Harold Wilde, 18

District 4 Male

Waking up next to Helen was one of the best feelings in the world. She was curled into a little ball and nestled against my chest, and my arm was draped over her. I felt warm and safe and loved.

It made me sad that it had to end. I knew Helen wanted me to stay with her, but I couldn't. I had no words to explain why. There was just a constant feeling of fear that followed me. Only with Helen did I feel safe.

But I couldn't confine her to a life where she always had to be by my side. And I couldn't ask her to join me on the boat. She would miss her family too much. It felt hopeless. I couldn't be with the girl I loved because I couldn't rid myself of the phantom of my father.

I had no idea where he was. It had been four years and he could be anywhere in the district. I hoped he was in jail. A small part of me hoped he was dead, but it felt cruel. Even after all he'd done, it was wrong to wish death upon him. It was wrong to do to anyone.

Helen stirred slightly and I gently kissed the top of her head.

"Good morning," I whispered.

"Hi," she murmured back. Her voice was scratchy with sleep and it was adorable. I smiled.

She stretched before leaning up to kiss me. I pulled away and wrinkled my nose.

"Morning breath!" I gasped. She giggled and kissed my nose instead. I tickled her sides and she laughed harder.

I leaned my forehead against hers.

"We have to get up now," I said. "The Reaping is in two hours."

"I know," she said with a sigh. Her hand fisted in my shirt and she closed her eyes. "I wish it wasn't."

"I do too," I said. "I wish all the bad things would go away. I wish I could stay here forever."

"You could," Helen said. I shook my head.

"I can't. Not yet. And I know it's unfair to you. I just…"

"I know," she whispered. "You're still healing. And you love the work you do."

"But I love you too," I whispered. Helen smiled sadly.

"I will wait as long as it takes," she said. "I promise."

We stayed snuggled up for a few more minutes before Helen pushed the blankets back and got up. I did too, shivering slightly at the chill in the air. Helen's family wasn't anywhere near wealthy, but they made do. Her blankets were worn and they didn't have a heater. But their household was filled with love, which was all they needed.

I gathered my clothes and went to the bathroom to get dressed. Helen and I shared a bed and shared plenty of kisses, but she wanted to wait until we were married to be nude or go further. I understood that completely.

I put on a white button-up that belonged to Helen's father, and my usual black pants. Then I met up with Helen in the hall. She was wearing a pale pink dress and her blonde hair was tied back in a braid.

"You look so pretty," I said. She smiled and blushed.

"And you look very handsome. And slightly like my dad." I laughed at that and offered her my arm. She took it and we walked into the kitchen together.

"Good morning lovebirds," Helen's mom Anna said cheerfully. Helen laughed and kissed my cheek.

"Good morning," she said. She pulled me over to the table and we sat down.

"Thank you again Anna," I said. "I really appreciate your hospitality."

"Of course!" Anna said. "We love having you here Harold. You're always welcome."

"Thank you."

Helen's dad joined us at the kitchen table and yawned. He wasn't a morning person and he didn't speak to anyone until he was most of the way through his first cup of coffee.

"Are you functioning now?" Anna asked him as she took a sip of her own coffee.

"Yes," he grumbled. "Don't be mean." Helen and Anna laughed and I smiled.

We ate our scrambled eggs and bacon and talked about everything but the Reaping. I shared stories from the boat and Helen talked about the kids she tutored. Toby, Helen's dad, used to be a fisherman so he enjoyed talking with me, and I liked hearing his stories in return.

But finally we had to go. I offered to do the dishes but Anna waved me away.

"We'll do them afterward," she said. So we set out on the walk to the Justice Building. Helen's house wasn't too far from the center of the town; only about a ten minute walk. And it was quite a nice day. The air was warm but there was a breeze from the ocean.

When we reached the bustling town center I found myself unconsciously curling forward in an attempt to hide my face. Helen gave my hand a squeeze.

"I'm here," she said. I smiled.

"I know."

We stood together as we waited to sign in. I looked around but there was no sign of my father. But I knew he was out there somewhere. Reaping attendance was mandatory. I spent the entire time in line scanning the crowd and holding tightly to Helen's hand.

Once we got our fingers pricked I knew it was time to part ways with Helen. I gently kissed her forehead and gave my hand a quick squeeze.

"I'll see you after," she said. I nodded and let go of her hand.

I went to stand with the rest of the boys my age, making my way to the middle of the crowd so that I was harder to see. Then I crossed my arms and rocked on my feet until Mayor Banks and Cassius York came onstage.

Every year, Mayor Banks looked older and sadder than she did before. I knew she lost her husband and her daughter was Reaped as well. I couldn't imagine the pain of losing so many loved ones. I'd never lost anyone I loved. Only my mother, but I had no memories of her.

Mayor Banks welcomed us and then called our past Victors to the stage. Mags Flanagan led the procession and Annie Cresta came last. She was our most recent Victor, but she won when her arena flooded and she was the best swimmer; not through skill.

Finally, Mayor Banks read the Treaty of Treason and then handed the microphone over to Cassius. He was promoted to our district several years ago and was fairly well-liked.

"Hello everyone! Thank you for coming! It's such a beautiful day out; perfect for the festivities we have planned. But before we select our tributes, I have a short film to share with you all."

While everyone turned their attention to the numerous screens around the square, I scanned the crowd again. But there was still no sign of my father. I swept through the audience carefully, so he must have been watching from a side street. I made a note to avoid them when we walked back to Helen's house.

When the violet propaganda disguised as an inspirational film was over, I directed my focus to Cassius. He made a witty comment about the film and everyone laughed, but I just wrung my hands together nervously. District 4 almost always had a volunteer, but I was still worried. If Helen was selected, I wasn't sure what I'd do.

Cassius chose the girl's name first, like the escorts always did. He read the name aloud and I sighed in relief. It wasn't Helen. It was some girl named Dina. But before Dina could make her way out of the crowd, a tall girl stepped forward.

"I volunteer!" she called loudly.

Everyone stared at her as she walked to the stage. She was the type of person who commanded attention, but she also had some sort of skin condition I'd never seen before. Her body was splashed with lighter patches. She'd dyed her hair dark on one side and light on the other and her lips were a bold red color. I didn't know who she was, but I had a feeling she would be a contender.

She shook Cassius's hand stiffly before introducing herself.

"I'm Mississippi Daniels, but call me Missy," she said. Cassius smiled at her before going over to the other bowl.

I held my breath as his hand, painted beautifully with red and blue feathers, disappeared into the paper slips. He chose one from the middle and unfolded it.

"Harold Wilde!"

A cold feeling of dread washed over me. It was like when my father came home from work and I knew a beating was coming. It settled in my stomach like a stone and drained all the blood from my face. But there was hope. I waited for someone to volunteer, but the crowd was silent.

I staggered forward, making it through the crowd with ease as the other boys stepped out of the way. As I stood in the aisle between the roped-off sections I heard sobbing. I turned to see Helen peeking out of the crowd, tears streaming down her cheeks. I smiled weakly in a futile attempt to reassure her. Then I climbed the stairs to my death.

Missy regarded me coolly as I went to stand next to her. I nodded in greeting but she didn't return the gesture. Instead she held out her hand. I squeezed my trembling fist before accepting her handshake. It was surprisingly firm. Then I turned and faced the crowd with Missy beside me as Cassius York sealed my fate.

Mississippi "Missy" Daniels, 18

District 4 Female

The creak of Fisher's bed was what pulled me from my sleep. I checked my bedside clock and sighed. I was supposed to have another half an hour to sleep. But my brother was ready for the day to begin, and so it had.

I stayed in my pajamas as I treaded down the hall. My father was on a business trip so I knew it was safe. He'd never physically hurt me, and I knew he wouldn't, but I could do without his disdainful looks and pointed silence.

Somehow, Fisher was already in the kitchen. The smell of cinnamon was in the air and I smiled when I saw the hot buns on the stove. We didn't have cinnamon very often, so cinnamon rolls were rare. We only ate them on special occasions, like our birthdays and the solstice holidays… and Reaping Day.

But Fisher didn't know about that. My father and Adeline agreed he was too young to know about the Hunger Games. Adeline and I told him I was going on a business trip, like our father, since he would understand that. Eventually he would learn, but I wanted him to have the kind, sheltered childhood I didn't have.

"Auntie made cinnamon rolls!" Fisher said when he saw me. He'd always called Adeline 'Auntie'. She was a mother figure to both of us, but terms of endearment only went so far in our household.

"I can see that," I said. "Are they ready to eat?" Fisher's eyes widened at my question and he leaned over to closely examine the rolls.

"No," he finally announced. "They have no icing."

"Right!" Adeline said cheerfully. "Why don't you help me make it while Missy sets the table?"

"Okay!" he cheered.

I got three plates out of the cabinet and set them on the small kitchen table. Then I started boiling water in the kettle for tea. Having peppermint tea in the mornings was one of my favorite things.

We sat down to eat and Fisher immediately made a mess with the icing. Adeline laughed as she helped him clean it up and I smiled a little. I would miss him when I was in the Capitol. We weren't close, but his cheerful energy was infectious. I always felt a little happier when I was with him. But there was sadness too. He got to have the childhood I never did.

After breakfast I went upstairs to change. I put on a long black dress and comfortable boots before brushing my hair and applying my favorite lipstick. I also added some mascara and a hint of eyeliner to the look.

When I deemed myself ready I went back into the hall, where Adeline was helping Fisher tie his shoes. There was some little rhyme about a rabbit that he was learning to help him remember. It was just another little memory that I didn't have.

We drove to the Justice Building because it was a long walk and we knew Fisher would get tired. He didn't understand the purpose of the Reaping but he liked seeing the Peacekeepers and he loved the colorful Capitol escort.

I walked with my family to the end of the line of teens signing in. Then I turned to them.

"I'll see you soon Fisher," I said. "I have some work to do, but I'll be home as fast as I can." He nodded.

"Okay. Do good," he told me. I smiled.

"I will."

Adeline let go of Fisher's hand and held my face in her palms.

"Mississippi… you have nothing to prove," she whispered.

"I have to do this," I told her. "But I will come back."

I pulled away, but then looked back at her and took her hands.

"Thank you for everything," I said. Adeline smiled with tears in her eyes.

"It was my pleasure. I love you Missy."

"I love you too," I mumbled. It wasn't a sentiment I was used to voicing. But Adeline needed to hear it.

I could feel eyes on me as I left Fisher and Adeline and went to sign in. A group of girls I recognized from the Academy were glaring at me. I smirked and flipped my hair over my shoulder. I wasn't going to let anyone bring me down. Not today; not ever.

The Peacekeeper who pricked my finger barely spared me a glance. He just checked off my name and ushered me into the roped-off area. I went straight to my section. I had no friends to see or talk with.

Slowly, the reaping area filled up with more and more people. Finally, the Peacekeepers closed their stations and Mayor Banks walked onstage. She was followed by our escort Cassius York, who was dressed with a bird theme, as always.

His shirt was feathered with blue and gold and a line of red feathers ran down his arms. Even his hands were painted with the texture. It was an extravagant look for someone from District 4, but for a Capitolite, I figured it was fairly tame.

Mayor Banks recited her short welcome speech and then introduced our district's Victors. I applauded politely as they came onstage. Mags Flanagan was limping, Annie Cresta looked terrified, and Ulysses Wilde was glaring at the cameras like they'd personally insulted him. But the others seemed cheerful and composed. I kept my eye on Mira Marlina, who would be mentoring me this year. I was eager to work with her as I knew she'd struggled with being mistreated by her district. I was hoping she would understand what I went through.

Once all the Victors were seated, Cassius came forward. He thanked us for coming and then started the video we watched every year. I watched it out of politeness, not interest. I enjoyed seeing the highlights of past Games and hearing about the nobility of the Capitol, but it did get boring after over twelve years.

Finally, it was time. Cassius walked over to the glass bowl filled with girls' names and chose one of the slips. I stood tall, my entire body tense with excitement as I waited for my moment.

"Dina Finly!" Cassius called.

There was some shuffling but I didn't pay any attention to it. Instead I stepped forward with a determined look on my face.

"I volunteer!"

Every eye in the district was on me, but this time, it felt good. I climbed the stairs and shook Cassius's hand. He seemed a little surprised by my firm grip. But he recovered quickly.

"Hello!" he said, his voice cheery. "Your name please?"

"I'm Mississippi Daniels, but call me Missy."

Cassius smiled at me before walking over to the other bowl. I briefly wondered who would volunteer, if anyone. Due to Cerulean's injury, there was a small chance my district partner would be Reaped. But my guess was that the Academy chose someone else.

"Harold Wilde!"

After a few moments of silence, a tall boy with curly brown hair staggered out of the group of 18-year-old boys. Someone on the girl's side started to cry and Harold gave them a longing glance before continuing to the stage.

When he reached me, he nodded a greeting. I just held out my hand. I didn't want to be friends with this boy. I'd never seen him before, so the chances of him having any sort of training were low. I would be polite, but only out of obligation. I didn't need him, or anyone.

We shook hands as Cassius announced our names to the district, and to all of Panem. It was official. I was a tribute.

"I give you the District 4 tributes: Mississippi Daniels and Harold Wilde!"

Hi everyone. I am tired beyond belief (and do not know why) but I wanted to post this chapter before I crashed. I decided to do the rest of the Reapings in sets of two. I think chapters that are shorter and less repetitive are better. The District 6 pair will be up next, and then Tea and Annoa. I don't have a ton to say, but let me know what you think of these two tributes and their Reaping scenes in a review. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated. I need some serotonin!

QUESTIONS

1) How will Harold cope with being a tribute?

2) Will Harold see his father again?

3) Does Missy's decision to volunteer make sense?

4) How will Missy interact with her Career allies, given her independent mindset?

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona