District 4 Reapings

Coral Conch, D4F (18)

The rising sun glistens off the ocean. The waves lap gently onto the shore. The rest of the District is sleeping. I wanted to spend my last morning before the reapings here with Alora. We sit side by side on a blanket. Alora leans her head to rest on my shoulder, I wrap my arm around her to hold her, and reach up with my other hand to gently stroke her face. She's so beautiful. It's going to be so hard to leave her over the next few weeks. After I win, I'm going to give her an amazing life, and we'll have enough money that we won't have to ever worry about anything.

Alora and I started dating 4 years ago. We met at the Career Academy. She's a year older than me. Alora is very talented but never had an interest in volunteering. After her final reaping last year, I proposed. We're supposed to get married after my victory. At first she was opposed to the idea of me volunteering. It wasn't always my goal, I started training as something to do and had a knack for it, when I was selected, it took a lot of convincing. But eventually she agreed. I have a very good chance at victory and I'm willing to do whatever I need to do to win.

The sun climbs higher in the horizon. I need to get ready for the reaping. I turn over and kiss Alora on her forehead, "time to go." I can see the hesitation in her eyes but she gets up and we walk back to my house to get ready.

I put on a flowing sundress that goes just above my knees, and shows off my toned arms, shoulders and upper back.

We eat a breakfast of fish and bread and then head down to the town square. When we get there, Alora heads over to the spectator section and I head over to the 18 year old section.

The escort comes onstage and greets the crowd. "Welcome District 4 to the Reaping for the 128th Annual Hunger Games" she says. She reads the treaty of treason and introduces our 8 living Victors.

"Let's see who will be the female tribute this year." She pluck a name from the top and reads aloud "Fae Fairings."

Before the girl has a chance to emerge, I confidently announce "I volunteer!" I smile and hold my head high as I stride up to the stage.

"Any words for your district?" The escort asks. "Thank you to the people of district 4, I hope to give back to you all when I come home as Victor."

The audience cheers. The district loves their careers.

I glance over at Bay, my chosen district partner in excitement and he smiles back.

The escort comes back with the male's slip and reads "River Coven."

Bay's eyes widen in shock, a slight smirk forming on his lips. His younger brother was reaped.

Bay stays silent.

I see a commotion and a path starting to form in the thirteen year old section.

I shoot a questioning glare over to Bay. What's taking him so long, why is he hesitating.

River starts calling out "Bay you can volunteer now."

"Bay!"

"Bay? This isn't funny!"

Bay casts his glance downwards. The peacekeepers realizing that the volunteer isn't stepping forward, makes their way over to the reaped boy and starts dragging him to the stage.

River starts breaking down kicking and screaming "Bay you're supposed to volunteer! Don't let me die!"

River Coven, D4M (13)

I break through the surface of the water and gulp in the air. I look at my net of oysters and see that I've managed to get a good amount for tonight's dinner. I put the oysters in the boat and dive back down to admire the corals and sea life. I love living in district 4, I feel so free swimming in the ocean.

I climb back into the boat and row back to shore. It's reaping day. I'm lucky I live in a district where there's always volunteers. This year it's my brother. He's 18 and has been talking about how excited he is nonstop since he was selected. While I wish him well, it will be nice to have a break from him and his constant tormenting.

I don't know what I ever did to him or why he hates me so much but he's always been horrible to me. When I was learning to swim he almost drowned me, then I learned to hold my breath longer than him.

As I walk back home, I see Bay coming back from his training session at the Academy with his group of friends.

I avert my gaze and turn away but it's too late. "Hey River" Bay sneers. "Hi" I squeak out. "That's all your brother gets? No how are you?"

"Aw stop messing with him." Reef says.

"I'm not messing with him." Bay responds. He comes behind me a wraps me in a chokehold. "This is messing with him."

I struggle against his grip. My face flushes with embarrassment. I hit against his arm "you're hurting me." I choke out. Bay chuckles and tightens his grip.

Spots form in my vision.

"Hey, let him go!" Reef demands.

Bay releases me and shoves me to the ground. I choke and gasp as I try to catch my breath.

Bay walks away laughing and his friends chide him for being cruel.

As they're walking away, Bay says "that's exactly what they want to see when I'm in the arena, I'm just practicing putting on a good show."

What an asshole.

I dust myself off and scramble back home to quickly get ready.

I stand with the rest of the 13 year olds. There's not much anticipation, everyone feels pretty safe knowing there's a volunteer. I can't imagine how terrifying it must be to be in an outlying district, if you're reaped there, odds are you're going in.

The escort calls out the girl's name and Coral volunteers. She looks fierce and determined. I'm a bit surprised she accepted the volunteer spot with her being engaged, it seems so risky.

I barely pay attention as the escort announces the boy, I know my brother is excitedly waiting to volunteer.

"River Coven."

It's okay. Bay will volunteer.

What's taking him so long. The kids near me start to step away to clear a path.

My heart starts racing. Bay has to volunteer right.

Everyone is awkwardly quiet. The escort is looking around confused on what's happening. Even the escort is expecting a volunteer.

I call out "Bay you can volunteer now."

"Bay!"

Why isn't he volunteering?

Maybe he just wants me to be scared. It's working.

"Bay? this isn't funny!"

The peacekeepers make their way over to me and grab me by my arms.

This can't be happening. I break down and yell "Bay you're supposed to volunteer! Don't let me die!"

The peacekeepers bring me up on stage kicking and screaming. I catch sight of Bay and he stares at me and I can see him laugh.

I burst into tears inconsolably.

I'm crying so hard that I'm not even made to shake hands with my district partner, I'm just led back into the Justice building.

Coral Conch, D4F (18)

I can't believe what just happened. My district partner backed out of volunteering. I don't think a reaped kid has gone into the games from District 4 in over three or four decades. The Academy will be furious. And poor River, he doesn't stand a chance. I know it shouldn't matter because all the other tributes will have to die for me to come home, I can't help but feel bad for him.

I need to focus. I have to make it back.

My parents and younger sister come to see me first, they all wish me well and tell me how proud they are.

After comes Alora. She comes straight into my embrace and I hold her tightly. I think the hardest part about the next few weeks will be not seeing her everyday, she's the love of my life.

I soak in the feeling of her pressed against me, I can feel her heart beating against my chest. I know she's nervous.

I let her go and look into her eyes "I'm coming back to you sweetheart, I promise." I say.

"I know, please be careful Coral." Alora responds.

"Time's up." A peacekeeper interrupts.

Alora steps forward and kisses me goodbye. "I love you." Alora says.

"I love you too." I reply.

Alora leaves and I'm left fidgeting with my token, my engagement ring.

A few friends from the Academy come to wish me well and then I'm led to the train.

River Coven, D4M (13)

This can't be real. Maybe I'm dreaming.

Bay was stoked to be the chosen volunteer this year, he gave no indication that he was having second thoughts. He's 18 too, that was his last shot to go into the games and he didn't take it.

Tears stream down my face. I know Bay doesn't like me, but I never thought he hates me enough to let me go into the games to die if I was reaped.

I wonder what my parents will think. I wonder what's taking them so long. I have to ask Bay why he didn't volunteer.

The door opens and it's my two best friends: Clover and Aster.

"We're so sorry River!" Clover cries.

"We're going to miss you so much." Aster says.

Great, my friends already think I'll die for sure.

"I'm a great swimmer! And a fast runner. Maybe I'll be four's youngest Victor." I say.

I don't actually believe I'll win, but I'm not going to give up on myself so easily, I have to try.

My friends smile in encouragement.

"Try your hardest." Aster says.

"We'll be cheering for you the whole time." Clover says. Clover reaches inside his pocket and then holds out his hand to me. In his palm is a tiny seashell. "To remind you of home." Clover says.

"Thank you." I say and stick the token in my pocket.

I hug each of them goodbye and then they leave.

I wait some more, where is my family?

A peacekeeper comes in "time to head to the train."

"Wait no, I didn't get to say goodbye to my parents and brother yet!" I protest.

"No one else is here to see you" the peacekeeper says, "it's time to go."

I burst into tears again. My parents have always took Bay's side, saying I'm too sensitive or overreacting or even just annoying when I tell them how he torments me. But now I know my parents don't even love me enough to say goodbye. And neither does Bay, although I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that after he gave up his chance to volunteer just to get to see me die.

Here's District 4. What do you think of this pair? I feel so bad for River.