Ascendance: The 99th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 5

District 10 Reaping

"Devon! Get up!" I hear a voice yell. "We're going to be late! You slept all day!"

I hear more banging on my door.

"Coming" I yell back groggily.

I get hurriedly dressed for the reaping in a suit that has been reused for what feels like generations. It's too small for me and it's practically peeling on the arms, but it's the only one I own that's suitable for the reaping. I run down the hall with only one shoe on, the other is halfway on my foot. I guess you could say 'hop down the hall' because that's technically what I was doing. I see my 14 year old twin sister Abilene looking at me angrily. She's wearing a dark green dress with embroidered flowers that my mother wore during her reaping years. It's been reused and passed down just like mine.

"We're going to be late." She says, glaring at me.

"Sorry." I mumble, looking down at my shoes.

"It's fine. Just eat some breakfast, Dev. Quick." She says as she rolls her eyes.

I plop down on an empty chair next to her and eat the usual breakfast, eggs from our chickens, and some sort of meat. My father works at the slaughter house and sometimes brings home some meat the capitol doesn't want.

"Are you done yet?" Abilene complains, checking her watch.

"Almost." I respond with food in my mouth.

"Ok then let's go!" She grabs my arm and we race down the road to the towns square.

"Abi! There was still food left on my plate." I say grumpily.

"Too bad. Maybe you should've woken up earlier." She smiles, saying 'earlier' in a singsongy voice.

We come to a halt at the line in-front of us. Before I know it, Abi is up next. she turns around and hugs me like she always does before the reaping. Our little argument is ended as quickly as it started. That's how they always go. She's poked with a needle and is steered towards the 14 year old girl pin. She waves as I'm getting pricked. Ouch. While I'm walking over to the 14 year old boy section, I make eye contact one last time with Abi before our mayor introduces our escort, Antonio Filet.

Yes, Filet as in the meat. Most of District 10's family names are related to meat, including mine. Veal. We are the district of livestock after all.

Filet comes onto stage with a smile. Oh how I despise that smile.

"Hello people of District 10! Let's get this reaping started!" He says with a smile plastered onto his face. Typical.

Unlike most escorts, he starts with the boys first. He reaches his hand dramatically into the fish bowl and pulls out a name. He slowly unfolds the piece of paper. My heart starts beating like crazing.

"Devon Veal!" He calls out.

My head is spinning.

This can't be happening.

"No!" I hear someone shout. I assume it must be Abi. "NO!" I hear the voice again.

I walk up slowly onto the stage my head still spinning while my vision is blurry. I manage to make it up the concrete steps without falling and look out into the crowd. My eyes quickly find Abi. She's looking at me, tears falling freely down her face.

"And now for the girls!" Filet pulls a name out the bowl quickly.

"Abilene Veal!" He shouts.

"No" I say, first it comes out as a whisper, "No!" I shout.

Anyone but my sister. Anyone. But no. I have to be in an arena with my sister. I'll have to sacrifice myself. That's what I'll have to do. She has to make it home. I hold back tears as Abi walks up the stage, sobbing.

"I'll take it you must be siblings?" Antonio asks still smiling.

Abi nods like she's in a trance.

"Twins." I say quietly.

"Well look at that folks! Twins in the same arena! Will one of them win? Will they team up? Will they betray each other? We'll find it soon during the 99th Hunger Games!" He says looking into the camera.

"Oh shut up, Filet"

I hear someone gasp.

Oh my god. I didn't actually say that, did I?

Well, turns out I did because Filet angrily marches towards me,

"What did you say, District boy?" He says, moving his face close to mine.

"I said, shut. up. Filet." I say back, enunciating every word.

Before Antonio can shoot back a response, a peacekeeper drags me by the arm and throws me in the Hall of Justice.

Not long after, Abi is escorted in as well, tears staining her cheeks.

Outside the doors, I hear Antonio say "Our tributes, from district 10, Devon and Abilene Veal! I wish them the best of luck in the arena. May the odds be ever in your favor."

I can practically hear the bitterness in his voice.

As we march on the smooth tile in the Town Hall, our footsteps echoing, I say, "Well at least I got to sleep in," hoping to make Abi smile.

She lets out what I think is a laugh but it sounds like a sob.