Disney Hunger Games

Chapter 5

District 5: Reaping
By: belle-of-the-ball-xo
*Phoebus' POV

Another reaping, another group of kids innocently being brutally murdered.

I wash away all my thoughts by drinking. I just wanted this day to be over.

The Peacekeepers came to my house in the victors village this morning, knowing I wouldn't get up myself.

I walk up the stage, hoping I don't pass out.

Everyone looks scared out of their mind, I feel bad that I can't do anything about it.

They don't deserve any of this.

I pull into the girls' name bowl. Everyone sucks in their breath in anticipation.

"Esmeralda Agnes." Everyone looks at her and even I'm surprised.

It's the beautiful girl at the night club.

*Esmeralda's POV

I can't believe this. I feel tears in my eyes, but wrack my brain for what emotion a career would show. If I couldn't be a career I should at least act like one.

I stand on the stage knowing that no one will volunteer for me.

I brace myself for the times about to come. I look over to my future mentor and he can't keep his eyes off me.

When he catches me staring, he turns away to pick the boy who is probably already dead.

"Eric Black," thanking God I don't know who this guy is. Everyone at school, and mostly everyone around town, thinks horrible things about me when none of them actually know me.

My parents were very poor when I was younger, so they put me into an orphanage.

I get my pay at a night club where I'm a back-up dancer for one of the bands. The club is funded by the Capitol because they want us to be more like them.

Everyone thinks it's a shameful job, but I do it to hopefully have my own family one day.

Don't think that's ever going to happen now.

*Eric's POV

I've had nightmares about this. I'm too young.

I have so much I want to do with my life, now I'll never be able to do that.

Unless I get out of there, not likely, but possible. I'll have to work my hardest to do so.

I feel everyone watching me, I like to think that I'm a pretty popular guy. I've had a couple of girlfriends over the years, nothing too serious.

I get pushed off to a room where I have to say my final goodbyes.

My mom and dad come in first, tears in both of their eyes.

"No matter what happens, we love you." I feel tears coming down my eyes as well.

Before I can say anything else, they are being escorted away.

A couple of friends from school come by to say goodbye, but nobody leaves me as emotional as my parents.

Esmeralda and I make our way to the train. I put on my best face and smile at the camera. One way to get sponsors is to win my way to all the teens hearts.

I will do whatever it takes.

*Phoebus' POV

Esmeralda got no visitors. I was starting to feel worried for her. If she didn't have family who would sponsor her?

I sat Esmeralda and Eric down once we got on the bus.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat this at all. The rest of your life will be miserable. The best you can do is to try to forget. Live your life as much as you can these last couple of days. If one of you makes it out alive, it just gets worse."

Esmeralda was looking down for the whole speech, but now she's looking into my eyes.

I look back, and see how beautiful she is.

One of the nights some friends went out to the night club and there was a band playing. She was on stage dancing and I couldn't get her out of my head all night.

This is going to be rough.