THE LAST REAPING! Thanks to EmmaRizcool for Jade and Wericdream for Ramiro :)

Jade Gilmore, 17

The spear launches itself out of my hand and into the head of the hay dummy. The dummy's head is torn off and strands of hay are blown away by the soft breeze.

"You are as gifted as your sister."

I flick my black hair out of my eyes and stare at my mentor, Peter.

"Thanks" I mutter to myself.

"You are going to volunteer aren't you?" He asks me. I turn around and collect a set of knives and twirl them in my hand.

"It's what Emerald would have wanted."

I snatch up a knife and launch it at my mentor's body, narrowly him on purpose.

"Don't compare me to Emerald." I hiss.

"Well your parents would be very disappointed if you didn't because after all-"

I'm on him before he could even finish his sentence, my knife pressing into his throat.

"What. Did. I. Say?" My eyes bore into Peter and yet his soft blue eyes don't show the tiniest glint of fear. I release the pressure and pull away from him although my anger still seethes out of me like lava.

"She was your age when she volunteered." Peter reminds me.

"Like I don't know! Mum and dad have been pressuring me for about 6 months now Dickhead!" I yell. Peter looks at me like a robot, trying to figure out my next move.

"Well I think this wraps up your training and I hope you make the right decision."

I turn away from Peter and pack my stuff before walking out of the training hall and beginning the long walk to my bunker.

Even after the 2nd rebellion, District 13 has preferred to stay underground and out of harms reach although many buildings have popped up on the surface.

I turn many corridors, meeting the occasional trainee who had to awake at 4am like me. Eventually I make it to my bunker, G54 and press my finger against the scanner.

"Jade Gilmore." The robotic voice announces to the empty corridors.

"Yep that's me." I whisper under my breath. The sliding door slides away and I tiptoe quietly into my bunker.

"Jade, is that you?" Calls my mother in a hushed tone.

"Yes." I respond back at the same volume, if not a bit louder.

"Go get ready, it takes a while to get to the surface let alone the Justice Building."

I roll my eyes and prowl like a cat into my room to get ready. I select a white and black lace dress that used to be mums, then Emerald and now mine.

I run my fingers across the soft fabric and cant wait to get rid of my sweatpants and tank top. I strip down and turn the hot water nozzle. Steam rises from the shower and I step in. The water coats my body and the sweat mixes with the shampoo that's puddling around me.

Once I'm finished I dry myself off with a coal black towel and step into the dress. Soft padding covers my body and I smile at my reflection. I leave my hair out and apply a thin layer of make-up seeing I've made my decision.

"Need to look the best for the Capitol." I tell myself.

I turn the metal door handle and walk out of the bathroom to find my 11yr old sister standing there.

"You look pretty."

A smile crosses my face although I wipe it off instantly.

"Your volunteering aren't you."

Chandle looks up at me with big blue eyes and I can't lie to her.

"Yes."

"You're going to win right?" She asks in a naive tone.

"I hope so."

"Good."

Chandle skips out the room singing softly to herself.

I walk into the kitchen to see mum beaming at me.

"Chandle told me the good news!" She squeals. She runs into me and wraps her arms tightly around me.

"You're going to be just like your sister, although you will win!"

I swallow and remember the terrible day I watched my sister die 6 years ago. The stupid District 2 boy! Emerald should have won!

"Oh my gosh! Look at the time, we need to go!" Stammers mum. She grabs Chandles hand and pulls her out the door. I quickly snatch up an apple and run out the door behind mum.

For the whole walk, mum chatters on excitedly about me volunteering and I end up blocking her out.

After about 5 minutes we make it to the elevator going to the surface. I push the button and wait for the elevator to arrive. 2 more families join us while we wait and I'm the first to enter the lift when it arrives.

"Opelia push the surface button." A tattooed woman tells her daughter. Their family lives around the corner in G37.

"Ok mama."

The lift takes about 5 minutes since we have to stop about 3 times for other people. By the letter C the lift is full so we go directly to the surface.

"How exciting!" Mum looks at me and grabs my hand before giving it a tight squeeze. I try to return the enthusiasm although I'm trying not to throw up.

The doors open in glass room on the outskirts of the Town Square. I kiss mum on the cheek and run into the line.

"Hand please." The capitol lady impatiently grabs my hand and ZAPS it unexpectedly.

I rub my sore finger and run into my section.

"Let's get this thing going!" Screeches Roost Treytin. His Purple curls bounce on his head. He bounces over to the giant bowl and I don't bother to hear the name come out of his mouth before yelling,

"I volunteer!"

I push my way through the crowd and run up to the stage.

"And may I ask what your name is?"

"Jade Gilmore!" I say proudly. The name Gilmore registers to Roost and he gives me a sly smile.

"Well we better hope you have inherited your sisters survival skills."

Ramiro Hayes, 17

"Well we better hope you have inherited your sisters survival skills." The escort tells our latest tribute.

Jade Gilmore, the girl who lives around the corner and has been a good friend since the age of 9. When I was 9, my family moved into G51. Jade's family was one of the first to meet us and I have grown fond of the girl ever since. My feelings have never turned romantic although I am very protective of her.

The death of her sister struck as all. My older brother had fancied Emerald Gilmore and her death really messed him up. He has grown violent and rude, usually returning home in the early hours of the morning.

"Let's wrap this thing up and pick us a boy!"

I don't think I'll miss the girl too much, theres many more people in the world.

Lies!

Ok, maybe I'll miss her a bit but it will wear off eventually. One lesson I learnt after seeing my brothers reaction to the death of Emerald Gilmore is too never get too attached to a person.

"Ramiro Hayes!"

I look up and see the escort standing in front of the microphone with a piece of paper in his hands.

I knock into people on my way to the aisle and stride cockily for the stage, first impressions count!

I see Jade looking somewhat relieved but I merely shrug it off. Only one of us can return home and it sure as hell won't be her!

"Ah, well someone looks happy." The escort points out. I flash him a cocky smile and shake Jade's hand before strutting through the open doors.

The first thing I notice in the goodbye room is the pungent smell of lemons.

"Ramiro!"

My sister runs through the doors on her pudgy legs. She collapses in a fit of giggles at my feet and I scoop her up happily.

My one joy in life, small kids.

Theres something about their childish laughter or is it their happy smiles? I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it makes my heart melt.

"Mummy and daddy are coming in a minute." She tells me.

I look down at Emma and smile. She's my motivation to fight, to survive, to be the best I can be.

"I'll miss you Ramiro!"

I feel a tear sting my eye but dismiss it. Emotions are for babies, I'm a fighter.

"Son, we know you'll do it." Dad tells me as he walks into the room.

He wraps an arm around my shoulders and smiles proudly at me.

"Your fighting skills will pay off. We didn't train you to lose, we trained you to win."

"And I will." I say. My brown eyes meet dads and I bow my head.

"Fighting's an art form, not a form of violence." Dad affirmed. This has been my motto growing up. Fighting is my life and dad has enforced it upon me since a child.

"We have to go now but you can do it Ramiro."

"Never forget your training because without it, you are nothing." Mother uttered.

Mum picks Emma up and carries her away.

"Bye bye Ramiro!" She cries on her way out. Dad closes the door and I sit there, waiting for my next visitor.

The doors are pushed open and Jade's little sister Chandle runs through the door.

"Take care of Jade, Ramiro." She tells me. Her eyes are puffy from crying and theres no way I can say no to her.

"I promise."

She smiles at me and jumps in my lap.

"Maybe you can both come home?" She asks me.

Little, naive Chandle.

"No, we can't. Only one person can." I croak.

"Oh." I can barely hear Chandle although I see the tear run down her face.

"I'll miss you." She whispers.

"Me too."

She runs out the door and I wait on the couch for the peacekeepers to arrive and transport me to the custody of the almighty Capitol.

AND THAT COMMENCES THE REAPINGS! I like Jades part although it is painfully obvious Ramiros part has been super rushed but I just wanted to finish the reapings once and for all. NOW WE CAN GET TO THE GOOD PARTS! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY :) R&R PLEASE