Chapter 4: District 4 reaping

Pike's POV

The sunset was beautiful. I never truly appreciated these kinds of stuff, except for reapings. It was time tomorrow. Me and my girlfriend made this a tradition; always spend time together the night before the reaping. We were sitting near the water on the port, our legs dangling from edge of the bridge.

"Pike" Marla, my girlfriend, said while still looking at the sunset. "If I get selected..."

"No. Don't say that" I interrupted her. I was in denial, of course. But she wouldn't get selected. She couldn't.

"Pike, shut up!" I did. She now had her eyes directed to me. "If I do get selected, promise me that you won't volunteer".

How could I promise her that? If I hear her name being called out, of course I would volunteer. I would die for her.

"Marla, I can't" I shook my head while saying those words. "I can't promise you that".

"Well, I can't really volunteer if you get selected, can I?" She proclaimed. That is true. Once the male tribute has been chosen, the females can no longer volunteer.

"What am I supposed to do then?" I argued. "Am I supposed to leave you to your death? Just go back to my normal life, maybe becoming a fisher?"

Marla shook her head. I could see the tears forming in her eyes. "I.." she started with a weak voice. "I- I want you to live." She wouldn't look in my eyes. She was looking at her hands while she fiddled with them. I grabbed them into my own.

"I'm sorry" I whispered to her. "I just can't imagine my life without you". I know that is a bold statement, especially when we are only 15, but I do mean it. I love her. Always will.


The bright, blue hair had begun to loose its volume on Heto's head. It is pouring down and I am not even wearing a jacket. I scanned across the crowd if I could see Marla. She is standing in the middle of the girl's crowd. She was smart enough to bring a jacket with a hoodie. He face is still wet though. I don't know if that's raindrops or tears.

Suddenly I am nervous. What if she does get selected? I would volunteer, of course. But that would mean that at least one of us would die in the arena. It is better if I stay here and become a sponsor, if I have enough money to buy her stuff.

The movie stopped playing and now it is time for the tribute selection. I am shaking, and it is not just because of the cold. I am nervous. No, I am scared.

"Ladies first!" Heto exclaimed. I could hear my heart pumping in my chest. I needed to concentrate on Heto.

"...Portshore!" Oh no. Marla has been selected. I didn't hear the first name but Marla's last name is Portshore. I looked over to Marla. She was crying, but standing still. Why isn't she being dragged to the stage by Peacekeepers? Now I understand. It wasn't Marla who was selected. Another girl made her way to the stage. She didn't have the same blonde hair as Marla. Instead the girl had a raven, black head. It's Marla's twin sister; Ribbon. I never talk to her but I've seen her anytime I visited Marla.

Once Ribbon was on the stage, she turned around. She looked a lot like Marla, but never acted like her. Ribbon had always been the rebel of the Portshore family, I heard. Always in trouble at school for starting fights, most of the times finishing them as well. She will be an excellent tribute in this year's Hunger Games.

"Now, for the boys!" Heto moved to the boy's bowl with all of our names in. I completely forgot about all that. I was so busy hoping that Marla would be okay that I forgot about myself.

"Pike Oceanstar!" Oh no. That is me. That's my name. I am now the male tribute for District 4. I waited a few seconds until I made my way to the stage, only to see if someone volunteered. No one did. Career Tributes in District 4 does happen sometimes but apparently not this year.

Halfway to the stage, I heard a high-pitched scream. I looked back to see who it was. It was Marla. She kept repeating "No" and "Pike" over and over again. It was pretty hard to understand it because her scream was more like a wail. Peacekeepers came to her and held her back. Tears were forming in my eyes as well. Looking back at the stage I could see Heto not giving a care in the world about what was happening. He just waved for me to come forth. I did, eventually.

Ribbon stood there as well, unmoved even after she can hear and see her sister in pain. I don't understand her. I thought family was supposed to be close to each other. I guess not in that family.

"We now have our tributes for this year's Hungers Games!" Heto exclaimed happily. Even though Marla is now quiet, I can still see her in pain. I did not like that.

"Come along, now." Heto ushered us behind the stage. Before leaving, I caught a glimpse of our mentor: Mags. She is quite old. I don't know how we will be able to train with a mute as a mentor. I guess she was the only one who agreed to it. I have no idea how she actually won a Hunger Games. She just seems way too kind.

The couch is kind of itchy. I've been sitting on it for almost half-an-hour now, just waiting to see if someone would visit me. My parents wouldn't visit me. They don't give a care in the world if I were to die a horrendous death in the Games. Marla is the only one I want to see now. She might be visiting Ribbon, saying goodbye one last time. I wonder if Ribbon actually cares.

The door opened and in rushed Marla. I didn't have time to think until her arms were around me. Instinctively, I put my arms around her as well.

"Promise to come back to me" she whispered in my ear. I pulled her closer to me, to comfort not only her but me as well.

"I promise" I whispered back. And I do mean it. If there is any reason to survive in the games it's her. I will do whatever it takes to win, just to come back to her.

"Miss, you need to leave" a Peacekeeper said behind Marla. It was time for me to go, I guess.

Before leaving, she pulled away from the hug and kissed me one last time. I can't imagine that I would never be able to taste those lips again. It was a short kiss but it meant a lot to both of us.

"Come back to me" Was the last thing I heard before we parted ways outside the door.

"I will" I told her. It came out more as a whisper now that I heard it. It would be impossible for her to hear it.

Ribbon stood behind me with her arms crossed over her chest. I've never really taken a real look at her before. Her raven black hair in a ponytail seemed to fit together with the strange tattoo on the side of her neck. You could see it more clearly that way.


The car ride to the train was very uncomfortable. Both me and Ribbon sat in silence. I sometimes stole a couple of glances of her. She was just looking out the window the entire way.

"Take a picture. It will last longer" Ribbon told me with a gruff voice. She must have noticed me looking at her.

"I...I..." Somehow, I couldn't say a word to her. She makes me kind of nervous. She is quite scary.

"I was just wondering" I started. "What... type of tattoo do you have?" She turned to look at me. Her brown eyes filled with boredom.

"What makes you think you can talk to me?" Her voice was menacing enough to win the Games. I shrugged in response.

"You started it" I replied. I tried to keep my voice calm but I think it was shaking. I am not so sure. Ribbon scoffed and returned to look out the window.

"Just stay out of my way" The boredom took over her voice. Did she not know that we might die?

I copied her and looked out of my window. This week before the Hunger Games will be so much fun.