The Reaping

The slips in the giant clear ball seem to present many trouble for the children of District Five. The hand reaches into the thousands of male slips, and pulls out one name. Pausing to add suspense, he reads the name.

"Jokk Spaff."


The hand then repeats the process for the females.

"Cinnamon Elm."

Jenna Lynch called out, "I volunteer!" Cinna had been supplying her family with food for years, and she couldn't let her go to the Games.

Cinn sighed in relief. She was sure she would have lived through the Games, anyway. Actually, she knew so many people from 5, dead. She probably wouldn't win. Shaking away those thoughts, she said, "That was close," she frowned for a second. If she had been sent up, would she live? That was the only question going through her mind. Trying to forget about what could have happened, she said, "I hope Jenna doesn't die."

"I hope no one dies, but thats not going to happen either." I said, "Still though I hope Five wins this year." I yawned, "I was about to volunteer myself," I shrugged "She beat me to it."[/color]

Coral was about to volunteer? After all those years trapped and struggling in another District, she wanted to suffer more. Cinn replied, "I'm glad Jenna volunteered. You just got back, and I'm not going to let you leave so quickly," she smiled at her friend. She was happy Jenna volunteered. She was a great fighter, but her family was poor. 5 would have a better chance this year.

Cinn nodded, still not understanding the one thing, "But the Games can get you killed. Whether your prepared or not, why should you risk it?" Cinn hated the Captiol. Hated the Games. Hated everything to do with that dictator, President Snow. Why would someone so eagerly jump into their death?

Cinn nodded. "Oh," She was a bit embarrassed, for her acting like she would do better, but Cinnamon knew it was true. Coral had much, much, more experience. "And Jokk was chosen, too" she said. All the people she knew could die.

Cinn nodded, "Ya. Let's just hope they win," Cinna was a bit doubtful, the tributes of 5 weren't careers. The chances of seeing Jenna or Jokk again were 1/12. And even lower, since they have the disadvantage of not being from of the career Districts.

I nodded solemnly than looked at the giant screen in the square, District Six was playing and a commotion seemed to be brewing. I tapped Cinn's shoulder saying "Look!" apparently the male tribute didn't want to be volunteered for, the girl tribute was extremely timid, and one girl had been knocked unconscious.

Cinn stared at the screen. She hears the voice of someone boldly volunteering. Someone gets knocked out. Someone ran up to her. This was as far as she would watch, "Wow. What'd that girl do?" She asked curiously, with a bit of worry too.

I squirm uncomfortably on the stage. Hade would be alone, she would have to survive on her own. Mari was too young to do anything. It was tge worst feeling I'd ever felt, being called for the games. I was relieved that some girl O didn't know had volunteered for Cinn. If she had been in the games, I wouldn't be able to lay a hand on her. "Hade! Cinn! Coral!" I shout, wrapping Hade in an extremely tight hug. I didn't want to let her go. Never.

My arms were wrapped around my brother, and tears blinded me. "Jokk! I love you. I love you." burrying my head in his chest I continue to sob. This was worse than Derek being called. Jokk was my twin brother, and my best friend. If I was a boy, I would have volunteered. Suddenly I felt Jokk being tipped from me. "No! No! That's my brother, no!" My grip on Jokk tightened, and sadness took completely over. This was the worse thing to ever happen to me. Jokk would survive, or we both would die. I was just too weak.

I look up at Coral, her image blurred. "R . . . Right." I couldn't manage to watch Jokk go, but I know I have to. He sees me and brightens up. "How good are his chances, Coral?" I ask, managing to wipe my eyes and stand up straight. I am stilll crying, but not as hard as before. I could feel a little hope for my brother.

Jokk wasn't Cinn's sister, but he was still her friend. Unsure of what to say, she said, "I.. don't know. He can win." Cinn tried sounded confident, even though she was unsure herself.

Cinn wanted to make Hade feel better. "11 didn't look that strong. Jokk can win, you know. He doesn't have to die..." she tried to sound comforting, but was failing.

A smile creeps onto my face, but it is fake. I would be brave, and I would never show weakness, like the girl in 5 a few years ago. She had been a girl, so she couldn't volunteer for her boy friend, of course. So, instead, she sat on the stage and cried and cried and cried. Eventually her parents pulled her away, after convincing the Peace Keepers not to shoot her. Her boy friend didn't win the games, and she threw herself at the Capital, begging them to make her an Avox. She was through with crying, and wanted her tongue cut out. The Capital killed Derek's old girl friend for showing weakness in a time of their great happiness. I still remember Darla shouting at me when I was so small, telling me that I hadn't done enough to save him. Hey! I was seven! I wasn't going to be like Darla. I would be stronger, and maybe Jokk would get compliments for having such a brave sister. Maybe I could bring Jokk good fortune.

OOC: Gonna hafta speed up the goodbyes we're behind schedule o.o


"Here they're letting us in now." I said standing up and walking through the doors with the others. Led through twisting halls and finally shoved into the room Jokk was being held. "There now you can have a goodbye." I said letting go of Hade.

OOC: Maybe give an alert to the other districts not on a train?

--Okey Dokey!--

I rush into the room that was holding Jokk. "Jokk! Coral and Cinn said that you have a good chance! I love you so much!" I wrap Jokk in a tight hug and back away. I kiss his cheek and ruffle his hair. "You'll always be my big brother, you know. Here. Take my bracelet. It has a District 5 charm on it." Carefully taking off my bracelet I hook it onto Jokk's wrist. There is a small charm on it, next to the District 5 one, that has my name intranet in it, and I know that will be Jokk's favorite charm.

Not even bothering to fix my hair, I flip over Hade's charm bracelet, looking at it. "Thank you, Hade. You will always be my little sister. I love you to pieces." I narrowly avoid saying death, knowing now is not the time. "I am going to win for you, do you hear me? I owe my life to you, and I won't let you down." I kiss Hade's forehead and watch as she is escorted out. I missed her already.

Cinn watched Hade walk back out. "You'll... see Jokk again." Deep down inside, she knew that couldn't be true. There was such a small chance. Cinna felt bad for Hade. When, if, Jokk died, Hade would be scarred for life. At least, Cinn would if she was in Hade's position.