Second to last reaping! You guys excited? I am! :D I never would have made it this far without you guys. Your encouragement and involvement has inspired me so much :3
I know it's weird that I put these two together but Reapings were starting to drag and I really need to get on with the Games or my interest in the story will die :P
O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O
Diana Holten – District 13
Diana jogged through the plain boring hallways of District 13. All grey, everywhere. Uhg. At least the Reapings are outside. She knew that was an odd way to think, but they rarely got to go outside, and never beyond the fences. Nor did they ever have time to stare out through the fences and day dream about the adventures one might have. They were always training. Even though they lost the rebellion and the Capitol hated it, District 13 was still as orderly and strict as ever. They were probably one of the most healthy Districts out there, besides the career Districts of course.
Bright sunlight hit her face as he finally emerged from the cavernous cage that was District 13. Her best friend Nolan was waiting for her at the surface, a grim smile on his pale face. She was pale as well, they all were. It is what comes from being cooped up in a cage all the time. Besides them all being pale, they were all fit. Muscle was dominant on all of their bodies, some less than others but none of them were fat. It was an interesting site, more like a movie set than real life.
"Hi Nol!" She called brightly, not the slightest bit worried about the people turning to glance at her.
"Diana, hush. You aren't supposed to be happy on reaping day." He scolded, but she couldn't take him seriously when the corner of his mouth turned up in a small smile. She hugged onto his arm and dragged him into the forming crowd. The sun was shining brightly, only a few wisps of clouds to be seen. The wind stirred her red curly hair around her as she stared off into the trees. It was so dark and mysterious out there. I wonder what the other Districts are like? Nolan elbowed her in the side as the Reaping began. Standing before the audience was District 13's escort. This escort was like no other because for one he was a man. The other reason was his attire. He dressed entirely in black, as if for a funeral. And he was old, and very intimidating. Some called him the Raven, but most gave him the nickname The Grim Reaper.
But even he could not keep her attention. During all the speeches that droned on, she gazed off into the forest. Her interest was spiked when she saw something move. Hiding among the undergrowth was a rabbit, a white rabbit. It seemed to be staring right back at her. How interesting.
.
.
.
Kanoi "Kai" Williams – District 13
Kai groaned as he sat up. His 2 year old nephew, Luke, was standing by his bed grinning.
"Hi Luke." Kai said grudgingly, but that face was too cute to be angry with. Then he realized that the little boy was fully dressed in his fairly nice clothes.
Kai sighed and flew out of bed in one swift movement, grabbing his nice clothes and shooing his nephew out of his room. Well, not his room, he shared it with his little sister who he supposed was already dressed and ready to go. Kai was tall, very tall. He towered over most people and it made him stand out. It also made it horribly hard to find clothes that fit him. The worn black slacks he had were too short, but at least the grey polo shirt fit. His bright green eyes reflected back at him in the clean mirror, a stark contrast to all the grey around him. He ran a hand through his honey coloured hair, which did nothing to tame it as usual. He sighed, and ran back out the door. He was late, and no one had bothered to wake him up.
Around the corner, down the hall, take a right then up the stairs. Kai emerged from the grey abyss into the blinding sunlight. Everyone was already there. The Grim Reaper, the District escort, was already on stage staring down his vulture like beak- erm... nose at the audience.
"If you would be quiet, we shall begin the ceremony." The crowd grew deathly silent.
.
.
.
Diana Holten – District 13
Finally, the vulture like man ended his long customary speech, and without any theatrics or flourishes he stalked over to the women's Reaping bowl. At this point Diana was standing as close to the males section as she could, holding Nolan's hand. They had no romantic connections, but she was scared and needed that small comfort. Tension hung in the air as thick as rain clouds as his wrinkled hand snatched a slip of paper from the bowl. Not a sound was made as he unfolded the paper, not even the sound of breathing. Without emotion, without the blink of a pale eyelid, he announced the name of District 13's next female victim.
" Diana Holten." Diana's heart stopped. No. No. It can't be. Not her. Why her? Nolan's hand gripped hers with enough force that it should have broken. Numb. Nothing but numbness surrounded her like being plunged into a freezing lake. Nothing. She forced her legs to move. She felt none of the steps she took, looking down at her feet the whole way. No. There has to be some mix up. Why her?
.
.
.
Kanoi "Kai" Williams – District 13
Kai watched with sympathy as the bright girl climbed the stairs to the stage. He stood quietly, with everyone else who was standing quietly. No one would lift a finger. No one would save her. And she knew it, judging by the hopelessly defeated look in her green-blue eyes. How unfortunate. She was one of the rare rays of sunshine that leaked into their dreary district. Kai didn't know her personally, but everyone knew who she was. She was bright, sometimes obnoxious, but it was almost welcome. He let out a small sigh, keeping his face arranged in a blank stare.
The vulture then swooped across the stage to the boy's Reaping bowl. The tall boys heart sped up. The next few minutes seemed to go by in flashes.
His name was called. His heart seemed to stop. Then he was on the stage feeling like he was going to puke. His little sister's eyes filled with tears. A grim attempt at smiling plastered on his face. A calm composer. Brief eye contact with his older brother Vance. And then he was sitting in the makeshift Justice building, waiting.
O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O~o~O
I'm going to say, before yall get ideas, that no the Grim Reaper crack wasn't a clue to the arena, that was just me with my morbid sense of humor xD I know this chapter was odd, but it gave me a break from the same old reaping format. So, question of the chapter:
Out of all the tributes, who do you think has the best chance of winning the Games?