Ascendance: The 99th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 6

District 8 Reaping

I look in the mirror and swallow hard. I adjust my tie and straighten my suit. It's my fourth reaping this year and my mother wants me to look presentable. This year, i'll be using my fathers suit. I know my mother sees him in my younger brother and I everyday. Based off the pictures I've seen he looked a lot like me, brown messy hair, same sharp nose. The only thing I share with my mother is her dark brown eyes.

My father died when I was 5 in an accident when producing peacekeeper uniforms. The building suddenly collapsed, destroying the walls, roof, and anyone or anything inside. Including my father. I vaguely remember him. And my brother Tyler can't even think of a solid memory of him, he died when he was just 1 month old. I can still remember the day the peacekeepers arrived and told us he wouldn't be coming home.

My thoughts are interrupted by Tyler coming into my room. He's wearing my old suit from a couple years ago. I can tell he's worried about me, my name will be entered in 16 times. I have to take tesserae each year for my brother, my mother, and me. Plus the one slip added every year that increases by age. I force a smile. Tyler doesn't have to worry about the reaping for another year, he's only 11.

"Are you okay Patch?" He asks.

"Of course I am. Cmon Tyler, we better leave now or else we might be late." I say with a smile.

All of us, me, Tyler, and my mother all walk down to the towns square. Our mother leaves with Tyler to go stand with the other adults and children not old enough to be reaped, while I get pricked and put in the pin with other 16 year old boys. After watching the same yearly film about how the Hunger Games were born, our escort Leah Satin dressed head to toe in bright blue denim, pulls a slip out from the bowl full of girls from ages 12-18 names.

"Taylor Loom!" She yells.

A small girl from the 13 year old section comes walking up to stage with terror on her face. So young, just two years older than Tyler. It could be Tyler walking up the stage next year. But I couldn't let that happen, I would volunteer for him instead.

Leah smiles down at Taylor as she takes a seat staring out into the crowd, probably searching for familiar faces. Leah then reaches her long purple nails into the bowl full of boys names. I take a deep breath which comes up short when she reads the name on the slip of paper.

"Patch Dressel!"

I close my eyes. Please let this be a dream, a nightmare. I pinch my wrist. Ouch. Nope not a dream. I'm still here.

I take one deep breath before marching up onto the stage. I sit and just like Taylor, search for familiar faces. I find My mother and Tyler staring up at me with teary eyes. I have to make it back. I have to make it back to protect Tyler. Who would take his place if I didn't come back? I contemplate this thought as peacekeepers push Taylor and I into District 8's Hall of Justice.