Velmire Hyeondae, age 18
District 6 Male Tribute
Reaping Day
I stand with the other eighteen-year-old male prisoners in a small cluster at the back corner of the section of eighteen-year-old District 6 males. This is my first Reaping as a jailed criminal, but it will also be my last, because I'm going to volunteer as tribute.
I've discussed my plan, which I came up with about a month after I was sent to prison, with my mother a few times. Even when I first brought it up with her, during her first visit about four months ago, she didn't outright voice an objection to it. During her second visit after my imprisonment, she actually agreed with me that it was a good idea. I won't have a future if I just stay here in District 6 without changing anything. I'll probably die in the Hunger Games, but the Games are also my chance at earning a life in the Victor's Village, and freedom. Weighing that against rotting in prison for the rest of my life, I'm willing to take the risk of going into the Games.
The Mayor walks up to the podium and starts his speech as the Reaping begins with the usual information about the history of Panem and the rules of the Hunger Games. Then he introduces District 6's one Victor, who will be mentoring both tributes this year. Preston Hood was a strong young man when he won the second Hunger Games, but years of drug use has left the man looking to be in his fifties even though he's only in his thirties. I doubt he'll be of much help to me, but I'll try to talk him into working with me to help me win. I'll need all the help I can get.
The Mayor introduces our escort, who, to my surprise, is brand new. She's a small woman with large twin lime green ponytails, and a youthful outfit that includes a miniskirt and thigh-high socks. Her name is Miko Hayashi, and she can't be that much older than me. I wonder what she's bringing to the table, and I hope she knows what she's doing. She trots up to the microphone with a big smile.
"Hello District 6!" she exclaims. Then her grin falls. "Happy Hunger Games, everyone, but let's not drag this Reaping on for longer than necessary. I've decided to start with the girls every year, because that's tradition." She walks over to the female Reaping Bowl and picks out a name. "Will Hinoka Nori come to the stage!"
Less than a second passes before a choked voice screams, "Corrin don't volunteer!" A few people look around confusedly as a girl with black shoulder-length hair runs quickly out of the section of fifteen-year-old girls. She makes it to the stage and wipes away a tear before grabbing the microphone.
"Corrin I'll make it back to you. I promise," the girl says. "I'll kill everyone if I have to."
The Reaped tribute steps back with a resolute look on her face. A few people clap, and Miko places a hand on Hinoka's shoulder.
"Are there any volunteers for Hinoka?" Miko asks, but seconds pass and there are none.
"District 6, your first tribute, Hinoka Nori," Miko says. "Now let's see who will be our second one."
She walks over to the male Reaping Bowl and picks out the name at the very top. "Will Michael Bay come to the stage!"
It's my time to volunteer. Usually what happens is that the escort asks for volunteers after the Reaped tribute gets onto the stage, but do I have to wait to volunteer? I probably should, if I want my plan to succeed. The Reaped tribute comes slowly out of the thirteen-year-old section and hurries to the stage, looking down.
"Are there any volunteers for Michael?" Miko asks once the Reaped tribute has taken his spot next to Hinoka.
I raise my hand. "I volunteer as tribute!" I call out.
Heads turn and people murmur as I take a deep breath and make my way out of the crowd. The walk to the stage doesn't take very long, and I'm soon standing on it.
"A volunteer, what's your name?" Miko asks, a strange look on her face.
"Velmire Hyeondae," I answer, deciding not to say anything else.
Miko lifts Hinoka and I's hands into the air. "District 6, your tributes, Hinoka Nori and Velmire Hyeondae!" she announces. She lowers our hands. "Tributes, shake hands."
We do as we are told. Hinoka's handshake is firm underneath her tears. Before volunteering, I knew that I wanted exactly one ally to help me through the Games, and I already have a feeling that teaming up with my District Partner will be a good idea.
Mishel Lavender, age 18
District 8 Female Tribute
Reaping Day
I rub my hand soothingly over my engorged tummy as my daughter kicks during the Mayor's speech about the Dark Days and the Hunger Games. No matter how many deep breaths I take, I can't help the anxiety I feel as the drawing of the names comes nearer and nearer. What will happen if I'm Reaped? It could happen. I have my name in the bowl extra times for the tesserae I took for myself and my sister. Alisha…
I wipe away tears as the Mayor introduces our escort, a middle-aged woman named Garnet LeBeau. This year is different because we're finally living away from our horrible parents, in a little apartment in Alexandria - thank goodness for Mr. Morrigan's child support checks - instead of our parents' house in Orleans Town. I asked Alisha to go somewhere she felt safe if anything happened. My sister is smart and knows what's good for her, but where would that be? Our parents' house is out of the question. I don't trust the father of my child to keep Alisha safe. I hope her friends from school will have kindness to spare…
"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor," Garnet says with a pleasant smile. She isn't bad as far as escorts go, with her understated rather than outlandish red dresses. She announces that she will be drawing a girl's name, and my heart rate shoots through the roof as she picks out a slip of paper.
"Mishel Lavender!"
I let out a sob as my heart drops into my stomach. No. No, that's me… no, no, no. My worst fear has come true.
No, please, I have a daughter and a sister who need me.
Maybe if I stand very still, I can avoid this. But that doesn't work; if you try to avoid your fate, the Capitol has its cruel ways. So I take a deep breath and step forward.
I'm crying as I walk slowly to the stage, my daughter kicking me gently. There's murmuring in the crowd, but I also notice the Peacekeepers raising their guns menacingly. That's it, then. It doesn't matter if I'm thirty-three weeks pregnant; I'm still going into the Games.
Please, someone save me… I think desperately as I stand on the stage and Garnet asks for volunteers, her voice strained. But time passes and there are none. Of course… I'm nothing but a rich kid-turned-sex worker. I have one friend, my childhood best friend who gave me enough funds to move to Alexandria, but she's nineteen. Nobody who can volunteer will do it to save me.
"District 8, your first tribute… Mishel Lavender," Garnet says, and was that a tear in her eye? I can't tell. She announces that she's going to choose a boy, and she does, calling Redmond Brown to the stage.
At first, there is nothing. But then a yell emerges from near the back of the crowd of Reaping-aged kids. "Hell no. That's hilarious, what are you going to do, carry me up the steps?"
I'm thinking about Alisha and what's going to happen to me, but my heart drops to my stomach when I notice Peacekeepers pushing a wheelchair with an angry thirteen-year-old boy in it towards the stage. No, this is so unfair… he can't even stand… but the guns stay up menacingly, and nobody does anything.
I continue crying as Garnet asks for volunteers for Redmond, but there are none for him either. Life isn't fair. What's going to happen to Alisha? What's going to happen to me? They can't send a heavily pregnant woman into the Arena… right?
"District 8, your tributes, Mishel Lavender and Redmond Brown," Garnet says with a wavering voice. "Tributes, shake hands."
I look into Redmond's angry, scared eyes as I shake his hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. I'll help him. He's going to die, but the least I can do is make his final days as comfortable as possible.
The rest of the Reaping passes in a blur. As Redmond and I are ushered into the Justice Building, I'm thankful that I don't hear gunshots or other signs of violence.
Please, Alisha, please be safe.
A/N: Chapter question: What are your first impressions on Hinoka, our District 6 female Tribute, and Redmond, our District 8 male Tribute?
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you all soon!