Thank to dyloccupy, Dani H. Danvers, CrocodileReader431, Very New To This, & ladyqueerfoot for the reviews! Keep them coming cuz damn do I need the motivation on these Reaping chapters!

FanFiciton really needs to get their emails fixed. This is getting old.

Enjoy! I'm so ready to the get past the Reapings haha.

Chapter III The Reapings Part 3

District 5

There was a concerned air around the Aglais' table that morning. Partly because with the start of the 59thGames their monthly rations would dry up. But the Aglais had been hungry before and could do without assured electricity in their one bedroom apartment. What was more pressing, at least for Seph's parents, were the bruises on Seph's older siblings from their latest scuffle.

The whole family, his mom, dad, older brothers Simon and Ray, older sisters Lily and Klara, and Seph, the youngest, sat around the battered metal table for breakfast. Everyone had a bit of bread in front of them and cool milk, a luxury they could afford due to District 5's victory in the Games the past year, though nobody was eating. Nerves for the Reaping got the family, and a dressing down from their parents.

"I understand why you all did it." Seph's dad began, nodding to his older siblings. "But violence isn't the answer!"

"Who says that to somebody though!" Simon, the eldest at eighteen, protested. "You think we'd just let those boys get away with it!"

"They're younger than you!"

"Ok, well, they're my age, dad." Lily said. "I can hit fourteen year olds."

"Nobody should be hitting anyone." Seph's mom spoke up.

"Even when they wish your brother get Reaped his first time up?" Simon demanded. The other siblings nodded in agreement, content that they had pummeled, again, Seph's bullies. The siblings all looked after each other, especially the youngest Seph who didn't have a mean bone in his body.

"That… that was especially cruel." His dad conceded.

"It's worth a punch in the mouth." Ray chimed in.

The argument continued to go in circles, like the last three had gone. Nothing changed though, except for the second time this happened and the principal of their school threatened to strap all of them if they fought on school property. After that, the siblings made sure to defend their brother after school hours.

"They were just trying to protect me." Seph chimed in. Instantly, his parents softened as did his siblings. Seph was truly the baby of the family at twelve years old, though looked younger. He was a small kid even for his age and had a perpetual hunch to his posture. His big, thick rimmed glasses didn't help things either. One bully once said he always looked like a "sad kicked puppy."

"We know that, Joseph." His mom said, "But violence isn't the answer. Think about the Hunger Games. Does that seem moral to you?"

"No."

"Exactly! Violence doesn't solve anything. It just creates more violence."

"How many times have you four fought Seph's bullies?" Their dad asked Seph's siblings. "What has it changed? Do they seem likely to stop?"

Some more arguments erupted. Nobody suggested that their parents try to do something. They were loving, but everyone knew they had to work all the time just to keep a roof over their heads. Nobody from their part of District 5 could expect their parents to swoop in an solve their problems. The arguments continued until both sides wore themselves out and nothing was resolved. Just like the last three times.

They ate in silence and afterwards, Seph helped his parents clean the dishes. "I'm sorry I'm causing problems." He told them.

"You're not causing any problem, Seph." His dad assured him. "And… and it's nice to have older siblings to look after you. I sure didn't."

"Hey, why don't we get you something nice at the Reaping Festival afterwards?" His mom offered. "How about an icy?"

"You… you mean it?" Seph said. Icy's were expensive.

"Absolutely. For making it through your first Reaping."

"Um… excuse me?" Klara shouted. "I didn't get an icy when I had my first Reaping!"

"Are you really worth a whole icy?" Ray teased, which got him a punch from Klara and a whole round of fighting kicked off.

Once that settled everyone began getting ready for the Reapings in silence. Their apartment was one bedroom, which meant that their parents had their own room while the five children all slept in the main room next to the kitchen, tv, and what counted for a living room. They had bunk beds and a small mattress on the ground, and the five siblings took turns rotating on it. In honor of Seph's first Reaping, Simon had given up his spot on one of the top bunks and let Seph sleep up there.

"You look good, Seph." Lily said as he put on the hand me down suit. The pants were a too long for Seph – he wasn't nearly as tall as his brothers had been – as was the dress shirt. It was hardly an inspiring sight and Seph was afraid he was going to trip over himself.

"I feel kind of silly." He admitted.

"Better than scared." Klara said. "Remember how I threw up the morning of the Reaping?"

"I still might." Seph said, letting the fear seep in.

"And we'll be there to clean it up." Simon said. "Trust us, you'll be fine. If one of us was going to be unlucky, it would have been me."

"Too true." Ray joked, before looking at Seph, face serious. "You're going to be fine, Seph. And you're getting an icy afterwards too!"

Seph smiled and hugged his nearest sibling. The others joined in, embracing their youngest. This was what Seph loved most. People made fun of him for it, being too sappy and eager, but Seph couldn't help it. He loved his family and all their support. And, despite what his parents said, Seph loved how his siblings would always be willing to fight for him. They'd do whatever to protect them and Seph wished that one day he could repay them.

It was a nice thought, and maybe that's what the world needed more? Just plain decency.

The pages of the book were well worn and Teagan Windsor knew every word of them, yet she still always came back to them.

Meteorological Phenomina of Panem and Adjacent Geogrphaical Sights wasn't exactly a page turner, but Teagan knew of no other book she would prefer to read than this one. It was brilliantly detailed, with both thoughtful analysis of weather patterns and beautifully drawn art showing how the systems. It had been Teagan's book for years, ever since her late Auntie V had gifted it to her on one of their trips to the outskirts of 5, but it was also a bit of a secret. Not that her parents would punish her for having it, they weren't like that, but it would open up all sorts of awkward conversations Teagan wasn't ready to have.

A knock on the door disrupted her and Teagan instantly threw the book under her pillow. As usual, her sister Cordelle entered her room without waiting for a response, all smiles and pleasantries. "Mom and dad want you and Emila downstairs." She informed her. At twenty, Cordelle was already married and living on her own but still came back for Reapings. Her eyes shifted to the pillow, sensing her younger sister's secret. She said nothing though, offering her a supportive smile before running off to find Emilia.

Already dressed for the day, Teagan hid her book and walked downstairs, finding her parents and Cordelle's wife waiting at the kitchen table. Breakfast was already ready, only Teagan and Emilia's plates still full. Quietly she took her seat, her mind still lost in storms and weather. Thankfully, Cordelle and Emilia were arrived and quickly took up the attention, which was fine by Teagan.

She gazed out the kitchen window, eyeing the clouds and the heat waves rolling off the roofs of the other homes in their neighborhood. Her mind was lost in the sight, wishing she was out in the wide open spaces of District 5 instead of the loud kitchen of her family. She never liked people that much. Well… that was harsh, she thought. It wasn't that she didn't like people, Teagan just found she struggled with them. Her sisters were natural people persons, just like her parents. Teagan never quite got the skill down.

Which is why Auntie V had been a godsend, her geologist aunt who got her into meteorology and the natural world. She had never poked and prodded like Teagan's parents had, letting the shyer girl learn from watching and listening. She never asked anything of Teagan either but seemed so in tune with what Teagan needed. And, on the odd occasion that Teagan did speak, Auntie V was always willing to listen and help guide her.

A sadness took hold of Teagan. She missed her aunt so much. She hadn't cried at her funeral, knowing her death had just been part of her job, but it didn't mean she missed her less than the rest of her family. Her face must have morphed into one of sadness because her mom, sensing her discomfort, tried to reach out.

"The Reapings will be over quickly." She tried to assure her.

Teagan merely nodded, taking a bite of her oatmeal. Someone had spiced it with apple crisps, a small luxury for their family. Next to her, Emilia puffed up, quite pleased. "Well I'm ready to get it over with and never have a Reaping again!" She declared, thankful next year she'd have aged out. Teagan, at sixteen, still had two more after that day. At least her family didn't require her to submit her name for Tesserae.

"What are you girls up to after the Reaping?" Their dad asked.

Emilia shrugged. "Out with friends, of course." She said. She didn't bother to clarify which friends, Emilia seemed to have too many all the time.

"And what about you, Teagan?" Her mom asked.

Teagan shrugged. She'd probably come home and read in private. At least, she hoped that's what they let her do.

"Why don't we go to the Festival afterwards?" Her mom proposed instead. "We can buy you those fried potato strips you like!"

Teagan hated those, but nodded. She didn't want to be a bother. Meanwhile, her parents exchanged a worried look. They had always failed to connect to their youngest daughter. Cordelle and Emilia had been easy and naturally charismatic, just like their parents who had leveraged that into their engineering careers and built good lives. Nobody in the Windsor family seemed to know what to do with an introvert.

"Teagan… does that sound good to you?" Her mom asked again. All eyes were on her and Teagan, feeling embarrassed, finally spoke up.

"That s-s-s-s-ounnds, nice." Teagan spoke, hating her stutter. It refused to vanish, no matter how old she got. Her parents smiled, trying to be supportive.

"Good. It'll be nice to be a family." Her mom said.

Teagan said nothing, just wanting her parents to be happy. They didn't understand her desire to go into meteorology, a career that didn't seem too important for District 5. Sure you had to know if the sun would be out for the solar panels or the wind blowing for the air turbines but the District had machines that could predict that. There were other careers they felt their youngest could pursue.

But what was the point of living your life and being miserable? Teagan could find another job of course, but at the cost of being happy? Auntie V had taught her better by example.

There were too few chances to be happy in Panem. Teagan didn't want to miss hers.

"You don't have to walk me the whole way." Seph told Simon and Ray.

"It's no problem."

"But I don't want you to miss hanging out with your friends."

"This really isn't the place or time for that. And it's good to stretch our legs."

Seph didn't say anything, knowing the real reason. As they got closer to the stage where the twelve year olds were organized they'd have to pass by some of Seph's bullies. Sure enough, from their section, some boys glared at him but those looks quickly dissipated when they saw Seph's brothers give them even nastier looks. Seph entered the twelve year old section feeling secure and hoping that feeling would last.

His brothers had to leave him and go back to their age sections, leaving Seph alone. Around him, none of the twelve year olds were speaking. Many of the boys were shaking or trying to put on brave faces. The fact that they were the age group closest to the stage didn't help. Seph just wanted this day to be done.

Finally, the doors of the Justice Building opened and the Mayor, Head Peacekeeper, and others emerged, including the bizarre Escort who was dressed like some sort of exotic bird? The last of the group to enter were the previous Victors of District 5, which generated more fanfare. Last of them, dressed in a beautiful blue dress and adorned with her crown, was Victor Olivia Echeberría.

Soft claps began when her image flashed across the many screens in the square but quickly grew into thunderous applause. Victor Echeberría, realizing it was for her, gave the crowd a sheepish wave and a wink as she took her seat next to the District's prior Victors. Of the group, Victor Echeberría was by and far the District's favorite. Now eighteen, Olivia had been Reaped for the 58th Hunger Games and tossed into an arena based on a subway system. She had wowed the Capitol in her pre-Games interview and amassed a solid alliance of her district partner, District 6, and a boy from 3. Unfortunately, her allies from 6 weren't as committed to the group and ended up poisoning her District partner before tainting the arena's water supply and killing a third of the Tributes. Her District partner died, her ally from 3 was killed by the boy from 4, and Olivia was left by herself. In the end, she was able to take control of rail lines in the subway system and use the electrical currents to fry the last Career before facing the Butcher of 10 and taking her out with a cleverly placed trap.

The applause died down as the Mayor began his annual speech. It hadn't changed much from the previous years except at one point commending Victor Echeberría for her victory and hoping that District 5 had another successful year. Seph certainly hoped they did. The monthly rations and other benefits a District were given for Victory in the Hunger Games were a godsend.

And then, it was time.

The Escort was up, talking on and on and praising Olivia, who looked very uncomfortable now. And then, the words came. "Ladies first!"

The Escort made her way to the bowl full of the girl's names. Seph said a silent prayer, like every year, that Lily and Klara weren't Reaped. Thankfully, like every year, he got his wish.

"Teagan Windsor!" The Escort pronounced as she read off the slip.

There was murmuring at that name as a girl emerged from the sixteen year old section, eyes downcast. While Seph didn't know her, he knew the Windsor name like most people. They were a good family and Seph felt his heart break for them. Teagan took the stage with little dramatics, standing next to the Escort in the spot all Tributes stood.

"And now, for the boys!"

Once more, Seph said a prayer for Simon and Ray that they would not be Reaped. 'Trust me, you'll be fine.'Simon had told him.

'I'll be fine.' Seph thought.

The Escort read the name of and Seph realized something.

He hadn't said a prayer for himself.

"Joseph Aglais!"

His worlds went spinning. He must have heard wrong. Ok, maybe not, he was right next to the stage after all, but there had to be another Joseph Aglais! Somewhere in District 5!

"Mr. Aglais?" The Escort called out, peering out into the crowd with a joking expression. "Anyone there?"

He stepped forward, or at least tried to. It was enough movement though for a Peacekeeper to spot him and drag him out to the shocked nosies of the crowd.

"Oh!" The Escort said. She hadn't even been looking at the twelve year olds. "Oh, well… this is different."

The Peacekeepers were dragging him up the stairs. He was crying now, no doubt looking very ugly and improper. He felt snot escape his noses and touch his lips, but he kept crying anyways. Before he knew it, he was next to the Escort and on stage in front of the entire District.

And then, he thought of Simon and Ray.

He looked up, sniffing so harshly it was caught by the microphone. He couldn't speak, his emotions caught in his throat, but he looked out to the sixteen and eighteen year old boys section.

For the first time in his life, his brothers weren't coming to save him.

He started bawling, his whole body heaving at the prospect of the Games. Behind him, people shifted uncomfortably, as they always did whenever a twelve year old had been Reaped. Seph felt so alone, so terrified he felt like he could die just then.

And then, there were arms around him.

For a moment, he thought it was his mom. He looked up, hoping to see her through his glasses, but was shocked to see Victor Echeberría there, offering him comfort.

"I'm so sorry." She told him, soft enough that it felt personal but still loud enough the microphone picked it up. "You don't deserve this. But I'm going to be here for you. Every step of it."

Seph kept crying and Olivia pulled him into her chest, letting him cry into her shoulder. She stood up, carrying Seph, and reached out for Teagan. The girl looked at the hand cautiously but ended up taking it.

And the three of them walked into the Justice Building together.

And into the Hunger Games.

District 6

"Come on… come on you bitch…"

She continued tinkering with the lock, feeling the bolt slide out of place. Carefully, she pushed the pin in further, feeling it scrap against solid metal.

"Do you have it?" Sloane asked.

"Shush!" Diesel hissed back, trying to focus. It was a windex lock, four bolts. Tricky… but…

A click and the safes' lid popped open.

… nothing that Dallis Casterri, lock pick extraordinaire, couldn't handle.

No matter how many times she did this, Dallis' heart still leapt with anticipation. Peering into someone's life, learning someone's secrets, it was a rush.

And profitable.

When dawn broke, the word was out. One single leaflet, paper that was so thin it could only last for a day at most before being recycled a toilet paper, had spread throughout the District. Pretty soon, everyone knew what Dallis and her burgeoning underground business did with a catchy headline.

Cruel Plant Manager Stops Stiffing Workers to Stiff Sisters!

Dallis sat on the roof of their small house, watching the streets below, getting a thrill as people read her paper. As she did, he reyes looked into the windows of other homes around, easy to do with narrow, cracked pavement roads around her own. She was eager to learn their stories. In one window, the Metros were fighting over the last bits of food. In another, Volt was stealing money out of his dad's safe to buy Morphling, his thin hands shaking from the deed or the Morphling withdrawal or both. Each window a look into another world, each window a place to satisfy her ravenous curiosity for knowledge and gossip.

A creak from the ladder below as Artem joined her on the roof. "Really kicked the hornets nest with this paper." He said.

"Enough to sell out?" Dallis asked, unconcerned with Peacekeeper crack down. As long as they didn't print anything political, she figured they'd be fine.

"Yeah. Tell Sloane she needs to print more next time." Artem sat next to Dallis, passing her a wad of cash, her share of the profits from their gossip rag. Her older brother had a respectable job, but was still willing to help out. "It's good money for the Festival."

"I'm not going to spend the money on stuff that dumb."

"It's fun!"

"It's money in the Capitol's pocket."

"Everything is."

"Whatever."

It was an odd brother and sister relationship. Artem was five years older than the seventeen year old Dallis, yet she was arguably the dominant one in the relationship. It was her money that kept them afloat and money – and information – was power in Panem. After their parents died when they were younger, Artem did what he could to keep them going when they lived on the streets, but it had been Dallis who figured out how to turn her nosy tendencies into real profit.

People loved gossip. Anything to distance themselves form the suckiness of everyday life, Dallis found. And she was happy to provide a reprieve, for a price. She was such a saint.

Sloane and Damon, two of her partners in crimes, joined them on the roof, having cleaned up their workspace. In the basement of the home was a printing press with paper, hidden under a heavy tarp and surrounded by noisy, ancient, and rusted pipes. Out of sight and out of mind.

"Plenty of money coming in off this one." Sloane said with pride, counting her money.

"Do you think the plant manager is going to be ok?" Artem asked.

Dallis raised an eyebrow, still enjoying the weight of the money in her hand. "He has money. He'll be fine."

It was a strange question to ask. Really, who the hell cared?

"Yeah, money he can use to get the Peacekeepers to do something." Damon said.

"If the Peacekeepers wanted to shut us down they would have done it already." Dallis rationalized. "Now shush, I'm trying to watch."

The four of them sat on the roof in silence, watching the others go by, trying to think who their next mark would be.

"Ladies and gentle-teens! Gather round!"

Murmurs from the other teens waiting in line to register for the Reaping groaned, well aware of Diesel Chase's antics.

"Oh great." Someone murmured.

"He's at it again."

"I think he's funny."

"Stop! Or else he never will!"

Diesel overheard the conversation, glad that his antics could provoke a reaction. "Everyone! Good citizens of Panem! And Damon."

"Hey!" Damon cried to chuckles of his peers.

"I have a special jokes for you all on this fine Reaping Day!"

"It's 100 degrees and probably less humid in hell."

Diesel rolled his eyes. "Has anyone ever told you, Coil, that graveyards have more cheer in them than you do." Diesel joked, looking at the other boy to more laughter. "No! Here's the joke ladies and gentlemen! What does a Capitolite do when-"

"Hey! Shut up in stay in line!" A Peacekeeper called, coming around on Diesel. The other around quickly shot their eyes down, not eager to provoke the adult. Diesel pursued his lips together, annoyed to have his joke cut off but knowing better than to say anything. He fell silent and fell back in line with the others and the Peacekeeper left. Next to him, one of his friends gave him a nudge.

"Sorry pal, even the Peacekeeper don't think you're funny." Mona Fly said.

"Well, that's just cuz they don't know me." Diesel reasoned as the line slowly shuffled forward.

"Eeeeeeh… I don't think there's a person in the District who doesn't know you."

Diesel had to agree with that, mainly because he'd gone out of his way to make sure people knew who he was. Charming, joking, and happy. Plus, his brother, Colorado, had just married into one of the richer families in the District so that got a lot of attention. And some nasty little leaflet had printed some nonsense about his in-laws and his name was mentioned in it.

His other friend, more demure, poked him slightly. "How are you doing?" Tesla asked.

"Not great, Tes. But, you know how Peacekeepers are, bright bulbs never like a good artist!"

"No, I meant about Motor."

"Ugh, Tesla! Don't be a downer." Diesel laughed. "If it's a contest between you and Reaping day I don't know who would win."

Tesla, having known Diesel for years, wasn't offended. "I'm just saying… Motor just broke up with you three days ago. You're doing well considering that."

"Because he just wasn't worth my time." Diesel reasoned. "Seriously though, I dodged a bullet with him. I could see my future with him and it involved some track marks, and those are so tacky, you know?"

Neither of his friends said anything further as Diesel quickly changed the submit to something more asinine. Typically he was pretty good at covering up his distress, a skill he'd picked up thanks to a rough dead dad, the general awfulness of life in District 6, and a poor family. Jokes helped people and gave them a distraction and Diesel was more than willing to help out. That it helped make sure that people didn't ask personal questions like Tesla just tried to also was a plus.

Slowly they made their way through the line, the heat of the day overwhelming. Eventually they reached the front of the line and a bored Peacekeepr grabbed Diesel's hand and pricked his finger, drawing blood and checking him in before sending him on his way.

"See you on the flip side, girls!" Diesel said with a smile. His friends rolled their eyes, secretly glad of his positive attitude.

After all, it's all Diesel had in this world.

'Let's hurry this up.' Dallis thought as the Escort bobbled over the boys Reaping bowl first and pulled out a name. She rushed back to the microphone and called out the name, sounding bored.

"Diesel Chase."

Dallis perked up at that name, aware of who he was of course. From the seventeen year old section, a tall skinny boy with floppy white-blonde hair and large blue eyes emerged, holding himself tall and smiling like a Career. His brother had struck it big with the Zenón family and Dallis had turned a pretty penny printing a few leaflets about the extravagant wedding ceremony.

Diesel wasn't fighting the Peacekepeers as they lead him to the stage, his eyes finding a camera and giving it a wink. Dallis rolled her eyes at his antics. He was a class clown who used humor, at least according to the rumors, to hide his own pain. How freaking original, she thought. Of course, if her dad had been beating the hell out of her like apparently Diesel's dead dad had done to him then maybe she'd be the same.

Still, he could be charming. Maybe he could win over everyone in the Capitol and pull off a win? The Capitol was more disposed towards 6 than they had been in years thanks to Amadeus Remington, District 6's Tribute for the 58th Hunger Games and apparent poison master. If Diesel had any brains he could exploit that for a win, Dallis thought.

Meanwhile, Diesel was trotting up the Reaping stage stairs, walking onto the stage as thought it was built for him. As he approached the Escort, Diesel gave her an exaggerated bow. "Beauty and grace, ma'am." He told her. It was enough to cause the icy Escort to smile a little.

Maybe he could pull it off, Dallis thought. The Escort was now pulling out a girl's name, reading it off quickly.

"Dallis Casterri!"

She blinked, shocked to be Reaped. That… that wasn't supposed to happen…

And then she thought about all the gossip she could get in the Capitol. Ok, that was something to look forward to before a horrible, awful death.

She stepped out of her section and took the stage, not expecting anyone to save her. Nobody had her entire life, why start now? She stood next to the Escort and then shook hands with Dallis, who gave her a wink before they proceeded into the Justice Building.

As soon as the doors closed, Diesel vomited.

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Up next: Districts 7 & 8 Reapings!