"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Saigon Kane, 16, District 11 Female


The girl heaved over, bent over trying to catch her breath. A cool breeze washed over her as she finally took a deep breath. Running has always been part of her morning routine. The sun was just starting to rise over the horizon. Pinks and purples started to blend with orange and yellow.

She sat on an old tree stump, content to watch the sun rise. Blowing out a sigh, she fixed her ponytail quickly.

Reaping Day.

The thought had been lingering at the back of her head all week.

Her older sister had to constantly reassure her.

But, did she know how often her name was in there?

No.

But, this wouldn't be like last year's reaping, where she had less of a chance of getting picked.


Flashback:

"And the female tribute for the 99th Annual Hunger Games is.. Ruth Kane!"

From the back she could hear her mother sob out, and Saigon could only watch as her eldest sister, just turned eighteen, made her way onto the stage. She could feel fear building in her, and willed herself not to cry, she would do that at home. The goodbyes had been painful, tears silently falling down her face. She had given Ruth her necklace that she had given her when she was twelve, just before her first reaping. The necklace would serve as her token for the Games.

The chariot rides had been amazing. Saigon and her little sister Ellia, had ooo'ed and awe'ed over the different costumes. It was no surprise that they favored Eleven's costumes. Ruth was dressed in a top covered in pink flowers, that went to a pink white ombre skirt. Her shoes had been orange, and wrapped up to her knees in crosses. She wore a flower headpiece and looked simply beautiful.

The Interview was an emotional evening. Ruth talked about the promises she made to her, and how she would fight as hard as she needed to. Her and her partner, Will, had already allied up with the pair from district seven, Kingston and Luke.

The first few days of the Games had been rough. Almost instantly, the pair from seven were killed off by Careers. Ruth and Will narrowly escaped the bloodbath, managing to grab a couple bags and a knife.

Saigon had a hard time sleeping over the next couple weeks, often staying out in the living room. Sometimes she passed out instantly, other times, she stayed up until the early hours of the next day watching clips of the current Games as well as past Games. In the mornings she would go out for a quick run to clear her head before coming back to cook breakfast with what they had.

Will had made it to day twenty, when he was the last one killed before the final eight. The female from two had been the one to take him out, a simple knife to the back did it. He had been hunting for food, while Ruth was back at what they called their camp.

Interviews were done, and Saigon admitted that she was scared for her sister, but knew she was a strong person. Her mother had ended up bursting out into tears. The next day was Will's funeral, his mother a sobbing mess, as they lowered him into the pit in the cemetery.

With it now being the final eight, it got more intense to say the least. Now on her own, Ruth stayed hidden in a cave, until it was announced that there was to be a feast. Ruth went to it, and Saigon watched as her sister weaved her way through the forest. The only other person had been the female from two.

With no weapon, Ruth had a slim shot of winning if anyone came out her.

She snagged the bag, and was making her way back when the female from two slammed into her, sending them both flying to the ground. Saigon gasped in horror as she watched her sister get killed, all it took was one of the girls' knives. It was one apparently gifted to her by a sponsor, due to it being a clear glass looking one. The sick smile on her face would be embedded into the Saigon's memory forever.

At her sister's funeral, she returned the necklace, and all she remembered was getting it, and then collapsing as sobs racked her body.


Since that day, she vowed that she would avenge her sister's death. Shaking her head,she found that the sun had risen more than she would have liked it, and got up and started the run back home.

Her mother was finishing up on breakfast, as Ellia came down in her reaping outfit. Ellia had just turned twelve and Saigon feared for her. A kiss on the cheek from her mom, she headed upstairs, and into the bathroom. Sinking into the thankfully still warm water she started to wash the grime off her. Blowing out a sigh, she lifted her body up and wrapped her towel around her body.

Shutting the door quietly to her room, Saigon saw that her reaping outfit had been layed out for her. A green top and black pants, Ruth's old clothes. Taking a deep breath, she pushed those thoughts out of her head, and focused on the task at hand; getting ready for the reaping.

When she sat down at the table, it was almost time to go. Saigon quickly ate the bowl of oats and an apple before taking her dishes into the kitchen.

Deep Breath in

Deep Breath out.


Grasping Ellia's hand the teen placed her sister into the appropriate line. Thankfully one of Ellia's friends had shown up at the same time. Saigon went into her own line, making small talk with the girl in front of her.

After getting check in, she and the girl, who's name was Pine, found an open spot in their section and took it. The tone was quiet, a few small groups of people talking amongst themselves.

Leticia Spade made her way out, her 6 inch heels clacking against the wood of the stage. Her bright pink makeup blinding the eyes of the District. Saigon watched, disgust on her face as the woman made her way to the microphone.

"Welcome, Welcome to the Reaping for the 100th Annual Hunger Games. As always, we'll start with a video from the Capitol!"

"War, Terrible war…" Tuning out the video, Saigon picked at her nails. Her nerves were slowly building, as she saw how few slips were actually in the bowl. One of them might have her name on it.

"... and that is how we safeguard our future."

"Oh how I just love that video." Leticia grinned, as she almost carefully moved her way to the bowl holding the female names.

"The female tribute is Saigon Kane!"

And that was like a stab to the chest. The air was forced out, and she took in a deep breath. Saigon made her way through the line of girls and up the steps leading to the stage. Leticia had a sick smile on her face, as soon as she recognized the last name.

"And now for the male tribute!" her hand sank into the bowl, and finally selected a slip. "Irri Feldman!"

Saigon watched as a male made his way out of the sixteen year old section, a firm look on his face.

This was going to be interesting, to say the least.


The mood was somber as her mother and little sister walked in. Tears were already falling, and Saigon couldn't help but let a few fall down her own cheeks.

The whole world seemed to be against her at this point.

Her mother pulled her into a tight hug.

"You'll be okay." She whispered softly. Saigon nodded, tears falling down faster.

She knew her chances where going to be slim, at least for now. The other tributes would have a target for her, due to her lack of muscles.

"I hope I will be. Surely the other tributes will be strong than me though." She muttered out. Her mother let out a sigh.

"Spend training on weights, focus on survival skills."

"I will mother."

"You know I love you more than anything in the world, take the necklace as your token. That's what Ruth would have wanted."

"I know. And I know she'll be watching down on me."

Ellia crawled into her lap as soon as she sat down on the couch, her blue eyes filled with tears.

"Hey, hey. Everything is going to be okay."

"But what if isn't"

"It will be. I'm gonna try to win. For you, mother, and for Ruth." Ellia hugged her tighter.

"I'll be good while you're gone, promise." A smile lifted onto Saigon's face, and she choked out a watery laugh.

"Help out when she needs it, keep up with school. If I don't make it back, there's letters for both of you in my top dresser drawer. "

"I love you"

"I love you more."

"I love you most."


Letting out a held breath, she stepped onto the train, one thought strong in her mind.

For Ruth.


And we're finally done with the reapings!

I can't believe that we have made it this far into the story. I should be starting on the train rides later during Sunday and try to get it done by monday. For the train rides I have Marble, River, Diamante and Bead.

Here's the update scedule for the next couple chapters

Train Ride part one; by 4/13

Train Ride part two; by 4/16

Make over/Chariot ride; by 4/22

Training Day one; by 4/30

I am hoping to have them up quicker but those are the rough estimate of the dates I'll have them up by.

read and review

theflowercrowns