Chapter 3: The Reaping
Gale and Katniss continued training their children every single day until the reaping in District 12. Gale saw that Andrew, Brett, Peetel, and Greg were making tremendous progress. Each one of them had looks of determination on their faces. However, Gale was still hoping that none of them would be chosen.
The day of the reaping had arrived. Katniss made sure all of her six children were dressed nicely. Katniss gave Rose a fabulous white gown. Gage was wearing a red blazer. Andrew was wearing a white suit with buttons. Brett was wearing a tuxedo. Peetel was wearing a blue overcoat. Greg was wearing a white lounge suit.
Gale took a deep breath as he looked at each of his six children.
"Let's go", Katniss said. "We don't want to be late."
In District 1
Owen Cox was standing with the other boys during the reaping in District 1. Owen was 18 years old and the top student at his career academy. Owen spent his entire life training for the Games. Owen knew that there would be plenty of opportunities for him to volunteer, since 6 males from District 1 would participate in the 100th Hunger Games.
The District 1 escort, Dina, smiled as she said, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
Dina then said, "We'll start selecting the female tributes."
Dina then walked to the reaping bowl for the girls. She spent 10 seconds fishing through the bowl before she pulled out a name.
Dina then read the name out loud.
"Tara Platinum!"
Owen saw a look of disappointment on Tara's face. Owen knew it wasn't because she was reaped, it was because someone would volunteer. And surely enough…
"I volunteer as tribute!", a female voice shouted.
Owen watched as a girl, aged 17, walked to the stage.
"And what is your name?", Dina asked.
"I'm Raven Allen", said the girl who volunteered.
"Wonderful!", Dina said.
Dina then drew another name from the girls' reaping bowl.
"Beth Marble!"
"I volunteer!", another girl shouted.
The second female volunteer's name was Demelza Copper.
Dina drew a third name from the bowl.
"Prudence Holland!"
The girl who volunteered for Prudence was Jamie Prucha. Owen had briefly sparred against Jamie years earlier in the career academy.
Dina drew another name.
"April Clarke!"
"I volunteer as tribute!", a girl that must have weighed over 300 pounds shouted. She had muscles and must have been at least eight feet tall.
"No, I want to be the tribute!", April shouted.
"Go sit down, idiotic girl! You know the rules. And I volunteered to replace you", said the big girl that volunteered.
The big girl's name was Katie Polish.
Dina drew another name from the girls' bowl.
"Rhoda Ring!"
"I volunteer!"
The fifth volunteer was Lisa Wealth. Owen knew that Lisa's family was one of the most affluent and powerful families in District 1.
Dina drew the sixth and last female name in District 1.
"Ruby Gem!"
"I volunteer as tribute!", the last female volunteer shouted.
"And what is your name?", Dina asked.
"I'm Ava Colony!", she said.
"Now it's time for the boys", Dina said.
Dina walked to the boys' reaping bowl and selected a name.
"Justin Castle!"
"I volunteer!", a boy shouted. The boy who volunteered was Gold Henderson. Gold was a close friend of Owen.
Dina drew another name.
"Logan Richardson!"
"I volunteer!", another boy shouted.
This boy's name was Max Comfort.
Dina drew the third male name.
"Joseph Dare!"
Owen decided that now was the time.
"I volunteer as tribute!", Owen exclaimed at the top of his lungs.
"And what is your name?", Dina asked.
"My name is Owen Cox", Owen said loudly and clearly for everyone in Panem to hear and see on the cameras.
"Excellent", said Dina.
Dina then drew the names of Paul Bank, Business Machine, and Market Ringson. Paul was replaced by a volunteer named Bronze Mansion. Business was replaced by a volunteer named Money Economy. Market was replaced by a volunteer named Rolex Gucci.
"The twelve tributes of District One!" Dina shouted.
In District 2
The District 2 male escort wasted no time when drawing names. When he drew the first name, Watch Milos, a boy shouted, "I volunteer as tribute!"
The first volunteer's name was Hades Dionysus.
A cowardly, 12-year-old boy named Door Compromise was called to the stage next. His worries were pointless, because he was immediately replaced by an 18-year-old named Prometheus Destruction. Jordan Cummings was the third male chosen. Jordan was replaced by Pluto Thorn. A volunteer named String Punch seemed eager as he volunteered to replace Craig Walcott. Poseidon Milk volunteered for Mark Townsend and Janus Mauser volunteered for Steven Eubanks.
"The twelves tributes of District Two. Athena Gallagher, Hera Nichols, Demeter Wallig, Tyche Baumsteiger, Iris Gitto, Nemesis Adams, Hades Dionysus, Prometheus Destruction, Pluto Thorn, String Punch, Poseidon Milk, and Janus Mauser."
The District 2 citizens roared with approval. They knew that all the tributes on the District 2 stage were the best and strongest from the Career academy in District 2.
In District 4
Wyatt Springs looked nervous as the reaping began. When Fish Horton was chosen as the first male tribute, Wyatt reluctantly stepped forward and volunteered.
In District 8
Eddie Morganstern was not feeling good in the slightest when the reaping was taking place. When Eddie's name was the last to be chosen, Eddie knew he would never return home.
In District 12
Gale Hawthorne was watching the reaping with the other adults in the District 12 square. Katniss Everdeen and Haymitch Abernathy were on stage. Effie Trinket, the District 12 escort, was now 65 years old. Effie said, "Happy Hunger Games! Ladies first!"
Effie walked to the girls' reaping bowl. The first girl chosen was Lizzy Warden. The second girl chosen was Sasha Drabek. The third girl chosen was Ruth Healy. The fourth girl chosen was Heather Hope. The fifth girl chosen was Hannah Marsh. The sixth girl chosen was Carol Walsh.
"Now for the boys!", Effie announced.
Effie walked to the boys' reaping bowl. Effie drew a name.
"Jonah Johnson!"
Effie drew a second name.
"Clayton Carbon!"
Effie drew a third name.
"Jerry Cowley!"
While kids were being chosen to be murdered, Gale watched the expressions on the faces of his children. Andrew seemed to be fidgeting. Brett was frowning. Peetel was looking horrified. But Greg was looking extremely angry.
"Nigel Blackbird!"
"Heat Flameson!"
Gale watched as Effie was digging in the bowl for the last name. Gale knew District 12 did not have any volunteers since Katniss won her Games. Gale was silently hoping, Please not one of my children, please not one of my children,…
"Greg Hawthorne!"
