Hi! I've finally been able to finish this chapter, sorry for making you wait. But before we go down to it, I'd like to know how you find this story so far. For my first HG fanfic, I've decided to create my own tributes instead of writing a SYOT. Do you think it works? Would you like me to write a SYOT? Be it positive or negative, readers' feedback is important to me, so let me know what you think, please.
And now, here's the Reaping of District 5. Enjoy your reading :)
Last year
Amanda Thunder (15)- District 5 female tribute
"Amanda Thunder!"
When the escort calls my name, I can't believe it, at first. A peacekeeper has to drag me out of my section, because I can't move a bit. I'm scared stiff. Only when I mount the stage, I realize what's happening. I've been reaped for the Hunger Games. I'm going to die soon. Tears start to stream down on my face without me wanting it. In the meantime, the escort has called the name of my district partner, but I can't hear a word. It feels like I've suddenly gone deaf. I shake hands with my fellow tribute. I can see the same terror that I have in his eyes. Two scared tributes led to slaughter, what hope do we have?
As soon as I'm left alone in the waiting room, I keel over on one of the couches. Send us in the arena and let's just end it! I keep repeating to myself. I don't expect to get any visits… who would come to say goodbye to an unwanted child who has spent all her life in a dreadful community home, after all? But I'm wrong. I do get a visit. I look up and see Rhonda standing in the doorway. Rhonda, the only person willing to be my friend, the only one who's patient enough to bear my terrible temper.
She hugs me, burying her head in my lap. She's sobbing, her body is shaking like a leaf. I stroke her curly, dark hair.
"Why did you come, Rhonda?" I ask her.
"You're my best friend! I had to see you!" she answers, teary.
I nod. "Thank you."
"I've got something for you," she adds.
She gives me her pearl bracelet. It is not made of real pearls but of colourful, plastic beads. However, she keeps it as the most precious treasure.
"Your bracelet, Rhonda? I can't accept it!" I say.
"Bring it back to me," she replies, putting it on my wrist.
"Rhonda…"
"You've taught me to keep my chin up whatever happens, because life is cruel… and that… and that one should never lose hope of having a better future. This bracelet will remind you of that," she insists.
I wipe away my tears, suddenly ashamed of my weakness. I've always been Rhonda's gold standard, I've promised myself to be strong for her… but today she has seen me cry, she has seen me weak. It won't happen again!
"Your gift is even more welcome, then. I'll do my best to come back, I know I'll see you again, Rhonda," I reply, hugging her.
"That's my Amanda! Never lose hope! Indeed… you know what? I've chosen my surname for the Reaping!"
Orphans like Rhonda rarely have a family name. When they turn twelve, they're assigned one randomly- usually something related to the district's main industry like my surname, or they can even choose it themselves, since there must be your name and surname in your entries for the Reaping. Rhonda is just eleven, but next year she'll be eligible for the Games, so she will need a complete name.
"Really?"
"Hope… from now on, my name will be Rhonda Hope."
…...
The day before the Reaping
Cliff Wells (14)- Citizen of District 5
At dusk, I can finally go home. There's no part of my body that does not ache. Working as a maintenance man in a dam is a hard job, you're responsible for a structure that has to produce electricity not only for your district, but for the whole Panem, especially for the Capitol. Actually, District 5 is dotted by dams, but mine- I mean, the dam I work in- is one of the oldest. My family has worked there for five generations.
"Timur! I'm home!" I say but receive no answer.
Where's my brother? He should have got home by now! I snort. I lay the table for dinner, so that my parents have one less thing to do when they return from work. I look forward to having a shower and changing these dirty clothes! From the window of the kitchen, I can see my brother greet two girls who I don't know, and then enter the house.
"Hi, Cliff! How was your day?" he asks me happily.
"Who were those girls?" I answer with another question.
"Oh, Cliff, you're too young to think about girls!"
"Answer my question!" I speak up, annoyed.
Giving orders to him sounds weird. Timur is three years older than me, but he's definitely a free spirit who would like to live without rules. But that's impossible.
"They're just two friends. I've met them today for the first time, you know, during the school trip to the dam where our parents work," he explains.
"I work there too," I point out.
Timur goes still to school, whereas I had to drop it because I couldn't pass the test to access the upper class. The selection is really hard. Only the best students can access the upper classes and find the best jobs. Timur has always been well-suited to the study, the only problem is that he's so lazy! Our parents have done anything to make him apply. They've always wanted that at least one of their sons could study and have a better life. Pointless denying that they have a preference for him. After all, our mother struggled so much to get pregnant that, when Timur was born, it was a great joy. My birth was a joyful event too, but not as joyful as that of the first son.
"Whatever. They're just friends, anyway," he says.
"Well, your fame precedes you…"
"What are you getting at, Cliff?"
Timur is the kind of boy who can be defined as a Latin lover. Tall, slim, blonde hair… but his most noteworthy feature is certainly his eyes, dark and piercing. He has had several girlfriends over the years, but none of his relationships has lasted long. Nevertheless, many girls still find him attractive… you can tell it by the way they stare at him when he cannot see them… or, at least, when they think he cannot see them.
"I don't want you to break the heart of another admirer. You're too fickle, Timur," I say.
"Oh, now I see what you are getting at… my little brother is envious!" he replies with a smile, messing up my hair.
"Stop it!" I complain.
"Don't worry, kid, I'll teach you some tricks!"
"I don't want to learn anything from you!"
"There's no need to be so angry," he says, amused.
Clearly, he hasn't taken me seriously.
I sigh, trying to calm down. "Since tomorrow is Reaping day, I had to work overtime and I'm really exhausted… all I want is resting a bit. I have no time for your stupid stuff, Timur."
"At least, you did something you like, great worker… I had to go on that boring school trip, instead. I know that these trips right before the Reaping are meant to lighten the mood, but they could arrange for something more interesting, couldn't they?" he replies.
I clench my fists. I do like my job, but how can he compare my hard work and a school trip? Besides, he should appreciate his luck… he should be grateful, because he has been given the opportunity to study and have a better future compared to the rest of our family! But he cannot understand it, why? Why is it all a game to him?
"Is everything ok, Cliff?" Timur asks me at some point.
"You're so silly, Timur," I say, watching him right in the eye.
"What's wrong now?" he replies, squinting.
He doesn't sound offended, though.
I hold his gaze. "Everything has always come easy to you, Timur, but have you ever thought that someone might have made sacrifices to get you where you are now?"
My voice is angry and slightly quivering.
"What do you mean? I've always made efforts to live up to everyone's expectations! Don't believe it's that easy!" he rebuts, starting to get annoyed.
"Don't play the victim!"
"Like you do, Cliff?"
"What!? I've never done it!"
"Oh, Cliff, you're the poor brother who couldn't continue his studies and had to find a job, you're the one who works hard for our family… isn't that familiar to you?" he points out, bored.
"You've got no right to…"
"All I know is that I'm not going to be taught how to live in this world by my little brother," he affirms, interrupting me, and then heads outside.
"Where are you going?" I yell at him from the window.
"I'm going for a walk… or do you think it's too silly?"
…...
Present day
Rhonda Hope (12)- Citizen of District 5
I wake up, screaming. I had another nightmare. My roommates gather around my bed, trying to comfort me. Bet there's very little they can do; the Reaping is looming over us all, we're in this together. This gonna be my first Reaping and, despite having only one entry in the girls' ball, I can't help panicking. Our community home counts mainly on tesserae to support itself, but our overseers rarely ask twelve-year-olds to sign up for them, they usually ask the eldest. Actually, we can stay here till we turn eighteen and survive our last Reaping, but then we have to live off the land… unless someone adopts you before, but it happens rarely. Anyway, things are getting better since Amanda won the Hunger Games last year. She has decided to make donations to our community home. Now, she's rich, she has her own house in Victor's Village, but hasn't forgotten her origins.
While I'm getting ready for the Reaping, I'm visited precisely by Amanda. Her outfit is quite simple: white T-shirt, black, leather jacket, jeans, and sneakers. I smile when I see her. I like the fact that she hasn't got her head swelled. She has a bundle of papers with her that draws my attention.
"Hi, Amanda!" I greet her happily.
She lays her papers on a table, so that she can hug me tight. "Hi, dearie. How are you?" she greets me.
"Glad to see you, but… I'm a bit nervous… you know, this is my first Reaping and…" I stammer.
"Everything gonna be okay, I promise," she says with a smile, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Now, let's think about something else! I'd like to talk to you in private, if possible…" she adds in a mysterious tone.
I look around. Some of my roommates are still here, waiting for our overseers to take us to the main square. I nod at them, and they leave the room.
"What's up?" I ask Amanda, as soon as we're finally alone.
"I've got great news for you, Rhonda!" she answers, moved.
"Tell me."
"I… I've struggled a lot to get the permission… they said I was too young… but finally… finally, I've made it! I've adopted you, Rhonda, you're moving to my house… to our house after the Games!"
At first, I can't believe it. "A-are you sure? You're not joking, are you?" I say with tears flooding from my eyes.
"I'm not joking, dearie! I could never do it! When I'm back from the Capitol, you'll leave this place forever! I know I should have told you after the Games would be over, but I couldn't wait any longer!" she replies, teary as well.
I hug her. "No, you did well. I'll be waiting for you more eagerly, then!" I say.
"So will I. I'm not risking my life this time, so you don't need to worry about me."
I break the embrace. "I will always worry about you, Amanda. You should wipe those tears away… what would Capitolites think, if they saw you like that?"
She giggles. "You're right."
Amanda cannot stay too long, because, as a victor, she has to be in the main square before everyone else. After she's gone, I join my roommates in the hall, where all the orphans of the community home are gathering. My roommates would like to know what Amanda told me, but our overseers order us to keep quiet. As usual, the principal makes a speech about how we should behave at the Reaping.
When we get to the main square in front of the Justice Building, I notice that Amanda is already on stage. She's talking to Leroy Jacobson, the only victor District 5 had for years… at least, since the end of the war. With my heart in my throat, I enter the roped area reserved to those of Reaping age and reach my section in the back. Doesn't matter where we come from, everyone has the same terrified expression on them. I've seen it thousands of times, but feeling this terror first-hand is a whole other story. My body is shaking like a leaf. I'd like so badly to run away, to flop down on my bed, and sleep for the rest of the day. But I know I can't. Reapings are mandatory, and who disobeys is severely punished. In the meantime, the mayor has started reading the Treaty of Treason. I focus on him, trying to distract.
"… and that's why the Hunger Games exist. They're necessary to remind us that past mistakes should not be made again," he says, finishing his discourse.
After that, Kira Joy- the historical escort of District 5- mounts the stage. She's wearing a jumpsuit of a blinding yellow, which could be seen from miles away. From the TV screens scattered around the square, I can see that it's the same colour of her wig, high heels, and fake eyelashes.
"Hello, District 5! I'm so excited to be back to my favourite district, the lightbulb of Panem!" she chips.
There's something in her tone that tells me she isn't sincere… maybe she has placed too much emphasis on her words, because she sounds like she's playing a part she doesn't like.
"Last year, District 5 was rewarded with a victor, and I'm sure we all hope that this will happen again," she goes on, looking at Amanda, who nods in response. "And now, let's bring up the tributes of this year!"
She starts with the boys this time. "Cliff Wells!"
The reaped boy mounts the stage with a resigned smile on his pale face. He looks like he expected to be called. I don't know him, but I really feel sorry for his fate. Being forced to leave your home, knowing that you might not come back… why is the Capitol so cruel?
In the meantime, the escort has started rummaging in the girls' ball. She hasn't even asked for volunteers. "Rhonda Hope!"
When my name is called, my heart stops. It can't be, there must be a mistake… only one slip, there's no way… the other girls make room for me, but I stand still on the spot. I can't move. A peacekeeper drags me unceremoniously out of my section. I mount the stage while massaging my arm. A bruise has formed on it, since the peacekeeper has hold it too tight. Amanda is staring at me with ill-concealed sorrow and anger.
"Oh, what a wonderful young lady! And you've got an evocative family name! Hope… we all hope you'll prove yourself, dearie!" says the escort, while pinching my cheeks.
She composes herself, before going on: "Ahem… ladies and gentlemen, the tributes of District 5! Cliff Wells and Rhonda Hope! As always, happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"
I'm assigned a waiting room for visitors. I've never been in the Justice Building before. To be sincere, it has always scared me. Its dark shape looming over the lower buildings surrounding it… it suggests a kind of oppression, a kind of authority over which you're powerless. My roommates visit me. They try to convince me that I stand a chance, since Amanda is my friend, but I know better. Amanda will certainly help me, but once in the arena I'll be at the mercy of the older tributes. What can she do, in the end? What can she do, if I'm attacked? As a mentor, she cannot favour one tribute over the other. As things stand, my best bet is trying to go unnoticed. I was so happy this morning, and now I'm thinking of how to survive…
…...
Cliff Wells (14)- District 5 male tribute
I sit on one of the couches of the waiting room. I don't know whether I should cry or laugh. Actually, my reaction at the Reaping has surprised even me. I wasn't sad or desperate, I was just resigned. In the past, I saw tributes break down onstage, try to flee… but it was all useless. Once you're called, you're doomed. Anyway, I behaved better than my district partner, who was dragged onstage. But I can't blame her, everyone knows that twelve-year-olds don't make it out of the arena alive.
My parents visit me. My mother is crying, and also my father has reddish eyes. They hug me.
"Oh, Cliff!" she says, sobbing.
"Promise us that you'll do your best to come back, there's nothing else we want to hear from you, my dear son. We'll be waiting for you," adds my father.
"I promise," I reply. "Where's Timur?"
My parents break the embrace. They have both a worried expression on their faces.
"He wants to see you separately," answers my father.
"Actually… when you were reaped, we expected him to volunteer, but… what has happened, Cliff? I know you argued yesterday, but why? You can tell us…" adds my mother with a quivering voice.
"You don't need to worry about that. At least, one of your sons is safe…" I say with a resigned smile.
"Don't talk like that, Cliff! Remember… we'll always love you, whatever happens!" rebuts my mother, putting her hands on my shoulders.
"Whatever happened between you and Timur, there's no problem that can't be solved. But now… all you have to think of is coming back!" says my father, wiping away his tears.
Suddenly, two peacekeepers enter the room. "Time's up!" shouts one, so my parents are forced to leave the room.
When Timur enters the room, I don't know what I should expect from him, I don't know what I should tell him. In any case, I'm not angry because he didn't volunteer to save me, I knew he wouldn't. At first, he doesn't say anything, he just stares at me.
"How are you?" he asks me eventually.
By his tone, I can tell that he feels quite uneasy.
"I'm fine," I reply.
"Don't lie to me, please."
"That's the truth, Timur. I know it sounds weird, but I'm fine."
"I see," he replies.
My brother is about to leave the room, but I stop him: "Timur… I'm sorry for what happened yesterday. You're my brother and I love you, remember that."
He turns around, and nods in response. "Thank you, Cliff."
After that, he takes off his copper ring and gives it to me.
"This ring has always been lucky for me, I hope it will be lucky for you as well," he adds, before leaving me alone.
So, quite an important chapter, because we got to know other two tributes and also the victor of the 98th Hunger Games, who was just mentioned in chapter 1. What do you think of this Reaping? If you were Timur, would you volunteer to save Cliff?
Reviews are appreciated. Thank you for reading :)
