The Hunger Games: Fresh Poison

Chapter 2: Reaping Day

July 4th at two in the afternoon, the same day, the same time, every year. The Hanging Tree in the Square looked as dead as ever, it's old warped branches loomed overhead as Haymitch walked down through the rows of children to stand by the other 16 year old boys towards the front-left of the Square. His mum said the tree was called the hanging tree because it's where they used to hang traitors of The Capitol back when she was small. Haymitch thought it was fitting how they still used it for it's original purpose, I mean afterall the Reaping Square was where people came to die, only now they were hanging children instead of traitors. His name was in the bowl 17 times today, that would be probably one of the highest amounts if he was in another district, but here in Twelve? It was average. Most kids he knew had been takeing Tessera since they were 12, some even took double, the rules were kind of lax around here. There had ony ever been one Victor from Twelve, a young girl called Lucy Gray Baird, she won when Haymitch's mum was 4 and his dad was 7. Haymitch's mum said she didn't remember her, but his dad would sing her songs from time to time around the house. Apparently singing was her thing. 

Haymitch stood next to two of the other 16 year old boys, there were 9 of them all together. He recognised two of them from his shifts in the mine and got a nod from either as he walked up to them. It only took a few moments before all the children were lined up and in their places, segregated by age and sex. The parents stood behind the group of Seventy or so children and watched. Haymitch took a quick look behind him to see if he could catch a glimpse of his brother, but he couldn't see him. 

A shot was fired into the air by a peacekeeper, causing the crows sitting on the hanging tree to take flight, their sqwaks could be heard as they circled above. The shot was sounded every year to signify the stat of the Reaping Ceremony, and this year was no different. A tense silence filled the Square as a short man fumbled his way onto the wooden stage that had been constructed in front of where Haymitch stood. He breathed into the microphone, causing the speakers to squeal. Haymitch scanned him up and down as he shuffled his speech cards, the man wore a long black Duffel coat and a black flat cap, he had thick dark eyebrows and a grey tinted moustache that overhang around his lips, he was new. Usually it was the mayor that oversaw the Reaping process, this year they had changed it.

"Ahem, I am sure you are all confused by my presence. My name is Eustathius Crane and I am the first ever Capitol representitive for District 12. The Gamemakers have decided that from this year onwards, representitives shall oversee the Reaping ceremonies in each District. This is just a precaution to ensure that the processes are being carried out fairly..." Eustathius explained, his monotone voice portrayed no emotion, he had no personal investment in the ceremony at all. Haymitch couldn't help but let a small smile creep up on his face as Eustathius continued on, 'fair' what about any of this was 'fair'?

"This year marks the 50th Annual Hunger Games. I'm sure you all heard from our dear president last night but I shall repeat it again here for you all now. Every 25 years, the Hunger Games will take place in the form of a Quater Quell, a wildcard Game in which new rules and themes are introduced to refresh our minds of the horrors of the rebellion and the baseless non-sensical mindset of the past traitors that brought it upon us. This year, in honor of The Quater Quell, The Games will take double the amount of Tributes into the arena, to remind us that in the dark ages two rebels died for every Capitol citizen." Eustathius read out, shuffling his cards forwards and backward in his hands, the same careless voice sounding through the system speakers. Haymitch felt his chest tighten, usually he found the odds in his favour, sure there was always a chance, but what were the chances it would be him right? This year was different... The Quater Quell meant he had twice the chance to be reaped and with his tessera in the mix, it all suddenly felt a bit too real.