Janalen and Yenia were at work together. They were cousins and best friends, even though Yenia was almost four years older than Janalen, who had just turned 15. They both worked on the train quietly. Jan, who was only an apprentice, was cleaning off the wheels while 19 year old Yenia was actually doing something mechanical, though Jan wasn't experienced enough to tell what exactly she was doing. Usually they passed the time talking and laughing together, but Jan's mind was otherwise occupied and she ignored all attempts by Yenia to bring her into a conversation. Today was the reaping.
Janalen understood Yenia's elation. She was 19 and safe from the reaping from now on. Janalen had four more years to survive. Her family was better off than most. She had only needed to sign up for tesserae when she was 12, not since. Her name would only be in the reaping ball 7 times. The odds actually were in her favor. She knew of several kids in school who had to sign up for the tesserae every year for their entire families. It was just Jan and her mother though, so she was actually pretty confidant and almost ill at ease. But that didn't mean she wasn't afraid.
The bell signaled the end of shift, and Janalen rose to her feet, gathering the cleaning materials, while Yenia began the long process of putting away all of the electrical equipment. Usually Jan waited for Yenia to finish, but she needed to hurry home and change so she could be to the district square on time.
When she arrived home her mother was ready with a pretty while-eyelet dress. After she changed Janalen brushed out her soft, brown hair and left it down so it framed her face.
When they got to the district square her mother gave her hand a slight squeeze, then went to stand with the rest of the district, the ones either old enough or young enough to be safe from the reaping. Janalen could see Yenia standing with her parents, and she waved. Then she went to stand with the rest of the 15 year olds.
Tania Penian, their district's escort, rose from her seat after the mayor's annual speech about the Dark Days. She stood equidistance from the two reaping balls. One for the girls, one for the boys.
"Welcome," she said in her highly accented voice. "Happy Hunger Games. And may the odds be ever in your favor. Ladies first." She walked slowly toward the reaping ball on the right. Her hand searched around for what felt like forever before she finally drew a name out. Trying to draw out the moment.
She walked back to the center and slowly unfolded the paper. She cleared her throat and spoke in a loud, clear voice, "Janalen Marxel."
Janalen was stunned into paralys before she finally understood. It didn't matter that some girls had their names in over 30 times. One of her 7 had been drawn out, and she was going into the arena as a tribute.
She shakily walked to the stage and joined Tania. "Are there any volunteers?" Tania asked the rest of the girls. Nobody answered but the wind. Of course, Jan hadn't expected anyone to take her place. District 6 wasn't as bad off as some districts, but they didn't often have volunteers.
"And now the boys," Tania said calmly.
Jan stood trying to look strong. She didn't want her competition to see her look weak. She had barely composed her face into a stoic mask when Tania was back and reading the boy's name. Elias Dranton.
Janalen's mouth fell open and her composure fell. She was certain it was all over. Elias walked confidently forward. He was the same age as Jan, and even in the some of the same classes. And he was absolutely ruthless. He had talked about volunteering for the Games almost every year, telling everyone that if he wasn't called by the time he was 18, he was going to volunteer.
Tania called for volunteers, but none came forward. She called for the two tributes to shake hands. Jan's hand was limp in his forceful grip. She looked into his eyes, and felt like she was looking into the eyes of a wolf. He was excited to kill. And she was going to be in the arena with him.