Jayden Callister POV
I peel the worm around the hook, the bait for the trap. I drop my line into the pond with a plop and wait patiently. The sun beats down on me, shining through the trees. I feel a tug on the line and react quickly by winding the reel in a clockwise direction. I lift the hook above the water and kick the mud below my feet in frustration. I repeat the process again to hopefully catch something.
I squat down in the mud, trying to pass the time. I feel a yank and hope that this time I'm lucky. I can't see anything through the murky water but I know that it hasn't let go yet. I heave the line out of the water and watch the giant fish flip and squirm in the air. A carp, with the smooth and sharp dorsal fin. This will be enough I say as I rip my pocketknife through the middle of it so it won't escape. As I turn around to start the filleting and cooking stage I notice a glimmer in the shallows catching my eye. I follow the light back into the water and rummage around in the muck. I pick up a sharp edged object. A watch, working fine is what I find. I slap it on my wrist and it fits perfectly. I think to myself what were the chances of finding that.
I walk back up the rocky hills to where I left my belongings. I find a few sticks and planks of wood around to make the fire. I rub the twigs together furiously creating sparks and finally a blazing flame. I find a palm leaf and place the fish on it so it's elevated from the heat. After some time it finishes cooking I take it off and enjoy the hot meaty goodness. I eat about half and then stuff the rest in my backpack for my family.
I walk into the fields that carry on forever and notice many citizens of District 9 bent over working. Close to my right I spot my brother filling his mesh bag with wheat. I jog over to Riley and see how he is going. When the Peacekeepers aren't watching I help him cut of the grain and stuff it in the sack. Riley is only 9 but he has to work in the fields for us to survive. We have the same red-brown hair but he is very short and bony.
'How you going Riles?' I say. He shrugs his shoulders.
'Well look what I caught us,' I say opening my pack. I see his face light up. He loves carp the best of all.
'I'll carry this up to the trucks and then we can go,' I say. He nods and I walk of carrying the sack over my shoulders with my bro walking beside me with his hack. I place the bag down on the ground next to the vehicles and we walk off cheery we hear the bells ring calling everyone for the reapings. Our faces droop and we are silent with fear and nerves.
Ileana Averell POV
I walk down the main road of town. Cuts cover my hands from the scythe I used, working in the wheat fields for long, grueling shifts just to make enough money to survive. I live in District 9, it's not the best of them all but it is good enough for me to live off even if it means to occasionally steal. I pass a group of little children looking up, one girl in particular crying. I don't usually offer people help but I have nothing else better to do. I ask the girl what happened and she tells me her cat ran away up the tree and disappeared. I sigh and get climbing.
I shimmy up the giant oak tree until I reach a branch where I then step on and climb up. The girl points out to me where I see a furry tail shaking around. I sneak up on the kitten and grab it. It turns on me and bites me on the wrist. I bite my tongue and then follow it again as it climb on the top of the Mayor's Mansion.
I sweet-talk the little feline and then it lets me pick it up and I slowly begin to climb back down. I see the little girl clap her hands as her face lights up in happiness.
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?' I hear a familiar voice scream. It's my brother.
' I'm help get that girl's cat,' I reply. My brother has always been very protective of me. We had another sister who died when I was born. She was seven. I guess Aedon just doesn't want to loose me, as corny as that sounds. I can tell he isn't happy with my actions but I was just trying to be nice.
As my feet hit the ground I walk over to the girl and hand her the kitten.
'She's lovely,' I say, 'what's her name?'
'Trish,' she replies. Her mother stands beside her and thanks me for rescuing it. She then hands me some coins wrapped in a cloth. I'm so surprised that she's rewarding me, it was just I good deed. But I know I will need that money so I decide to keep it. I then walk along the gravel road back home with Aedon.
When we reach our little shack I go immediately to my bed and stuff the coins in my hidden emergency jar. I then go outside and with my materials, I climb the same tree I do everyday. When I reach the platform of wood I sit on I open my book and set up my equipment. I have a love for writing. I just enjoy the peacefulness and the way the ideas flow into a world of imagination. I have my pen in hand and just as I touch the rough hand-made paper I hear the bell ring and I scribble with a fright. Hopefully that's not the last time my pen writes I think to myself as I climb down the tree and begin the journey to the Reaping Square.
Jayden Callister POV
Riley walks off to the back, where all parents and watchers go. I, on the other hand, wait patiently for my turn for the blood sample. Then I go and wait for the ceremony to begin.
It takes some time for the mayor to give his speech and all the kafuffle around that. Then Guta Cusack is called to the stage. Oh Guta, he is just a laughing stock. He has his green hair spiked and is wearing a denim jacket and black baggy jeans. He struts on the stage and then goes to call a name.
'Like our like female tribute is like Ileana Averell like yeah,' he says casually. Silence falls over the District as a medium-tall girl with golden curls walks to the stage. She must work in the fields, as her skin is super tanned. Her blues eyes shine in the sunlight and she looks like a quiet mouse that just wants to leave. She cries silently into her palms and I hear no noise from the spectators. Then it's the boys' turn. Guta walks to the bowl swirls his hand around weirdly and then returns back to the middle.
'Like our other like male tribute is like a guy like named like Jayden Callister,' Guta says. I freeze, wait what me?! All I think about is how is Riley going to survive without the money, the food, me. But there is no way out of it now. After we are thanked and announced we are taken away from our fellow citizens.
I tap my feet and walk around in circles waiting for someone to say goodbye to me. All of a sudden Riley storms in and tackles me to the ground. I hug him tightly and whisper him to keep on working in the fields and you will survive. I promise him I will try my hardest to win, and I will.
Ileana Averell POV
I stand in line waiting for my turn. I'm waiting for the safety check. The safety check feels weird and overexposed as the Peacekeepers feel you for any weapon you might use against any in defence to rebel. I've never been caught for anything but once one guy got found with pocket knifes and went to punch the Peacekeeper but got shot. After all the procedures occur the presentation begins.
The mayor gives a speech to the District about The Hunger Games, all the Districts and how everything began. It goes on for hours and it feels as if he is pretending we don't know anything about the games or the rebellion and the Capitol. Finally after much ado he calls Guta Cusack this year's escort to call out the names.
I can't believe someone would actually act the way Guta does. Then after much wait it is time. He picks a name, taunting the crowd who is hanging on the edge of their seats. He picks up a card and dramatically clears his voice to read it.
'So it's like,' he starts, 'Ileana Averell gurl.' I stand in silence. It feels as if the world has collapsed on me. I feel alone, like I stand out like a sore thumb. I cry into my palms silently as nobody makes a sound. Then I walk to the stage. I don't even care anymore about the Capitol or the games. I don't listen to the boys but I see a boy come to the stage. He has red hair and a huge scar above his left eye that holds my attention. We shake hands are and then are taken away.
I peak outside the door waiting for a family member to enter. My mother, Chelsea, and father, Glenn, wait just one wall away as the Peacekeepers unlock the door. The flood in towards me and I cry into their arms. I hear my dad sigh as I think we all know that the chances are very fine. My parents and then taken away from me. Aedon then arrives. He quickly shows me some defence moves and tells me to get some good allies, and then run. But I have another plan.
Who is the tribute famous for ripping throats with their bare teeth? – 20 points
What is Katniss and Peeta's child's name? – 30 points
When did Gale release he had feelings for Katniss? – 40 points
SO I AM 75% OF THE WAY THROUGH THE BORING REAPINGS! JUST THREE MORE TO GO! So what do you think of my chapter? Make sure you review and are thinking about allies and stuff. ONLY 1 more day of school tomorrow and then I will be furious writing for the next two weeks. After D10, D11, D12, Train Rides and Chariot Rides I will be open for you to send me who you want as your allies so I can get working on the reapings.
Chapters before the Games:
D10
D11
D12
Train Rides
Chariot Rides (a twist will be revealed)
Training Day 1
Training Day 2
Training Day 3
Gamemaker's session
Scores and Capitol's Favourites
THE GAMES! (Probably 12 days or so, final 8 interviews, returning home, victor tour)
SO That's 10 CHAPTERS TILL THE GAMES! HOPE YOU ENJOY AND PEACE OUT!
Signing off, TeamCudgee ;D