The 151st Annual Hunger Games

District 5 and 6 Reaping

Poppy Winters' POV:

I stand nervously in my section, my eyes closed. I can't bear to watch the horrific rebellion clip that the escort enjoys showing us so much. I hate it. Why does everyone have to be so violent. Our ancestors rebelled more than a hundred years ago and the Capitol is still retaliating. The escort (dressed in a much too short, vibrant green tutu) reaches into the glass reaping bowl and picks a slip of paper.

"Henry Sill!" She calls cheerfully. The entire mood of District 5 turns from scared to downright mortified. Poor Henry was born blind and his parents abandoned him on a doorstep. This is his first reaping and I can tell that the entire crowd is silently praying someone will volunteer. And someone does.

The tall, brown haired 16 year old walks to stage sullenly and stands facing the crowd. He doesn't seem greedy for fame or attention. He doesn't seem like he wants to be in this situation and the crowd stays silent.

"Keith Kidd." He says strongly into the mic. I step nervously from foot to foot. The female tribute is next. The escort swirls her hand around the bowl a few times and picks a name near the top. My name.

When she calls "Poppy Winters" out I know I'm doomed. I'm going to end up just like my siblings. Killed in this horrible game. I start crying on the spot and everyone around me quickly shuffles away. They don't want to get involved. Peacekeepers grab my arms and drag me up to the stage. They pull me behind the stage and leave me locked in a room to say goodbye to my family.

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Mayella Darwin's POV:

"Happy Birthday, you." I say, ruffling her soft hair. She playfully shoves my hands away and holds up her wrist.

"I love it." She says, admiring her new twine bracelet. I grab her hand and pull her up off the couch.

"Time to go, Mazie. We're gonna be late if you don't pick up the pace."

Her face suddenly darkens and she goes quiet again. I walk her through the front door and we leave for the reapings. As we pass the factories, Aiden jogs to catch up with us. He wanted to work an extra little shift this morning for the extra money. He doesn't mention anything about the reapings to Mazie as he knows it's a delicate subject at the moment. If Mazie wasn't turning twelve today she wouldn't have to come.

When we arrive in the square, I leave Mazie in her section and join my friend in mine. Chloe knows about my current predicament and she tries to be supportive.

"Relax, Mayella. Even if Mazie gets chosen, you'll volunteer for her and then I'll volunteer for you. It'll be fine."

Before I argue about her offer the escort skips out onto the stage. The escort is wearing a dark yellow suit with a sparkly tie and his hair is dyed a yellow-brown colour. He doesn't waste any time on a speech and gets right to the tributes.

"Red Dawn!"

A boy walks out of the 14 year old section calmly and makes his way to the stage. He's got light brown hair and deep blue eyes that remind me of the ocean. He seems altogether relaxed about the situation but I'm sure he's more nervous then he seems.

"Mazie Darwin!" The escort calls." Ooh, what a darling name." He gushes.

I feel Chloe's hand on my arm before I can even register what's happening. I need to volunteer. Why isn't Aiden volunteering? Coward.

Chloe volunteers before I do and I have no choice but to volunteer for her. She would do anything for me. Mazie is in tears near the front and Chloe is yelling at me and Aiden is just walking away. Just leaving us behind. I'm dragged to the stage while Chloe is being held back by Peacekeepers. They don't even bother to ask my name before they pull into the Justice Building.

A/N: Sorry this isn't very good. Reapings are really boring to write. Next one will be more exciting. I'll be updating another chapter about President Jean and the plan.