Nightfall - A Warrior Cat Hunger Games Book (Applyfic)

1 - The Reaping

~ Wintermist ~

Waking up on the day of the reaping is always horrible.

I'd spent hours last night struggling to sleep, fearing that someone I love will be chosen to participate in the deadly games as a tribute.

Not that I have many cats I love in my life, apart from my sisters.

My mother, Leapingcloud was chosen for the games when I was 4 moons old.

She was killed by a dangerous warrior named Reedpounce on the third day, which devastated me.

My father, Rainsplash and my other sister, Springstep, were chosen two games ago.

Rainsplash mysteriously disappeared before the games started, never to be seen again. I can't blame him - I'd run away if I got chosen if I could.

Springstep, however, died a slow and painful death from starvation, after she was left wounded by wolf mutts and couldn't hunt.

My only siblings still alive are Summersplash and Fallfury - my sisters. My brother Leafkit was stillborn.

My mate Aspenglow was killed on a border patrol a few moons ago, leaving me all alone to take care of my unborn kits.

I reluctantly pull myself out of my nest, sighing as I hear the splattering of rain on the nursery roof.

Several cats are already awake, muttering amongst themselves.

I see the deputy - Shadowwatcher, shift her paws uneasily, as she whispers something to Larkpelt. The two are mates and the parents of Ryepaw and Clumsypaw.

I've always pitied Clumsypaw for his unfortunate (but accurate) name.

I feel tension in the air, which is normal on the day of the reaping. Any cat who is not a kit, medicine cat, leader or elder can be chosen to participate in the brutal Hunger Games.

Every four seasons, one she-cat and one tom from each clan are selected randomly to compete in LeopardClan's huge arena. The twenty-four cats fight until there is only one standing.

At the previous reaping, two warriors named Spiderstride and Sunbloom were chosen. LeopardClan broadcast the games live to everyone in the clans and so I watched Spiderstride get brutally killed in the initial bloodbath at the Cornucopia.

Sunbloom was attacked by tracker jackers, deadly, genetically modified wasps and died from being stung over and over again. Her body was bloated and disgusting.

I still don't understand why watching cats die is entertaining at all.

"May all cats who are old enough to run swiftly across the moor gather under the Tallrock for a clan meeting," 

I look up, realising that Cloudstar is about to begin the reaping.

The she-cats and toms who are eligible to compete, line up in front of the Tallrock, anxiously waiting for Cloudstar to choose the tributes for the 87th Hunger Games.

"Welcome, welcome," he mews, "To the reaping for the 87th Hunger Games,"

Cloudstar pauses for a moment, clearly waiting for cheers of excitement.

No sound comes from the clan.

Then, he continues.

"As we all know - one she-cat and one tom are to be chosen to compete. It is a great honour to participate,"

Why? Because everyone can laugh at you when you die horrifically?

"Let's get straight to it - may the odds ever be in your favour!"