Saffra Wilshere, a sixteen year old girl, is chosen for the 72nd Hunger Games. From District 2, she is meant to join the Career pack, not only because everyone expects her to but because it is tradition.
However she doesn't want to join a group of m...
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C H A P T E R T W O
R E A P T H E C H I L D R E N
Following the steady stream of the crowd, my sister held onto my arm as she guided me to the front of the line. Everyone looked at me in intrigue and excitement, knowing it was my year to follow in my family's footsteps. Little children waved at me with their small hands as teenagers younger or older than me glared. They never got the chance to volunteer, either because they simply didn't have the skill or because they were never called.
Holding out my hand to the waiting Peacekeeper, the woman pricked my finger with an electric needle before pressing the trickling blood onto a piece of paper. After scanning the blood and identifying my identity, she nodded along, allowing me to enter.
Looking back at my sister, she sent me a proud smile before inching her way into the crowd of spectating families. Mom and dad hated the crowds here, hence along with the other victors they would stand further back and watch from a slope. However, unlike the others, Enobaria stood on the stage expectantly. She was to be the mentor to myself and the other tribute.
Within the community, the Mayor would always choose whom they believed to be the most capable of winning. Hence he not only chose me but a boy by the name of Xander Dennison. Unlike my family, he didn't have anyone who had gone into the arena and survived. I remembered the games a few years ago that got the whole district into an uproar. The death of his older sister, Raina, got him and his entire family shunned. That caused them to stay in the background; until the Mayor declared that Xander was to be a Volunteer for this year.
We both knew who each other were. Each of us were from different backgrounds, trained differently, and fight for complete different things. I will fight for my family's honor but him? He would most likely fight for a reason for his family not to be shunned anymore- and to avenge his sister.
The loud tapping of the microphone brought me out of my stupor as a lady with high purple heels smiled down upon us. Her hair was styled down but with complete opposite colors on either side. One side was a bright blue while the other was a bright yellow. Her clothing did nothing to match her hair as it obtained portions of pink and purple.
"Hello one and all to the 72nd Hunger Games Reaping! My name is Devina Valentina! Now knowing of the volunteers, may you please speak up and make your way to the stage?"l smiled happily.
Clearing my throat, I raised my hand and stepped out of the crowd. Everyone's eyes were on me as I was shuffled up to the stage along with Xander. Unlike Xander, they all expected me to win. They all knew that my family had been training me since I was eight years old.
"Why don't you introduce yourselves?" Devina asked us.
Before Xander could step forward, I stood before the microphone and put on a smile, knowing full and well that it was fake. "My name is Saffra Wilshere. I'm willing to go into that arena and return home a victor not just for my family but for District Two!" I exclaim before throwing my fist in the air.
