Chapter 5.
The sky was on fire and the clouds were its billowing smoke, such was the impression the sun gave as it dipped below the horizon. The beat of drums made the air pulse and vibrate, and the energy of the crowd was so palpable you could practically hear their blood dancing as it coursed through their veins.
Blair Lynch absent-mindedly fingered the polished wood of the moon-shaped locket around her neck in anticipation. She tossed her long, dark hair out of her jade-green eyes once again; whether out of excitement or nervousness she wasn't quite sure. Her entire life had led up to this moment, as it had for those few around her. She'd heard tell of kids who had trained their whole lives only to miss out. They weren't sure what to do with themselves after, having lost their purpose. Some, ironically, had even resorted to taking their own lives.
She wished she hadn't had to wait all day; the build-up had been excruciating. She understood why of course, most of the other Districts had to have their Reapings before them but knowing that didn't make it any easier. It didn't help that everyone was taking what felt like an eternity to sit down and get organised. If they didn't hurry up, she'd probably lose it.
Once the fanfare and festivities had died down and everyone had taken their seats, the doors to the Hall of Justice opened and out poured the usual entourage of Capitol officials. As expected, the one they all really wanted to see was saved until last.
A dark-skinned man with a simple black shirt and silver vest burst out of the doorway in spectacular fashion, dancing all the way to the podium seemingly to some catchy tune that only he could hear. The crowd went wild, as if he were some kind of rock star.
"What's goooooooood District Two?! How y'all doing tonight?!" yelled Maurice Sinclair, raising his arms up and outwards.
Blair allowed herself a grin and clapped along with the rest of the audience. The District Two escort had a way of geeing up people like nobody else could. One of the girls beside her shouted out an all-too-common marriage proposal that made her roll her eyes.
"Alright, alright, alright, let's everybody simmer down here real quick, shall we?" At once, the crowd went quiet. "Man, I tell you what, it has been far too long since I've been out here. I really missed all of y'all. Did y'all miss me?"
As expected the crowd exploded a second time.
"Okay, Imma take that as a resounding 'yes'," he laughed. "You guys are something sweet, you know that? But here and now we are back, ladies and gentlemen, for the 68th Annual Hunger Games!"
Once again, the crowd went ballistic.
He could read the phone book and this lot would lose their shit, laughed Blair to herself.
"Alrighty then well without further ado, let's welcome our adorable but deadly little volunteers up here on stage with me, hmm?" clapped Maurice.
To rousing applause, Blair led the two other girls and the four boys behind them single-file towards the stage. She couldn't believe that in most other Districts, they had no volunteers. Or that people didn't want to be Reaped. That everyone was a potential tribute. It was baffling. Because District Two had an abundance of volunteers, tributes were only selected from those volunteers. Generally, the only ones who volunteered were 17 or 18 years old and had trained long and hard at the academy. At the age of 18, this was Blair's last chance.
The girls lined up on one side of the stage and the boys on the other.
"Now first things first, my boy President Bishop has some special words for all of you lovely folks here tonight."
The screens to the side of the stage flickered to reveal the same old war video they'd seen time and time again in previous years. It made up the only part of the Reaping that disinterested Blair. She wasn't interested in why they were supposedly being punished for the rebellious actions of the Districts decades ago; she just wanted to compete. The crowd appeared to lap it up however, which seemed mildly masochistic to her. The video faded, and everyone applauded.
"That President Bishop, always has a way with words, doesn't he?" smiled Maurice. "And now, let's get on with the Reaping, what say you? Good luck volunteers, and once again, may the odds be ever in your favour. We'll start with the ladies, as per usual."
At that moment a minor doubt started to creep unbidden into Blair's mind, as it so often had. Part of this seemed wrong, like she shouldn't be there. Such moments of weakness had occasionally come to her over the years, but she was always encouraged by everyone else that yes, training for the Games was a great thing to do, a tremendous privilege she should be proud of. Still, it was a feeling she'd never quite shaken off, no matter how hard she tried.
Maurice's hand drifted over the oversized glass bowl containing the paltry three slips of paper. Blair's hand once again drifted to the locket instinctively.
"Alrighty then," said Maurice slowly. "The female tribute from District Two for this, the 68th Annual Hunger Games is... Blair Lynch!"
Blair allowed herself to breathe finally as the crowd cheered. The two girls next to her hung their heads in dismay as she went to stand over next to Maurice. He shook her hand excitedly as she looked out over the crowd scanning for that one person that really mattered. She spotted him bound to his metal frame and beaming at her. She grinned and nodded, before Maurice called for quiet again.
"And now for the gentlemen."
His hand skimmed the four entries of the glass bowl. This concerned Blair; whoever was drawn would likely be her ally in the Games and her skin crawled slightly as she looked at the male volunteers.
"The male tribute from District Two for this, the 68th Annual Hunger Games is… Landon Starr!"
Of course, it is. Just my fucking luck, thought Blair angrily.
The hulking figure of Landon Starr beat his chest proudly as he moved over. He wasn't particularly tall, but his figure was thick and muscly, and his short, brown, curled hair swayed slightly in the breeze. What unnerved Blair most about him was the slightly crazed look in his eyes, which complimented everything she'd ever seen and heard about him at the academy. Namely that he was completely unhinged. But still, she felt better to have him on her side than off it.
Landon shook Maurice's hand firmly before standing next to Blair.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you your two tributes for this year's Hunger Games – Blair Lynch and Landon Starr! Let's hear it for them!"
The crowd whistled and whooped, and the drums began to beat once more as multi-coloured lights lit up the sky. Landon leaned in Blair's ear.
"Best of luck to you. May the odds be ever in your favour indeed," came his gravelly voice in an undertone.
"And to you," Blair muttered back politely.
"Well, I don't really need it now, do I?"
She ignored that remark, but he continued to prod.
"Must be hard for you," he chuckled confidently.
"How's that?" she said, refusing to look at him.
"I mean, you obviously want to bring glory to the District, that's why any of us do this, right? It's just piss poor luck for you to get Reaped in the same year as me."
"Do you really think that highly of yourself?" She was starting to get annoyed.
"Just facing facts, that's all. I mean look at all these people," he said smugly, gesturing at the horde of adoring public. "They're like animals. They'll say they cheer for both of us equally but really, they're cheering for the one with the best chance."
"Why would you want to bring glory to such animals?"
He shrugged, "Give them an inch and they'll give you a mile. Give them a mile and they'll give you everything."
"You do realise we're meant to be allies, right? You're not exactly lending yourself to a great start here, guy."
"Hey, I'm just saying don't hold me back, that's all."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
At that moment, Maurice brought the ceremony to a close.
"Unfortunately, all you lovely peeps, I know our time together has been short, but we," he pointed to Blair and Landon, "must be off. Of course, if the family would like to come say their farewells beforehand then by all means feel free to do so. Until next time, stay beautiful District Two!"
