The Small Streamer Hunger Games

Chapter One: The Reaping

The new information about this years Quarter Quell led to happiness and gleeful sighs all across Panem, however for the unlucky few that have been put into the bowl, it was a living nightmare. For the 100th year of the glorious Hunger Games, it has been decided that only the scum of each district will be reaped. Twitch streamers that don't have the viewer count to justify it being 'a real job'. In The Capitol's eyes, and to everyone else in the country, these basement dwellers do nothing to support the districts, and for once in this horrific traditions lifespan, a reaping is deserved.

Deep in the partially rebuilt yet unrecognisable slums of District 8, sat Max. A boy who wanted to follow in his idols footsteps, realising his time on this planet is soon over, all because he was an entertainer at heart. Max sinks down into his chair, millions of thoughts bounce between the corners of his mind like a DVD player waiting for a disc. On the other side of the room, lit up only by a fading ring light, sits his brother, Ana. Head in his hands and toes pressed to the ground ready to spring up at the wisp of any noise or news.

"So what the fuck do we do now?" asked Max, struggling to get his words out.

"You think I know? We're both in the same boat here man, one of us is dead no matter what. And that's the best case scenario." retaliated Ana in an increasingly agitated tone as he followed through the sentence. 

"They'll be livestreaming it all too. Millions will sit there and watch as we get torn apart one by one live but god fucking forbid I want to play FORTNITE!"

As Ana continued on his politically driven tangent, Max sat there, staring at the walls. Waiting for the moment he could wake up from this nightmare. But it never came. Before he could stop it the walls he knew so well felt like four strangers staring at him in his final moments. All noise drowned out to a low hum and despite being around his brother, going through the same grief as him. He felt alone. His vision got softer, and softer. Suddenly he felt himself being shaken back and forth, it was Ana. Noticing his little brother had been dissociating he took it upon themselves to help out however he could, even if it was a little harsher than needed.

"Listen, it'll be alright, what I was saying was just spur of the moment stuff, it has happened before where multiple people have been let out, maybe it could happen again?"

Max felt the words glide over his head, although he took into account that it had happened before, and there was a spark of hope that both of them would make it out alive.

The days leading up to The Reaping were a complete blur. With no recollection from either parties of how they even got there, there they were, stood in front of hundreds of people they called friends. Like lambs being sold for slaughter. The big screen showed each District's tributes being escorted to the stage, some attempting to fight against the Peacekeepers. Some accepting their fate. Most on the brink of tears.

In District 1, a lanky teenager, with faded split-dye hair strutted to the front without a care in the world. Announced as Eli, his body language showed he was ready to take everyone down, if that be with himself or without. Following shortly behind was Red, an ex-capitol citizen who had caused quite a stir when they were banished to District 1. Seen as almost a teachers pet by most. District 2 was a different story. The microphones were muted as the tributes were ushered forward as both of them began letting out blood curdling screams as their names were pulled. William and Aimee. They clearly knew each other well, as the screams felt co-ordinated and pre-planned, meaning they also knew they were destined to die. Three was rapidly skipped over as a Peacekeeper had been assaulted by a Tribute, Max managed to catch the names prior, being Fely and Peter. The former being the one that caused a riot, and the former being lucky to not have been shot. 

During this showcase, Ana had noticed a hairpin on the wooden stage, almost too conveniently dropped by the Peacekeeper standing next to them. As the commotion unfolded onscreen, Ana quickly clutched at the pin and continued watching as if nothing had happened.

The lucky tributes of District 4 were Lilleffa and Theo, a duo most known for tweeting about their Baldur's Gate save far too much, a shame it would be if neither of their characters found their end. Five's Picks consisted of Radio, who was freakishly tall and slightly older than the rest of the tributes; and Enzo, a smaller, and feistier boy who is not too dissimilar to a chihuahua.

"I DON'T EVEN STREAM ANYMORE WHAT!" exclaimed Radio in complete disbelief, followed by a talking hand motion by Enzo, signifying that Radio was 'yapping'.

"You may forget and forgive your past, but we won't" whispered the Peacekeeper escorting the boys to the front, defying the code of conduct to shut him up.

In Six, the two Tributes walked to the front with minimal trouble, looking increasingly woeful with each step. Announced as Theria and Hyper. An unlikely duo but everyone knows Districts don't mean teams. Seven couldn't have gone faster for Max, he knew himself and Ana were next to be the forefront of everyone's minds. HD and AJ were the names of the unlucky two picked from Seven. After mumbling from behind cameras and multiple thumbs up, there they were. Deer in the headlights of The Capitol, and left to the mercy of the average viewer. The only two items on the screen covering them being their names and a disclaimer explaining why they weren't picked onscreen, as Eight has been under extreme Capitol supervision after the events of the Mockingjay. After what felt like years, the big screen changed, and the next set of people to be morally pantsed in front of the country were up. Before Max could see who was next, he was grabbed and escorted into the building behind them. His last few steps of freedom.