A white button slipped out of his shirt. Helios blinked and readjusted it. He looked at himself in the mirror and grimaced in disgust: he felt like a gift bag.
It was Reaping Day. Helios turned those words, "Today is Reaping Day, today is Reaping Day" over and over in his head, but the more he did it, the more he couldn't make sense of them. How long had he been watching the Hunger Games? Years, no doubt. A few though; when he was little he would hide under the couch when the television came on. It was all absurd.
- Helios- his father called him to the front door. He was holding Artemis's hand, fiddling with the ribbon on her little dress. Tiberius was wide-eyed, as if he didn't believe where he was taking his children.
- Hi Mom!- exclaimed Artemis shaking his hand in the direction of Magdalene, lying on the sofa. She swallowed and smiled with difficulty. Then she looked at her eldest son.
- Helios...- she began but did not finish the sentence.
- I know, mum- said the little boy and then went out followed by his father and his little sister.
Magdalene looked at him bitterly.
- I'm sorry...- she murmured. But she knew Helios would never believe her.
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Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch walked quickly through the aisles, the boy a little further back than the other two. The train ride had been terrifying: it had been hot and Peeta had been silent, frowning, the entire time as Haymitch and Katniss tried to fit him into their conversations. Effie hadn't returned his calls.
- Look who's back!- exclaimed Johanna. She was standing in the doorway of the room where the three of them were headed. She was talking to Enobaria. - Welcome to the party - she added sarcastically.
They greeted each other with embarrassment because Peeta didn't seem to be able to stand the presence of anyone. All five of them entered the room: a long oval table was in the middle; Paylor, Plutarch and Annie were talking in the corner while Beetee was curved in his wheelchair, his eyes lost in the void.
- Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch- Plutarch greeted them, motioning them to sit down. When everyone was seated, Paylor began to speak.
- We have called you together in view of the 76th Hunger Games - she said - Since the vote for these Games was yours, it seemed only right that, how should we say - she looked at Plutarch and then back at the winners - you would monitor them.
- Are you asking us to take the place of the Gamemakers? asked Annie in horror.
- Not really - said Plutarch - I don't need to explain that this edition is particularly special, and some peculiarities of the previous Hunger Games should be revised. We believe that for example, the Cornucopia should be kept but not everyone is convinced about the gifts of possible sponsors.
Silence fell.
- Well the Cornucopia is an essential place, besides the fact that normally there is a good bloodbath- said Enobaria, earning a glare from Peeta.
- I wouldn't put the sponsor gifts - Johanna said - They risk being too much if the sponsors take pity on them and too little if they are cruel. Nobody enjoys the Hunger Games where the tributes die after two days.
- To take them away completely would be wrong - Annie said - If not the gifts, let's find another way, I don't know, suggestions -
- Yes, like an indication on the edibility of a food - proposed Plutarch, enlightening himself - The value of the advice is equal to the cost it involves. Good Annie-
The girl looked at him indecipherably and then dropped into her chair.
- What do you say to the parade of floats and the interview?-
- I'll abolish them - mumbled Haymitch - Unless you have a stylist and a presenter available.
- I think that's the funniest part- said Johanna. -Showing them all dressed up before they die. That's what they did to us, right?
- It's not necessary if the Districts just want to see them die- Katniss said, looking at Peeta, who looked away. Beetee leaned against the back of his wheelchair, still with an indifferent expression on his face
- Perfect. Cornucopia yes, interviews and parade no, suggestions instead of gifts- listed the ex-Headgamemaker.
- The Reaping? - asked Katniss, swallowing.
- It starts in ten minutes- answered the Paylor - If you want to watch it with us-.
Everyone nodded, except Beetee, who without saying anything began to move to leave the room.
- Beetee - Paylor called him back, nervous. The winner of 3 stopped, without turning around.
- We would like you to join our group of Gamemakers- said the woman.
The inventor did not answer immediately.
- If it will help to avoid to those children an atrocious death - he said finally - I accept-.
He went out, leaving behind a tense silence. Johanna exhaled sharply to break it and stood up
- Let's watch this damn Reaping- she said, heading for the screen.
Both Haymitch and Katniss looked again at Peeta, who was talking quietly to Annie.
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Jendy's hand was sweaty. Lyssa could tell by the way her friend was trying to dry it on the little dress Effie had made her wear.
- We don't necessarily get chosen- she mumbled, taking her hand. Jendy nodded unconvinced, tightening her grip. Lyssa turned to look at her aunt, barely visible in the crowd. Effie tried to smile at her but only managed a frightened grimace.
- If you were to enter the Arena...- Lyssa mumbled.
- Don't even think about it - Jendy interrupted her
-If I have to enter the Arena- continued her friend undaunted- Tell your aunt that I love her very much-
The other one nodded.
- That goes for me too- she said.
The attention of the crowd was drawn to the stage built in front of the gates of the former presidential villa: a woman in a gray uniform took the floor at the microphone.
- Ladies and gentlemen- she said - today we will be collecting eighteen tributes from the children in front of me.
The people looked at each other confused. Eighteen tributes?
- We will proceed by calling first the name of a girl - she pointed to the bowl on his right - and then the name of a boy - she pointed to the bowl on his left.
Everyone held their breath while the woman's hand fished in the bowl looking for the first card. She chose one, opened it and read
- Karoline Opkins-
A cry of pain went up from the crowd of adults. A girl about fifteen years old stepped forward trembling, her gaze focused on the ground. She stepped onto the stage and stood to the woman's right. This one headed toward the male bowl.
- Lyod Templeshmit-
This time it was a sixteen year old boy with mulatto skin, with a blue and blue glass mosaic on the right side of his body. He didn't say a word and stood to the left of the stage.
- Lyod!- shouted a desperate little girl, immediately grabbed by a crying old lady. Lyod looked at them and stifled a sob. The Grim Reaper continued undeterred. But when she opened the card, she stared at it for a few seconds. Then she smiled.
- Clarisse Snow- she announced, with a hint of mirth in her voice. A deadly silence fell over the crowd. Clarisse stepped forward with her head held high, her eyes cold and her expression indifferent. She stepped onto the stage and looked at the cameras and then at the crowd. The Grim Reaper returned her attention to the bowls, taking another card from the men's.
- Helios Flitchart-
It was Helios' turn to step forward. Tiberius looked at him in panic, but his son didn't seem the least bit scared. Bored, perhaps. Apathetic.
The Reaper took another note.
- Lyssa Trinket-
The world froze. Lyssa looked at Jendy, who squeezed her hand even tighter as if to keep her with her. But her friend slipped off and headed toward the stage. She could see her aunt trying to get closer but was blocked by the crowd. She didn't hear the name in the male tribute after her nor did she notice him when he took the stage. She was only aware of the reality when the Reaper took another card from the females' bowl. The impossible happened.
- Jendy Kellaghen-
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- For all of Panem!- exclaimed Plutarch.
- What? - asked Katniss, turning towards the man. The other winners imitated her. He hadn't said a word during the Reaping, just a slight mumble to Helios Flitchart and that outburst seemed inappropriate. Haymitch, on the other hand, was heading towards him, angrily.
- Don't tell me, Plutarch- he growled - that Lyssa is related to Effie!
Peeta jumped. Plutarch made himself small.
- Nephew- he muttered - But she's not the real problem.
Haymitch was obviously about to hit him when Katniss intervened.
- Who is Jendy Kellaghen? - she asked, getting up. Plutarch swallowed.
- The niece of Portia and Cinna Kellaghen.
Silence fell.
- What?- exclaimed Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch together.
- I don't know why she and Effie's niece are in there - Plutarch justified himself. Paylor sighed in frustration.
- We have a big problem now - she said, looking at the man - It would be time to bring them to him.
Katniss looked at Haymitch, confused, but the former mentor was even more confused.
Small note: the last name of Cinna and Portia as his wife is my pure fantasy, since neither in the books nor in the films is present.