A Thin Line Between Life And Death | Byler Hunger Games Au

The Reaping

Will's POV

Today was the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games, a day most feared. But for Will, it only arose bad memories. As a previous victor of the 68th Hunger Game, he had nothing to fear... aside from fearing for his friends, he was safe. Like every year since his win, all he had to do was watch the reaping process, spectating the death lottery as he stood amongst his Mother, Jonathon, and Hopper.

It was sick, all of it was sick. But he said nothing, because what could he do? These kinds of thoughts, along with the memories plagued his mind throughout the night, causing him to toss and turn.

Will had been awake long before the sun arose, he could hear the birds chirping, signaling it was time to get up. It was well into the afternoon by now, but Will was still laying in bed, eyes trained on the ceiling, zeroing in on the cracks and odd patterns that had developed over the years, in a daze. He couldn't bring himself to get up yet, faintly hearing El shuffling about as she got ready. The walls were thin so he couldn't try to get a few minutes of sleep even if he wanted to.

A knock on his door further proved this.

"Will, are you awake?" A soft voice questioned, sounding on edge.

"Yeah, mom. I'm awake" Will responded, forcing himself out of the bed with a quiet sigh.

"Okay well, we're heading out in less than 20 minutes, there's bread and fruit left on the table" she told him without waiting for a response, going back to tend to El.

With a yawn, Will gathered his clothes for the reaping, a simple light button up, beige slacks, and his worn down dress shoes. He wouldn't style his hair, because dressing up was enough and there wasn't much he could do with the acorn.

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Mike's POV

"Shit!" Mike yelped, nearly face-planting in his attempt to quickly step into his pants with his shoes. Why he decided to put on shoes first was beyond him, but he was stressed and rightfully so. Though, what were the odds he'd get picked in his last year of being eligible? Only two people he had ever personally known got reaped in the past, those being Will and Nancy's friend, Barb. Oddly enough as the tributes for the 68th game. He didn't remember the redhead that well, but he did remember the devastation both him and Nancy felt at that time.

It was the closest he'd ever been to his sister, everyday tuning in to see if the cannon fired for one of them, until...it di-

"Mike, you know what'll happen if you're late, hurry up" shouted Nancy from the small hallway.

"I know, I know I'm coming" Mike rolled his eyes, cursing under his breath as he quickly fastened the belt.

He entered the hallway, spotting his sister impatiently waiting for him. This was their routine, while their parents did as they pleased, until it was time to leave.

Things were always a bit awkward between him and Nancy after everything that happened, her heart had hardened, though Mike couldn't fault her for that, he understood to some degree.

As the Wheeler family walked to the square, Nancy started to fall behind, so Mike followed suit, watching as his parents and Holly continued on.

"This is your last year, just get through today and you'll be fine" Nancy spoke, keeping her gaze ahead as they continued to walk.

"You don't know that" Mike couldn't help but quip. He hated when people said shit like that, plenty of 18 year olds got chosen, he was fair game just like anyone else's name in that glass bowl.