TW: mention of sexual assault in Azela's POV

District 5 Reapings

Azela Pemington, D5F (18)

I sprinkle some blueberries into the batter and fold them in. I take a scoop and poor some into the pan. Pancakes and blueberries are a special treat. I make them every year on reaping day for good luck.

When the pancakes are done cooking, I serve Gaia, my little sister, a plate, and set a plate for myself, and make a bottle for Nora, my daughter.

Nora turned 6 months last week and I can't believe how fast she's already growing up. She has my brown eyes and hair, but her skin is lighter, a mixture of mine and her father's. It saddens me that Nora will grow up without a father, but he's not in the picture. I got pregnant by being assaulted by a peacekeeper while walking home from my shift at the power plant. It was dark and no one was around. I tried to fight him off but he tazed me, I was left temporarily paralyzed while he did whatever he wanted.

When I found out I was pregnant a few weeks later, I was terrified. I wasn't even 17 yet and had my hands full caring for my younger sister. Our parents died in a factory accident when I was 14. I was determined to keep myself and younger sister, only 9 years old at the time, out of the orphanage.

Halfway through my pregnancy, my best friend Freqa found out about our situation. I thought she'd turn us in and I'd wind up in the orphanage for sure. Instead, she kept my secret and helped me out, she comes over a lot to help with Nora and Gaia. I don't know what I'd do without her.

"Ou pancakes! Save any for me?" Freqa asks as she comes into my apartment.

"Of course." I say as I set a plate in front of her.

"It's our last year. I can't wait for it to be over-with" Freqa says between mouthfuls.

It may be my last year, but it's not my sister's, and one day it'll be Nora's name in the reaping bowl.

"I don't think I'll feel safe until Nora is past reaping age." I reply.

Freqa frowns, "yeah, that's understandable."

I change Nora into a new diaper, clean clothes and tuck her into her crib and leave her with her bottle. I feel like a horrible mom for leaving my 6 month old alone by herself, I don't have anyone to watch her while we're at the reaping and I can't let anyone take her away from me. We'll be back in a few hours, she should be okay and nap until then.

I kiss her goodbye and head to the square with Freqa and Gaia.

We check in and I walk Gaia to the thirteen year old section, then Freqa and I make our way over to the eighteens.

"Welcome to the Reaping for the 128th Annual Hunger Games!" the escort announces.

"Let's see which young lady will be representing us this year." She walks over and digs her hand into the bowl, she swirls her hand before deciding on a slip of paper.

"Gaia Pemington."

I gasp. I feel like the ground has been pulled from under my feet.

Gaia is only 13, she won't win. I also have Nora to take care of, can I really leave her without her mother? Can I also let Gaia go to a certain death? I don't know what to do.

In my hesitation, I see Gaia almost at the stage. Freqa squeezes my hand and then steps forward, " I -"

I put my arm in front of her. She's done so much for me, I can't let her risk her life for my family. I come out of my trance and say with as much confidence as I can manage, "I volunteer."

Gaia turns at my voice and runs to hug me. "What about Nora?" she asks shocked.

I hug her quickly but then pull her away and take my place on stage. I can't let myself talk right now or I'd start crying.

The escort, thrilled at having a volunteer claps giddily.

"Ou how exciting!" she trills. "What's your name?"

"Azela Pemington." I choke out.

"Wonderful!" The escort says.

She then makes her way over to the boy's bowl and retrieves a slip.

"Lumen Raze."

Lumen Raze, D5M (17)

I gulp down some water to try and settle the rumbling in my stomach. I don't get paid for another 3 days and we ran out of food 2 days ago. My mom spends all her money on alcohol. If I didn't work too we wouldn't eat. I barely make anything, we're both slowly starving to death and my mom is too drunk to care. I've taken out tesserae for the both of us, but I've caught my mom multiple times selling our rations so she could get more alcohol.

She used to be a great mom, when dad died, it's like she died with him. I don't understand how she could give up so easily, she still has a son to care for. I was 11 at the time. I had to grow up quickly. Such is life in Panem, no one has a cushy life, except the Capitol citizens, and maybe some of the careers.

I boil some water to make a tea for my mom. She's zoned out in the living room staring out the window. I wonder if she actually sees anything or is too absorbed in her own world. I feel bad for her, but I'm also angry she abandoned me.

I set a mug of tea in her hands and she slowly takes a sip. "I'll try and find something for us to eat when I get back from the reaping." I tell her.

I go get dressed. None of my reaping clothes fit me properly anymore. At least I still have a decent enough shirt and pants that I manage to pull on. They're a bit short but I don't fill them out anymore than I did when I was shorter.

I head over to my mom and kiss her check goodbye, "I'm headed to the reaping, be back soon." She barely nods in acknowledgement. I wonder if she ever fears I'll be chosen.

I make my way to the town square and sign in.

I keep to myself amongst the others and try to calm my nerves. My stomach still grumbles. Great.

The escort makes her way onstage.

I tap my foot anxiously as the escort drones on, I just want to get this over with.

The escort gets around to drawing the names and starts with the female tribute.

"Gaia Pemington."

A small girl with wide eyes emerges from the thirteen year old section. She's doing well keeping her composure. Then surprisingly someone volunteers.

A girl emerges from the eighteen year old section and makes her way on stage.

"What's your name?" the escort asks.

"Azela Pemington."

Ah that must have been her sister. That's selfless of her to volunteer. It's pretty common for older siblings to not volunteer when a younger sibling is reaped in 5. The odds of coming back aren't high.

The escort pulls a slip from the boy's bowl and reads "Lumen Raze."

Just my luck. I scowl as I make my way to the stage.

"District 5" the escort beams, "your tributes for the 128th annual Hunger Games!"

We're led inside the Justice building.

Azela Pemington, D5F, 18

I take some deep breaths to calm myself. I have to walk out of here and not look like I was crying, I have to appear as strong as possible, no one wants to sponsor a weak tribute.

The door opens and Gaia comes rushing in, tears streaming down her face.

I hug her tightly. "I'm sorry Azela, I didn't want to take you away from Nora" she squeaks.

I take her by the shoulders, "Listen to me Gaia, what happened isn't your fault. You still have your whole life ahead of you, I couldn't let you go off to your death."

"I'll take care of Nora." Gaia promises.

"Thank you. Freqa will help, I'm sure."

I give Gaia another hug and then she's ushered out by a peacekeeper.

Some time passes before the door opens again.

Freqa comes in carrying Nora.

"I ran back to get her," she huffs out of breath, "you deserve to say goodbye to your daughter."

I scoop Nora up in my arms and trace her face with my finger. She smiles at my touch. I have to come back home to her. I can't let her grow up without a mother, if I don't come back, she won't even remember who I am.

"I'll take care of them." Freqa says "try your hardest to come back to us."

"I will." I promise. I hug Freqa with my free hand and then I give Nora one last hug and pass her back to Freqa.

"For a token." Freqa says as she passes me one of Nora's tiny socks.

A peacekeeper comes to let us know time is up. Freqa leaves with Nora.

Don't cry. I remind myself. Hold it together a little longer. I put on a brave face as I'm led out to the train.

Lumen Raze D5M, (17)

This is the fanciest room I've ever been in. I admire the plush sofa, the ornate lamp and decorative vases.

I doubt anyone will come to see me. I'm always so busy working that I don't have time to socialize, and I'm so exhausted at school that I keep to myself.

My mom probably has no idea that I'm here, she probably won't even know I'm a tribute until she watches the chariot rides.

I hope a neighbour will check in on her knowing that I'm here, and that she manages to get something to eat.

I have to make it back, I'm all my mom has left. When I do, I'll be able to afford as much food as I want, then I'll actually have time and energy to make some friends.

The hour has passed while I've been deep in thought and a peacekeeper comes to bring me to the train.

Here's district 5, which of the two do you think will go furthest?