Reapings
Faren Taylar (16) - District 3
I pull on my skirt, and brush my hair with gentle strokes. Reaping starts in 5 minutes. I need to go. I call to my mum, to tell her I'm heading off to the square. She replies in a worried tone. "Don't fret my dear, you won't be picked I'm sure!" I wish that she was right.
I wince as the needle is inserted into my tender skin. I amble my way over to the 16 year old girls section. Our escort, a short, stocky woman with long purple hair struts forward to the microphone. Her voice booms across the square as she rambles on about the dark days and the old panem. When the videos and speeches are finally over, she coughs and announces that she will be selecting the female tribute for district 3. I suddenly feel my palms slick with sweat. She won't pick me, I think. She walks back to the mic and unfold the clean white strip of paper. She pauses for what seems like forever. "The female tribute for district 3 in the 61st Annual Hunger Games will be... Faren Taylar!" My face whitens as I watch all the eyes in the square put my face in their crosshairs. I nervously shamble my way up to the stage. I'm just standing next to her as she calls out the male tributes name. "Amoll Zesterl!" I shake hands with the black wavy haired boy. I close my eyes and just wish that it would all be over.
Jesper Hathe (13) - District 6
Dread. It's forcing itself into my skin. My hands shake uncontrollably as the escort, a long-faced woman with a thin frame calls out the name of the female tribute. "Beatrice Cestern!" A tall willowy girl makes her way up from the 17 year old section. "And for the boys, "Jesper Hathe!" I wince as her words cut through me like a knife. The crowd of 13 year olds part as I begin my slow painful walk to the stage. Some of the kids look away in disgust, as they do when a young one like me is chosen. At some times of the year, bad luck can ruin your day. Today however, it can ruin your life.
Kate Loland (15) - District 9
"Kate Loland!" The old yellow haired woman reads out as she unfolds her piece of perfectly white parchment. I choke down tears as I stroll up to the stage. I must appear confident, for I know that sponsors are already looking at me, and in a way, the Games has already begun. She booms into the microphone. "Xavier Mastermill!" My eyes dart to the ashen faced boy who silently makes his way out from the 18 year old boy section. Tall and strong, I already know he could be a threat in the games. I make sure not to give this away. We exchange a handshake as the escort booms into her michrophone. I try not to look into the Xavier's dark blue eyes. Appearing weak is not good in front of fellow tributes as well as sponsors. I hope he can't tell that inside I've given up. I'm dead.
Matthew Black (17) - District 12
I pat my little brother on the back as he steps into the 12 year old section. This is his first Reapings. I want him to be confident that it's not be his last. Or mine. I attempt to appear confident as I shrug off the pain of the needle inserted in my forearm. Our escort then proceeds to begin the schedule of the day. The old world, the Dark days, I've heard it before. Too soon she's calling out the name of the female tribute. "Piper Noffet!" A short blond haired girl stands frozen in the 14 year old section. I try to keep my mask of confidence on as I hear the boys name called out. Its "Matthew Black!" I laugh. It's not me! It can't be! Theres a mistake I think. This is just a bad dream. But slowly, it begins to dawn on me. I'm the male tribute for District 12 in the 61st annual Hunger Games. Theres no escaping this ruthless fact. I stride my way to the front, somehow maintain a fairly calm face. This is it. The deadliest games in the world are here again and I am one of the players.