The 100th Hunger Games [currently being edited]

Reapings: Districts 4 & 5

(District 4)

Marina Shore's POV

The waves slowly wash over my freckled feet, the sand tickling my toes. I sigh. The vast ocean that sits in front of my gaze seems like it goes on forever. But like everything, it has to end somewhere. District 4 is a beautiful place, probably the prettiest district. However it may seem beautiful, but it isn't the most pleasant place to live. A beautiful place to live, yes. But beautiful doesn't always mean pleasant. We are thrown into the games like every other district, tortured... Ruled by the Capitol. We're their pawns in President Snow's board game.

My red, curly hair billows in the gentle sea breeze, as the sun rises over the horizon. Sometimes I wish I could just swim all the way to the horizon and escape the horrors of Panem. But I know to well that they have special wires that electrocute you if you go to far out, and anyway what do I do after that? I would be completely lost, I wouldn't have Kai.

Stroking my legs, I play with some pebbles making them into a tower before they tumble down again. I am already in my reaping outfit; I am wearing a white dress, with a lacy detailing on the chest section.

I smile as I feel two hands slip around my waist. Kai.

"You look beautiful, Marina," He whispers softly into my ear. Kai comes sits next to me, an arm still round me and I rest my head in his shoulder.

He looks at me with his gorgeous sea green eyes. He sighs, as he sees the obvious anxiety painted on my face. "You won't get picked for the reaping, I promise. It's likely that another person would volunteer anyway," Kai says softly.

"I'm not nervous about me getting picked, what if you get picked? Or we both get picked?" I say, suddenly panicking.

He strokes a lone piece of hair out of my face. "Marina... If I get picked I promise I will come back, promise. If we both get picked I will protect you with my life and make sure you come out," He says.

I nod, fiddling with the seam of my dress. He turns my head to face him properly and kisses me slowly. Kai smiles at me, resting his forehead against mine.

"Come on, we better go. The reaping starts in an hour," Kai says, grabbing my hand and leading me off the beach with him.

___________

Kai Wyatt's POV

Glancing around at the people of district four, I approach a peacekeeper holding a large needle. He plunges it into my finger and then motions for me to move on. My mind spinning, I walk over to the sixteen year old section.

I didn't want to tell Marina, but I'm terrified. What if Marina does indeed get picked and I'm not there to protect her! This year there will be bigger and stronger tributes, she'll be crumpled like a twig in a forest full of wild animals. No, I scold myself. Marina is strong, and clever, she could easily get through it. It's extremely unlikely she will even get picked anyway. This will all be over in an hour and then Marina and I can go home, celebrate with our families and be happy.

I glance over to Marina. She is standing next to a friend of hers, Aqua. I notice she is shaking slightly and try to telepathically tell her that everything will be okay. But I know that I'm only convincing myself anyway.

District 4's escort, Larette Lonzitot bounds onto the stage.

"HAPPY HUNGER GAMES! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" She screams. She is too excited. It always mind blows me how a human can be so ecstatic about picking twenty four people to enter a game to slaughter each other. But after what I've seen of the Capitol, I doubt they are en human.