Ash Hemlock POV

I sit on a nearby stump as my dad and older brother chops down a tree. I look down at my axe which lies in the tall grass. It looks like it's getting a little worn out, since I've had it for years. Ever since my mom died, I've been working out in the forest with Dad and Maverick when I have free time. I need to help give my family as much support as I can.

When I'm not out in the forest, I'm at home acting like a mom to all my other siblings. I guess since I'm the oldest girl in the house it sort of makes me the mother of the family. I don't mind it too much, I like taking care of them.

I remember hearing the owls again last night. They always remind me of my mother. When I was young, me and her would sit together each night listening to the owls hoot. I miss my mother. Dad always says I look a lot like her. I have her red hair and grey eyes. My mother was a beautiful woman, I don't think I could really compare.

Today is reaping day, we want to have enough firewood for the celebration that we will have tonight after the reaping. Each year we gather as a family in front of the fire, drinking tea and having our family's special stew. I prepare the stew each year. Before my mother died, she taught my dad her secret stew recipe than he taught it to me a few days later. Since then, I've been making our family's celebration dinner.

Maverick looks over at me. "Ash," he says, "Don't you need to go get ready for the reaping? You can't go dressed in your work clothes."

I look down at what I'm wearing. He's right, I'm filthy! I run back to the house with my axe in hand. When I push open the door, my little sister Anna sits on the ground waiting for me. I quickly scoop her up into my arms and playfully throw her into the air. "I need to get ready Anna," I tell her, "Let the others know they need to start getting ready too."

Anna gave me a nod and waddled away. Anna is the youngest in our family, but she is a smart little girl. She loves acting like me. I'm her hero.

I pull on a white blouse and a skirt. From my dresser that I share with my sister Trinity, I grab the wooden owl pendant that my mother gave to be when I was young. I wear it for the reaping every year, hoping it will give me good luck.

Once I am ready, I go and gather my brothers and sisters and make sure they look presentable. Then single file, I lead them out the door. They laugh and giggle the whole way to the square, where I help them line up to sign in. The peacekeepers at the desk know my family well, since we are such a large group.

I make sure each of us finds our place then stand in my area and watch as the rest of the district fill in, and the crowd grow denser. I take one last glimpse of each of my family members, making sure they are alright, then face the TV screen as the speech is given.

The seal of Panem lies high in the sky, as if we are supposed to worship it. Then the capital escort approaches the microphone, clearing her throat. My heart begins to jump.

I worry about them. Trinity, Eric, Roland, Maverick, Anna, Flora, Harry and Paul. I don't want any of them to be reaped. I love them. I cannot stand to lose any one of them to the games. Nor would I want to see them die on my television screen before my own eyes.

I begin to panic. I can tell my face is turning red. I'm holding back my tears of pure fear. My heart beats so loud I am sure the girl next to me must be terrified and think I need a doctor. The crowd falls silent as the hand slowly reaches into the globe.

It's going to be Trinity or Flora, I know it. I close my eyes and wait for the impact to hit as one of my sisters is to be sent to the capital. The name is finally called, and it's not Trinity or Flora.

It's me.

Judan Bramnet POV

My eyes flutter open to see the light of day. I slept in, which is a rare thing on reaping day. Usually we are all too scared out of our minds to sleep. I can feel my heart beating heavily. It's telling me I have to get out of bed, I have to get this over with.

I rise from my bed and shield the sun from my face with the palm of my hand. Slowly, I make my way towards the window. I take a glimpse pasts the trees and towards the Justice Building where they have already set up the reaping in front of it, the seal of Panem lying above where we will stand.

It seems like some of the kids have already began to line up one by one. Some older siblings help their brothers or sisters as they gain the courage to get their finger pricked. I turn away from the window and face my closet. Somebody had set out my reaping clothes for me. They hung neatly pressed on the closet doorknob.

A simple white shirt and some brown pants. I quickly and carefully pull them on trying to keep them from getting wrinkled. I look at myself in the mirror, and decide I need to comb back my short red hair a bit. Then finally, I think I am ready.

My mother and father seemed to have already left, knowing I could get ready myself. They left me some fresh bread on the table. I raise it to my mouth and take a bite, the warm bread right from the bakery calms me. The perfect meal before the reaping.

As I make my way to the square, I can't help but feel worried. I'm a coward. I'm a bit scared my name might be drawn. It wouldn't be much of a surprise if it was. I have 6 entries in the ball, and it is almost my last year to be reaped. I've never had to take out any tesserae so my name was not added any extra times. My family isn't very poor so life has always been quite easy for me.

Before I even know it, blood drips over my finger after I feel a quick jolt of pain. "Next," calls out the peacekeeper. I quickly move away from the table and try and find my place among all the other children. I stand near the front of course, watching as the crowd builds up even more and people begin to be forced to stand way out by the TV screens in the back. It's very claustrophobic.

The lady dressed n one of the strangest outfits I've ever seen, (a vibrant orange top with one sleeve and a baby blue short skirt that sticks out in one direction but not the other) steps onto the stage. "Welcome!" she calls out in that horrible Capital accent. "To begin this wonderful ceremony, let us watch a short film from, my home, The Capital."

As usual, the film is played. I take a glimpse around, looking for who might be the next tribute. Some kids look much worried than others. Then I snap back to reality when the film comes to a close and the words, "Ladies first," emits from the woman's mouth.

"Ash Hemlock!" she calls. The girl climbs up to the stage with tears in her eyes, then stands there tall. She looks down at the crowd, trying to hold in the rest of the tears.

"Now it's time for the boys!" The hand slowly reaches into the ball and pulls out the name. "Judan Bramnet!" That's me. I'm the next tribute.

I make my way to the stage where I am asked to shake Ash's hand, who will soon be my enemy.