At The Reaping
You, Peeta and the twins finally make it to the justice hall after unloading the heavy herbs. Elaine stopped as soon as she saw the line. "What's that for?" You looked ahead to examine the area she was talking about.
"That's the check-in line. They just give you a tiny little prick on your finger so they can ID you then we split up by age and boy or girl." She smiled. "Ok!" She ran ahead so fast you couldn't keep up losing her in the crowd of people.
"Elaine! Elaine!" Realizing you knew no one around you, you started to panic. "Holden!! Peeta!?" You see Holden and Peeta standing together hand in hand in the boys line. You let out a small sigh of relief.
The lady at the desk in front of you grabs your arm violently. A bit taken back by her aggression but not taking your eyes off the crowd trying to find Elaine.
20 minutes pass, the crowd of people only gets larger struggling to still find her, the woman on stage taps the microphone. "Welcome, welcome! Happy hunger games. And may the odds be ever in your favor. Before you we begin we have a very special film, all the way from the capital!"
You look to the screen, playing is an older type video displaying war, outbreak, death and finally peace. The video explains the games are a symbol to the people why we have peace and what we had to sacrifice.
The war was over 70 years ago, the modern people having to deal with this genocide for the mistakes our forefathers made? Seems unfair. The video was quick to end and the vibrant woman began to make yet another speech.
"Oh I just love that!" She proclaimed. "Now, the time has come to select one courageous man and woman for the honor of representing district 12 in the 74th annual hunger games! Ladies first as always." She walked gracefully over to the bowl on her left.
You held your breath hoping that you didn't get called, or more importantly Elaine. He reached her hand in swirling it around deciding with one to pick.
With grueling anticipation she finally pulled a small paper out. She cleared her throat. "Elaine L/n!" You froze. This can't be happening. How many people were in district 12? Elaine's name couldn't have been in there more than twice she was a saint.
Elaine appeared out of the front of the crowd into the arms of the peacekeepers. Out of sheer panic and anger you call out. "I volunteer! I'll take her place." You rush out of the crowd running into people. Fighting with the peacekeepers you grab your sister and give her a brief tight hug.
"Elaine go find dad." She frowned. "Why do you get to do it and I don't? You're the worst sister ever I hate you!" She started slamming her fists on your chest which didn't really hurt. She was so young, so innocent she didn't even know what the games meant. She'd hate you but at least she would still be able to think about you.
"I love you." You wrapped your arms around her tightly while she tried to wriggle free from your grasp. The peacekeepers ripped her from your embrace and pulled her to the back of the crowd while another pair take you to the stage
"Well, district 12's first ever volunteer!" The white haired woman looked down at you. "Come up dear, hurry." You slowly walked up the cold concrete steps. What the fuck just happened. The woman put her arm on your right shoulder. "Now what's your name?"
You couldn't get a word out. I just sent myself to be slaughtered, like a pig. "Go on." The woman persisted. "Y/n L/n." You said coldly. "Well. I bet that was your sister wasn't it?" You stared at the large letters on the building across. What was the point in all this? To kill children? To scare the people? To tear families apart?
"Yes." The woman smiled. "How courageous. Now let's give a huge round of applause for district 12's first ever volunteer!" She began to clap but the audience stayed silent.
"Ok, ahem moving on! Next are the boys." She walked to the your right toward the other bowl of names much fuller. You prayed Peeta or Holden's names weren't called but how could you? What about the other hundreds of kids who also had families? It all seemed so cruel and selfish. The woman swirled her hand around in the glass bowl deciding which slip was perfect, which boy had to be murdered.
She plucked a white slip from the what looked like large fish bowl. "Ahem Holden L/n." You felt your stomach drop to the concrete. What? Holden popped out of the swarm of boys and two peace keepers pulled him to the front.
If it comes down to it I'll protect him til the end then off myself. You started to tear up. You could never kill him or anyone else, none of them deserved it. How could this happen, his name was barely in there, maybe only a few times. As he made his way up the stairs you noticed he had a big smile on his face. He was excited to play in the 'games' just like Elaine.
Suddenly a commotion stirred in the boys crowd. A blonde boy ran ahead to the front of the stage. It was Peeta. "I volunteer! I'll do it." You started to cry. Hot tears ran down your face. Who would look after your family now? But most of all they were safe.
Holden was about to go up the steps when he heard Peeta. "That's not fair! I wanna play." Holden started running up the stairs. "Holden!" Peeta yelled chasing after him. Holden ran up next to the woman on stage next to me.
"Oh I'm sorry little one, but once someone volunteers, the randomly chosen tribute is not eligible to be a tribute anymore." Holden looked up and her and me and started to cry. "But I wanna play with Y/n." He said while sobbing. Peeta finally got to the stage and picked up Holden.
He handed him to come peacekeepers who dragged him to the back of the crowds with Elaine and your father. "Well. What's your name young man?" He stepped up to the mic slowly, hesitant to speak. "Peeta Mellark." The woman quickly clapped her hands together.
"Well! Now we have two of our very first volunteers from district 12! Give them a big hand." The woman still clapped but no response from the crowd. Til a girl in the front put three fingers to the sky. A common expression among the people during reapings, representing "A farewell, admiration, and unity."
"Ahem. Um well, you two shake hands." The woman stepped back to give you room to face each other. You both stepped forward slowly and shook hands tightly. "Happy hunger games everyone! And may the odds be ever in your favor." The woman boasted loudly into the microphone then whisked you away.
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Hey. Lmk if u like it. Or don't idc.
-Author
YOU ARE READING
Across the stars (Peeta x Reader)
FanficY/n L/n a farmers daughter being reaped in the 74th hunger games. Her brother Jain, being killed in the games, Peeta your delivery boy whom you have a secret crush on, her twin siblings being in their first reaping, and having a disabled father. Wit...
