The 99th annual Hunger Games

District 3 reapings

District 3 reapings

Meena Griffin's POV

I walk down the streets of district 3, heading towards the market place. Even though there is still several hours until the reaping begins, many people are out and the town is busy.

The shop windows glow with appealing electronic lights, but they are far out of my price range. I hurry on, !wanting to get back before my mother and little sisters get up.

I step into the market place, and head towards the bakery. The warm, inviting shop is filled with various delicious goods.

The baker's daughter, Bell, comes out to serve me. She is 18, this is her last year that she is eligible for the reaping.

"How are you this morning?" she asks, while I order two pink iced cupcakes that look like roses for my sisters. "Nervous" I shrug. She must be much more nervous than me though, seeing how many times her name is in.

I pick out a some shiny currant buns as well and go to pay. I have just enough money, I saved for the last few months to earn enough. "Have it on me" Bell smiles kindly, "and good luck for the reaping" "thanks Bell, good luck as well!" I grin, walking happily out of the shop.

Now that I still have some money left, I can buy something else for my sisters. I buy two rubber balls, one red, one blue, and some crayons for them to share.

When I get home, everyone is still asleep, luckily. I toast and butter the buns and warm some milk to go with them. Finally, I put them all on mothers best plate with the cupcakes and go to my little sisters' bedroom.

"Milly, Mabel, what are you doing?" I ask as I enter the room. The blankets are scattered across the floor and they have tried, unsuccessfully, to make tents.

"Playing hunger games!" Milly squeals, clapping her chubby hands. I smile sadly at this, they don't realise what the hunger games are at their age. I wish they could stay like this forever, blissfully unaware.

"Come sit on the bed and have breakfast" I smile at them, "and afterwards I have a present for you" "present, present!" they giggle, running over to the bed.

After they have eaten every crumb of breakfast I give them the balls, watching as they gleefully toss them around with pink icing smeared across their faces.

Dear God, I think, if you are there, please don't let me be reaped. Please let me stay with my family, and watch my sisters grow up, and keep them safe too, and...

I hope god is listening.

Spark Cable's POV

I sit at the table alone, tapping my fingers on the smooth wooden table. I finish the dry bread, and wash it down with lukewarm water that tastes disgusting.

I look out the window, I bet everyone else is at home with their family, having delicacies and treats before the reaping claims another two children.

My parents don't care any more, They ignore me since my brother got reaped 2 years ago. They act like it's my fault, but was I supposed to do, volunteer my own life for my stupid brother I didn't even like?

I remember watching him dying on the first day, getting stabbed in the back by some vicious career and watching him slowly bleed to death. I didn't feel sad or cry, which made my parents blame me even more for his death.

I'm not scared for the reaping, I don't even care if I get reaped. I could show the rest of Panem that not everyone from district 3 are incapable losers like most years.

I go to my parents room and sift through their draws until I find one of my brothers old suits. My parents act like his possessions are sacred or something, and go mental if I so much as touch them.

I put on the suit, it's black and clean, much better than my own. I brush my hair but it continues to stick up like its full of static. I throw on some shoes and head to the town square, slamming the door behind me.

Mayor kindle's POV

I finish off my speech to the district. "Over to you Candace" I say, going to the side of the stage and taking a seat. Beside me sit the previous victors of district 3, of which there is only four.

"Please, call me Candy!" she trills, skipping over to the microphone. She is dressed ridiculously to match her name, in a candy pink puffy dress, with a wig that looks like candyfloss and lollipop earrings.

"Let's start with the girls!" she says enthusiastically, rustling her hand around in the girls reaping bowl. The crowd is very quiet, many of the 12 year olds clutch each other nervously and the 18 year olds are silently looking upwards, most likely praying to escape their last year of the reaping.

I close my eyes, willing some strong 18 year old with a chance to get reaped, not some crying, defenceless child.

"Meena Griffin!" Candace shouts happily, "come on up!". A girl emerges from the 13 year olds pen, she has a springy ponytail and big brown eyes. She looks healthier than most in district 3, and strong as well.

"Welcome Meena, what is your age deer?" Candace asks. "Thirteen"she says quietly, and I can see tears glistening in her eyes. "And what word would you describe yourself with?" Candace persists. "I don't know the word for it, but I'm stronger than I look" she says, looking down. The crowd applaud weakly, as always. "Great! take a seat Meena" she instructs.

"Now, onto the boys!" Candace digs into the bowl full of names and plucks one out.

"Spark Cable!" she laughs, "what an interesting name!"

A boy exits from the 14 year olds pen, but he looks younger, with white blonde hair sticking up and dark, almost black eyes. I am surprised to see a knowing gleam in them as he mounts the stage.

"Hello there!" Candace says, "now what age are you Spark?" "fourteen" he replies, "and I want you to know that I'm different to most of the losers from district 3, I know that I have a chance this year" he grins, looking at the camera.

"Well, how ambitious!" Candace yells excitedly as he takes a seat. "Now give it up for the tributes of district 3!"