"The citizens in the Capitol are probably more brainwashed than anything else. They have been raised since they were born to accept the way things are, and go along with it, even enjoy it. It's not their fault they don't know any better; it's all they've ever known."

Morgan Galloper, 16, District 10 Female

"Stop struggling!" the rough voice whispered into her ear, as her arms and legs made a feeble attempt to free herself from the man's grasp. His grip on her throat tighten even more. Her breath came out in sharp grasps. The girl watched helplessly as they pulled her horse into the trailer. Her voice had gone quiet the minute his hands contracted around her throat. From a distance, she could see and hear someone yelling for them to get her hands off her.

Her father.

He must of been screaming or yelling but Morgan couldn't hear it over the sound of her pumping blood in her ears. The spots grew bigger in her vision and at the last second, the arms around her throat dropped, and her legs gave out. She hissed as her hands and knees scraped against the ground as she fought to hold herself up. She could hear the peacekeeper talking roughly to her father, telling him to keep control of the wild child. Her father had pulled her into his arms, whispering words of comfort into her ears as he brought her into the house. Her mother, who had seen the encounter going on, had already gotten the first aid supplies ready. Vanessa calmed her daughter, as she wiped down her cuts and scrapes, telling her that it would be alright, and that she could /would/ be okay.

Over the next couple months, the girl managed to get three jobs, which she was most grateful for. One was working on a poultry farm, where she would feed the chickens and collect the eggs. The second one was at a dairy farm where she fed and milked the cows. She managed to get the last one at a sheep farm, where she would herd them on a horse with the help of one or more of their dogs, as well as other people (she would also help with shearing whenever the time came). These jobs kept her busy, occupying both her body and mind, and definitely aided in a good night's sleep. It worked for a while. A long while actually. It wasn't until a couple years later when she just stopped thinking about of him,but some nights she would think of him, and prayed that he was still alive and was doing well. At the same time, was when the nightmares started to happen. They would be about being choked, only this time, would be to death. She had just turned fourteen and had gotten home from school to see Jace, in his old pen, and the tears instantly started falling. Now, at the age of 16, she had everything going right, but Reaping Day was approaching.

That's where she was now.

With a jolt, the teen awoke, shivering slightly. First nightmare in months, but she wasn't surprised. Today was the day she always dreaded, Reaping Day. Blowing out a sigh, she layed back down, pulling the covers tighter around her. All she wanted to do was roll over and go back to bed.

She could hear her mother shutting the door to her parents' room, most likely to go and get started with the day. Morgan had been given the day off from her jobs, most likely to spend time with family and to get herself ready for the Reaping. Glancing at the sky, and just seeing the sun starting to rise, she knew she would have to get up soon if she wanted to get everything that she had planned, done before the reaping.

Morgan knew that her chances of getting picked were one in a million, well not literally. But, the chance was low enough that she shouldn't worry. But here she was, worried. Morgan shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts from her mind. She could focus on that some other time, now she needed to get up, and start her day.

Pulling herself out of bed, she switched into a pair of pants and a shirt before pulling her hair up and out of her face. She grabbed a scarf that her mother gave her, and wrapped it around her neck. She absolutely hated the markings on her neck. They stood out, and staring at them always brought back memories of that day. After making her bed, Morgan slipped out of her room, shutting the door behind her softly. The house was warm, and she could smell her mother's cooking, and instantly her stomach growled. Her mother pressed a kiss to her head as she came into the kitchen, a cup of coffee already at her spot. The table had already been set, and Morgan blew out a sigh as she took the first sip of coffee. Her father joined them a few minutes later.

Her father dropped a kiss onto her forehead as he moved to sit in his spot, and her mother bringing dishes out from the kitchen and onto the table. After a quick prayer, they started eating, their focus turned to reaping day. Morgan wasn't that all nervous, her chance of being picked was statistically low enough for her to not worry. Her parents eyes turned to her, and her mother asked her how she felt about today being reaping day. Swallowing the bite of eggs, Morgan leaned back and responded.

"I mean, anything could happen today. Whatever happens, happens." She spoke softly, "I am a tad bit nervous though."

"That's to be expected, two more after this though!" her mother replied, a prideful look in her eyes. "Two more than you're safe."

Breakfast was finished quickly, and after being shooed out of the kitchen, Morgan made her way out of the house. The district was quiet, a few people here and there milling about but for the most part everyone was inside trying to soak in the last few hours they had before the reaping. Morgan headed out and into the stables, grabbing the food needed for the horses. She fed all of them, and checked their water and hay as well before stopping and opening Jace's stall. It was only here that she let herself voice her thoughts.

"Today's reaping day, and normally I wouldn't be nervous but I don't know. There just this feeling in my gut that says that it's going to be me this year. But who knows." She spoke as she reached over and grabbed the brush and started brushing his mane. Jace had always been the one she could talk to, even though he didn't understand what ever it was that she was saying.

"And I just know that if it is me, then my chances of coming back are slim." The teen blew out a sigh, as she replaced the brush and leaned into the horse. "At least you'll still be taken care of." The horse snorted, and pushed his head against her hand. The bell in the center of town rang as it hit eight in the morning, and giving Jace a last pet, Morgan headed out again.

Humming softly under her breath, she took the familiar path that connected all of her jobs, stopping first at the dairy farm, waving to the workers as she passed on her way to the office area. Knocking slightly, she walked in, and shut the door behind her. Her boss, Rita smiled softly at her.

"Good Morning Morgan."

Morgan smiled, her eyes going from Rita to the floor before she finally spoke.

"I just wanted to come by and say thank you. For taking me in when you did and everything you've done for me. I wish you luck with the farm, just in case I get picked and don't come back."

Rita stood, and pulled Morgan carefully into a soft hug.

"You've been nothing short but amazing here, and I do hope it isn't you that gets picked. But if it does happen, you have the skills and mindset to win it all."

Morgan wiped the tears that threatened to fall as she pulled back, plastering a smile onto her face.

"I'll try my hardest."

At eight thirty in the morning, Morgan had finished her goodbyes, and headed back to her house. Knowing that she only had about ten minutes left before she had to go get ready, she grabbed her knives from their spot as she made her way into the back yard.

She blew out a breath as she parted her legs a bit, grabbed one of the knives, leaned back a bit and threw it. Knife throwing had always been one of her ways to get her anger or anxiety out, and today would be no different. As each knife embedded itself into a nearby tree, a small piece of anxiety flew away.

She could do this.

"Morgan, time to get ready." She could hear her mother call for her. Placing the knives back in their spot, Morgan went inside, as her mother closed the door behind them.

"Go shower and get ready, we have to leave in twenty."

Making sure her hair was as dry as it could get, Morgan reached over and grabbed her favorite blue blouse, and tugged it over her head. She pulled out her brush from her dresser drawer and started to pull it through her hair. She separated it into two sections and started to braid it, giving her hands something to do. Slipping her pants up her legs, she pulled a white scarf from her collection, and knotted it around her neck.

Glancing up, she fixed the few stray hairs that were out of place before turning her attention to finding her shoes. Her dad popped his head in, as she was tidying up her room, a smile on his face.

"It's time to go."

Hand in hand, the trio made their way along with a couple of Morgan's parents friends down the street. The teen bit her lip every couple of seconds, a nervous habit that she had picked up when she was younger. Her mother squeezed her hand tightly, as they parted ways.

Morgan got in line, smiling softly to a few girls that she knew as she waited to get checked in. The peacekeeper that pricked her finger was a tad rough, she noted as she wiped the blood away as she quietly made her way to an open spot in the 16 year olds.

There was a nervous energy in the air, as the younger kids looked terrified, and the older ones just wanting this to be over with. A few minutes later, their escourt of five years, Zeus came out. He walked with a purpose, and Morgan just shook her head.

"Welcome, Welcome. It's time for the Reaping for the One Hundredth Annual Hunger Games!" His voice crooned out, as a stretched smile overtook his face. "As always, let us start with a video from the Capitol!"

"What a lovely video, I just love that last part, what about y'all?" You could hear a pin drop in the silence. Laughing slightly, the man went over to the bowl that held the female names -the few that were in it- and reached and grabbed the first one he touched.

"The female that will represent District Ten in this years games, is Morgan Galloper!" From somewhere behind her, said girl could hear someone scream out, -most likely her mother.- as she forced herself to move from her spot. She bit down on her lip as she climbed the stairs that lead up to the stage.

The air became more tense as she cast her gazed out onto the people of District Ten, as Zeus moved on to the male bowl. Clearing his throat, he spoke once more.

"The male tribute is Django Hernandez!" Morgan watched as a the male made his way, shoving his hair into a more neat style as he climbed up the stairs. The girl locked eyes with him, as they shook hands before being led to the City Hall.

"You have twenty minutes." The peacekeeper that was leading her spoke, as she was practically shoved into the room. Morgan twisted her hands together as she started to pace the length of the room. A couple minutes later, the door opened and her parents walked in, eyes shining with tears. She collapsed into their arms, trying to hold back the tears that were about to fall.

"I'm scared. Like, actually properly scared Momma." She whispered out, throat closing as tears started to fall.

"I know baby, i know. You're going to be okay. I promise." Her mother ran her hand up and down her back, hugging her a bit tighter.

"If there's anyone I know that could win it, it's you Morg. You're determined, you have a spark in you that's waiting to erupt. Just trust your gut, listen to your mentor and you'll be okay." Her father spoke softly. Morgan cleared her throat and pulled away and sat in between them. She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees.

"But what if, what if I don't make it? What if someone overpowers me?" She questioned.

"You have a 1 in 24 shot of making it, and your mother and I just know that you'll make it at least to the top eight. You have something that a lot of others don't; Hope."

After making sure that all of her animals would be taken care of, she heard a knock on the door and a firm "It's time to go."

"Wait, before you go, for your token." Vanessa reached into her pants pocket and pulled out a silver locket and opened it.

"So you always have us. We love you Morgan, forever and always." Pressing one last kiss, Vanessa watched as Morgan was let away, and prayed to whatever god was out there, that she would come back a Victor.

It was Time.

To show her fire

Her worth

Her determination

She would /could/ do this.

A/N

TheFlowerCrowns here with part one of District in a long waited update. I apologize for my sudden departure, life just go and I lost all motivation for this. I also started up college again, but luckily it is all online for this semester, which means more time to work on this!

But, I'm back and here to stay, though updates might be slow for the last few reapings. I will be spending more time focusing on making my writing better and chapters longer as well.

Leave your review on what you think of Morgan, and a huge thanks to LunaRose2468 for Morgan, I absolutely loved writing her. I hope I did her justice.

TheFlowerCrowns.