Ascendance: The 99th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 4

District 11 Reaping

As the peacekeepers quickly prick my finger, taking some of my blood, I make eye contact with my younger sister Ivy. I can see that she's trying to put on a strong face, it's not working. She just looks scared, and who wouldn't be, at age 13 having a chance of being forced to compete in a fight to the death game for the governments entertainment. Not to mention that it's broadcasted live on tv.

I send her a concerned look. I really hope the odds will be in our favor this year, and nothing like last year. Last year, my older sister Branch was reaped. She was just a year older than me, 15 at the time. She was killed by a career from District 2, Mason Stone, on the seventh day. She made it far, she was the 6th tribute left. Watching her being brutally murdered on screen was the worst experience I could ever imagine. It broke my whole family, my mother, my father, and especially Ivy. Ever since last year, she has been even more scared of reaping day than ever. I send Ivy one last smile before I walk into the 15 year old boy pin.

Our district escort, Tyra Florina is walking onto stage as happy as a clam. She's goes on and on about how the capitol won the war, and the dark days.

"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" Shes says into the microphone. "As usual, ladies first!" She says as she reaches her hand into the bowl full of girls names of small slips of paper.

Two of those slips have Ivys name on them. Don't be Ivy. Don't be Ivy. Don't be Ivy.

"Plum Brown!" She yells happily.

Thank god, it's not Ivy. A small girl from the 12 year old section walk up to stage. I start to feel a little guilty about celebrating now, but as she's walking up the steps to the stage, I see what I think is a joyful smile flash upon her face? I shake my head, there's no way a 12 year old would be happy about competing in a fight to the death of live tv with competitors years older than her. Right?

But before I can think about Plum, Tyra is pulling another slip of paper out of the jar full of boys names.

"Thorne Almond!" She shouts.

Oh no. No no no no no. Boys from my pen start to back away from me. I frantically make eye contact with Ivy. I can see tears falling down her face, he mouth had fallen open in  shock.

Another one of her siblings is gone, taken by the capitol. Now she will have to watch me die too.

No. I can't afford to think like that, I need to come home. For Ivy. I walk up to the stage, my head held high. I can hear Ivy sobbing in the crowd.

"No! Not Thorne! You already took Branch!" I hear her choke out.

My head is spinning by the time I walk the concrete steps onto the stage.

"Here are our tributes from district 11 who get the honor of competing the 99th annual Hunger Games! Throne Almond, and Plum Brown!" Tyra states joyfully into the microphone. She has Plum and I hold hands. It's supposed to show our gratitude for getting the "honor" of being able to compete in the Hunger Games. As my shaking hand reaches for Plums, she snatches my hand and sinks he teeth into my palm.

"Ouch!" I yell as I quickly pull my hand away from her.

"Oh, we have a feisty one here!" Tyra laughs as Plum licks the blood off her teeth.

What the hell?

The crowd is silent as I'm led into the Hall of Justice with now smiling Plum. She's looking at me licking her lips. Great, a 12 year old who doesn't even have all her adult teeth grown in, is thirsty for blood, MY blood.

And I thought this day couldn't get any worse for me.