie, tuck my shirt into my trousers, tie my laces and then leave and walk down the stairs. Caylah pushes past me and out the front door without even wishing us good luck, mum is at the square helping alongside Mykal's mum, and dad and Quinton are standing in the hallway tapping their feet waiting for me.
"You got changed quick."
"Yeah, you should do something about that smell if you want Mykah to notice you." Quinton laughs and dives to avoid my hand. I'll get him later.
"Good luck today anyway. I'm going to go and find Gino. I'll see you afterwards." I give dad and Quinton a quick hug and before either of them can wish me good luck I'm out the door. I don't need luck, I doubt it will be me this year.
Mykal Duncan
Syrup and Tyra stand next to me holding hands. Tyra offered me her hand but I want to look strong, if I am reaped I can't look weak or else no sponsors for me. The square is still pretty empty except for some kids who are standing anxiously in their sections or the people at the back, finished with setting everything up. On the stage is a chair for the Mayor when he finishes talking and Wendy Twinkles starts the official reaping. Caden smiles at me as he takes his place in the seventeen year old section, he looks tired after setting everything up. I twist my head to look at mum and Caroline, both staring at the stage with blank expressions on. The reaping terrifies them I know it, Caroline because she knows she'll be here in two years and mum because of the whole business with my dad getting reaped. She hates to think that if Stelios hadn't have volunteered she never would have met dad and never would have had her 'beautiful' children as she likes to call us. I know that deep down she prefers Caden, they have a deeper bond than we share, whether that's because he's the oldest or he did the most to support our family I don't know. But they'll always be closer than me and Caroline can get to mum.
Looking around I can see that the Square has begun to fill with people, Caylah the girl that likes Caden runs over and as always begins staring at Caden from her section with the sixteen year olds. Then comes Keldon, the guy that I kind of like. I mean I don't love him or anything, but have a crush on ... definitely. I wish he would just talk to me though, I get too nervous to go up to him. He takes a place a few spaces behind me and gives me a smile. I feel my cheeks go warm so I turn around. Everyone stops talking the second Mayor Brass walks onto the stage, his usual moody self. I prepare myself for ten minutes of pure agony having to listen to his boring voice drone on. He welcomes us all and then starts by giving us all a little speech about the dark days, then why the Hunger Games happen and some other stuff in between. He finishes finally and takes his seat on the stage, his head falls in his wrinkly hand and I swear it looks as if he's fallen asleep. Someone from the twelve year old section points it out to his friend but stops straight away as Wendy takes the Mayor's place centre stage.
"All I can say Mayor Brass is that you have your way with words!" She claps a bit too excitedly and gives us all a wave. Has his way with words! Is she having a laugh or is she mentally insane, probably the latter actually.
"Welcome all of you to the 150th reaping, I shall begin right now as I know that every single one you cannot wait!" She claps again and hurries over to the female reaping ball. I know she's only faking being happy, everyone knows she hates being the escort for District Ten, she wants a better district. Without even giving us a moments breath she plucks a piece of paper from the ball and unfolds it quickly.
She just wants this over and done with, it's pretty obvious.
"Mykal Duncan!"
Tyra and Syrup turn to me and instantly start crying, I know neither of them will volunteer but that's alright. Surprisingly I manage to walk, I smile half heartedly at them both, then at Keldon and walk onto the stage. I see Caden staring at me, not crying, not really doing anything. I can't see mum and Caroline in the crowd but I bet they're crying or something, this must be bringing some bad memories back for mum.
"Nice to meet you darling." She says shaking my hand firmly in her own.
"The Duncan family please step forward ... who are you going to pick!" I don't even get a second to consider my options. Caden pushes through someone in front of him and sticks his hand up.
"Me, Mykah's taking me! I volunteer!" This must be doubley as hard for mum now, both her children in the Games. I don't protest, in fact if I think about it I would probably have chosen Caden in the first place.
But do I want to win that's the question, if I do that means he'll have to die. I don't want him to die, but I don't want to die either.
What do I do?
Keldon Peak
How can this be happening?
Mykal reaped, her brother Caden volunteering to go with her. Both my crush and my sister's crush going in the Games. Obviously I want Mykal to win now but I don't want Caylah to be heartbroken. She may be a bit weird and serious but she's still my sister. Wendy starts talking to them for a bit before turning away from them and smiling at us all.
"Well that was the female reaping and what a wonderful outcome!"
I wonder how many people here want to smack that smile off her face ... I know I want to and I bet Caylah does as well.
"Now let's move on to picking our male tribute. I hope this turns out as good as the female reaping."
I want her to define good ... having a brother and sister chucked into an Arena having to battle 46 others and then themselves because only one can survive. Seems pretty horrible to me.
"Keldon Peak!"
W-What! I don't move at first, I'm not even sure if she just said my name, maybe it was Sheldon Ceet the boy in Caylah's class. Yeah it was definitely him. I don't move smiling at how stupid I just was. But why's no one moving, why is everyone looking at me.
"Move Keldon!" Syrup says, the annoying spoilt girl who's friends with Mykal. Oh, she did say my name.
I focus on putting one foot before the other because right now I'm too shocked and if I don't concentrate I'll fall over. I look at everyone as I pass, some are looking at me with sympathetic expressions, others not really showing much emotion and then I catch Quinton. His eyes are glistened with tears, one falls down his cheek and hits the ground with a tiny splash. I didn't get him back, I remember. Oh well, when we say goodbye I don't think that's the best time. It's sad that I won't see him again. There's no way I can win. I make it to the stage and this time Mykal flings her arms round my neck. She smells of strawberries, it's nice. She pulls away and we smile for what seems forever until the world comes crashing back and I realise I still have to pick a family member.
"Isn't that sweet. The Peak family step forward please!" First of all Quinton in the twelve year old section takes a step forward, then Caylah and then mum and dad at the back. Only Quinton looks like he's crying but from here I can't really see mum and dad. Maybe they are. Let's think about this ... no way am I taking Quinton, mum or dad would be the logical choice as I could easily win against them but I don't want them to die. I have to pick someone who actually stands a chance ... that leaves Caylah.
"Caylah Peak!" I shout, amazed at the fact my voice didn't waver. I thought I would be more scared than this. The initial shock has subsided which is good I suppose. Caylah doesn't look surprised, she must have known from the second I was reaped it would be her. She walks on the stage and gives Caden a sweet little look before hugging me. I don't find it awkward this time, I've just basically killed her in a sense, it's nice to know she isn't angry with me.
"Bye everyone!" Wendy hurries off stage and two peacekeepers escort us into the Justice Building to await mum, dad and Quinton.
"I'm glad you picked me Keldon, I didn't want Quinton or mum and dad to go." Caylah smiles at me, she takes a seat on my chair and we hug mum and dad as they come barging through. Neither of them are crying, only Quinton at the back. We stay silent hugging until mum hands Caylah a bracelet.
"It's a charm bracelet, wear it as your token." Mum sniffles and hugs her. Quinton now squeezes through and puts his head on my knees.
"Come home, one of you, you have to."
I hate that he says one ... I know that only one can win but it's horrible to think that they won't see both of us alive again, they'll see both of us dead probably. That's what's likely to happen.
"Keldon take this." Caylah says, although she's coming with me she takes out from her pocket a woven ankle bracelet. I smile at her and put it on before giving them all a hug and watching mum, dad and Quinton leave as a peacekeeper comes in.
We don't get a seconds rest before we're taken to the train station and ordered into it. Mykal gives me another hug. If one thing positive can come out of this it's that at least I'm brave enough to hug her.
