Despite District Four being a wealthy place full of children who are more than capable of handling themselves in the games, Reaping Day is still something adults and children alike fear. Attendance is mandatory, unless you are bed-ridden or on the brink of death.
Annie Cresta held her sister's hand tightly as they pushed through crowds of children, all looking equally solemn and pained. Many had younger siblings practically attached to their hip, clutching them as if they would never let go. Annie was nine and not eligible for the games yet, but Clarisse was fifteen and there was a minuscule chance that her name would be drawn on this day. Dressed in a green frock that hung off her frame neatly, Clarisse would have looked beautiful had it not been for the pained expression and trembling lips. Her hair had been done up into neat curls and her mother had painted her nails for her. Around her arm, she wore a sea-shell bracelet Annie had made for her several weeks earlier. She allowed her sister to hold her tight, until it was time to sign in. Crouching down to Annie's height, Clarisse cupped her younger sister's cheeks. Smiling sadly, the older girl planted a kiss on Annie's forehead before reverting to her full height and making her way over towards the other children, her movements stiff and almost robotic. Annie watched as her sister, on the brink of tears, took her place among other teenagers. Taking a step back, Annie spun around to find her parents but instead came face to face with Finnick Odair.
Seeing the tears in Annie's eyes she had previously tried to blink away, Finnick felt his heart sink. At eleven years of age Finnick wasn't quite old enough for the games, but it wouldn't be long until he too would have to stand with his head held high in a crowd, dread and fear eating his insides out as he awaited the name of this year's champion. For now he had nothing to fear, but Annie did. Her sister was an eligible candidate, and her name was in eight times today. He took Annie's hand in his own and she sniffed a thank you. As the last few latecomers signed in, Finnick led Annie back towards a place in the crowd, somewhere near her parents. Annie caught a glimpse of her distraught mother looking as if she would break down, leaning into her father's chest. Finnick's father was a few rows behind them, talking to another man.
"You okay?" Finnick asked her, concern evident in his voice. No, Annie wanted to reply, but she nodded instead. Finnick gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, jumping as a high-pitched noise echoed across the town square.
"Welcome, welcome!" a tall, caramel-skinned lady wearing bright blue clothing a few shades darker than the sky had stepped up onto stage. It was District Four's escort, Mayelle Vipointe, a woman who appeared to be quite frightening to Annie. A dazzling white smile was plastered onto her face, but even Annie could tell that she was less than happy to be here and away from the Capitol, "Welcome to the sixty-second annual hunger games!" As she paused, the town square was practically silent other than several coughs and sneezes. Nevertheless Mayelle continued, gesturing to the huge monitor placed to her right, "Before we begin, we have a special film for you all, brought to you from the Capitol,"
The film was filled with Capitol propaganda depicting the dark days and praising President Snow for leading this great nation. It tried to justify the hunger games as a merciful punishment, but it was so much greater than that. Finnick felt Annie grip his hand a little tighter as it ended.
"Wasn't that wonderful?" Mayelle chirped, recieveing little response other than murmurs and a few chuckles. She swallowed hard before continuing, "So. . . the time has come to select our tributes who will represent District Four in the sixty-second annual hunger games," she smiled once more with a small giggle that almost made Finnick sick, "Now, ladies first," Mayelle took long strides in her six-inch heels towards a glass bowl filled to the brim with female names. The twelve year-olds in the front row linked arms and prayed to a god who wasn't listening as she selected a thin strip and made her way back towards the microphone. Clearing her throat, Mayelle read out,
"Clarisse Cresta!"
Whatever Annie happened to be thinking in that moment was lost. Even Finnick let go of her hand for just a second. It was her mother's high-pitched wail that brought her back into reality. Annie watched as her sister, trembling and terrified, tentatively stepped her way through the crowds looking as if she would faint at any second.
"Come on up dear!"
Clarisse glanced around helplessly, but everyone took a step back from her as if she carried an infectious disease of some sort. Even the girls who were supposed to be her friends, refused to make eye contact, ashamed that they could not or would not do anything to help her. For a brief moment, hazel eyes met green and Annie wished in vain that she could do something other than watch uselessly as her sister was dragged to her almost imminent death. Clarisse could not fight, nor could she kill. She could make nets, paint nails and wear pretty little dresses. She could curl hair, ride and bike and talk to boys. She could not win.
Finnick felt conflicting emotions. On one hand, he wanted to pull Annie into a tight embrace and never let her go, but something told him this wasn't the time and so he loosened his grip on her palm.
Eventually, Clarisse had to be half-dragged up onto stage by peacekeepers in sparkling white uniforms. Annie could hear her mother sobbing and almost screaming, murmuring her eldest daughter's name into her husband's shoulder. She could see Clarisse fiddling with the bracelet on her wrist, clutching it between the fingers of her trembling hand. But Annie could not believe the next thing she heard.
"I volunteer!"
Everyone's heads turned as a tall, broad-shouldered girl with dark hair and a pale face called out. Annie craned her neck just enough to see her jogging amist the crowds towards the stage. Annie felt herself breathe again as Clarisse spun to face her savior. The peacekeepers let go of her arms as the dark-haired girl approached and Clarisse could no longer hold in her tears. Embracing this total stranger who looked to be a few years older than herself, Annie could hear her sob incoherent gratitudes, but the girl didn't seem to mind. She looked like a Career, the type who would usually win the games. Mrs Cresta sobbed louder, but more out of relief than sadness as she broke away from the crowds to hug her eldest daughter. By now, Clarisse was in tears too as she clutched at her mother's dress. Annie raced forwards to meet her sister, joining in on the huddle. Clarisse whispered 'I love yous' and other sentences Annie couldn't make sense of into her ears as the volunteer introduced herself as Katri Lockhearst.
On that day, Annie learnt of the true, harsh reality of the games. They weren't just something to fear like a nightmare, because you can wake up from a nightmare; but there is no way to escape reality.