The 300th Hunger Games

Chapter 3 - Flying in the Wind

Lanni Flash P.O.V (District 3)

I slowly raise my head. All around the warehouse, kids sleep, unaware of the horror that will be starting in a few short hours. The Reaping.

"Satis. Satis wake up." I shake my best friends' shoulder.

"Huh?! What?!" She bolts up, her black hair in a bun.

I laugh.

"Nothing Satis. It's just- today's the Reaping. We still have a couple of hours." I say.

"No, we don't! The Reaping Feast!" Satis realizes.

"Oh crap! We have to get ready!" We both jump up, and look around the Warehouse.

"Electrium should be back soon..." I say.

Electrium is one of the people in charge of the Warehouse, like Satis and I. Satis, Electrium and I all ran away when we were 10. 6 years ago... I was from a poor family and they couldn't take care of me. So I ran away the night they were going to take me to the Foster Home. And that's when I met Satis Bright. Living on the streets, like me. We met in a part of District 3 that is called "Industrial". It is made up of factories, and many abandoned warehouses. This is where Satis and I started the Warehouse. We take in anybody under the age of 18 who needs a place to live, a meal, love, anything. When we were trying to supply ourselves with food, we came across a little girl, who looked to be about 7. In our hands, we were carrying a loaf of bread.

"Please... May I have a piece?" The little girl asked.

Only then did I realize how thin she was, how her bones stuck out, how eyes were tired and hollow. And she was 7. The little girl took us to an ally when we gave her all of the bread. That's when we met Electrium. A small, 10 year old boy, just as thin as the girl, who's name was Electria. They'd been living on the streets for a while, eating scraps when they could. Satis and I invited them to the Warehouse, and eventually, Electrium, or Elect as we call him, became one of the leaders of the Warehouse. He proved his worth by finding dozens of kids on the streets. And now, six years later, with about 50 kids living in just this Warehouse- I know there are others, we just don't run them- I still am haunted by my past.

"Look! He's back!" Satis says happily.

Elect strides through the doors, carrying a bag in one hand, and holding the hand of a small kid who looked to be about 9. Satis and I both run down.

"Well I see someone's awake." Elect grins.

"Oh shut up. Find anything good?" I ask eagerly.

"Yeah. A lot of bread, cheese, some meat, soap, and things like that. Oh, and guess what?" He says, "I got more iodine!"

Satis and I both gasp. The cleaning water pill. With our supply of iodine, everyone could have clean water for 2 to 3 weeks!

"And," Elect says, patting the kid on the head, "I found this one."

"What's your name?" Satis leans down and asks him.

"Dem. Dem Huxley." He stutters.

"Well Dem. Satis will take you to a good spot for you to live, and introduce you to everyone. Okay?" He nods. Satis and Dem walk away, talking softly.

"Listen Lanni," Elect says solemnly, "I think I might have to collect again."

I gasp. Collecting is our form of money. Every month, sometimes even every week, we collect valuables from the kids in the Warehouse. This way, we can trade for food, soap, iodine, and other important things. Once you run out, your put on probation, and you have 3 months to find money. Or else you get a job. You see, since the Warehouse is supposed to be a secret, we don't have school. We do have some older kids who will teach everyone some basic things, but nothing much. If you can't pay, you either find a job in the Warehouse- cleaning, teaching, trading- or you can go out to the District and find a job.

"No, we can't collect." I say.

"Fine. But I spent a lot on the Reaping Feast." He grins.

"That's where you were! Satis and I were- wait. Reaping?! We have to wake everybody!"

So Elect, Satis, Dem, and I all run around, waking everybody. Once they are all ready, we walk to the square.

Butterfli Daisylily is talking.

"Now, our first Chosen lady is... Lanni Flash!"

I gasp, and walk forward, tears forming in my eyes. I see all the kids from the Warehouse standing together, some crying, some not. And Satis, with Elect, grasping his wrist. She's knows I might die. But if I win... I could pay for the Warehouse Kids to find real homes.

"And our second lady is... Electria Wirez!"

I see everyone with the Warehouse gasp, as Electria walks forward, holding onto my hand when she gets to the stage.

"Our District 3 Tributes! Lanni Flash and Electria Wirez!" Butterfli announces.

The 3 of us walk into the Justice Building, my blonde hair flying in the wind. And that's when I hear it: A three note whistle.