The Suju Games

Chapter 1: The Reaping

(Heechul)

        Heechul watched the screen, excited. He was a big fan of The Hunger Games, there was so much blood and killing. And he loved cheering for his favorites and betting. This year was the quarter quell, and he couldn't wait for the reading of the card.

        "This year. Only one tribute shall be picked from each district, a male." President Kim Youngmin read from the card, "And in addition to that, one tribute shall also be reaped from the capitol." 

        "What?" Heechul's mother gasped, "Oh, I pity the poor child who has to go, he wouldn't stand a chance against those ruffians!" 

        "Its gonna be a fun game." Heechul grinned, "I can't wait for the reaping next week." 

        ***

        Heechul sat down in the huge stadium with his whole family, waiting to watch the reapings from the districts and then for the capitol child to be reaped. 

       "District 1: Park Jungsoo- Leeteuk!" the announcer on the screen said, and a picture of Leeteuk flashed onto the screen. It continued this way, until all the tributes were announced,

"District 2: Choi Siwon.

Distict 3: Kim Youngwoon- Kangin!

District 4: Zhoumi!

District 5: Henry Lau. 

District 6: Shin Donghee- Shindong!

District 7: Lee Hyukjae- Eunhyuk! 

District 8: Hangeng!

District 9: Kim Ryeowook. 

District 10: Lee Donghae!

District 11: Cho Kyuhyun. 

District 12: Kibum. 

District 13: Lee Sungmin!

District 14: Kim Jongwoon - Yesung! And now, for our one child from the capitol..." 

        Heechul leaned forward in his seat, waiting to hear the name that would be read from the small piece of paper the president had just picked out from the reaping ball. 

        "Kim Heechul." 

        ***

        His mother let out a shriek and buried her face into her hands. Her husband put a comforting arm around her and whispered soothing words to her. 

        Me? Heechul thought, as if in a daze. Me?

        "The tribute will now be escorted to the training center." The announcer, Lee Taemin, said. 

        Heechul's mother continued to weep and sob as they came for her son, "Be brave, win, okay?" she whispered as they hugged for what could be the last time. 

        Didn't you say that no capitol child could overtake those ruffians? Heechul wondered, but aloud, he said, "I will umma. I promise." 

        And then he was taken away, the last glimpse he had of his parents was of his mother weeping uncontrollably and his father saying, though he had not known that Heechul had heard, "He'll never make it." 

        His fathers sending words. 

        ***

        "You will stay here in the training center until your fellow tributes arrive tomorrow, alright?" his escort, Victoria Song, asked.