The Reapings (34th)

The District 8 escort steps up on stage and smiles with blindingly white teeth. She starts speaking in a high pitched voice, "Welcome everyone to the Reapings! Today one young man and woman will be chosen to participate in the 34th Annual Hunger Games!" She steps up to the big bowls containing the names of every child in the district, from 12 to 18. Her hands hover above the bowls for a second, as if deciding something. "Now then, Ladies first!" she says, and reaches into the bowl filled with girls names...

She dug her hand into the bowl and pulled out the female tribute's name, "Fleur Cohen Brown" She called out and then she dug into the male's bowl. "Thomas Quistan"

Looking towards the podium upon which the escort stood, Thomas watched her approach the bowls. He blinked a handful of times. "I've been saved here once," he thought to himself, "I bet it won't happen again. I hope I ain't taken, but I am ready." Fidgeting slightly, he looked around him. The boys that were eligible stood around him. Most of the closer ones stood about his height, give or take a couple of inches. For the most part, he was able to look over the other heads and look directly at the stage.

The bowls stood on pedestals, filled with names, repeated names and first-time names alike. The fate of each of the teenagers standing here lied within the bowl. One male and one female will be pulled from the respective bowl. Thomas lifted his hand to his mouth and began chewing on the nail of his middle finger. Forcibly and unwillingly pulling it back out of his mouth, Thomas turned his attention back to the podium.

The escort started by pulling a ladies name out of the bowl. The name pulled, which he vaguely knew in the back of his mind, was Fluer Cohen Brown. Thomas had seen her around school, but never really paid her much attention. He had heard vague rumors about her, but never believed them. Snapping back to the present, Thomas watched her walk to the podium. He sighed, at least it was someone he had never really cared, or knew much, about. He placed his right hand on his upper left arm, and rubbed it slightly. The males were next. Watching the slip of paper being pulled out, clinching his teeth slightly together, he listened. He heard his name being called, and blinked hard. He stared at the podium, the slip of paper, and the escort. Closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, Thomas moved out of the group and into the row dividing the District Eight teenagers. He walked to the podium and watched the eyes watching him. This was surreal, being reaped a second time. "I can't believe it..." he thought to himself. "There isn't someone to take my place this time. I was lucky last time, to be volunteered for. This time it's different. No one wants to volunteer for someone who was reaped once."

Thomas had reached the podium, glancing up the stairs, he made his way up to stand beside the escort. Turning to face the citizens, he lifted his hand up ever-so-slightly to give a final wave to his District. He would fight for as long as he could for the District, and hopefully make it back home. As he thought of the leave, two tears rolled down his right cheek, and he thought to the future.