Okay, again I will not be writing in the bloodbaths pov, and because this District has one bloodbath, I will only be writing one pov

District 5

Leonis Lapworth

Reaping day. The day everyone goes to the town square in the afternoon instead of the usual early morning at the power plants. This was a day that terrified me every year. Ever since my sister Pomeline had been reaped, thankfully some crazy girl had volunteered to take her place. I wasn't really sure what that girl was thinking, we don't get many volunteers in District 5. As I checked in with the peacekeepers, who were lined up around the entrance of the square, I thought back to the argument my sister and I had this morning. It was about something pointless, probably of what we would have for dinner later today. She probably wanted something special and I couldn't care less. These kinds of arguments happened a lot between us two, but at the end of the day I loved her. One of my biggest fears is that one day she'll get reaped again, except this time no one will volunteer for her, and I won't be there to protect her. Pomeline was one of the main reasons I hadn't moved out yet. I mean it's not like I didn't have a job, I had been taken out of school a few years ago to work at the power plants, just like most boys in the district. Sometimes I wish I had a different job though, the power plants were challenging and I liked that, it made me think. But other times I wish I could explore a different field of work, learn a new trade or skill. I'm sure one day I'd be able too. I read whenever I can. That's the only good thing about reaping day, I get a free day off that I can use to read.

I walked over to the other 18 year olds. I found a few people I knew from work, acquaintances really. I gave a slight smile, and they did the same. I knew they must have been feeling the same way today as I was. It is our last year with our names in that reaping bowl. Counting how many times it was in there, trying to see if the odds were in your favor, and if for one last year you'd be able to make it out. My family had always done pretty well with money, I don't ever remember having to take out any tesserae, so my name was probably in there six times. Pomeline's was in four times, unless they took it out two years ago when she was reaped and someone volunteered. I didn't know what happened with that. I looked up and noticed the Mayor talking, in the middle of the annual speech. I guess I was so used to drowning it out that I hadn't even known it had started. He read out the names of the previous Victors one by one, and they all went up to shake his hand. We didn't have a very long list of victors, but it was longer than some of the outline District's like 12, who only ever had 6 Victors in history. That's 89 from every other District.

Next person at the podium was our escort, Suvi Sisko. She was dressed in a fitted royal blue dress that ended at her knees. It was covered in tiny pink lights and she wore a pink head piece on top of her cotton candy blue hair. In my opinion she was one of the less outrageous escorts of Panem. And even though a Capitol person, she seemed nice. Almost relatable.

"Hello District 5! What a fine day it is!" I looked up at the sky, it was clouded, and the sun was no where in sight. Maybe she meant the event. She walked over to the girls dish and quickly took a name from the top.

"Emelia Christinc!" She called out loudly, smiling as a blonde girl made her way to the stage from the 15 year olds. She was shaking, in fear. That could have been Pomeline. I breathed a sigh of relief. Suvi shook the girls hand and walked to the boys dish. My body tensed, not knowing what would come next. Again, like she did before, Suvi picked a slip of paper right from the top of the pile.

"Leonis Lapworth!" She called. What? Me? I slowly walked to the aisle, taking the news in. I knew no one would volunteer for me like they had for my sister. I was 18, and strong. I'd be expected to put up a fight from the start. As I passed the 15 year olds, I looked at the girls, for my sister. When I found her she was staring. Her face was pale, and she looked scared. I made my way up to the stage where Suvi was waiting. She smiled and shook my hand. I returned the smile, almost felt comforted by it. I would do whatever it took to make it back here. It is what it is. And if I would have to fight, I would fight. I turned to shake the girls hand. She was still shaking, maybe even a little more now that she saw me. I wouldn't be filled with fear like she is, I would take this situation and make the best of it, even if that means becoming a monster.

What do you think? I drew names from a bowl to find out the standings of the tributes at the end, and I wrote a bunch of structure for in the arena. But then I kind of realized I didn't have many idea's of arenas. I have one, but if you'd like to help me, just PM me your idea! I would really appreciate it!

-alexmarika