Panem

Part 1~ Reaping Day

It was the morning of Reaping Day and district 8 was silent. Every family was worried about who would get picked. "Erin get up! It is Reaping Day!" Mom said. I started crying and my mom held me close. "I don't want to get up! What if I get picked, I'm gonna die." I said. "Your name has only been put in once, you won't be picked. As Effie says "May the odds be every in our favor." Mom said. She spoke as if she wasn't afraid and she knew I wasn't going to get picked. I could tell in her eyes that she was afraid. I'm probably not gonna get picked anyway, at least I hope I don't. As I wiped the tears off of my face I said "Your probably right, I won't get picked. I will get ready and hope that the odds are in my favor."

A few minutes later I was bathed. My mom picked out something for me to wear. As I walked out of my room she said "Beautiful. You look gorgeous!" I knew I didn't look that good but I said thank you and we started to walk toward the stage. Before I walked away my mom hugged me and said "I'll see you after the reaping. I love you." All I said was "Love you too. See you after." I felt like I should have said something else but I had no time.

This was my third year being entered but I was still afraid of getting my finger pricked. As I walked up to the peacekeeper I started to get nervous, because I was so focused on getting picked or not I didn't even notice the prick. I got to my section and tried to look confident. Then Effie got up and showed the same video and said the same sad stuff as last year. The video made me feel like I was going to get picked and die. I tried pushing those thoughts to the back of my head. I returned my focus to Effie. She then said "Time for the ladies!" As she picked up the paper many girls started to cry but I was not one of them. "Erin Marson! Please come up to the stage!" Effie said. Everyone look at me and I walked forward. I tried to turn and run but the peacekeepers grabbed my arms and brought me to Effie. I knew my life was over. I tried so hard not to cry but then I saw my mom in the back. She was crying and I hate to see her like that. The next thing I knew I was crying and couldn't speak.

"I know it's hard sweetie but it's going to be ok." Effie said. I wiped my tears and gave an anger look to Effie. With the anger boiling up inside of me I said "You know it's hard? You know nothing about this type of fear and anger. It is definitely not going to be ok. I could die! All the capital cares about it's the show. No one cares about the kids who die." I was about to smack Effie when a peacekeeper came on stage and grabbed me. I kicked his legs and he fell. When he got back up he smacked me and threw me to the ground. I started to cry in pain and sadness.

Effie then turned back toward everyone and smiled like that didn't just happened. "Time for the boys!" She said. "Cole Rickman! Please come up." She smiled even bigger this time which made me hate her more. A woman screamed "Cole no! I love you!" I knew it was his mom. "Now let's go inside!" Effie said.