Charlotte Russo's POV
I woke up from another nightmare about the reaping. I was chosen and then my twin brother Chad volunteered for the boy tribute. I was going in a fight to the death with my brother well that is until I woke up. I was relieved but then realised that the day I've been dreading was finally here. Today was the reaping and to make it even more horrifying, only 13 year olds would be reaped this year. Great even more likely that me or Chad would be picked. Even though I'm from 2, I never trained as my parents didn't agree with the games and would never watch the games let alone let me or Chad volunteer.
I go downstairs and find my brother sitting at the kitchen table and my mother making breakfast.
" Morning, Char" Chad says.
" Morning Chad" I repond.
" Breakfast is ready kids." my mom says.
She serves both of us scrambled eggs and bacon. I'm surprised, both are delicacies in our district and really expensive to get.
" What's the special occasion mom?" my brother asks, he always reads my mind and I his. We call it twin telepathy.
" I just thought a nice breakfast would brighten up a dark day." she says kindly
" Thank you" Chad and I say in sync.
She smiles in response and we eat the heavenly warm delicacies. I look at the time and frown. Only 4 hours until the worst time of the year. My brother sees my sadness and frowns.
" So you're worried about the reaping." says Chad and I nod.
" Well I know what will make you feel better. Let's go hunting." he says and I smile. We grab our knives and head out to the forest. It's illegal to hunt in our district but it's also illegal to train for the games soap the peacekeepers don't really care. We go to the back garden and jump over the fence to the forest. Just the smell of nature cheers me up and brings a smile to my face. We go deeper into the forest where there is more wildlife. I spot a fat rabbit and before I can take out a knife, Chad throws his knife and pierces its head.
" Hey, I had my eye on him" I whine.
" Well, I had my knife in him" he counters. I roll my eyes and spot another rabbit. I instantly throw my knife and it lodges itself in the rabbit's throat.
" Hey, I had my eye on him" Chad says mocking my tone, I stick my tongue out at him.
We continue for another few hours and catch 3 squirrels, 4 rabbits and 2 wild turkeys. Then a bell rindpgs signifying 1 hour until reaping. I sigh and frown.
" Hold your arm out" says Chad.
" Why?" I question.
" I have a surprise for you" he says excitedly so I do as he says. He takes my wrist and puts his deerskin bracelet around. The bracelet is made out of the skin of the first deer he ever caught. It's his good luck charm and he never leaves the house without it.
" Thank You" I say while hugging him. We head back home to get changed. I slip on a light blue short sleeved dress with matching sandals. I look around my room and hope it's not the last time I ever see it.
Darrius Lloyd's POV
I woke up scared, remembering what happened this time last year. I was picked for the 199th hunger games but my older brother Anthony volunteered. He was only 14 years old. He had trained and planned to volunteer at 18 that is until I was reaped. He loved me more then anything in the world and I him. He was the one person who loved me other then my mother of course. I remember watching his games. I would sit on the couch hugging my knees and shaking every time my brother was fighting someone. Every night I would have nightmares of what might happen to him in the games. Then came the feast, my brother had killed the remaining non-careers while the other careers were fighting off each other. It came done to Anthony and the girl from 1. Before he could even think, the girl's arrow was already lodged in his throat. I screamed in terror as my brother was murdered, it was the worst day of my life.
I always blamed myself for his death and I could never live myself knowing it should have been me who died. Ever since then, I decided to train for the games and volunteer at 18 to avenge my brother's death. Then the quell was announced and I decided I would volunteer today. I went to the training centre and met up with my best friend Danny. His sister died in the 198th games so he knew what it was like when my brother died. We met at the training centre but he actually wanted to play the games as suppose to avenge his sister's death.
" Hey Darrius" he says to me.
" Hey Danny" I respond.
" So you excited?" I ask him.
" Yes! I'm gonna be the victor of these games!" says Danny.
" That is if you're even the tribute" I say.
" Of course I'll be the tribute! Who's gonna stop me?" he says confidently.
" Well I am. I'm going to volunteer to avenge my brother's death" I say confidently.
" Let's just see who reaches the stage first then" he says cockily.
" Well then may the odds be ever in your favour" I say back.
I practise with every single weapon for hours to make sure I'm ready for these games. It would be embarrassing if I went in to avenge Anthony's death and face death myself. I'm concentrating so hard on my spear throwing I barely hear the town bell. I run home as fast as I can and then take a quick shower. I get dressed in a nice tuxedo and gel my brown hair back. I run to the square excited and stand at the front so I have a head start to the stage when I volunteer. My brother would be so proud.
Chad Russo's POV
I stand in the square waiting for the reaping to start. I don't care if I get picked as long as Charlotte doesn't. I spot her on the girls side looking nervous so I give her a reassuring smile. The mayor walks on stage and reads the treaty of treason which I block out. After what feels like an hour, he invites our escort Jessica Zar to the stage. She looks as clowny as ever with her rainbow makeup and purple hair.
" Welcome district 2 to the 200th hunger games district 2. Let's start with the boys" she says but before she even goes to the boys bowl, 2 boys shout " I volunteer!" They both come sprinting up to the stage but the one who gets their first is the tribute.
" What's your name, my dear?" asks Jessica asks.
" Darrius Lloyd" he answers.
" Now for the ladies" she says and goes to the bowl marked girls and pulls out a name. She goes back to the microphone and says the name, " Charlotte Russo" My heart crashes in my chest. My twin sister and best friend is going into the games. I see her walking up to the stage with tears streaming down her face. I stop her when she's almost there and give her a warm hug and whisper in her ear, " I love you Char" She smiles and goes up to the stage.
" Let's give a hand for our tributes" says Jessica excitedly.
Some people clap but I just stand their horrified, unable to deal with the fact that I'll probably never see my sister ever again.
