District 8 Reapings
Cecelia Rieffel, Victor of the 60th Hunger Games
"Cecelia Rieffel!" District 8's escort called out the name of District 8's only living female victor.
Cecelia quietly wept as she exited her section. Instantly, her three children ran up onto the stage and grabbed her.
"Mama!" Oliver, three, yelled, tears welling up in eyes.
"Don't leave! I love you mommy!" Paige, four, cried out, sobbing with despair as she grabbed her mother's shirt sleeve.
"Please don't go!" The oldest, Burton, ten, cried as a peacekeeper tore him away from his mother. The three children thrashed and screamed in the grasp of three strong peacekeepers as they watched their mother walk up to the microphone, holding back tears.
Cecelia turned around. "Mommy is coming home," she lied to her children. The instant she spoke the words, she couldn't believe what she was doing. She was lying to her children. Her three wonderful children, who made her smile and brought her light with each new day. And she was lying to them through her filthy teeth. Right away, she hated herself.
Woof Dozier, Victor of the 13th Hunger Games
Woof was a senile and incapable old man. When he was young, he thought that growing old meant only inconvenience. However, now that he could barely walk or speak, he had come to a realization that growing old came with a sort of peace.
In his old age, Woof was finally able to chuckle over the hardships of his past. Knowing his days were numbered, Woof did his very best to live each day to the fullest. Tomorrow wasn't a given, he knew.
He stood alone in the fenced-off area of the Justice Building stage and watched as District 8's escort approached the men's reaping bowl. There was a single folded slip of paper at the bottom of the glass orb, containing a name. His name. The escort plucked out the piece of paper and zipped back over to the podium.
The escort read his name. He didn't have to turn up his hearing aid to know that the appellation belonged to him. Jaw set, he hobbled up to the escort. Beside him, Cecelia looked like somebody had punched her in the stomach. She looked like she was fighting with every ounce of strength she had the urge to collapse in a heap and cry until there were no tears left in her. Woof offered her the best he could. A smile. Though his teeth were yellow and uneven, there was a kindness in the simple gesture that made the noises in Cecelia's throat a little tamer.
Life would go on. Man would do evil to man. It was the best he could do to turn his heart to good.
A/N: Holy crapkittens! It has been so long since I've updated this story. Nearly four months! I'll strive to get the last few chapters of the story out soon. :D
