District 6 Reaping

I feel better about this story's district 6 tributes than the last ones (sorry to their creators). We'll soon find out if they really are. If you haven't noticed, I managed 2 chapters last week and hopefully this week it'll be 3. Thanks for your patience. Enjoy the Chapter and May the Odds be Ever in Your Favour!

Ares Tower POV

Jesus, this deer ways a ton; still my mom and I will eat better thanks to the money it's gonna bring in. I was lucky to get this one today. Although I can't help but think it's some kind of pre karma; you know, a little good luck just so I can get reaped without the universe feeling guilt.

"Oh Ares" Marsha Tanzy, a girl from the year below me, and her little friends, Quinn and Piper wave seductively.

"Morning girls" I call back happily.

I know what they really want; they want me to "choose" one of them. Now, call me an arrogant prick, but I am truly sick of people wanting me to "choose" someone just because I'm popular. I'm a person yet I somehow manage to feel like a piece of meat every time I'm around them. At least I have my friends. I reach the market and notice my friend JJ is serving on his family's stall where they sell flowers.

"Well, well, well, a pansy selling pansies; nice marketing idea" I joke.

"Oh come on man, give me a break. It's reaping day; do me a favour and buy something before she comes over" he speaks so quickly it takes me a minute to take in what he just said; by time I do, it's already too late.

"Joseph Julian Quelting; why are you just sitting around doing nothing? Get to work; this is no time for talking to friends!" JJ's mom storms around angrily, eventually turning to me "And you, buy something or get away from my stall!"

"Nice to see you Mrs Quelting" I leave promptly; just looking back to see JJ with a face that says "Thanks a lot (!)"

I sell the meat for a decent price; I know most of the people around the market, so I buy some groceries at a pretty good discount. When I arrive home, my mom is busily rushing around the house.

"Mom? What's the problem?" I ask.

"What's the problem? What's the problem? The problem is its reaping day and Ares has gone missi-"she cuts off "Ares! Where on earth have you been? I've been worried sick."

"I went hunting early, that's all."

"That's all? You know better than to stay away from that fence young man. Good god, what am I gonna do with you?"

She continues rushing around frantically despite the fact I'm clearly no longer lost. But this is just how my mom is. Ever since my dad died by getting electrocuted by the fence, she's always been kind of overprotective. I don't blame her. I'm all she has and besides my friends, she's all I have. But who knows what'll happen if I get reaped. I'd have a good chance considering my hunting skills, especially with a bow and arrow but I don't know how my mom would feel about seeing me kill someone else.

Juliette Ryde POV

"Let me help Mr Quelting" I pick up a box of flowers and take them over to his stall.

"Why thanks Juliette; here, take some roses. They're almost past their best anyway."

"Thank you. Have a nice day!"

"Come on loser, we're going to the justice building!" calls my friend Regina.

"You don't wanna keep Regina waiting" adds my other friend Gretchen.

I run to catch up with them, but I lose my footing and end up flat on my face in the mud.

"Oh jeez, here Juliette, grab my hand" my other friend Anna giggles as she helps me up then whispers "Sorry, Regina tripped you."

"It's ok; it was probably an accident" I try to wipe the mud off the best I can.

I'm lucky to have this many friends really. I've just had a lot happen to me and Regina said it makes me seem like a freak. It's pretty simple though; some psychopath killed my sister and then my parents just kind of stopped caring. They work a lot so I have to look after my younger siblings but my older sister helps; well when she's not yelling about something. Anyway, Regina's only a little mean, plus Gretchen doesn't talk to me enough to be mean and Anna's nice so I just try to be grateful.

"Hurry up morons!" commands Regina "Hey Julia!"

"It's Juliette" I correct her.

"Whatever; did you get tesserae for me today?"

"Yeah, it was really last minute too; I had to run the whole way."

"I didn't ask to hear your life story."

Anna looks over concernedly but doesn't say anything. The reaping shouldn't be too bad this year. I'm in a few extra times because I get Regina and Gretchen's tesserae too but I don't mind. I'm happy to help.

Ares Tower POV

Our escort, Maxwell Torono slides onto the stage on his knees. Don't get me wrong, I like dancing as much as the next guy, but can someone tell this dude we're at a reaping? As if by magic, a peacekeeper coughs loudly and Maxwell stops.

"Woah cats, no need to stop the flow. So before the reaping begins, we have to play this video from the Capitol" he sings smoothly.

The video roles and I don't think anyone even Maxwell or the peacekeepers pays attention.

"Ok so let's get right down to it" Maxwell points on every word and then heads to the male reaping bowl; well here goes nothing "And the male tribute is… ARES TOWER! Get up here boy; congrats."

Crap; I relax my shoulders and try to think of nothing, keeping an emotionless, if not moody face. I might not exactly be prepared for these but that doesn't mean I can't win. Hey, as far as my mom goes, I have to.

Juliette Ryde POV

I peer at the boy walking up to the stage; I think he's older. I don't recognise him. Now it's the girls turn. I haven't been in that much but I'm still nervous. I squeeze Regina's hand to support her but she just pulls it away and glares at me. Oops, I must have squeezed too hard. Maxwell pulls out a piece of paper and opens it.

"And the gal who'll be joining Ares is… JULIETTE RYDE; come on down girl!"

I freeze. Then, shaking with tears falling onto the ground and a runny nose, run up to the stage as fast I can, just to get it over with. People clear and instead of coming over to tell us where to go, Maxwell pulls out a cigarette and lights it. Ares goes towards the justice building but I look up at the escort expectantly. He sighs.

"You ain't my problem now kid" he takes a puff of the cigarette and shoos me away.

I follow Ares into the justice building. As I go I feel my skin. It's cold, like I'm already dead. In a way, I guess I am.

Ares Tower POV

I take a seat, wondering what the next few weeks will bring. This situation isn't ideal, but at least I have a chance. I can use a bow and arrow and I'm fast; it's my mom I'm worried about. She's lost my dad already; I can't let her lose me too. She's the first person to come in but she doesn't come close. She shrinks away from me.

"Ares, did you get tesserae? I told you not to because I knew it. I just knew this would happen. Did you?" she blinks insanely, trying to keep the tears from dripping.

"No mom. I didn't get tesserae; come here" I pull her towards me.

She's small and I'm a bit above average height so I feel like the parents hugging her tiny frame. She pulls away from me.

"Listen, I prayed for days I would never have to tell you to do this but, killing people, it's something you've got to do. Just try to kill as few as you have to ok? Promise me?"

"I promise."

She nods at me and leaves. Then JJ comes in along with my other friends, Hayden, Youl and Trent.

"So this is what it's like to be friends with a victor? Gotta say I'm not impressed. How about you guys?" JJ looks at the others and they all nod in unison.

"You dumb shits. You know the chances of me winning suck" I shrug trying to seem as if it doesn't matter at all.

"Seriously dude? You know you're gonna kick some Career ass in that arena" Hayden punches me in the arm jokingly.

We say goodbye for the last time and then they leave. I think back to last year; when both tributes died before the first week was up. I'm not gonna be like them. Whether I die or not, I'm gonna show them the Capitol can't just walk all over district 6, by whatever means necessary.

Juliette Ryde POV

I wait patiently for my first visitor. Someone has to turn up; I have a lot of friends. I help my whole class. Even without them, there's still my family. Nora's kind of, weird sometimes but, she'll bring the others to see me right. She has to. I wait another 10 minutes; I hear people going into the room next door. I'm not surprised; Ares Tower is one of the most popular guys in school. After a while, all goes quiet. Then someone comes near my door. I stand up in excitement but it's just a peacekeeper.

"It's time to go" he says, monotone.

"But- but my family and friends haven't visited yet" I protest.

"Pfft, let's face it kid. They ain't coming."

I look down so he can't see me cry and start to follow him. Nobody come to see me; because nobody cares. I'm just that pushover everyone just uses for favours.

"Juliette!" I hear a familiar voice and turn to see Anna running towards me.

Diving past peacekeepers she quickly hugs me tight.

"I know you can do it" she reassures me.

"But I'm not strong enough" I sigh.

"You're stronger than you think."

She places something in my hand. It's a bracelet my little brother Lucas made; I wear it as often as I can remember to. The peacekeepers drag Anna away and her screams echo the halls. I hate to think of them hurting her because clearly, she's the only friend I've got.

So that wraps up the halfway mark; I'll try and get 7 and 8 up this week. In the meantime, keep reviewing; it means a lot hearing your views, honestly!