Chapter 2: The Reaping
District Twelve is a part of Panem that dislikes its involvement in the Hunger Games, but wouldn't be angry if they obtain the benefits of having a victory. Once a victor is crowned, they are given riches beyond their wildest dreams, becoming the wealthiest person in the entire district. Their home district is showered with extra food and oil, which is also free, given to each household in the district, for an entire year until the next Hunger Games. Since Harrin is District 12's only victor, we haven't had any victories in 11 years. In Twelve, Reaping Day is never an anticipated event. Even though we appreciate the benefits of a victory, we don't like sending our children into possible death. And this year, it is four instead of two. And today is Reaping day.
My mother has me dressed in a nice shirt and regular pants for the event. She says as she has every reaping since I was eligible, "If you are forced to the Capitol, you would at least need to look nice, Haymitch." I always sigh after she says it.
"They don't care if I look nice," I reply.
"The government doesn't," she argues back. "But the citizens do."
"And I care why?" I retaliate.
"Let the citizens know that even in District 12, people have a sense of hygiene," she answers. Oh well. My mother has always been one for family pride. My brother, Cevin Abernathy, comes down the stairs. Cevin is nineteen, so he is no longer eligible for the reaping. He comes with my always quiet, never talkative, eleven year old brother, Justin. I've always liked Justin better than Cevin.
"Hey little bro," Cevin says in his sarcastic voice. "Gonna look nice or the Capitol in that getup, or are you taking Samie on a 'date' if you aren't reaped."
As usual, I can easily fight his smartass attitude. "Mother wants me nice if I'm reaped. And yes, if I survive another year, I'm taking Samie on a date, something you have never been through."
Mother buts in, "Cevin, quit picking on your brother and Haymitch, be nice."
"Okay," we say at the same time. We sit down for a small lunch of crackers, the cheapest thing we can afford, and then head down to the square when the alarm sounds.
The square in District 12 can be a festive place, on any day but the reaping. We have to check in and give blood samples to the Peacekeepers. Young Head Peacekeeper Cray is sitting there, taking a drink from a liquor bottle, the stuff seems disgusting, and watching the young ladies as they walk past him. If he gets his eyes on Samie, I got to say, he will regret it.
I walk into the area for sixteen year old males and stand there, waiting about three minutes before Sheila Trinket, the District 12 escort for the Games, comes to the stage.
"Welcome, welcome," she pipes in her annoying Capitol accent. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor." It's in less peoples' favor because of the Quarter Quell. "Before we being, President Snow has sent you a video all the way from his home in the Capitol."
The video begins, only talking about the Dark Days that must never be repeated, and that the Hunger Games were a punishment for this. Same old bullshit as usual. Then, as an addition for the Quell, they added President Snow's reading of the card, even the part where he explained the rules of the Games about a Quarter Quell. Afterwards, Sheila comes over and says, as usual, "The time has come to pick two brave men and women for the honor of representing District 12 in the second Quarter Quell, the 50th Annual Hunger Games! As regular things go, ladies first!"
She walks over to the bowl with all the names of all 12-18 year old girls in the district, even Samie. I cross my fingers, hope it's not her.
"Kaylin Shroudnet," Sheila says. Okay, a Seam girl, but not Samie. "But wait, there is another lady tribute this year!" She said that way too excitedly for my taste.
Again, she walks to the bowl and picks a name. "Maysilee Donner!" I know her, she's old candyman Donner's daughter. One of the twins actually. She is holding on to her twin sister who is Analysse Donner, the girl who is arranged to marry our soon-to-be Mayor, Truman Undersee. Analysse actually really likes him, even though it was an arranged marriage set up by Mayor Furman Undersee and candyman Donner for the two sixteen year olds. She lets go of her sister and another blonde girl who I don't know and walks to the stage, even though she is crying.
"Any volunteers for either of them?" Sheila asks. No one answers. Good, now Samie won't be going to the Games at all. She's eighteen and I'm sixteen, so she is ineligible next year, but I still have two years. "Seeing none, now for the boys."
She walks over to the other bowl while I'm hoping it's not me and watching Maysilee try to hold back tears.
"Owen Wireson," she says. Baker Mellark's nephew. Okay one more. "As it was for the ladies, there is another boy tribute this year!" Another name, hoping it's not me. "Haymitch Abernathy!" SHIT! It's me. I go over to the stage, trying to keep a confident look on my face, since I know I can get support by Capitol citizens, and so I don't look weak to my competitors.
"Any volunteers for our young men?" asks Sheila. Nothing, as usual. I can see from the stage Samie's look of despair. She is not happy with me being reaped. "Seeing none, this will conclude our ceremony. But first, please applaud for our District 12 tributes: Kaylin Shroudnet, Maysilee Donner, Owen Wireson, and Haymitch Abernathy!" A decent applause comes out of the audience, like normal, even though we hate it. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor."
Peacekeepers, even new Head Cray, come and escort us into the justice Building to say goodbye to our friends and family before heading off to the Capitol. How am I going to do these goodbyes with Samie, mother, and even Cevin? This will be a definitely difficult thing to do.
Note: Hope you guys like the story. SYOT still open, District 7 and 12 are full. Anyone have any ideas, review or PM me.
Tributes already selected:
District 3:
Female #1: Yoorea Conchuss, 13 Years Old.
District 5:
Female #1: Jenny Winterwood, 15 Years Old.
District 7:
Female #1: Rika Palavine, 12 Years Old.
Female #2: Aura Avalanche, 14 Years Old.
Male #1: Jax Falcon, 17 Years Old.
Male #2: Ash Tripper, 18 Years Old.
District 10:
Male #1: Ashton Grayson, 17 Years Old.
District 12:
Female #1: Kaylin Shroudnet, 15 Years Old.
Female #2: Maysilee Donner, 16 Years Old.
Male #1: Owen Wireson, 13 Years Old.
Male #2: Haymitch Abernathy, 16 Years Old.