Ascendance: The 99th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 10

District 5 Reaping

I look into my mirror, diamonds encompassing the perimeter of the glass. I look stunning in this new dress my mother bought for me for the reaping. It's bright yellow encrusted with citrine gems. I know I'll look better than most kids my age at the reapings, I am the mayors daughter.

I'm in no way nervous for this year's reaping, my name will only be entered in five times since I'm 16. Only twice has a mayors son or daughter have been reaped, I'm absolutely convinced that I'll be safe. My father won't let me be reaped anyways, he has connections.

"Celestia, honey! Come downstairs, we ought to be leaving soon!" My father calls.

"Coming!" I answer.

I quickly run down the stairs, careful enough to not step on my dress.

"Oh my, Celestia! The dress I got looks beautiful on you!" Exclaims my mother.

It really does. It matches with my curly strawberry blonde hair and makes my sea green eyes shine.

I walk with my parents into the towns square before I check in the 16 year old pens separated by gender.

I wave to my best friend Copper Newton from my pen. He smiles and waves back. We've been best friends for as long as I can remember. Our mothers grew up together and so did we. His family is reputable like mine. His father is an engineer and runs the largest power plant in District 5.

Copper and I are planning on hosting a big house party after the reaping and we're inviting everyone from well off families who deserve to celebrate with us. It's going to be so fun!

Our escort, Volta Watt makes her way onto the stage after my father introduces her. She's been our escort for almost 15 years.

"Hello district 5!" She yells.

Then she goes on and tells the story, the same one every year, about how the capitol won over the Districts and the dark days. She finishes off with what the capitol citizens must find iconic:

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

She then reaches in to bowl full of names of girls. 5 of those slips have my name on them. I hold my breath.

"Celes.." She turns and looks to my father.

What. No.

My father frantically shakes his head.

"I- I um..." Volta squeaks out.

No. They can't pick me. I am the mayors daughter. This CANNOT be happening.

I see a peacekeeper approach Volta.

"Read the name." He says sternly.

The crowd watches intently as Volta glances at my father again.

"Volta." I hear my father say.

"Read. The. Name." The peacekeeper says again.

He unhooks the holster holding his gun. His hand remains on his side, clasping his gun as he nods at Volta to continue.

"I... I...Celestia Ion." Volta finally chokes out.

My father shakes his head. My mother bursts into tears. The crowd is shocked.

I slowly make my way onto the stage.

Shit.

I know I have no chance of winning, I was never trained how to fight.

As I'm approaching the center of the stage where Volta's standing I hear my father mutter,

"Volta. We talked about this."

Volta practically shrivels where she stands. The peacekeeper has since backed away from her but the fear in her eyes has never left.

Click.

The peacekeeper cocks his gun.

Volta suddenly stumbles towards me, avoiding eye contact.

"How old are you?" She asks me.

"16." I say staring off into the distance.

"Well, I expect great things this Hunger Games from a mayors daughter!" Volta says.

I can tell she's trying to act like there isn't someone standing behind her with a loaded gun, ready to shoot.

I don't say anything. I take a seat and turn around to face my father behind me. He has a look of dread and anger on his face. He's frantically whispering to District Five's mentor, Solara Lark. After he's finished talking, she nods her head and says something back that I can just barely hear:

"I'll do everything in my power to train your daughter and keep her alive." Solara says.

"You best believe so or something might just happen to your family." My father grows.

I'm so wrapped up in my father's conversation with Solara that I don't even notice when Volta reaches her hand into the bowl of boys names.

"Copper Newton!" She says, eyes wide.

"No!" A guttural scream escapes my mouth.

Everyone takes their attention off Copper to me. I burst into tears. My best friend since I was 3 is now in the arena with me to a fight to the death with only one victor. As he walks up to the stage, terror on his face, I run over and hug him.

As I pull away, Volta dives in and asks the question that appears on the screen opposite the stage. That's right, we're live.

"Are you two together?" She reads, her voice uneven.

"Uh-" Copper starts.

"No, We've been best friends since we were 3." I say.

Copper nods.

"Mk." Volta says with a trembling smiles and winks in our direction.

We both take our seats and I wipe my tears as Volta introduces us one last time before we are taken into the city hall. My furious father trailing behind.