District 4 Reapings

(Coraline Seaver and Duck Snag)

Duck Snag (18) - D4

The waves crash against the rocky cliff with a sound like thunder. The spray flies through the air and I can feel the cold droplets on my skin. I inhale the sea air. I was never happier than when I was by the sea.

Footsteps sound on the path behind me and I turn around. Icicle, my girlfriend, is climbing towards me. She is still in her pajamas, a gray cami, and soft shorts with a tan knit cardigan wrapped around her shoulders. I hold out my hand and help her onto the rocks.

She yawns. "Good morning Duck." she kisses my cheek softly, having to stand on tiptoe.

"Good morning." I kiss her temple and stroke her blonde hair.

We stand in silence for a bit, enjoying the sunrise. I hold Icicle in my arms. I don't want to tell her, but I have to at some point. I can't just volunteer for the Hunger Games without telling my best friend.

"Icicle, I have to tell you something." I begin, loosening our embrace so I can look her in the eyes.

Worry flashed in her green eyes, nearly the same color as my own. "What?"

"No, I'm not breaking up with you," I say quickly with a chuckle.

She laughs. "Whew." She pretends to wipe her brow.

"I'm volunteering," I say, cutting off her laugh, which is probably the cutest sound I've ever heard.

"What?" Immediately on-guard, Icicle's face contorts with shock.

I nod. "I'm volunteering for the Hunger Games."

"But why?"

"The academy closed due to shortage of funds. They gave all of us boys at school the option to volunteer. I want to."

"But… why?" Icicle's eyes are brimming with tears.

I hug her close to my chest. "I'll come back. I promise. But, just look at what I could do if I won. I could get a house, have endless money, marry whoever I wanted."

"But what if you don't win?" She pulls away from me again. "I couldn't bear to lose you."

"You'd have Goose to take instead. He's still single ya know."

She laughs lightly, but it's not real. "I don't want you to go."

"But you knew I would do this right?" I try to pull her back to me.

She stubbornly stays out of arm's reach. "Yeah, I did kind of know." She shrugs. "I just didn't think that you would do it."

I sigh and shrug.

Icicle's eyes suddenly narrow and she stares me down hard. "You come back. You hear? I will break up with you if you don't." She bursts out laughing and I join her. Pulling her into a kiss, I stay there with my favorite girl in my arms until I hear Goose calling my name.

"Let's go lovebirds. We have to get ready!" He shouts from the bottom of the cliff path.

Icicle and I laugh and I hold her hand until we split ways to go home. I can't wait to go to the Hunger Games. It'll be quite an experience. I'd watched it for so many years, and everyone knows how wealthy the victors are. It's worth a shot, right?

I walk into the bright and airy house. My mother is making rice and eggs for breakfast at the stove, my father is watching the news, and my youngest brother Snapper is tying knots in a length of rope.

Goose punches me lightly on the shoulder. "How early did you leave?"

I shrug. "Not too long ago."

"Just making sure." Goose raises an eyebrow and walks away.

I stick my tongue out at him and go and ruffle Snapper's blonde hair.

Mother calls us to breakfast and we all sit around the table to eat. I'm so hay to have my family. They fully supported, if not right away, my decision to volunteer for the Hunger Games. Also, we were all close. Mother kisses Father right before me sit down, Snapper surprises us with some amazing facts about fish that he learned, and Goose is always teasing me. I couldn't ask for a better family.

We finish breakfast and head for the center of District 4. As we walk, my friend group slowly congregates around me. Brothers Salmon and Squid Walt come first. They bounce with endless energy.

"Did you decide?" Sal asks.

"Yes. I'm volunteering." I say with a grin. "Well, if nobody else does first."

"OMG. That's so cool." Squid and I fist bump.

Carol comes next. She's a good friend, but she only really hangs out with Squid. As soon as she, in all her fashionable glory, comes beside us, she immediately walks next to Squid. He doesn't seem to mind her doting on him. Last but not least, Slick comes up and high fives me.

"You ready?" He says with a sly grin.

All of this talk about it is starting to make me doubt my decision. Should I volunteer?

"Yeah," I say with a nonchalant shrug, hoping that no hesitation was noticeable.

We all arrive at the District square. Snapper leaves with Mother and Father and our friend group to move to the check-in table.

We're somewhat early, so the rush of children from the further reaches of the district hasn't come yet.

I turn around and catch Icicle's eyes. She's dressed in a beautiful, turquoise, sundress with a shell necklace around her neck. I'm dressed in a deep blue shirt and black jeans. I catch her in my arms and spin her around.

"You look gorgeous," I whisper in her ear.

"You look handsome." She whispers back and jumps away, taunting me.

I chase her back to the check-in table where we get signed in. Once inside, we stand in the middle of the rows of sections. I hold her hand and take a deep breath.

"You got this." Icicle turns my face to hers and kisses me gently. "See you after."

I want to hold onto her forever, but an influx of children has now arrived and the square is getting busier. I leave Icicle to stand in the 18-year-old boys' section. This should be easy, and fun. My only regret is not being able to see my family and friends for so long while I'm away.

Coraline Seaver (17) - D4

I lay in bed, taking deep breaths. Inhale, exhale, inhale-exhale, repeat. My eyes are closed, and last year's reaping lays through my head.

1 year ago…

I stand in between the other 15-year-olds. Every inch of me is trembling. I feel this fear, this pause that I'd been feeling for a while. Only this time, it's stronger than anything I've felt before. I can see Gavin and Conan in their age groups. I imagine what it would be like to have Wave back again. He had died in the Hunger Games, the very place I was going to go.

I knew I was ready. I was strong, agile, and skilled in many ways. I'd been training for years and was deemed ready. But, I couldn't unsee Wave's death. I couldn't unsee the faces of my family if I were to die. Everything in me warned me against going, but how could I stop?

The escort's hand reached into the bowl. "Lucille Deck."

A young girl steps forward, her eyes glancing around waiting for the volunteer.

My voice freezes. My brain freezes. Time seems to stop. I'm choking on the words that won't come out. I try, but I can't bring myself to say them. I can't bring myself to volunteer.

The escort moves on, and little Lucille's face twists in horror. I step forward, but even I know that it's too late. My hesitation caused her death. Everyone's eyes turned to me. I remember feeling like my heart would explode, and then I fainted...

I snap my eyes open. The scene disappears. I sit up suddenly. I have to volunteer. I have to. I have to avenge Lucille and Wave and every child who's ever died in the Hunger Games. I would prove that I wasn't something to be discarded or forgotten. I would become a victor and be famous. Maybe then, I could stop worrying so much.

The door opens a crack and Gavin peers in. "You gotta get up." He says and shuts the door again.

I sigh and drop my head into my hands. How would I tell my family? I climb out of my bed and walk out into the main room. Father and Mother are sitting at the table, eating breakfast and Conan is nowhere to be seen. Gavin sets a plate on the table and beckons me over.

"Took you a while to wake up, sleepyhead." He mutters and shoves me lightly.

"I'm volunteering for the Hunger Games," I say loudly. If I don't say it now, I'll second guess myself.

"You're what?" Conan's disbelieving voice says from behind me.

I turn around to face him. "I'm going to the Hunger Games. I'm going to do it this time. I have to fix our family name and avenge Wave."

Father and Gavin stare at me with open mouths. Mother stands up first.

"We understand, Cora." She hugs me to her and whispers in my ear, "I always knew you could do it."

I smile nervously. "Thanks Mom," I whisper.

Father stands up and takes my hand. "Are you sure, Coraline?" His eyes are concerned and my certainty wavers. "You might never return."

I nod slowly. "I'm sure."

Father nods. "I'll miss you Corabear." He hugs me, lifting me off the ground with his height and strength.

I laugh nervously. "The goodbyes aren't yet," I say, trying to come off as confident. "We'll say goodbye later."

Mother nods enthusiastically. "Well then, eat your breakfast and dress nicely for goodness sake. We want the whole district to appreciate you today. And," she adds quickly, "If not today, then someday. When you're a victor."

Her confidence is contagious, and I feel excitement and importance well up in me. I could be a star. A victor. I could be a celebrity. I wouldn't be considered worthless anymore. The thought is comforting and warms me to the core.

Conan sits at the table, his eyes are hidden behind his shaggy blonde mane.

"What's the matter, Conan?" Gavin asks.

Conan glares at me. "Do you not remember Wave? Or Lucille? You're never coming home if you go. How could you do that to us?" He stands up and marches to his room, slamming the door.

Sadness douses the warm spark of my confidence. How could I leave them? What if I never came home?

Mother pats my head. "Don't worry about Conan. He'll get over it."

I look at his closed door. Will he?

We all have to get ready then, so I hurry to my room to get dressed. I put on a short, light blue sundress and small white heels. I brush through my long, blonde hair and tie it back with a clip. I don't ever wear makeup, but I put on a little bit, for the cameras. I'm finishing getting ready when Gavin peers into my room.

"Can I come in?' He asks.

"Of course," I respond while brushing a stubborn knot from my hair.

Gavin holds up something in his hand. It sparkles in the light. I look closer and see that its a butterfly necklace.

"I was thinking that this could be your token. In the arena."

My heart nearly bursts as he clasps it around my neck. It's beautiful. I wonder where he got it from.

"I love it, Gavin." I ruffle his hair with one hand and hold the necklace with the other.

"Guys, we have to go!" Mother calls desperately.

Nervous butterflies erupt in my stomach. It's nearly time.

I follow my family out the door and we walk to the District square. Lots of kids have already gathered there and are splitting into their respective groups. Gavin runs off to join his group of friends quickly.

"See you soon!" He calls out after he runs off.

Conan is standing next to Mother, avoiding me. I try to brush it off, but it hurts. How come he doesn't believe in me? Do I believe in myself? I haven't trained in a year, I'm not mentally prepared, and I'm scared of dying. Of being made fun of. I try and push the thoughts away, but they stick in the back of my mind like a sea star, relentlessly holding on.

I quickly make my way to the group of people who I hang out with at school. I would hardly consider them friends, but they included me in their conversations, which is more than I can say for the rest of the district.

"Cora!" Lanie waves me over, her eyes sparkling.

Gorda looks my way and scrutinizes my outfit. "You look cute today, Cora." She smiles, but it looks more like a grimace. Alena, Jenny, and Brittany don't even glance at me and keep right on talking. I stand on the side and listen to their conversations. Lanie tried to include me every so often, but I didn't care to join in and the other girls didn't feel like including me. Anyway, my thoughts were occupied elsewhere.

Finally, I check in and stand, still surrounded by my group of "friends" in the 17-year-old section.

The escort steps out and begins the ceremony. My favorite part is when the past victors speak. Alon Coast won 3 years ago when he was only 15. Now, he's 18 and positively dreamy. I'm not the one to gush over boys, I'm too awkward and they can't stand me anyway. But Alon is different. Not only is he handsome as heck, with his dark, wavy hair and sparkling, blue eyes, but he is everything that I want to be. Popular, confident, strong, and kind. I feel a little weak when he starts talking.

Then, the bowls are brought out. The rush of doubts comes back and I feel the same drowning feeling that I felt the previous year. How easy it would be, to let someone else go. To stay with my family and live a lonely life in District 4. No. I didn't want that. I wanted to prove to myself, more than anyone, that I was capable and strong. The doubts were deafening, but I forced myself to mentally keep my head above the waves.

The female tribute's name was read and I basically scream, "I volunteer!"

Everyone turns to me, just like last year. I can feel the judgmental glances of everyone around me. THey part like the Red Sea as I walk out to the middle pathway.

"I volunteer as tribute," I say again, quieter, but more confident.

The escort looks surprised as I walk up to the stage. As I climb, I hear something arising from the crowd. They're booing me. Tears spring into my eyes as I face them. They're booing me, for volunteering. I fight back any emotion that threatens to show on my face. I would show them who I was. I would come back a changed person, and no one would ever boo me again.

Duck Snag (18) - D4

I watch the girl walk up to the stage. Everyone knows her. She's the girl who was supposed to go last year, and didn't Coraline is her name. I watch her with interest as she walks up to the stage. When the crowd starts booing her, I am appalled. Who would do that to someone?

The escort walks over to the boys' bowl and I ready myself and my voice for what's to come. The name is read and I shout confidently, "I volunteer!"

I step up onto the stage and stand next to the escort. The escort glances at me over her massive sunglasses.

"Shake hands." She whispers, her lips barely moving.

I shake hands with Cora, who meets my eye with surprising confidence. I smile and wink. She doesn't have to fear me. Not yet anyway.

Hello! I'm about to post a heck of a lot of chapters and I'll explain why. I like to get ahead, so I've had these chapters written for a while, but as I'm starting to plan the games out, I forgot about them. So, I'm posting these all right now and starting new at the chariot rides. I would like to thank MonkeyPower435 and Finnick18 for these tributes! I hope you enjoy the next few chapters!