Chapter 7

NARRATOR | Otto Sheffield, District 1

Today is my last day in District One. Tomorrow, I'll be headed to the Capitol.

That's what I've been told by my parents, anyway. I just have to survive this Reaping, that's all. I'm eighteen now, so I only have one more Reaping before I'm free from this place.

My parents have been begging for approval to move to the Capitol - my father's been a successful banker since before I was born, and it's only right that we join the elite in the Capitol - but they've always gotten the same answer. Nobody in the Districts is exempt from the Hunger Games. Once your son is old enough, we'll talk.

Finally, that day has arrived. Our train leaves tomorrow, and we've packed nearly everything. Only one order of business remains. The Reaping.

To be honest, I haven't thought much about the Reaping until a few days ago. People like me are never picked for the Games, so what do I have to worry about?

Still, I've started to get more and more stressed as the days have passed. What if this is my unlucky year, and I'm ripped from my dream right before we reach it?

My stress is nothing compared to my mother's, though. She's been holding herself together fine all year, but this morning, she's fallen apart completely. We've already reached the District Plaza, but she's refusing to let me go.

"Mother, I need to stand with the other boys," I urge, trying to signal to my father to pull her away. "They're about to start."

"Otto," my mother sobs. "We should've just hired somebody to take your place... I wanted to, everything's just been so busy!"

"I'll be fine," I tell her as soothingly as I can. "Don't worry."

My mother is right - she messed up by not hiring somebody to take my place. It's not an uncommon custom in District One to give poorer citizens insurance sums for them to take your place in the Games. They can't resist the money, and it's unlikely they'll get picked, anyway. In the case they are, though, I get saved from the Arena. My mother hired a boy to take my place the first few years I was in the Reaping bowl, but we stopped once we realized that they'd never pick us. I mean, sure, my name's in that bowl somewhere, but they'd never pick me of all people...

"Come on, dear," my father says, resting his hand on my mother's shoulder. "Otto needs to get in line. Wouldn't want him to get in trouble on our last day, would we?"

"Of course," Mother says, bowing her head. "I'm sorry for making such a scene. It's just... I won't feel alright until I know that my baby is safe!"

"I've been fine so far," I remind her. "Don't see why that would change this time."

"Come find us as soon as the Reaping is over, okay?" my mother asks, finally letting go of my arm. I reassure her that I'll find her before I head over to stand with the other boys.

My mother's anxiety is starting to rub off on me, and my heart is beating faster and faster. What if they do select me, and my future is ripped away from me? Will I have to go to the Capitol without my family and be forced to kill to survive?

Finally, the doors to the Town Hall swing open, and the typical figures step out. Mayor Romanov leads the group - he was over at my place for dinner just the other night - and a few other officials I see from time to time. In the back, Minetta Vanderbilt sparkles in a gemstone-encrusted dress. I've met Minetta before; her father is friends with mine, after all. We're not best friends, but there's a connection there. Maybe if she picks up my slip of paper, she'll cover for me and say someone else's name. Right?

I can barely hear the mayor's speech over the thumping of my heartbeat. As he steps to the back of the stage, Minetta practically floats to the front. She's told me before that she gets nervous on stage, but she looks effortless as she grabs hold of the microphone.

"Welcome, welcome," she says, "to the Reaping for the 98th Annual Hunger Games!"

The crowd offers Minetta some applause - we may not offer many Career tributes anymore like we used to, but the Hunger Games is still a valued tradition around here just like it is in the Capitol.

"The time has come for us to select two brave tributes to represent District One in this year's Games," Minetta says with a smile. "We've heard from the Capitol that this year's tributes are a special group so far... we have the last Reaping here in District One, so I'm sure our tributes will be the most special of all, don't you think?"

Some cheers now from the audience. If there's one thing we have around here, it's District pride. Not me, though. I'll be happy to get out of this filthy place as soon as I can.

"Let's begin with the girls!" Minetta announces. Her dress is blinding as she walks across the stage, digging to the bottom of the bowl. She pulls out a single slip of paper, carrying it back to the microphone.

"Our female tribute..." Minetta says, unfolding the slip of paper. "Eliza Pattison!"

The unlucky girl makes her way to the stage. She's small in stature and seems to shrink more and more the closer she gets to the stage. Her entire body wobbles as she walks as if she could collapse at any moment, but she stays on her feet as Peacekeepers escort her up the stairs to the stage.

"Wonderful," Minetta cheers once she's situated Eliza on stage. "Time for the boys."

Minetta walks slowly over to the Reaping bowl, digging to the bottom of the bowl to pull another slip of paper. I can hardly breathe as I watch her walk, step by step, back to the microphone.

Please, Minetta, I beg internally. Don't read my name...

Minetta unfolds the slip. Her eyes widen in recognition as she reads the name inscribed inside.

"Our male tribute..." she says, looking out over the crowd.

"Otto Sheffield!"

A/N - Double post today, what whatttt

Fun fact, Minetta was August's Capitol escort in Twin Snakes, and here she is three years earlier! Hope you all enjoyed this little Reaping twist - Otto's situation is completely unique and will shape his character arc throughout the story as he's practically a Capitol citizen!

~S