Chapter 9- District 10's Reapings

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games.

Jeremy strutted along the outskirts of District 10. His face was in a smug smirk as it always was after he had stolen food successfully. His crazy red hair swung in front of his face which was tinged with sweat. The bag in his right hand was filled with food. All from the mayor's house. On reaping day he was never home. Perfect time for Jeremy.

The small house that came into view was probably the poorest in the District. It was his and he loved it. Right down to the broken window in the kitchen. As he entered, the smell of pancakes wafted into his pale, freckled nose. Good, he thought. Lilac is up. Lilac was 10 and was a great cook. She was always making something. Lilac was silhouetted by the pale, morning sun. Her curly red hair was up in a ponytail and her long eyelashes made shadows on the counter.

"Do you have more food for me?" she asked, business in her voice.

"Yep. Want it now or later?" she shrugged in response and he laid the bag on the floor. "I'm gonna go get dressed for the reaping," she nodded and continued cooking.

Jeremy made his way across the house into his bedroom and pulled the dusty box from underneath his bed. As he opened it, the black suit inside was unharmed and gleaming. He had stolen this, too, of course. He undressed and slipped the tux over his head. Ready to go to my possible death? I think yes, he thought as he made his way out of the door.

Phoebe sat by the electric fence, her legs crossed. She knew her mid-length red dress would get a little dirty along with her gray tights, but she didn't really care all that much. Her black slippers were uncomfortable and tights around her ever growing feet. The sky was a pale blue and there were no clouds. Phoebe watched as a small mockingjay flew right over the buzzing fence. Her heart pounded in jealousy at the freedom the bird had.

She stood up her legs getting tired of sitting still. She fixed her hairband in a swift motion, pulling back her shoulder length, blonde hair. Her pale skin shown as she headed towards her grandmother's small house. The flowers grew tall near the fence and she began to pick one. Without noticing, she touched the fence. Phoebe jumped back in surprise, thinking she would be shocked. Nothing happened. The buzzing sound must be all for show, she thought. Phoebe looked around and saw no one so she slipped her athletic body through the fence.

As she ventured more into the wild, she heard a sound. A tall boy stood before her with messy blond hair and a knowing smile on his lips. "You found out, didn't you?"

"Dagan? Wait? You hunt?"

"Sure I hunt," he said. He quickly changed the subject," We need to get going. The reaping is starting soon." He took her hand and led her out of the forest and on to the District Square.

The square was silent as the chubby man stood on the stage in black. Like all black. His skin was painted and his hair was also. The only thing that stood out were his pure white lips. "I'm Octavo and blah, blah, blah. Here's a video from the capitol. Yay," he sounded bored out of his mind. The video played and the crowd still stood silently, no one daring to move. "Ladies first," he walked to the big glass bowl and pulled the easiest one to get. Right at the top. "Phoebe Welcher?" The girl walked to the stage, her face masked with rage. She stood stick straight as she tried to block out the noises of her family. "Jeremy Noel," the tall boy walked to the stage, his face blank. His bright red hair stuck out like the sun and his hands were in his pockets.

"Tributes, shake hands," both of them didn't move as they were turned towards each other. "Fine do it your way," the escort mumbled as he turned them back to the crowd, his black paint coming off and marking their backs. "District 10. Your tributes."

Phoebe's eyes were looking straight ahead as were Jeremy's. The wind blew and the sky darkened. It looked like a storm was coming, but maybe it was in their heads as there was a definite storm in their minds. They turned and were led into the Justice Building. Both forcing their legs to work as they headed towards their eminent death.

Another short chapter :( . I'll try my hardest to post again tomorrow. I've been so busy this summer and now school has started back up. I've made a vow not to quit this story and I'll keep to it. Thank you all for your support and please review and tell me your thoughts. :3

-Mere