Sage Krass, 15
I pass out the loaves of bread to the famished children in the orphanage. Their eyes open wide when I hand them the warm object, some are unable to comprehend. Their smiles are why I continue to help, seeing sad faces turn into happy faces in an instant, knowing you're the one that caused it. It's a good feeling.
I end up having leftovers, so I set them on the nearby table for anyone who needs more. I wave goodbye as my mother and I exit the building, feeling good about ourselves.
"You're a sweet girl, Sage." My mother tells me, smile on her face.
"I try my best." I smile back, knowing I get my charitable traits from her. She hugs me tight and together we return home. It's a small home, with only one bedroom for three people it can get cramped, but I never complain. Others have it way worse than me.
I hold the door to our small house for my mother and we enter together. My father lays in bed with a book in his hands. It's weird to see him, he's usually working. But not today. Today, people get half the day to relax and must spend the other half praying for their loved ones safety. It's quite unfair.
I kiss my mother and father on the foreheads before moving to our shared dresser to find a decent outfit for tonight. Every year I stand in that crowd, praying it is not me who has to compete. Every year, my prayers have been answered. I can only pray today is the same.
I find a nice dark green dress that compliments my green eyes. I duck into our shared washroom and quickly change. The dress is slightly big on me, but it works out well. I run my fingers through my brown hair before exiting the washroom to put together a small meal for my family. We no longer have bread, so I make do with some grain.
My parents join me in the kitchen and we have a small, pleasant conversation. We try to avoid talking about the reapings, as that only brings fear. As a family of three, I am the only one they worry about on this day.
I help my mother tidy up the kitchen as the bell starts to ring.
"It's time to go." My father sighs, fear hidden in his voice. I go over and hug him tightly.
"It'll be okay." I say, smiling. I have to believe it. I have to believe I will be okay. For them.
As a family, we walk to the square. Many children smile and wave towards me. One even hugs me. I smile, wave, and hug back. Every smile I see makes my heart happy.
I hug my parents one last time before signing in. Right before we separate, my mother puts a heart necklace in my hands. I clasp it over my neck and kiss her goodbye.
I sign in, cringing when they take my blood, but eventually make it through. I look around at all of the faces that surround me. Many try to put on a brave face, but they all show fear. Nobody wants to be on that stage by the end of the day.
Our escort, Beauli, hops onto stage after our new mayor finishes her speech. While she is excited for the games, as most escorts are, she is dressed relatively normal, in a bright pink blouse and black leggings. She seems nice.
She walks to the female bowl and picks a single name. I hold my breath, praying for the best.
"Our female tribute will be…Sage Krass!" My heart skips a hundred beats as every face in the crowd turns to look at me. I let out a small cry, I can feel my body shaking. I feel the tears fall before I even realize I'm crying. This can't be happening. It can't.
I see the eyes of my parents in the crowd. Their faces make the tears come faster.
It's going to be a hard couple of weeks.
Samuel Tobin, 14
I stand in the crowd, Grant by my side. I hold him tightly, praying they don't take him away from me. I try to stay strong, but they are stronger. Grant is ripped out of my hands. I see him laying on the floor, blood spewing everywhere, the face of the girl from Four standing over him. I start to hyperventilate.
That's when I wake. Sweat covers my body and the sheets I've bee laying in.
A year ago today, my best friend Grant was sentenced to death. He didn't even last five minutes, he made a silly mistake and paid for it with his life. And I had to watch, unable to help in anyway.
I sigh and uncover myself. The cool air hits my skin, making my hair stand up. I shake out my legs before walking to my bathroom. I wash my face in the sink, my brown eyes looking back at a scared fourteen year old boy. I take a few deep breaths to calm down. Sadness takes over my body. Why did he have to die?
I finish in the bathroom and hear the cries of my baby brother. I walk over to his crib and take him out, hugging him tightly. My mother enters our room and smiles weakly.
"Thank you, Samuel." She says. My baby brother stops crying and I place him back in his crib. He falls back asleep. I wish I could do the same.
I go into my closet to find a decent outfit for tonight. I finally decide on a dark blue button up with black pants. The black shoes I find look old and worn out, but they still fit so I wear them anyway. I brush my hair back. A wave of sadness washes over me. I wish I could just go to sleep and never wake to this bad dream.
I take a breath and grab my baby brother before going into the small kitchen. I set him in his highchair and get his bottle. I'm too worn out to eat, so I just nibble on a banana, knowing I need something in my stomach. My parents join me eventually.
"How'd you sleep?" My mother asks me, tending to my brother.
"Alright. I dreamt about Grant again." My mother nods, a sad look in her eyes. Not only did we lose Grant, we lost his entire family. It hurt a lot of people in the district.
I kiss my parents goodbye and walk to the square alone. I enjoy being alone, it gives me time to think.
What if I'm reaped this year? What if I have to face the same horrors last years tributes had to face? Lava, flooding, on top of other children hunting you. I shudder and try to stop overthinking.
I see my friends in the distance and jog to catch up with them. I smile at Anna, her smile making my heart melt. She's so beautiful.
"We thought you forgot about us." Ingrid jokes with me.
"I could never." I say, helping myself calm. We sign in and stand in a group in the crowd. Tensions are high, just like they are every year.
Our new mayor starts his speech and once he finishes, introduces our escort. Then, the reapings begin. I hold my breath, waiting for the worst, hoping for the best.
The female tribute reaped is a girl I barely recognize. Anna whispers to me that she has the reputation for being the sweetest girl in the district. The fact makes me slightly sad for the girl.
"And our male tribute will be…Samuel Tobin!" My heart drops. Time slows down. I can feel the fear growing in my chest. Is this how Grant felt when he was reaped last year?
I clench my fists and make my way onto the stage. I try to focus on staying calm. I barely acknowledge my partner as we shake hands, ignoring the crowd in front of me, ignoring everything.
What am I going to do?
Let me know what you think of these two! Only three reapings left!