Reapings

Nemo "Kraken" Warnock, 18, District 4

I swallowed deeply, my face remaining stormy as they pricked my finger. It was almost strange to think that this was my last reapings, but as I fell in line with the other 18 year olds, I knew I was ready.

Looking over at the crowd, I made eye contact with Hook, the leader of our gang and my closest friend. This had been his idea and while he had dared me to volunteer in the first place, I had the feeling I would have done so anyways. I was done with my district's tributes dying. We deserved to have a better victor than that pretty boy Kent Clearwater. He gave me a slight nod of acknowledgement before turning his attention back to the screen which was currently playing a video on the history of Panem.

Cracking my knuckles, I followed the suit, a wicked grin appearing on my face as I noticed the boy standing next to me nervously cowering. It was hard to believe we could possibly be the same age.

Digging my hands deep into the pockets of my blue jeans, I groaned as it seemed like hours before the video ended and our escort entered the stage. The waiting was almost painful. Tracing my thumb over the trident tattoo on my left forearm as the anticipation grew, I thought about my brother. If he were still here, I think he would have been proud. Proud to be the brother of the next victor.

Slowly, the figure on stage began to speak, "Welcome, District 4, to the 9th Annual Hunger Games," Animita Thorne anxiously read off her index cards, into the microphone, "It is a pleasure to be here and it is an honor to be your district's escort."

"Get the hell, on with it!" I barked, her face going aflush the moment she heard me, "We don't have all day. Some of us actually have more to do than read off dumb cards and pretend to care about us!"

"Anyways, on to the ladies," she announced, her voice shaky, clearly thrown off by my earlier comment. Slipping her hand into the bowl, she pulled out a single slip, returning back to the center of the stage, to read of the name, "Azure Kayle."

A girl with pale blue eyes, almost grey began shifting from the 16 year old female section. She would be an easy kill I presumed. Unlike many of those around her, she appeared to be incredibly calm, almost surprising him. The crowd clapped politely and the girl managed to still remain calm.

Scurrying over to the blue bowl, labelled 'Male' in gold cursive letters, Animita pulled out another slip, "Breeze Clois," she read, scanning the crowd for the person which the name belonged to.

Looking over my shoulder, I noticed the boy who had been standing next to me begin to make his way to the stage. He appeared to be almost in tears, making me roll my eyes as I raised my hand high.

"I volunteer," I called out, pushing Breeze aside, who seemed to be more relieved than offended, "I volunteer," I repeated, in a louder voice for those who hadn't heard.

"Oh my!" Animita squeaked out as I made my way up to the stage, "May we have a name, from the brave volunteer?" she asked, meekly.

Taking the microphone from her I offered the crowd a wicked grin, "The name's Nemo Warnock, but I prefer to go by Kraken."

"Well then, in that case..." Animita began, "...let's have a hand for Mr. Warnock, whom I believe is district 4's first volunteer."

With that the crowd erupted into a bit of a frenzy. It was about time our district made our strength known and I happened to be the perfect man for the job.

Cassie Long, 16, District 6

When the sky cleared, everyone instantly headed out for the Town's Square. The Capitol hated delays but the storm was so bad even The Capitol didn't want something hapenning to their precious escorts or mentors. District 6's weather was rather volatile so while the downpour had been horrendous during the morning, the storm had quickly passed allowing the remainder of the reapings to go on.

The streets were still wet and slippery and I was sure to keep an eye out for my younger sister Rachel who appeared to be more than content ruining her reaping dress and jumping through all the puddles. She was fourteen but somehow the gravity of the Games didn't manage to shake her spirit and that drew a smile out of me.

As I found Bella in the crowd of 16 year old girls and interlaced our fingers, I couldn't help but hope that Scarlett's makeup skills managed to hide our matching black eyes. Bella's black eye came from her abusive family and as much as I wanted to put a stop to all of that with a single fist to the face, my girlfriend of a little over a year, would never allow it. As she gave me a bright but forced smile I tried my best to say something but it was easier to wait nervously in silence as we awaited our fates.

As for my black eye, it was a result of my fight last night. Scarlett's father who ran the fighting ring had paired me with my most formidable oppenent yet and I had barely won by the thinnest of margins.

It wasn't long before Scarlett, herself found us and the reaping ceremony began with a very wet Karl X. Kyser walking on to the stage. I, for one, thought the Capitolites would have brought some fancy umbrellas (or at least a change of clothes) but apparently we were all in the same boat. Ah, nature- the one true, great equalizer.

As Karl began going off about the supposed greatness of the Capitol, I found myself tuning him out. Fiddling with my yellow blouse, I realized most of district 6 appeared to be wearing the same color. It was nice to appear to be a part the a united front against The Games- something most of us whole-heartedly despised, even if the matching clothing colors just happened to be a result of the rain and coincidence.

As I turned my attention back to Karl who had just read off the female name I heard Scarlett and Bella gasp simultaneously.

"Cassie Long...?" the name was reapeated and I remained still in my place. I was not scared but if I was going to be reaped, I refused to make things easy for them. As I expected, the peacekeepers began to make their way towards me- one female and one male peacekeeper each grabbed one of my arms as I struggled to break free. Just as I thought I had broken free, three more peacekeepers joined the effort and I knew I was overpowered.

Unable to keep my mouth shut as I was dragged to the stage, I yelled, "Congrats! It only took five of you to get me here. Let's fight one-on-one and see what really happens! What, scared now?"

The crowd had gone completely silent and Karl looked at me with a rather bored expression, as if to ask: are you done?

Not giving me another moment to cause anymore chaos, Karl quickly headed to the next bowl, calling out, "Raft Spence...do we have a Raft Spence?"

A tall boy in an expensive, yellow raincoat hurried on to the stage from the 15 year old male section not saying a single word. He appeared stoic in his expression, refusing to make eye contact with me.

"Well, in a conclusion to those rather exciting reapings, let's have a hand for Cassie and Raft," Karl announced politely, giving a curt round of applause as the the audience remained silent, apparently still processing my early outburst.

As I was quickly ushered into the justice building by my oh-so-kind personal peacekeepers, a light laugh escaped my lips. If this was my fate, then I was going to give them hell. When it would be time, I was already prepared to do whatever it took to make it back home.

My plan was simple: win.

a/n: So here's the reapings chapter. I hope you enjoyed it and don't mind that I'm not doing 12 reaping chapters. Anyways, here are your questions for this chappie!

1. What did you think of Nemo?

2. What did you think of Cassie?

3. Any favorites (other than your own tributes), yet?

Thanks for all your support and love! Don't forget to review! Reviews are like food for writers XD - Cass