It was the day of the reaping. He remembered getting ready for his reaping when he was 15. Getting ready for something everyone does, thinking it definitely couldn't be him. This time was different, it would be him or Blight, the odds were against him and if he was called he would die. These tributes will be trained killers. The careers in his games would be child's play for these tributes. The peacekeepers knock on the door and he knew it was time. He hugged his family goodbye before following the escort of peacekeepers. He was shortly joined in the walk by Johanna and Blight. They walked in silence knowing what was next. They entered the back of the mayors mansion and slowly walked through the grand house. The silence was louder than anything Jordan had heard. The grand front doors opened to the sunlight. He felt as sense of shame as they walked onto the stage. They split and Johanna walked to the left and Jordan and Blight walked onto the right side of the stage. They stood in silence, their whole district staring. It was so silent you could hear a pin drop. He looked down at his family that entered the gates and were together. They were escorted to the front of the crowd to watch the reaping. He turned and saw Budea the biggest kiss ass alive walk up to start the reaping. She was wearing a short purple dress fluffed up with tulle, this dress was covered in green glitter and her skin was the color of a green olive. She looked ugly and like an alien.
"We are gathered here for the momentous quarter Quell, we have a video straight from the capital." The video played as it did every year and it was more awkward this year with the three of them just standing up on stage. The video finished with a man being praised for killing innocent children. That always left a horrid taste in Jordan's mouth. He wanted nothing more than to drive an axe into Snow's face. He dozed off in anger.
"Lady's first," Budea said it too gladly, "she reached in and grabbed the singular slip of paper and opened it slowly. You could almost hear the anger coming from Johanna. Since he met her she was defiant to the point of the capital taking every person in her family from her. "Johanna Mason." Budea said with a smile on her face, it seemed as though she was waiting for applause. She was extremely happy considering the scenario, everyone in the district was silent. "Now onto the men." She walked slowly over to the jar, her footsteps echoed in Jordan's head. Her 2 inch long nails banged the glass making a high pitched ding. She reached in and grabbed a slip of paper. There were only two male victors so Jordan had a %50 chance of going into the games and ultimately being dead. She brought the paper up and slowly opened it. Jordan couldn't take the silence he just wanted to know. It felt like years until her lips parted, "Jordan Curse." His throat fell into his stomach. He felt a singular tear fall down his cheek. He slowly walked by Blight on his was to Budea. Him and Johanna grabbed hands with Budea and they raised them. No applause followed.
"Your tributes from district 7, Johanna Mason and Jordan Curse."
They saluted with raising three fingers and a kiss to the fingertips. Jordan walked into the mayor mansion.
Just as fast as the reaping started they were in the mansion rooms awaiting their families goodbye. The door opened but it wasn't who he expected, Chase basically barged through the door and embraced Jordan.
"You can't say bye to your family, capital's orders. I yield a little more power and thought you needed someone."
"What is happening? Why are they doing this? I did everything they asked..."
"I don't know, I don't know." Chase pulled him close Jordan could head his heartbeat.
"I'm not coming back this time, there is no way in hell I can beat these tributes." Jordan said
"You never know, my bet is still on you." Chase said and they sat in silence for a second before Chase broke it, "hey, I get to escort you to the train, that's a positive."
"My god Chase nothing about this is fucking positive." Jordan started to yell. He pushed away from Chase, "Last time I barely survived but mentally it eats at me everyday I had a fucking mental breakdown this morning cause I could see Angie dying on the floor in my dreams. what happened in that arena ruined my life!. If I'm put in that arena again I don't want to come out, I'd rather be dead!"
"Hey." Chase embraced him not saying another word. "You don't deserve this, I can't believe I'm saying this, but you are my world. I love you so much and if you died in that arena a part of me would too." Jordan felt his heart rate go down. They headed to the train. They walked in silence hands locked, Jordan was shaking as they entered the train station. He walked to the train door like he did a million times before. But this time opening that door was the first checkpoint to his death. It opened to the luxurious train stocked with alcoholic beverages sweets high class deserts and snacks that could feed all of district 7 for half a year. Him and Chase entered and Johanna was sitting in her chair looking pissed off as ever.
"Why thank you for finally joining us love birds."
"Johanna fancy seeing you here." She stands up and they hug. Jordan and her grew close after the games being the two mentors for district 7. And Jordan mentored her toward her win.
"Never thought I'd be in this position again." Jordan said sitting a smile on his face. Trying to hide how terrified he was.
"Lucky us." Johanna said rolling her eyes. The other victors were the only people who knew about Chase and Jordan. They were the only people that were angry enough at the capital to keep it from them. Funny how much trust and love they had for each other because they experienced the games, now they had to turn on each other. Jordan turned and hugged Chase. And whispered in his ear.
"I'm terrified." He felt his eyes water up a bit and he didn't let go. Chase just hugged him tighter he heard a few stifled sniffles that indicated crying on his part. "What happens to us?" Jordan asked.
"Don't worry about us, I'm here for you until I die."
"I love you." Jordan said leaning in and hugging him again.
"Wow you're almost making me emotional lovebirds." Johanna was sarcastic but more joyful than when she was reaped which was a positive seeing as Johanna is terrifying when angry.
