Chapter 3

The Reaping

The Reaping. The single worst day of the year. I don't know what monster came up with the idea, but I hope whoever it was died a slow, painful death. The idea of sending kids, some barely old enough to understand what is about to happen to them, into an arena where they must either kill or be killed while everyone else watches them as though they are some piece of entertainment is horrifying. There aren't any words that would do that horrible crime justice.

I get out of bed earlier than Amber and Gram and get ready to head out to the water. I always go fishing when I'm depressed. It takes my mind off things. I get dressed in my rolled up jeans and t-shirt and grab my spear, net, and bucket and then I'm ready to head out. As I walk out the door, I see Boyd walking a little ahead of me. I run to catch up with him.

"Hey stranger." he says as I run up next to him.

"Hey. What're you up to?"

"Same as you. Out for a good fish before this afternoon."

We walk in silence for the rest of the way, which is only about a minute since we both live near the water. When we reach the shore, we get our things together and start fishing.

"So Darce, how're you feeling?" Boyd says after a minute or two.

"Boyd, don't ask me that. You know me well enough. I'm fine. I have to be, otherwise I would just die from depression. I just put on my fake smile and get through life."

"Come on, Darcy. When are you going to wake up and see that is your life, whether you like it or not. Why can't you just enjoy what you have. You have a sister and grandmother that love you, a friend that will always be there for you, and you're not poor and living on the streets. Things could be worse. You could be living in District 12, scraping coal from a tunnel." Nobody spoke. Of course, Boyd made a great point. He is one of the smartest people I ever met, which made me mad sometimes. He knew his way with words – he knew how to make a person feel great, or guilty, or sad. He knew how to make a person think, even when they didn't want to.

"I'm sorry. Gosh I'm such a downer. It's just I still haven't gotten over their deaths. Carmella was so young and my parents, I know it's been a while, but it felt like I barely got to know them, but you're right. I do have something to be happy about."

"There you go. Perfect." Amber was wearing a green dress that stopped at about her knee along with light blue shoes and her hair was in a simple ponytail. Nothing too fancy, but it was the Reaping. We had to look nice. Why? I don't know.

I was wearing a sea-blue dress covered by a brown cardigan. My long hair was down for once instead of in its normal messy ponytail. The brown curls were flowing down my back and over my shoulders.

Gram, Amber, and I finally set off to the square for the Reaping . We still had about ten minutes when we arrived, but time flies when you know the worst is coming. Amber goes and stands with the other thirteen year old girls while I go stand by my fellow fifteen year old girls. I look around and I see Boyd standing with the sixteen year old boys. He shoots me a fake smile and I try to return it, but nothing in my body wants me to smile right now. It doesn't matter, though, because the clock strikes noon and the mayor, Mayor Ferguson, steps up to the podium. He begins the reaping like every other district every year. The History of Panem.

"From the ashes of what was once known as North America, the nation of Panem was born. The Capitol and its thirteen districts were peaceful until the Dark Days. The Rebellion began and District Thirteen rebelled, but the Capitol was stronger. District Thirteen was destroyed. As punishment for the rebellion against the Capitol, each year, each district must present one man and woman to fight in the Hunger Games where twenty four tributes must fight to the death until one final victor remains. Let this remind us that the Capitol is the stronger force. Nothing can rise above it. Let there be no more Dark Days."

Now, with that out of the way, Mayor Ferguson introduces our previous victors. We only have two. Mags and Finnick Odair. I know Finnick from school. We're not great friends, but we talk every once in a while. He is an excellent fisher; he's even taught me a few of his best techniques. His performance in the 65th Hunger Games was amazing. He was sent a trident from his sponsors and was able to trap and kill his opponent with it. Mags is also a victor. She won one of the Hunger Games way back when they first started. She was also Finnick's mentor when he was a tribute. That is probably why he was so successful. They both take their turn wishing the soon to be tributes good luck and how they are looking forward to seeing another District Four victor. Now, the Mayor introduces District Four's escort, Dedra Vannelli. Her hair is dyed blue green and her nails are long and bright pink. She is wearing a blue suit that matches her hair and her makeup is not very far from a clown. But, no one is laughing at how ridiculous she looks because when Dedra steps forward, you know it is time for the Reaping.

"Welcome citizens of District Four!" she says a little too cheery. "It is now time to select the two tributes that will represent District Four in the 67th Annual Hunger Games. As always, ladies first. She walks over to the glass bowl that contains all the girls' names. Ten of those have my name, Darcy Varella, written on them. I haven't had to enter for tessera too many times since District Four is one oft the wealthier districts. Most of the people have enough to live on since almost everyone knows how to fish, but ever since Mom and Dad died, it's gotten a little harder for just Gram to provide for all three of us. Amber only has her name entered twice, which makes me feel a little better. Dedra reachers her hand into the bowl and picks a piece of paper. She walks back over to the podium, opens the folded paper, and reads the name.

The name is Darcy Varella.