Patricia Shaw, 16, D8F

I look up at the sky as I sit in the meadow. I rarely ever get moments to myself like this, were I can just be alone and keep myself to myself. I'm not really a social person or a talkative person or even that likeable. I prefer to keep myself to myself; people say I give off a depressing vibe but who wouldn't be? If they had no parents and had to live in a orphanage with some other unfortunate kids you didn't even like. I should be with the other kids right now but I said I was going to get some stuff and decided to sit in this sunny meadow, it's a good day.

I know it's reaping day today and the kids in the orphanage will be expecting me back soon so we can go to the reaping together, a lot of kids live in that orphanage, I'm just one of many. I hate it there really, I never talk to the other children there, and they're all idiots anyway.

I sigh as I get up from the grass and make my way back to the orphanage. I get there and as a group we walk to the reaping. I register and go stand with the other sixteen year old girls. Our district escort calls herself 'Dazzle' even though that's not really her name, it's just because she always wears clothes that sparkle in the sunlight, clothes that our district probably made for her lazy ass.

"Alright district eight, it is time for the reaping for the one hundred and twenty fourth annual Hunger games!" She says in her posh Capitol accent and claps. No one claps in return. "Alright now for the girls, let's see the lucky lady who gets to represent this district."

Hah! I think to myself. Lucky? District eight hasn't won in fifteen years! She then draws a name out of the reaping bowl and reads out the unfortunate soul on it. "Patrica Shaw!" My body freezes and tenses up. I have... just been reaped. I slowly and carefully make my way out of the crowd and onto the stage, walking slowly but surely. The children at the orphanage don't seem to care much, it's not like I was important there anyway. I have nothing to come back to anyway.

Ryan Hitch, 12, D8M

I'm not really nervous at all. My mom and dad are just getting ready upstairs. I'm reading a book down here, it's just about textiles and different clothes. Considering the district we come from we're actually pretty well off here. My dad owns a textile place. We have a piano, decent house, shower and some books. I'm sitting on our tacky couch and reading. My mom and dad come from up stairs. "Alright let's go Ryan, you nervous about your first reaping?" I shake my head. Why should I be nervous? My name is only there once.

We get to the reaping, a casually register and go stand with the other frightened looking twelve year olds. "Why are you guys so nervous?" I ask a boy in front of my. He's shaking and looks like he's going to be sick, if he does get reaped I know he'll be screwed for sure. "A-aren't you?" He asks me. I smile and shake my head. "My name is only in there once, I don't have to worry about a thing." I say with a casual grin and sigh.

Our district escort then calls out the name of this girl. She looks average really, although she looks a bit strong, she'll tall but in terms of looks she's only a little bit average, not much that stands out other than height. He then reaches into the boys bowl.

I feel like playing some piano when I get home. Yea I'll play some piano, and maybe my mom will read me a story tonight. She hasn't read me one in a while and th-

Suddenly two peacekeepers take me by my underarms and literally drag me towards the stage. Why are they dragging me? Shouldn't they be dragging the kid who's been reaped? But then I see that there's no male spot next to the girl and a realization hits me. I've been reaped...

I go onto the stage. We are asked to shake hands and suddenly tears roll from my cheeks, my bottom lip quivers and I start sobbing. I grab the microphone and shout in it. "Please! Someone volunteer please! I want to go home. I want my mommy, please don't take me. Don't take me in there please. I don't want to die! I'm too young to die!" Two peacekeepers then grab me by my arms and start dragging my kicking and screaming figure in the justice building.

Why won't anyone save me? Why?