The Reaping

Signy Freyda, 15

District 10 Female

Signy brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, tongue trapped between her teeth. This painting had to be perfect, since it was a gift for her best friend Cady. Poor Cady had been born on reaping day; the worst day of the year to have a birthday. As of today, she was officially 16. And Signy wanted to do something special for her.

The painting was of Cady's old barncat, Tommy. He'd died of old age last year, and Cady had been devastated. It would be an emotional gift, and all Signy could do was hope her best friend would like it.

She was adding lighting details to Tommy's green eyes when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," she called quietly, and her mother stepped inside. Silvia was a gentle woman with graying brown hair and kind blue eyes. She worked as a manager at a dairy farm, but wasn't paid much. Signy had a part-time job at a butcher's shop so they could get by.

"Is that Tommy?" her mom asked, gesturing to the painting.

"Yeah. It's for Cady. Do you think she'll like it?" Signy asked nervously.

"She'll love it," her mom said with a smile. "You always give such thoughtful gifts."

Signy smiled, a warm feeling blossoming in her chest.

"Thanks," she murmured. But her mom's face fell a bit.

"It's time to get ready," she said quietly, almost as if speaking the words too loudly would alert someone. Signy nodded, suddenly feeling solemn.

She'd taken out tesserae, but not much. It had been necessary at the time. Her mother was sick and couldn't work, and a part-time job wasn't enough. And Signy's dad wasn't in the picture. He'd gotten another woman pregnant, and her mom kicked him out. Somewhere out there, she had a half sibling, but she had no interest in meeting them.

Signy slipped off her painter's stool and wrapped her arms around her mom, who returned the hug immediately.

"I love you," she whispered into Signy's hair.

"I love you too," she murmured back.

Then Signy's mom left, giving her space to change. She finished off the last few details on the painting and then changed into a plain black dress that flared out a bit at the waist. Then she slipped on her favorite black boots and braided her hair back in a loose plait.

Carefully taking the painting from the easel, she walked into the living room, calling out to her mom as she went.

"I'm meeting Cady at school!" she said. "Then we're walking to the reaping together!"

"Alright," Silvia called back from her bedroom. "Tell me how it goes!"

"I will!" Signy said as she left the house.

Cady was waiting for her on the front steps of the school, reading a book. Cady was one of the smartest kids in school, and a huge bookworm. Her intelligence and Signy's creativity meant that they complimented each other very well.

"Hi!" Cady called when she saw Signy. She tucked her book into her bag and stood. Signy awkwardly jogged over, the painting held behind her back.

"Hi!" she said. "Happy birthday! I made this for you." And she produced the painting. Cady took it gently, her eyes filling with tears.

"It's beautiful," she whispered before flinging her arms around Signy. She hugged her best friend back, rocking Cady slightly as she cried.

"I'm glad you liked it," she said.

"Liked it?" Cady gasped. "I love it!" And the two girls giggled.

A loud bell rang, startling the two of them apart. Cady gave Signy a nervous glance.

"It's time," she whispered. Signy nodded and offered her hand, which Cady took.

Together, the two girls walked to the town square. Cady briefly broke off to find her parents and hand over the painting, but rejoined Signy in line to get their blood taken.

"Signy Freyda?" the Peacekeeper asked, lightly pricking her finger. Signy nodded.

"Yes ma'am." The Peacekeeper nodded and pressed Signy's bloody thumbprint to the paper before moving on to Cady.

Once they were past the check-in, they both paused. Now was the time they had to separate. Since Cady was technically 16 now, she couldn't stand with Signy. It was the case every year.

With one final hug, the girls parted ways, and Signy went to stand with two girls she knew from school, Marnie and Eve. They weren't particularly close, but they were nice, and both gave Signy a polite "hi" as she joined them.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome!" a high-pitched voice called, and the crowd fell silent as Arturo Belldam took the stage. He wore a bright pink suit patterned with black polka dots, which clashed horribly with District 10's dusty landscape.

"Welcome to the reaping for the 53rd Annual Hunger Games! First, let's greet our previous victors!"

Shockingly, District 10 had only had female victors. Signy clapped politely as they took the stage. Marietta Arwood, Belle Wurth, Una Bright, and Darcia Amaris, the youngest victor in history. They all gave the crowd a wave, except for Una, who pretended they weren't there.

"Now, Mayor Crain will read the Treaty of Treason, and then we'll reap our lucky tributes!" Mayor Crain, a young woman with dark skin, took the stage and read the treaty in a droning voice. Signy did her best to pay attention.

When she finished, she shook hands with Arturo and took a seat beside Marietta. Arturo walked over to the boy's bowl.

"Let's switch things up and start with the gentlemen!" he called. He plucked a slip from the top and unfolded it.

"Connor Baron!"

Signy gasped quietly. Connor was in her grade. They weren't too close, but they sometimes sat together at lunch, and he sat next to her in class. She watched him stumble out of his pen, shaking slightly.

Connor was tall and gangly, with brown hair, bright blue eyes, and too many freckles to count. He was cute, in a nerdy way, but overall, he was just a nice guy. He didn't deserve this.

He went to stand beside Arturo and tried for a smile, but it was more of a grimace. Arturo put a hand on his shoulder.

"Congratulations young man! Now, let's meet your partner!"

Signy held her breath as Arturo selected another slip. This time he plunged a hand in deep, pulled out two slips, and then dropped one. Signy licked her lips nervously as he unfolded it.

"Signy Freyda!"

When Signy was little, she'd fallen off the climbing frame at school and landed on her back. All the air had left her lungs and she was left lying there, chest aching. A similar feeling hit her now.

'Signy Freyda. Me.' It echoed in her head and she pushed past Marnie. Eve gave her shoulder a quick squeeze, but it barely registered. She just focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

Her breathing was steadier by the time she was climbing the stairs. Arturo welcomed her with a large smile.

"Signy!" he cheered. "What a lovely name! Please shake hands, you two."

Turning on her heel, Signy met Connor's gaze. There were tears in his eyes, but he held out his big hand. Signy shook it. But when she tried to pull away, Connor kept holding it.

Hi everyone! This is just a fun project I'm working on with my friend Nathan (Gomex). He sent me Signy, and I sent him a tribute, and we're writing the story of how the other's tribute wins! I sent him a D6 Female, so go check it out! Signy will be showing up as a mentor for my next SYOT, so have fun getting to know her!

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona