The 100th Hunger Games [currently being edited]

Reapings: Districts 6 & 7

(District 6)

Paige Aldon's POV

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I- I was just trying to do you a favor" I whimper, my eyes flooding with fear, as my father holds a knife against my throat. "You never - ever take my things!" He screams into my face, his drunken face uncomfortably close to mine. Petrified, I flinch as he gives me a verbal slap. Not that I'm complaining about a verbal slap, the physical slaps are much more painful. Well only sometimes, words are powerful weapons.

"I thought by taking your liquor, you might stop drinking," I say, stupidly. Why did I just own up like that? Like he will stop drinking and start caring if throw his liquor down the plug hole.

"So you did take it, huh?" He shouts. I wince away from him, pressing my fragile shoulder blades harder into the wall.

My eyes dart upwards as I hear footsteps storming down the stairs. My brother Tobias stands opposite us, his face creased with shock and fear. He runs towards us as my father tightens his grip on his my neck.

"Father, no. You don't want to kill your daughter, not like you did to Mom. It won't make the pain go! Please just put down the knife, okay?" Tobias says, shakily yet firmly.

When Father doesn't loosen his grip, Tobias starts to back away. Plan B.

"Stay strong, Paige, I'll be back in a minute." He says, attempting to be reassuring.

He stumbles out of the door and across the lane to our neighbours.

"If he tells on me, you get it," Father spits into my face. Whimpering in response, we watch as Tobias knocks on the door of our neighbour's house. As he leads them over to our house Father puts more pressure on the knife.

My neighbour, Jace launches himself at Father, knocking the knife out of his hand and wrestling him to the floor. Tobias grabs me and hurls me out onto the street. I wail as I see Jace and Father fighting.

"What the hell were you thinking, Paige? Stealing Father's liquor and chucking it down the drain? You practically asked for a death sentence!" Tobias exasperates, but holds me close to him anyway.

Closing my eyes, I bury myself into Tobias's hair trying to think of something happy. Not that I can think of many. Especially when all you can hear is your Father and neighbour killing each other.

My head curls out of Tobias's warm grip as Jace runs out of out house and straight past us, guilt planted on his face. Tobias and I look at each other, confused before deciding to cautiously re enter the house.

I clap my hand to my mouth as I see the horror that lays in front of me. In the hallway lays our Father, his neck splattered with blood and a lone knife lying guiltily next to him.

________

Leila Locketflem's(Escort) POV

Squealing with excitement, I burst through the doors of District Six's Justice Building. The brisk wind greets my face and I hastily wipe my rose hair out of my mouth with my newly manicured claws.

"Hello District Six! Welcome to the 100th Hunger Games and the 4th Quarter Quell!" I scream to the crowd, jumping up and down with enthusiasm.

They clap unenthusiastically and I switch on the fabulous video that we play every year. Truly beautiful, how President Snow has made the world such a better place so we can all live happily and peacefully!

"I shall now pick two courageous tributes who will be fighting in this year's hunger games!" I shout, my shrill voices bouncing around the square.

I stick my hand into the glass bowl and pick a slip. Opening it dramatically, "Paige Aldon," I say.

A teenage girl makes her way up onto stage, as a scream pierces the air, the culprit's youthful face plastered with horror.

"How old are you Paige?" I ask her, ignoring the screams.

"Fifteen." She says, plainly, her hair tickling her slight shoulders. I flash her a smile and then put my hand back into the bowl.

"Jace Minkley!" I shout, my bright eyes flaring wildly. A man, maybe in his late 30s steps onto the stage, his outfit torn and dirty.

"How old are you, Jace?" I ask, my eyes flirtatiously scanning his broad chest.

"40." He says, looking guiltily over at Paige.

Paige has a look of horror on her face as I think I hear her whisper, "I am going into the Hunger Games with the man who murdered my Father..."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

(District 7)

Florentina Flanpanock's (Escort) POV

"I shall now hand you on too our beautiful escort all the way from the Capitol, Miss Florentina Flanpanock!" The Mayor of District seven says, his friendly white beard patting his beer belly. The audience claps half-heartedly as I bound onto the stage.

My bright orange puffy dress flutters in district seven's chilly wind. Adjusting my neon pink wig, I tap the microphone. "Hello, hello! District seven! I'd like to wish you a very Happy Hunger games on this fine morning, may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Dipping my hand gracefully into the glass bowl, full to the top with names, I delve down to the bottom, trying to find the perfect slip. I grab one and take it out of the bowl.

Clearing my throat, I announce, "The first tribute to be representing District seven in the 100th Hunger Games is... Oak Bailey! Come on up, chickie!"

A young man scampers up onto the stage, his stubbly face plastered with obvious fear.

"Hello deary, how old are you Oak?"

"18." He mutters, his hands trembling with terror.

"A round of applause for Oak Bailey!" I say and clap my hands, however not many join in so I stop, awkwardly, wiping my hands on my dress.

I put my hand into the bowl once again and pluck out a slip from the top.

"Rowanna Maple!"

A girl runs up to the stage, her eyes gleaming with an uneasy sense of insanity.

"A little excited are we!? Aha! How old are you Rowanna?"

"I'm 15 and you'll be seeing me next year for the victory tour!" She says, baring her sharp teeth, whilst her hands clench into fists as if of habit.

"Excellent! Excellent! Ladies and Gentlemen, Rowanna Maple and Oak Bailey," I shout, pointing to my two star tributes - well maybe just one, that Oak bloke seems a little too boring for me!

I drag them into the justice building, while Rowanna hisses at Oak, and he flinches away, his eyes full of fright.