The 25th Annual Hunger Games

1 ~ The Reaping

We are gathering in the town centre tomorrow, but people are preparing for the Reaping already. But, first we have last minute training.

"Careers! This is you final day, before two of you are off to the Capitol. To bring pride to our districts. And remember, in the arena, trust no one! You saw last years, One killed one of ours in their sleep. Thankfully, Three killed him. So be careful. Haller, knives. Defer, archery." he began listing us with stations.

I had an assortment of knives at my touch. I chose a star shaped knife. I positioned myself in front of the target, 5 metres back, and flung the knife. It curved off to the side, and boomeranged through the dummies neck, slitting its throat.

"Nice Haller. But nothing compared to me!" Hertyr teased. She then picked up a longer knife, and speared it towards the dummies. It missed, and smashed into the wall.

I left her, and continued to the combat station. The trainer got ready, and as we began, in a matter of seconds, he was pinned.

"Silence is deadly. Remember that, Haller." The instructor said.

I nodded, and continued to the sword station. Soon enough, I had dismembered the dummy, and started the bow and arrow. This was my weaker point. After six shots, I finally chipped off some off the dummy. I got bored, and began on the traps station.

"Welcome Haller. So what do you want to make?" The instructor said. I glared at him.

I began grabbing some rope, and creating a net. I tied it to a beam, and laid it on the floor, wired and ready to work. I throw a small ball onto it, and at the slightest touch, shot upwards. I reset it, and tricked the instructor into it. This gave me a laugh. He yelled at me, and I watched. After some struggling, and him not getting anywhere but more tangled, I cut him down. He then landed with a thump.

Some of the other Careers laughed, but I kept my laugh to myself.

I started at the plants station. there were a lot of new plants though. Some I recognised, others not so much.

By the time it came to a close, the Instructor began. "So, well done to all of you. I will mostly not see any of you again, unless you become an instructor. Good luck to our tributes, and I hope one of you volunteer! I think we all know who we want to volunteer!" Everyone looked at me.

"Come on, Silent! Silent! Silent!" They cheered my nickname. "We all know how deadly you are. I wouldnt want to mess with you in the Arena."

"Good luck Careers, and May the odds be ever in your favour!"

* * *

I walked home, and on the way, visited my father. He worked in forgery, and it was on the way home.

The large sign indicating the forgery stood. I walked in through the large oak doors, and went up to the desk. I signed in, and went to level five. He minds the machines that create the weapons.

I took the short flight of stairs, and then entered into the scanner. Safety precautions.

My father had his large coat on, and he was furiously typing into the coder. The thing that keeps track of everything.

"Haller!" My father joyously called.

"Father." I muttered.

"How was training?"

"Fine."

"Thats good. So are you excited for tomorrow?"

"Yep."

"I have to continue, so I will see you and your mother at home."

I said my goodbye, and signed out again.

I trudged halfway across the town, walking past the peacekeeper factory. I walked past some of the homes, and the Victor Village.

I reached my small house, and I smelt my mother cooking chicken.

I walked in and plopped onto the couch. "Hello Haller."

"Mother." I got up, and hugged her.

"How was training?"

"Normal. I was top of the class."

"Well. Are you going to volunteer?"

"Im not sure."

* * *

The day of the Reaping. If I want to voulenteer, Ill need to be quick. There is dozens of other Careers ready to do it. But this was going to be a day I wont forget.

* * *

"Next!" The peacekeeper yelled. I handed them my finger, and they pricked it. A small drizzle of blood appeared, and they dabbed it onto the paper, scanning it. They then ushered me into the 18-year-old section.

The two mentors, Povie Luncan, the female victor, who won three years ago, and Danil Fravis who won last year, sat up the front.

I noticed Defer staring at me, a gleaming look in her eyes. Good luck. She mouthed.

I nodded, and faced the front. The district escort, Jettre Young, tapped the microphone. "Attention District 2!"

The mayor made his speech, and soon enough Jettre signalled for attention. "Welcome, welcome, to the 25th Annual Hunger Games! Today we have a very exciting Quell. First we will have the 12-15 girls!"

Walking over, she put her hand in the bowl dramatically, and ruffled them round. She quickly snatched one up. Suspensefully, she room a breath.

"Feingo Jackson?" A small girl from 13 year olds came out.

She made a gesture to hurry up.

"I volunteer!" A girl ran out from the 15 year olds.

She ran up onto the stage, beaming.

"Name?" Jettre asked.

"Charlotte Xavier. 15."

"Now for the men!"

She dig round for a second. Then snatched one.

"Forest Ghan?"

A boy from the 15's stepped forward.

"I volunteer!"

Another boy stepped forward.

He jogged up to the stage. "Tate Jones. 15."

"Well, give it up, for our 12-15 Category Tributes!"

The crowd went wild.

* * *

"Now for the 16-18 Category. Girls."

She walked over to the girls bowl. She dug her hand round, and chose one. "Deffany Sweak?"

A girl from 16 walked out.

"I volunteer!" I saw Jilian, from the academy. She ran up on stage, spoke her name, and Jettre began on the boys. Slowly. Slowly. Then, she flipped one out the bowl into her other hand, and walked over to the microphone.

"Tylet Bowen?"

In a moment of confusion, the boy in front of me, in the 17's began walking to the stage. He took the steps up, and stood next to Charlotte.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, these are your 25th Annual Hunger Games Tribut-"

"I volunteer!"