District 6 Reapings

Cosmic Strize, D6F (16)

I climb up and over the fence surrounding our yard in a matter of seconds, then I'm off in a sprint towards the bakery to pick up some breakfast. I slow to a steady jog as I near town. When I was 11, I started running places instead of walking and climbing up on anything I could. There's no training Academies in Six so I've tried to train in secret however I can. I don't want to enter the games, but for me, I've had this sinking feeling that it's inevitable. That feeling has grown stronger each year. My family has never had good odds when it comes to the Games, my aunt was a tribute before I was even born. I had 2 older sisters, Avery went in when I was 7, Mara went in when I was 11. None of them ever came back.

I make it to the bakery. It smells amazing. I pick out a luxury for today, cinnamon rolls. I get 3 and head back home.

My parents and I eat in anxious silence. The cinnamon roll is delicious. It's the most decadent thing I've ever tasted. The fluffy dough and gooey cinnamon and icing. I wonder if they get to eat stuff like this in the Capitol every day.

I finish up breakfast and head outside with a kitchen knife and practice throwing it at a tree. My aim is pretty decent but I've never got to practice with a moving target.

I head inside to get dressed. My mom laid out a plain navy skirt and a cream coloured blouse for me. I hope this isn't the year. If it's inevitable that I'm reaped eventually like I feel I will be, I hope it's not until I'm 18.

My parents and I make our way to the town square. I can see the fear in their eyes. Most families don't loose multiple children to the games. My parents hug me once we reach the square and I check in.

I head to the sixteen year old section and join my friends Porche and Stella. They're both well off enough that they don't have to take out tesserae. My family would certainly benefit from it but after Avery was reaped, she wouldn't let Mara or me take any. It didn't make a difference for Mara.

The escort waltzes onstage and greets the district. After the proceedings, he heads over to the female bowl first. My heart is practically beating out of my chest. The escort reaches the mic and unfolds the slip of paper.

Please don't be me.

Please don't be me.

Not this year. Not yet.

"Cosmic Strize."

"No!"

That sounded like my mom.

I recover from my moment of shock and curl my hands into fists. I'm fuming as I walk to the stage and probably look like I'm ready to rip someone's throat out. The Capitol has destroyed my family, first both of my sisters and now me. I'm sure they'll love seeing the final Strize sister compete in the arena.

I glare out across the crowd as the escort announces my district partner.

"Niko Terrance."

Niko Terrance, D6M (15)

I finish my sketch and take a moment to look it over. I drew the view out the orphanage window. A skyline of factories and concrete buildings, dotted with windows, smoke stacks and a lone flying bird. District 6 all looks quite uniform, factories and buildings and a lot of grey. I tuck away my sketch book and graphite stick under the mattress.

Breakfast is the same as always, a small serving of cold oatmeal. The oats are mixed with water, I think they just use the water straight out of the tap and don't even bother boiling it.

I'm lucky I get to eat everyday. Oatmeal for breakfast and a roll of bread and some sort of meat or beans for dinner. When we're lucky, sometimes there's some vegetables. During the school year we get a sandwich at school, during the summers we don't get lunch. I'm used to it, it's all I've ever known, I've lived here since I was a few weeks old. I don't know who my parents are or why they brought me here or if they're even still alive.

I get ready for the reaping and all the orphanage kids of reaping age head down to the town square together. I stay with my best friends Tesla and Catalytic. We're the same age and grew up together. All of us at the orphanage are made to take out tesserae for ourselves.

The reaping always makes me nervous. There's hasn't been a Victor from Six since I was a toddler. It's always depressing seeing two kids get chosen and come back in a wooden box.

The escort comes onstage and after the proceedings, and selects a name from the girl's bowl.

"Cosmic Strize."

"No!"

That sounded like it came from the spectator section. Probably a family member of the girl.

A girl emerges from the sixteens looking furious. Most of our tributes only look terrified, a few manage neutral but I've never seen anyone this angry from Six.

The escort wastes no time in picking a boy's slip next.

"Niko Terrance."

I freeze in place. My friends try to offer a reassuring pat on the back, but I can see in their expressions that they don't expect me to return.

The peacekeepers start moving towards me. I don't want to be dragged on stage.

I will my feet to move and slowly shuffle my way to the stage and mount the steps. I try to appear as neutral as possible but I can't seem to stop trembling. This could very well be the last time I ever see District 6.

Cosmic Strize, D6F (16)

I'm led into the most ornate room I've ever seen. I sink into the couch and look at the decorative paintings.

The door opens and my parents come in. My mom is a mess and sobbing loudly, my dad hasn't been able to hold back his tears either. I know I'm the one going into the Games but I can help but feel horrible for them, I can't imagine having to watch all your children go into the Games.

I hug my parents tightly. "I'll come back, I promise I can do it."

This only makes my mom cry harder.

"Try your best." My dad pleads.

I nod.

"We love you so much" my mom sobs.

She opens my palm and presses a locket into it. I recognize it, I was told my aunt used it as her token and both of my sisters did too. I'll do whatever I can to make sure I bring it back to her in person.

A peacekeeper comes in to take my parents away. I should feel scared, but all I feel is a burning anger. I don't care how I have to win, I will do it.

Niko Terrance, D6M (15)

I rub my hands up and down my thighs to try and stop my trembling. I end up standing up and pacing around the room.

Tesla and Catalytic enter the room. Both of them have tears in their eyes.

"Thanks for being my best friends." I say.

"Don't give up on yourself yet." Catalytic responds.

"You're really observant. You can use that!" Tesla offers.

"I am?"

"Yes. Your drawings. You're good at seeing the details. You can observe the tributes, see what their personalities are like, who is allying with who, use that to your advantage."

"Okay, I'll try."

"And memorize some edible plants too in training."

"That's a good point."

"Try hiding it out." Catalytic adds.

"Okay, that sounds like a plan. When I win, I'll use the money to fund the orphanage, get everyone some more food. And you both can come live with me if you want."

They both beam at that.

A peacekeeper comes to take them away. I don't get any other visitors. After the hour is up, I'm led to the train.