Hunger Games *On Hold*

The Reaping

Acidalia's POV

Acidalia walked with Endreasta to her house. They had heard the peacekeepers, and were hurrying home. I had ordered them to stay silent. The boy had ruined it all.

They started running when the peacekeepers came down the road, a limp body slung over one of their shoulders.

They reached the porch and ran in the house, putting away all the snare wire. They quickly sat down, trying to look as casual as possible while catching their breath. 

The peacekeepers march past their house, and the girls sag with relief. 

Suddenly, the town herald blew the horn, making everyone jump. This meant that they had to go to the city square, immediately. 

The two sisters jumped up and went to the square. The herald started to talk. 

"Anouncement! Madame President has decided it was time for a Quarter Quell. The reaping will be in exactly an hour. Only three contestants will be elected.  Madame President has decided not to share the reason behind this particular decision. We will respect her decision and ask no questions." 

"You are dismissed." He finishes. 

Endreasta and Acidalia walk slowly back to their house. They had one hour to say goodbye to each other, since they could get reaped. 

They arrive at the porch, and sit down on the front step. 

Tears roll down their faces. They knew that Acidalia would be picked. Endreasta was too old. Acidalia's name had been put in the bowl many times, just to receive tesserae, the meager grain and oil tube. It was only enough for a tiny pancake of sorts, but they desperately needed the food. Everyone had to put their name in many times, but Acidalia put it in for other families who's kids were either too young, or too old. 

The hour came and passed. Echo came, and they  walked to the reaping area together, hand in hand. Echo also had her name in the reaping bowl many times, since she was trying to keep her little sister alive.

Effie Trinket, announced what we had heard before. She made a show of reaching into the jar, and read out a name.

"Acidalia Thornheart!" 

She slowly walks out to the stage. She doesn't smile. 

"Echo Tranquillius!"

Tears went down both of the girls faces. Acidalia's eyes fill with many tears, at the thought of her best friend joining her in the arena. One of them wouldn't come out alive. 

Effie droned on. 

"And now for the boys! There will be only one, as you know!" 

"Finn Lapetus!" 

Finn walks to the stage. 

"Thank you all! The contestants will not be able to say goodbye because the capitol decides everything!"

The three kids got herded towards the capitol train. Finn looked for someone but Acidalia didn't know who it was. So  Acidalia desperately looked back for her older sister Endreasta, and saw her crying in the crowd. Echo looked for Taylor, and saw Endreasta running towards her and gathering the little girl in her arms, both of them sobbing. Echo has tear rolling down the side of her face as she sees her little sister.

"Noooooo!" Screams Taylor in agony of seeing her sister leave for the arena. 

The door finally closes behind the contestants.