The Hunger Games (Writing Contest) [CLOSED]

Cassia Everton - Reaping

Tribute Name: Cassia Everton

Age: 14

Gender: Female

District: 2

Appearance: Cassia has long blonde hair and striking green eyes. She has a petite figure, but with broad shoulders, something that always made her stick out from her peers.

Personality: Cassia is a firm girl who will do anything to win the Games. She is fine with alliances but will trust nobody, never has never will. She can be kind when she wants to, but if you get on her bad side, better watch out.

Four skills: She is great and knife throwing, climbing trees, hiding, and is a fast runner( if that last one counts)

Weapon of Choice: A dagger, but if she can't get to one, her fists will do.

Played by -littlestmermaid

Reaping:

My mother pats my back, letting her hands drop from my hair. It's in a tight bun, with a few pesky strands falling out from the elastic. My green eyes sparkle in the mirror, ready for anything.

My father comes down, in his dark suit. He was Reaped, but his brother volunteered for him and died, taking second place. Once okay with the Games, he now detests the mere thought of them.

"Let's go, Cassia," he says, planting a kiss on my forehead. "Don't want to be late, now do we?"

I smile, shaking my head. "Would be a shame if I was Reaped and wasn't there to see it, now wouldn't it?"

He nods and opens the door to our house. Taking a deep breath, I step out.

The sun shines over District Two. It would've been a hot day if the cool mountain air wasn't making it chilly. Goosebumps erupt on my arms.

The square is full of happy teenagers, hoping to get Reaped or at least volunteer. I won't let anyone volunteer for me if I'm Reaped.

The official from the Capitol extends her hand, and I put mine onto it. She takes a drop of blood from my index finger, and when she scans it, the machine beeps and Cassia Everton pops up in italics.

When she shows it to me, I nod, confirming it's my name. She directs me to the pen for fourteen-year-old girls.

I find my best friend Hanna in the pen. She is slipping her ring off and on, which is easy because of the sweat on her hand.

"Why are you nervous?" I ask her. "We've trained for this. Besides, an eighteen-year-old is gonna volunteer for you anyway, if you're Reaped."

She nods. "I know, but what if Tristen is Reaped?"

Tristen is Hanna's twelve-year-old sister. Hanna loves her and would die willingly for her. I know it would kill Hanna if Tristen went to the Games.

I'm lurched out of my thoughts by the escort, Eleanor Winston, with her funky hair and tattooed face. Today, she sports a tall red wig that shoots straight up and a short blood red dress.

"Hello, District Two!" she says brightly into the microphone. Everyone cheers. "I'm Eleanor, and I'll be the escort to two lucky children!" She grins around. "Now, I know we all love this part," she says sarcastically, smiling. "But here's the mandatory video about the Dark Days."

I actually like Eleanor. The last person who was the escort for my first Games was extremely creepy. Eleanor is perfect in comparison.

After the video, which I can recite by heart if I really wanted to, Eleanor smiles and says, "First, for the lucky girl." Eleanor walks over to the bowl with the word 'Girls' in fine black print. She reaches in, digs around a bit, finally selecting a name.

"Tristen Brown."

I look at Hanna. She is too stunned to speak or move. I doubt she is even breathing. Turning, I see Tristen turn pale. I have to do something.

"I volunteer!" I cry out. "I volunteer to take her place!"

This wakes Hanna up. She grabs my arm.

"You can't do this," she says, her voice cracking. "No, Cassia, I won't let you."

"You can't stop me," I say. "You're not going to get hurt, and neither is Tristen." A path has been made for me. I walk through it and duck under the velvet rope. Peacekeepers escort me to the front.

"What is your name, dear?" Eleanor asks me, extending her arm with the microphone in it. She doesn't sound the least bit surprised.  Volunteers aren't a rarity in District Two.

"Cassia Everton."

"Anything to say, Cassia?"

I stare into the eyes of my parents. My mother is wiping away tears, and my father looks saddened, not crying for the sake of my mother.

"I wouldn't have done this for anyone else," I say, choosing my words carefully. "Tristen was my best friend's sister. I would do anything for you, Hanna." I turn to the camera. "And President Snow, if you are watching, I will not be the first Everton to die because of you. I hope you enjoy the blood on your hands." I hand the microphone back to Eleanor. I have shocked District Two, the Capitol, I have left Panem speechless with my idiotic bravery. I will die because of the words that have escaped my mouth, that is for sure. But I will go down fighting.