Chapter 5

Reapings

Memories for Tomorrow

Landon Holstein, 14 years old. District 10.

The sky is gray, some raindrops splash against the pavement. It's reaping day. I'm siting on the floor, covered by a huge plastic bag. In a few minutes I'll have to head towards the towns square. I can't help but remember how different this day used to be. I have never looked forward it, but it was warmer. Now I'm alone, and there's no one to comfort me.

In the past, mom called us from the kitchen, with the delicious breakfast, waiting for us to be ready. She kept herself busy by doing shores at the house very early in the morning, trying to distract herself from the fact that his older son had the chance to get reaped. We weren't rich, but we weren't poor either, we were perfectly fine... We had each other. I sat on the table that day, with my blue suit on. I knew about the risk that today meant, but I never fully believed that he could get reaped. I didn't want to think that it was a possibility. He came downstairs minutes later, with a beige shirt and brown pants. He seemed calm, at least to me. However, he always did, I looked up to my brother, I admired him until the very end. I still do. We ate and talk, they laughed at a joke I said. And then, it was time to go. I remember how the escort put her hand in the bowl, and after a few seconds announced that he was going to go to the Hunger Games. I was in shock, and started crying. My mom started crying too, she shouted his name as loud as she could, her voice breaking after a couple times. He walked towards the stage, it was the first time I recognized something as fear in my brother's face. I won't forget his face, ever.

I visited him later, before he went to the Capitol. The last time we saw him. My mom and I entered the room, we hugged each other, and cried together. He said he'll try his best to come back, I do believe he did. I had hope he'll come home a victor, I saw how the days passed, how tributes died, and how my brother was still there, in the last five. Then it happened, he encountered the female tribute from one, Agatha Lloyd, one of the favorites of the Capitol. They stood there, face to face, my brother swinged his sword, but missed. She moved forward and stabbed him in the stomach, she took the knife out and then stabbed him again, this time on the chest. I saw how the life left his body, how his eyes turned empty... the pained expression. He was fourteen at that time, I'm fourteen now. I can't help feeling fear about what today holds, I fear getting reaped more than anything. The Games have taken so much from me, the only thing I have left is my life.

Maybe if mother was around I'll feel better. But, she's gone too. I left the school early that day, I saw my brother's death sitting on my chair in the classroom. I bursted in tears in front of everyone, but I don't care about that. He was my brother after all. My mom tried to cope with it, but failed. First she was depress and wouldn't leave her room, then she fell for the alcohol, until one day she couldn't stand it anymore and stabbed herself, right were my brother was. I arrived home to see her on the floor... dead. That's another image I won't ever forget. I was left without nothing, and its all thanks to the Games.

Children can't live alone without an adult, so I was send to an orphanage, however they made us work too hard, for a lot of hours and take tesserae. There wasn't enough food, the directors only gave us what was utterly necessary to keep living, nothing more. I couldn't stand that place, so I left. I've been sleeping wherever I can for the last year, I've gotten used to it already. I take the food of the tesserae, and after my time at the orphanage, I know how to make it last. Sometimes I do errands for the richest people on the Capitol, and get some money in return. I had to quit school though, I couldn't work and study at the same time. I miss going to school. I smile sadly. When I was little, I would have never thought I'll say that. It's surprising how things can change.

Avalon Brahma, 14 years old. District 10.

I came to the town square early, since my father needs to help with the preparations. I'm the first girl in here. They are still arranging the stage, dad is moving around it like crazy, ordering the decorators to move things from one side to another, I can see the mentors on the back, sitting already. I remember we had to see their Games at school, as a part of District History. The female victor, Leyla, now with visible wrinkles on her face and short gray hair, used to be a brunette beauty in her youth. While Gregorio, the male victor, gained a lot of weight, he wasn't skinny before, but now he's too fat and has difficulty to move himself. They look calm. I like seeing the mentors of our district, because they give me hope every time it's reaping day. I like thinking that if they could, I can. I'm still scared of getting reaped of course, I've always hated the Games. Though I can't accept that in public, no matter what. Nobody can after all.

I walk around, my beige lace dress flowing with the wind. I'm holding an umbrella for the light rain that is falling. Mom picked the dress for me, she's still at our house. She takes hours and hours to get ready, she always looks pretty so I don't get it. She says that the mayor's wife must look amazingly stunning. It makes sense, so I let her be.

I keep walking as I bite my nails, a bad habit of mine. I do it every time I'm nervous, and now I am really nervous. I wish mom and dad were available now, to sooth me, to tell me everything will be alright... But, they are busy and I have to understand that.

People start arriving to the town square, and I shiver. The reapings are closer and closer now. My heart is beating fast against my chest. I try to think in good things, but all that comes through my head are my chances to come back if I get reaped. And I have none. I've seen older, bigger and more prepared kids die on the Games, I don't want to be one of them. I want to live. I'm lucky that at least my name is not in the bowl more than it should, I'm thankful that I don't have the need to take tesserae like the poor kids. I would probably be a thousand times more nervous if that was the case. I take a deep breath and smile a little... This district is full of poor kids. I might not have much chance of becoming a victor... But, that doesn't matter, because after all it's almost impossible for me to get reaped.

Leyla Gallardo, District 10. Victor of the 38th Hunger Games.

The town square is full of people, and the reaping ceremony has just started. The mayor gives his speech, I look down, towards my hands which lay on my lap. I'm tightly holding them together, praying for this to be a good year. I close my eyes, and the images of all the tributes I've been mentor of flash through my mind, their faces, the spark in their eyes when they see the Capitol for the first time, and their faces when they lay dead on the ground. Please, please... Let this be a good year, I think as I close my eyes tighter.

The mayor finishes his speech, and I keep repeating that phrase in my head. Over and over again. Please let this be a good year. Please let this be a good year. The escort grabs a paper out of the bowl and reads it out loud.

"Avalon Brahma!" She announces, and I can't help but look to my right, we're the mayor and his wife are sitting. He looks as if he was shocking up, but keeps his composure. The same with his wife, though I believe I can see the reflection that only watery eyes can give.

When I look back there's a girl coming out of the fourteen years old's section. She is in shock for sure, since she is walking robotically towards the stage. She looks at her father, then at her mother, and swallows hard. She's acting brave. She knows breaking down in front of everyone will be bad, she knows she must keep her composure. Just as her parents are doing.

The escort immediately puts her hand on the bowl. Please let this be a good year, please, please. I repeat over and over in my head. I'm sure that girl won't last, I know it from experience.

"Landon Holstein!", says the escort. I swallow hard. The image of Damian, his older brother, comes to my mind. How he talked about his family, how hard he tried lo learn everything he could, how he told us the jokes that Landon used to tell him... How he died.

Landon steps out, also from the fourteen years old's section. At first he looks shocked, but his expression changes to a frown. He looks exactly like his brother to me. I look towards Gregorio, who's sadly staring at the boy. He had high hopes on Damian, we all did. I look back at Landon, and I know I've made up my mind. This boy is going to become a victor, no matter what.

"The tributes for this year's Hunger Games: Avalon Brahma and Landon Holstein!" Announces the escort. It will be a good year, I've got the feeling it will be. That boy has a star looking upon him.

AN: Finally all the spots are filled! If you are asking why I didn't detail the escort's appearance i, it's because this woman is already used to seeing the fancy Capitol style.

YOU CAN PARTICIPATE: I'll let people submit the escorts if they want, PM me the name, district, the personality and the desired appearance if you want :) (ONLY PM)