A double whammy! I've decided to put the reapings for District Nine and Ten together and I'll do the same for District Eleven and Twelve - so be prepared for some long chapters!

Laurel Eresong, District Nine Female, 15 years old

Most people on reaping days spend time with their families, preparing one another for the day ahead. Most will be able to go home unscathed from the horrors but two families will have to deal with the burden of their child being reaped. So naturally, on reaping day, if you have a family you mostly spend time with them.

I wish I could, but instead I'm with my co-worker, Bay. Although I'm only fifteen I work in the fields, like many teens in my district. Most of us do it because we have to in order to support our families whilst others do it in order to not take out any more tesserae. Whatever the reason, most of us work there. That's where I met Bay. He was fine at first, pleasant but he quickly became depressed. I had heard how quickly the descent can be, but I never believed it until I saw Bay crumble before me. I was optimistic anyway but since he's become depressed I've made sure that I'm even more optimistic, not just for me but for his sake. I've seen a lot of things because of Bay, him trying to smash his head on the wall was one of the most terrifying things to happen. We got through it though and every so often he tries again. I've gotten a lot calmer in these situations.

My parents know how important I am to Bay and as such they let me go to his house when we heard from his parents that he's refusing to eat. He does that sometimes and it's only when I force him to eat something that he does. I'd like to be with my family on reaping day, but I know Bay needs me.

Sure enough, at his house, he's locked himself in his room. His mother gives me a plate of food and I ascend the stairs. I knock lightly on the door, making sure my voice is soft, "Bay? You've got to eat."

I can hear scuffling behind the door and a mumble of sorts. I don't quite catch what he says, but I hear a click, signalling that the door's unlocked. I take a breath and enter his room.

He's sat on his bed, eyes red from crying. I don't say anything, but I sit beside him and place the plate on his lap and wrap an arm around him, pulling him close to me. He appreciates the gesture because he rests his head on my shoulder and whimpers slightly. I hold a piece of bread up to his mouth and, ever so slowly, he takes a few bites. That's enough for him and he shakes his head, refusing anymore. I don't try to force it down him. Patience is a virtue and since I'm lucky to have it I make sure to exercise it at all times. I give him a squeeze, my hand training to his own and I make him stand up. The reaping'll start any moment and we can't be late - that'll only make things worse.

Blake Eden, District Nine Male, 17 years old

The square fills up quicker than I expected - you'd think they'd all be scared stiff and take their time. But no, apparently this year they can't wait to get it over and done with and we're all here on time for once.

Our escort looks as stupid as always. His hair doesn't quite know what colour it wants to be - it's between purple, blue and turquoise and I don't know if the intended effect is to make him look stupid but it's sure doing that.

He blabbers throughout the film of the Dark Days, so much so that you can't hear any of the recorded words as he does his own dramatic reading of it. By the time it's finished he's already at the bowl full of girl names and picks one, holding it up in the air as if it's a newborn royal child.

He returns to the microphone and smiles. "Laurel Eresong!"

A girl from the fifteen year old's section starts to shake slightly, yet she doesn't move. The girls around her disperse as she walks out into the aisle. The peacekeepers begin to escort her but she breaks down crying. Pathetic. They carry her up and leave her on the stage. She's still crying.

You can't hear the escort's voice over her crying and he has to shout the male name to be heard.

"Blake Eden!"

I'm not really effected when my name is called and all I think about is winning the Games. Maybe I'll be able to rid of the injustice that is the Careers - I'm strong enough to do so. Besides, the Career alliance crumbles sooner or later.

I take my place besides the girl and we shake hands, though she can barely manage it since she's crying so much. I stop myself from rolling my eyes as we're led into the Justice Building.

Dion Ouyang, District Ten Male, 16 years old

The square is always so tense during reaping times - none of us really know how to react. District Ten isn't known for it's victors, but it is known for producing strong tributes. I'm not one of them, though. I'd rather be a doctor at the Capitol and that's what I intend to do when school ends. The Hunger Games is the only obstacle in me being able to achieve that.

Our escort is tired of being our escort, you can tell that. She's seventy odd and has been escorting ever since my parents were eligible for reaping. She breezes through the Dark Days film - we've all seen it before and by now it's just for the young kids who've never seen it before. Her heels make the most obnoxious clicking noise and she walks to the bowl full of female names and picks one.

"Illea Augustine!"

The crowd separates around a short, slightly chubby girl who begins to scream. The peacekeepers are quick to swoop in and escort her to the stage.

Our escort doesn't quite know what do as she has a look of distaste on her face - usually people from our district just accept their fate. We haven't had someone who's screamed in a long time. It takes the girl, Illea, a few seconds to calm down and when our escort thinks she's able to continue with the ceremony, she chooses a boy name.

"Dion Ouyang!"

Illea Augustine, District Ten Female, 15 years old

I'm still so prettified that I don't hear the name of the boy who's been reaped. It takes me a second or two to hone in on who's been reaped and I see him.

He's not short but he's not tall, bulky. You can tell he'll have a good chance of survival within the Games.

I study his face, the best I can at least, and the shock and sadness is evident. I don't know who he is but you can tell he had a dream or aspiration that he was working towards.

When he takes his place on the stage beside me he seems to have a much calmer aura about him. Our escort instructs us to shake hands and we do so. He flashes me a small smile and I do my best to do the same.

As he walks into the Justice Building I need to be pushed, still frozen by being reaped.

Ugh I'm so not happy with these reapings. I've been trying to write them since I posted the previous reaping, but nothing works! I tried my hardest, promise!

I really resonated well with Laurel and I wanted to do more with Dion but his backstory was too ambiguous for me to give him a large POV as I was uncomfortable with changing too many things to make it readable.

I really couldn't get into writing Blake and I struggled with Illea, hence why they have the shortest paragraphs.

I hope I did them justice, but I totally understand if I didn't! :C

I'll atone for it in their goodbyes, the chariots and the training when their personalities can make more of a mark.

As always, reviews make me happy~!

- Oli