A.N: This is a very long chapter, probably the longest in the book. But, if you bear with it, I promise they get shorter!
(Jace Nicklace's (District One) P.O.V)
I wake up early today, a rare occurrence for myself. My mother likes to comment on how I only wake up early on two days, my birthday and Reaping Day. So of course I would be up early today, as it is both.
As it is my eighteenth birthday, my name will be in the reaping bowl at the maximum amount, but that doesn't necessarily matter; because I'm going to volunteer anyway. My family had discussed it a week before, after the announcement of the Quarter Quell. Seeing as there were four boys going into the Arena this year, I may as well be one of them!
The reaping commences exactly at 12PM sharp, and the Mayor's arrival on stage is timed perfectly. I yawn through the entirety of the introductions, and only tune in when the escort (I didn't pay attention to her name) walks towards the glass bowl containing the female tributes' names. A slip of paper had barely been picked out before a girl screamed out "I volunteer!". A collective groan spread throughout the crowd as the unlucky girls who didn't volunteer mourned at their loss.
The escort beamed as the girl who volunteered climbed onto the stage. I marvelled at her brown hair and freckled face as she spoke into the microphone. "I'm Velvet Amboni, seventeen years old, and I'm here to win the fourth Quarter Quell!".
The escort - I'm pretty sure her name is Valencia - said something about wittiness and before declaring it was time for someone to be chosen out of the boys.
I knew it, this was my moment. Velvet is up on that stage because she volunteered early, so I'd volunteer even earlier on. Valencia had barely extended her arm out to choose a name when I threw my hand up and yelled out that I volunteered.
Once again, there was a collective groan as I strode up to the stage. I was ecstatic; I had done it! I was going into the arena!
The rest of the ceremony was a blur. I stated my name for the audience, shook hands with Velvet - who didn't look nearly as pretty up close, and then we walked inside the Justice Building.
(Georgia Jalisi's (District Two) P.O.V)
My sister and I get out of bed, and walk to the kitchen in our house happily. It's Reaping Day! And better than that, it's my first one! AND, there's a bigger chance of getting picked each year, as it's a Quarter Quell! Sadly, I should probably be fifteen or older before volunteering, so I can have better training in the academy for it. My sister, Alana, is fifteen, and telling us that she is going to volunteer this year. I hope I will be a tribute soon, and my mother, sister and I will live peacefully in the Victor's Village.
I brush my teeth, and slip on a thin pink dress, covered with rose petals on the shoulders. My mother kisses me, wishes me luck, and then Alana and I run to get our names checked off. I'm a little hesitant when they ask my hand for blood, but soon afterwards I'm alright. I stand in the twelve-year old section, and look at the mayor to start talking. He does some introducing, and then he announces our escort, May Months (funny name, right?).
"Good Morning District 2! Happy Hunger Games. Have a good Quell! And may the odds be EVER in your favour!" she says clearly into her microphone. The children in front of her, including me, cheer in excitement. So do the forty or so previous victors on the stage. "You should have all watched the District 1 reapings, so we'll get straight down to business. She walks to a glass bowl full of white slips containing different girls names. She puts her hand in, and I wonder whose it is, sadly, it wouldn't be mine, I only have one in there. May unfolds it, and calls out "Georgia Jalisi!". I start to clap politely, then realise she meant me. I shout in happiness, then quickly shut my mouth.
I step out of the twelve-year old section, and walk up to May. "Well, Well! A very excited young one we have here!" she exclaims, and everyone laughs, including me. "Are there any volunteers?". Instantaneously, I can tell I won't be in this year's games, as my sister's hands shoots out of the sixteen year old section, well before any other hands went up. "I volunteer!" Alana screams.
Alana runs out of the fifteen-year old section, and onto the stage. "Well hello dear, what's your name?" May asks her.
"I'm Alana Jalisi" she replies.
"Well, I can bet you my house that was your sister. Didn't want her to be showing off about winning before you, right?"
"Duh! I can already smell our house in the Victor's Village!" Alana exclaims. May giggles and then says "Well, Alana, it's been nice talking to you, please go and sit next to the mayor to wait for the male tribute".
I felt giddy with happiness, applauding Alana, as May goes to the bowl filled with boys names. She puts her hand in, pulls a slip out, unfolds it, and calls out "Slate Medoff!". A muscular boy in the seventeen-year old section cheers happily, and then steps up to the stage. He goes up to May, and whispers in her ear.
"Well, may I introduce you to Slate Medoff! He has kindly asked for there to be no volunteers, so, I can now proudly present to you the first pair of District 2's tributes; Slate Medoff, and Alana Jalisi!" May announced. I cheer wildly for my sister. She's going to the Hunger Games! Alana and Slate shake hands, and then are directed off the stage by two peacekeepers.
A couple of minutes later, we were finally allowed to visit Alana in the Justice Building. We entered the room, and she beamed up at us. "You're not mad at me right, Georgia?" Alana asked, obviously slightly worried. My guess was that she thought that I may show some resentment towards her taking my place.
I thought about it for a moment. I was bummed out I'm not going into the games. "Hey," I consoled her. "I don't mind. If you hadn't volunteered, someone else would have. Besides, I'm probably too young to enter confidently yet."
Alana nodded, and we embraced.
(Electrica Yashar's (District Three) P.O.V)
I don't want to get out of bed. Today is Reaping Day. And not just any reaping day, it's my first one. And, to add to the drama, I have a higher chance of getting picked this year than I would any other year, because of the Capitol's stupid Quarter Quell. As if the Hunger Games weren't as horrific by themselves! Over the past few years, I've learnt that on the morning of the reaping, it is dead silent, as everyone is either an adult praying for theirs or other people's children, or is a child, desperate to complete their on-the-go invention in case they are picked. I, though, have already thought of that, and finished my automatic-weeder two days ago.
I walk down a hall in my house, the Justice Building. Typically, no one is to be sighted. I eat my breakfast, and walk to my mother's own dress-maker. I give the machine a peice of fabric with a nice design of flowers on it, and the machine makes it into a stunning dress. I put the dress on, and then go and work on my hair. As I stop my older sister's hand-free straightener, I check the time, to realise it is already four minutes to twelve! I run downstairs, out of the house, and into the Town Square. I sprint to get in the line to get my name checked off, and then sigh in relief. I look onto the stage, and see my father's, spectacled face, looking at me quizzically. I grin shyly, and then put my arm out to get my blood taken.
I walk towards the twelve-year old section, and stand next to my best friend, Switcher. She smiles at me, and then looks at my father as he begins his speech. As my dad finishes his talk, he invites our escort, Cassandra Notting, to the stage. She skips on, nods at my dad, and then proceeds to talk. "Hello, District Three! Happy Hunger Games! Have a Good Quell! Today, I have the pivi - no, the honour of being your district's escort for the fifteenth time running! Some of you may not have been watching the District One and Two reapings, as you probably were tinkering away at your, uh, contraptions" she said spitefully. "So, I will tell you this; there will be not one, but four reapings, and these will be done through the same process as any other Hunger Games. So, as per normal, I will start with you girls".
I quake in my shoes, if my name is called out, even though it's unlikely, no one will volunteer, as we don't live in places like District One, Two or Four, where they are trained for the Hunger Games their whole childhood. I cross my fingers as Cassandra places her hand in the glass bowl, and pulls out a white slip. She unfolds it, and then says in a loud an clear voice, words that can kill an innocent child. "Electrica Yashar!" Everyone gasps, including me, and I know why. Surely out of everyone, the mayor's daughter can't be picked. I can see my father eyes well with tears, and I start walking slowly towards the stage, in despair.
I meet Cassandra up on the stage, and smell the disgusting stench of her perfume. "So, Electrica, I hear you are John's daughter, looking up from me to my father. "What a coincidence! We haven't had had this happen since the 74th Hunger Games, a girl from District Two called Clove was the mayor's daughter. She died" Cassandra says, erasing all my hopes of even having a chance at winning.
"Any volunteers?" The silence in the square gives Cassandra her answer. "No? Well, then we move onto the boys". And she walked off to the other glass bowl on the stage, filled to the brim with white slips, each one containing a single boy's name. She puts her hand in, pulls a slip out, and she calls out "Plugga Frey!". A wail comes from one of the mothers in the crowd, and a small, bony boy from the thirteen-year bespectacled old section steps out, and walks up to the stage. "Well," Cassandra says. "Any volunteers for this young, handsome boy?" The awkwardness in the crowd shows how eager everyone is to be in these cruel games.
"So," Cassandra says, making the most of her last minute live on television, "may I present to you, Electrica Yashar and Plugga Frey, District Three's first two tributes for the Hundredth Annual Hunger Games!" And with that, Cassandra, my father, the mentors for District Three, Plugga and I walk off the stage to the Justice Building.
(Mervin Kemsley's (District Four) P.O.V)
I get out of bed, and quickly put my clothes on, after purposely oversleeping. I check my clock, and then realise that I over-overslept! The reaping was in five minutes!
I sprint out of the house, say a quick goodbye to my mother, and then run to the Town Square. I quickly get my name checked off, and then walk to the eighteen-year old section, to await my destiny. The mayor says his Treaty of Treason, and then leaves us with our escort, Jye Forworth. "Good morning, District Four! How are the waves today?" No one responds to him, making Jye look extremely awkward. "So," he says. "I trust that you all have seen the first three reapings, which in that case, I'll just go straight to the girls". And with that, Jye walks speedily towards a glass bowl filled to the edge with white slips.
Jye puts his hand in, and then quickly pulls out one of the slips "And the first girl representing District Four is A-"
"I volunteer!" A voice shouts, and a hand appears just in front of me. The girl then quickly ran onto the stage and told Jye, "I'm Ariella Sherril, eighteen years old. Other districts; watch out. Ariella's coming" she says devilishly.
Jye smiles at her, and then calls out "A feisty one we have here! Now, lets go and see who our male vi- uh, tribute is!" he then walks over to the other glass bowl on the left hand side of the stage. He puts his hand in, and calls out "Poseidon Kohc!". A tall, muscular seventeen year old steps out of his section. He walks proudly up to the stage, and greets Jye like he had known him his whole life. "Are there any volunteers?"
This was my moment, I could feel it, the thing I have been waiting for my whole life. I raise my hand, and say "I vol-" "I volunteer as tribute!" A voice from the sixteen year old section rings out, and I distinguish a hand from the crowd. A boy steps out, and then marches straight towards the stage. Poseidion walks off sukily, obviously wishing no one would volunteer. The boy who volunteered steps towards Jye, and says "My name is Finbar Metz, and I am sixteen".
Jye's eyes were very bright in happiness, as he hold both the tributes hands, throws them up, and then shouts "District Four's first tributes, Ariella Sherril, and Finbar Metz!". And with that, they shake hands, and exit.
The whole journey home I spat out every curse I could conjure up. Why did Finbar get all the fucking glory? He's only sixteen - he should be giving the honour to other, more qualified people! I hope he gets killed by someone from one of the outer districts, he deserves the shame.
(Isaac Scales' (District Five) P.O.V)
I open my eyes, and slowly get out of bed. I walk to the front room of my home, and I turn the television on. Watching the recaps of the first few reapings in the past four days, you can tell that the first two Hunger Games going to be a very brutal, and sad Hunger Games, as there are only two people so far under the age of fifteen. At the moment, the eight tributes so far are in their district, waiting for the District Twelve reaping. They will then board their trains, and go straight to the Capitol, at the same time. I get up from my chair, and quickly walk back into my room to get dressed.
I walk back into the front room, and see that President Snow is about to make a live announcement. The eight games will take place at separate times, starting with the male games. "So in order, there will be a male games, then a female games, then a male games, and so on so forth" he says. As I can see, this gives the girls a longer stay in the Capitol, and allows them more time for training, giving them an unfair advantage. But Snow isn't finished. "We've also decided to allow four tributes to exit each games, meaning the final games will be very exciting, with thirty-two experienced tributes! Happy Hunger Games! Have a good Quell! And may the odds be ever in your favour." he announces.
There is both an up and a down to that announcement. The good thing is that more people can make it into the Final Games. The bad thing; there will be more people to fight against in the Final Games. I go to change that channel, but my mother turns the TV off. "Hurry up, Isaac! The reaping is in fifteen minutes, and you don't want to be late!" she exclaims. I glance at our clock, and see that she's right. I hug her, and then run off to the Town Square.
I enter the back of the line to get my name checked off, and I puff. I can see all my friends; Brita, Edison and Benjamin looking at me from the twelve-year old section. I grin sheepishly at them, and they laugh. Beside them, I see my girlfriend, Vida Amenta. She's talking with a few of the other girls from our grade. I step up to the peacekeeper who was taking everyone's blood, give them my right wrist, and they put a needle in me. After a few seconds, they take it out again, and then put the blood it collected on a sheet of paper next to my name.
I step into the twelve-year old section and purposely stand in between Vida and Edison. Vida smiles at me; I smile back. We may only be twelve years old, but why should that stop us from expressing our love? Our attention then turns to the District Five mayor, as he says the last few words of the Treaty of Treason. The District Five escort, Olivia Markley bounds onto the stage, does her little introduction, and then takes small, girly steps towards one of the two glass bowl up on the stage, the girls one. She puts her hand in, and I pulls out a white slip. I will her, with every ounce of my mind, to not call out Vida's name. Hence, she does. "Vida,Amenta!" Vida gasps next to me, and then walks out to the stage. I look at her in sadness, and then put my hand up. "I volunteer!". Instantaneously, I realise how stupid I am. We're not even the right gender!
Vida looks at me, and gives me a sad smile in sad appreciate. I'm in shock. "Well well!" Olivia says. "This one's is obviously too eager to volunteer, he put his hand up before the first tribute even got onto the stage!".
"No, that's not wha-"
"It's okay, none of us will accuse you of being impatient" Olivia smiles at me. Vida and I look at each other, panicked, and then are both grabbed by the arms, and taken by Peacekeepers up to the stage. I look at Olivia, and she says to me "Who are you anyway? How old are you?"
"I'm Isaac Scales," I say nervously, "Twelve years old".
"Well, let's give a round of applause to you, Isaac, both the youngest and first volunteer for District Five". I see some of the mothers at the back, including mine, and they all give me sad looks. My mother starts crying, which nearly reduces me to tears. But no, I must stay strong. I have to look tough so as to not be targeted.
Olivia walks into the middle of Vida and I, and shouts out "So, District Five. I present to you your first set of tributes for the Fourth Quarter Quell; Vida Amenta, and Isaac Scales!" The crowd claps politely, and we are then led off the stage and into the Justice Building.
Vida and I sit down next to each other, and Vida hugs me. "Thankyou for trying to take my place, that was very sweet of you" she whispers. "It's okay," I say to her, dreading the weeks to come.
It's official. I am the dumbest person in all of Panem. My mother would kill me if I wasn't already dead
(Kiana Scorno's (District Six) P.O.V)
I walk into the kitchen of my house. I begin two chop up some fruit for my daughters; Elizabeth and Daphine, all by myself. Every since my husband died, I've had my hands filled with the girls and work. After i finished the fruit salad, I call the girls. They race down the hallways, not at all worried about their Third Reaping and the bigger chance that they'll get in. They laugh, talk, and eat. I smile, and retire to the lounge room, trying to hide my stress.
"Mum!" Elizabeth's voice rang out a good two hours later. "What clothes shall we wear?".
I sigh, and walk into the twins' room. They smile at me, and I grab two, identical dresses decorated in a pink fabric, One of the only nice clothes we own. We hear our alarm blare for about five seconds. "Okay," I say. "It's time to go to the reaping, good luck girls!". The twins hug me for a long time, then race each other to the Town Square. I smile sadly, and start walking to the reaping, knowing I will only get there in time to see the names get called out.
I arrive in the Town Square, and slip into line. A few of the mothers that I'm friends with smile at me, and then our attention turned to the District Six, Caldesia Tipton. She already had her hand in the glass bowl! She picked out a slip, and then read out "Daphine Scorno!" The mothers all turn to me again, looking sad and sorrowful. I see Elizabeth has fainted, out of shock. Daphine walks up to the stage her face paralysed with a look of fear, and Caldesia hugs her. Daphine turns to face everyone, and I burst into tears. My little baby is going into the Hunger Games! For all we know, we only have six days left with her ever, and then the train will come to take her to the Capitol! Why her, I ask myself. Couldn't it have been someone else? "Any volunteers?" Caldesia asks. If Elizabeth hadn't passed out, she would be volunteering for Daphine, but that isn't any better.
I don't feel like watching the boys being reaped, but I have to. Caldesia pulls out another name, this time belonging to a boy named Kye Lenz. He stepped shyly from the thirteen-year old section, and walked so slowly up to the stage, the Peacekeepers had to shove him up. This only reduced the boy to tears, and Caldesia quickly asked for volunteers. As expected, no one made a sound. She then shouts out "So, here are our first two of eight tributes for District Six! Daphine Scorno, and Kye Lenz!" And, with that Daphine, Caldesia, the only five District Six victors, and Kye walk into the Justice Building. I pick up Elizabeth, and we rush, along with Kye's family, to the Justice Building to see our children before they leave in a week.
(Clive Normandi's (District Seven) P.O.V)
I walk towards the tree, holding the axe in my left hand. I look at the tree, with it's giant trunk and thick branches. I feel a sudden urge of power, and then I swing the axe at the tree. The axe lands on the tree, wedged perfectly into it's trunk. I shout happily in joy, and then hear my watch beep. The reaping was about to start!
I put the axe down carefully, and then start sprinting to the Town Square. I jump over the narrow stream, over a log, and then enter the housing part of the District. I run past my abandoned house, and into the Town Square. I see the mayor, stepping up to begin his Treaty of Treason, even though there are still about five people waiting to get their name checked off. I jog into the line, and get my blood taken.
I enter the fifteen-year old section, and see my little brother, Andy, in the twelve year old section. I see our mayor start talking about the first rebellion, and I start to daydream, passing the time.
I am in a field of grass, holding an axe covered with blood in my hands. I see a twelve-year old, from what looks like District 11, lying defeated on the ground, about ten metres away from me. I approach him slowly, and he looks at me pleadingly. "Clive" he gasps. "Please, no" I blink, and my axe takes his head off. A cannon sounds. I walk away, lost in thought. Behind me, a tall boy, who looks like that boy named Slate who was reaped in the District 2 reapings. He is carrying a sword. He swings it back, ready to decapitate me. Though, I hear him, swing my axe behind him, and it's edge lands perfectly in his chest. Trumpets blare.
I suddenly shake my head, and look at our escort, Alyssa Utley, who was in the process of pulling a name out of the girls glass bowl. She clears her throat, and calls out "Jeanne Vigil". There comes a large gasp from the eighteen-year old section, and tall brunette steps out of the area. She walks silently up to the stage, and stands silently next to Alyssa. Alyssa then trots over to the boys bowl, and pulls out a name, and thank god, it's not mine. I see a boy from the twelve year old section step out, and start crying as he approaches the stage. I feel really bad.
"Any volunteers?" Alyssa asks, as the boy turns around. I gasp. Andy's been reaped. "Yes!" I shout. "I volunteer!".
"Oh my," Alyssa exclaims as I arrive on the stage. "And what may your name be?"
"I'm Clive Normandi," I tell her.
"So I'm guessing you volunteered for your brother," she says to me. "How - um, nice of you"
I smile at her, and face the audience, looking at what may as well be my last five days at my home.
"District Seven! May I present to you your first two tributes for the Fourth Quarter Quell; Clive Normandi, and Jeanne Vigil!" Alyssa shouts, and then directs Jeanne and I off the stage.
I should be worried about being a tribute, but my mind is still preoccupied by what I had just daydreamt. Maybe I'm more prepared for the games than I thought, if I was having these kind of fantasies
(Jennifer William's (Capitol Reporter) P.O.V)
I take a quick sip of water, turn to my co-host, Andrew Manretto, and then signal us being ready to the cameramen.
"Hello Panem! And welcome back to another reaping! Today, we will be selecting two tributes from District Eight!" I say bubbily to the cameras.
"The reaping is about to start, and we are the only news studio to have live coverage of these reapings!" Andrew bounds in right after me.
"Andrew, so far, who do you think is the tribute that is most likely to win?" I ask.
"Well Jennifer, that's a hard question. It's tough, but I think the winner will be either between Slate Medoff from District Two, Finbar Metz from District Four, or Clive Normbardi from District Seven will win, but, who knows? Maybe someone's hiding something. For instance, maybe that Kye boy from District Six is a ruthless killer! Maybe he's related to butterflies! Well, we know this for sure, we will only know when the actual games begin" Andrew answers me. I agree.
"So," I say, "The reaping has now begun, and we will show you the District Eight escort, Ally Kiarene pull out the names for the first female tribute!" I say excitedly into the camera. The television turns on behind Andrew and I, and we swivel around to look at Ally put her hand in the bowl.
Ally takes a slip out, and calls out "Chelsea Walling!". A fifteen year old girl with wavy, blonde hair walks up to the stage, fairly brightly for a District Eight tribute. Next, Ally does the boys, and calls out "Darning Elles!". The boy, Darning, also steps out of the fifteen year old section, and walks strongly up to the stage. Ally gives the two tributes praise, and then directs them off the stage.
Andrew and I swivel back in our seats, and look at the camera. "So there you have it," Andrew says. "The first two tributes for District Eight, Darning and Chelsea."
"It's a pity there wasn't any volunteers, they always make a Reaping interesting" I muse. "Though, I guess this games has already had more than the average amount of volunteers, so I guess we can excuse that."
Andrew nods, and we shift the conversation over to the other tributes.
"Well," I say "Without a doubt, I can tell that those two twelve year olds from District Five, Isaac and Vida, are the cutest two yet. DId you see when Isaac tried to volunteer for Vida? It's just a pity that they both still have to go in. Capitol viewers, we now need your opinion. Who is your favourite tribute so far, and why? The best answer will get a reward!". And then, I lift up an envelope with the words 'First Prize' on it.
"Thankyou for watching today's reaping with us, and we hope to see you tomorrow for the District Nine reapings!" Andrew says.
"Goodbye," I smile.
(Martin Bass's (Capitol Citizen) P.O.V)
My mother and I open the door, carrying all our ingredients from the supermarket. We sit down in our plush, water chairs, and turn our television on to watch the District Nine reapings. The two presenters; Andrew Manretto and Jennifer Williams, are talking about the previous Quarter Quell, in which the tributes all had to volunteer to enter the games.
"Andrew," Jennifer says. "If you had to choose a District to stay in, which one would it be, and why?"
"Well Jennifer," Andrew replies, "I would stay in District One. They have the cutest girls there." I snort. If I had to, I would choose District Two, they get the strongest boys from there. But, I'm in the Capitol, and all is well."
"So, thankyou Andrew, but our reapings has now officially started, we will be showing you Anna Mendronging picking out the tributes names live from District Nine" says Jennifer, and then she and her co-host swivel in their chairs to view the giant television behind them. Our television then shows a picture of a nicely dressed Capitol woman, standing in a field of dullness. She placed her hand in a bowl labelled 'Girls' and calls out "Alice Overwood!" a girl in the eighteen year old section walks up to the stage, in no hurry at all.
Anna then puts her hand in a bowl labelled 'Boys', and calls out "William Kendring!". A wail arises from the twelve year old section, and a boy emerges from the sixteen year old section. "WILLIAM!" a boy from the twelve year old section shouts, "NO! DON'T GO WILLIAM!". But, ignoring the boy, William Kendring walks slowly up to the stage. Anna congratulates him, asks for volunteers, in which the crying boy goes silent, and then gives the two tributes applause.
The two presenters talk a little more, fluffing out their runtime to make up for the embarrassingly short reaping. I switch the TV, and head into the kitchen for food.
(Vida Amenta's (District Five) P.O.V)
I sit next to Isaac, and turn the television on, we should see who we are up against in District Ten. At the moment, I'm worried for my boyfriend, he has to face District Two's Slate Medoff, District One's Jace Niklace, District Four's Finbar Metz, and District Seven's Clive Normandi, they all look particularly scary. Whereas, I have only three to really worry about. I cuddle with Isaac, and watch the screen as District Ten's escort, Kathy Boyoner, picks out the girls name. "Daisy Kerem!" she shouts. A sob emerges through the crowd, and a small girl emerges from the thirteen year old section, crying.
Next, Kathy picks out the boys name, a muscular sixteen year old, Nick Aberth. He walks up to the stage, and Kathy asks for volunteers. No one answers. "Ladies and Gentlemen of District Ten, I present to you your first two tributes, Daisy Kerem, and Nick Aberth!". And then, she walks off.
Isaac and I are about to turn the television off, when our president's face shows up. "Hello, people of Panem, we have an announcement to make. We are going to be holding the District Eleven reapings today as well, and tomorrow will the District Twelve reaping. Happy Hunger Games to you all!".
I realise what she said, and then start feeling bad for those in District Eleven, the parents will have been preparing for what may be their last full day with their children, to find out that that was yesterday. Isaac and I hold each others hands, and wait for the next reaping.
(Clive Normandi's (District Seven) P.O.V)
I lie down next to Jeanne, and we stare at the District Eleven escort, Oliver Highjup. One of the two male escorts. "Hello District Eleven! Happy Hunger Games! Wow, you guys have amazing sunsets!" he shouts. I'm confused for a second, then realise, two reapings today, one in the morning, one at night. "I'll skip all that introducing stuff and get down to what we are ALL here for, the names, which I have the honour of calling out to you for five times this year. Also, I may just say, for an outsider district, you have a lot of victors, in fact, you have TEN, unlike Twelve's pitiful three." We hear a growl rumble through the crowd.
Changing the subject, Oliver walks over to a wooden box labelled 'Girls Names'. He puts his hands in, and picks out two slips of paper. He then cups them in his hands, and then puts one in each. "Which hand?" he asks. Most of the District just point at the left hands. "Okay," he says. "Mahogany Tipster!". A tall, muscular girl from the eighteen year old section steps out, and walks briskly up to the stage. "I'm a bit embarrassed," she says. I'm a little thrown off, she doesn't seem too upset. "I pointed for my own name." It's silent in District Eleven, but you can tell that the Capitol is doubled over in laughter.
Oliver then walks over to the wooden box labelled 'Boys Names' and puts his hands in, and picks out two again. He throws one name into the crowd, and calls out "Shaw Yepper!" a whine comes from the twelve year old section, and a small boy steps out. I almost choke, he looks slightly similar to the boy I dreamt of murdering in my reaping. I shake my head, where are all these murderous thoughts coming from?
Oliver asks if there are any volunteers, as to which he receives silence. "District Eleven! Your first tributes for the Hundredth Annual Hunger Games! Mahogany Tipster, and Shaw Yepper!".
And then, Oliver, Mahogany Five Peacekeepers, the ten victors, and that small boy walked off the stage. Jeanne and I turn the television off, and walk off to bed.
(Kaitlyn Natale's (District Twelve) P.O.V)
I walk out of the meadow quietly, stash my spear behind a tree, and then carry the carcass of my deer to the Hob. Once, I heard that the Hob was bombed, and then, during the Third Quarter Quell, District Twelve had a high chance of being bombed, thank god it wasn't. I trade half the deer for bread and milk, and then walk back to our house, in the Victor's Village. I don't necessarily need to hunt, but I just do it for fun. I give the rest of the deer to one only neighbour, Haymitch Abernathy, as well as the bread and milk. He doesn't shop any more, in fact, he doesn't even walk any more.
I walk inside, and see my dad, Peeta, and my mother, Primrose, waiting for me. I know what you're thinking. Prim? She didn't even go in the games! The Capitol allowed the Everdeen's to stay in the Victor's Village. Though, my grandmother died a few years ago, she was as old as Haymitch. My mother was the infamous Katniss Everdeen's sister. After Peeta emerged victorious from their games, he spent some time with Prim, grieving the loss of Katniss. And, well, the rest became history. In my opinion, it was an odd pairing, especially as Peeta had been in love with my late aunt, but as my mother says, love is love.
"Kaitlyn!" my mother exclaims. "Are you going to go the reaping?". I realise the time, kiss my parents, and then run as fast as I can to the Town Square. I arrive there in plenty of time to spare, I needn't to have run here. I get my name checked off, and then walk into the fourteen year old section. I talk to my friends for a while, and realise that Mayor Undersee has already welcomed my dad and Haymitch. Our escort, Eli Trinket, welcomes us to what she thinks will be District Twelve's best games yet. All too quickly, she is putting her hand in the girls glass bowl. And, she calls out "Kaitlyn Natale!". A sudden gasp emerges through the crowd. I, shocked, walk slowly and warily up to the stage, and then embraced by Eli.
"So, I believe that you, Kaitlyn, are the daughter of Peeta." Eli says to me. I nod in answer. "Well, are there any volunteers?". I look desperately at the crowd. Some were thinking about it, I wished. But no, no one is volunteering, why would they?
"Well then, onto the boys" Eli says, and thrusts her hand into the boys bowl. She unravels the slip, and says loudly "Ash Coralby". A boy hesitantly steps out of the seventeen year old section, and is escorted by peacekeepers up to the stage. "Are there any volunteers?"
No one makes a sound. I start shaking, still overcome by the horror of being reaped.
"Well, District Twelve, here are your first two tributes for the Fourth Quarter Quell, Kaitlyn Natale, and Ash Coralby!" Eli says, beckoning for us to shake hands. Ash and I do, and then walk as fast as we can, with Eli, Peeta, and Haymitch in his scooter.
I sit on a chair, and see my mother rush in. "Why you?" she whispers. "Couldn't it have been someone else? My baby's going to the beastly Hunger Games, in a Quarter Quell! Why does my family suffer in these brutal games! Promise me you won't die, Kaitlyn, promise?"
"I promise" I whisper.
A.N: Okay, so that chapter is probably at least three times longer than the average chapter will hopefully be. Sorry that it is so long, I think towards the end you could see me experimenting with different ways to present the reapings.
Also yes, Kaitlyn's last name isn't Mellark. I felt like it'd be too closely associated with the original books if I used Mellark. So, i'm going to find a reason for it to be Natale because :DD
If anyone wants to give me ideas for arenas, please do! I only have three out of eight planned, but I've got a fun one ready for the Final Games!
Also yeah it's sloppy that I changed it in the middle of the book for there to be four victors. But, the Capitol is sloppy so imma leave it that way.