The 100th Annual Hunger Games Quarter Quell: District Revenge

Ellaydra Kings ~ Reaping Day

"I volunteer!" The words slurred out my mouth just how I've been practicing. I remember saying it in different ways, trying not to show off my Capitol accent. I wanted to sound mature and strong if this day ever comes. But it's already here so soon.

I see Avalon doing that thing with her neck, straining it up high because she's so short and petite. Avalon heard my voice and now she is looking for me.

"Let's get this over with." I mutter. I step out into the open aisle of Paylor's marble outdoor flooring, exposing myself to everyone who couldn't see me volunteer. "I volunteer for Avalon Harvison," I shout.

A peacekeeper approaches me wanting to escort me up the stairs. I stick my hand up at him. "Move out my way,"

I ran up to the stairs but something made me trip and fall. Not an object of some sorts but a an eery voice from the audience. I look back.

"I volunteer as tribute! I Volunteer! I volunteer!" She has to say it a couple of times because of her squeaky voice.

"Avalon don't be stupid, just go back," I say pointing to the section from where she came running from. "You know damn well It's not worth it,"

"No, you can't go Ellaydra!" She argues out of breath.

"Well I volunteered for you!" I say.

"No!" Her voice got higher than usual. "I volunteer, again for you!"

"Well how about that!" Divine said stopping our argument. "A double Volunteer! I think that's a first in Hunger Games history, don'tcha' think?"

"I volunteered for her, she's not going anywhere." I tell Divine in a motherly tone.

"But I volunteered again to take Ellaydra's place so she can't be considered a tribute, right?" Avalon whines.

"How about you both represent the Capitol in this years Quell?!" Divine screams.

"But I didn't-"

"That's not-"

"Wait I-"

"Please stop the bickering and come up to the stage and show Panem your pretty little faces!" Divine says changing her tone.

We slowly walk up to the Podium.

"Now tell me your ages," She demands.

"Fifteen," says Avalon quietly. "I'm fifteen," She's shedding tears.

Don't show them you're weak, stay strong. For me.

Divine looks at me for my answer.

"Why does it matter how old I am?" I say into the microphone.

"Because it's required to know your age."

"I'm 21," I sarcastically say.

"Your real age!"

Ignoring her, I sat down next to the fat girl and cross my legs, Avalon follows behind me and starts to bite her nails. Peering out into the audience I can see mother excusing herself and Avalon's mother weeping behind her followed by an overprotective Peacekeeper. My cousin Dino follows her, probably to tell Sylvista the bad news.

"Oh wait!" Divine Cries out. "Avalon come here." She gestures for her to come back to the podium. "I forgot to ask , what will you do in the arena to survive this year's Hunger Games?"

Avalon slowly drags her overwhelmed body to center stage. "I'm fast," Avalon says almost immediately. It's true. How do I know? Because she's the only girl on the schools track team who ran around the field twice on the first lap.