Dangerous Attraction (Cato x Reader)

The Reaping

     Attention: One small section about a suicidal memory. It's small, but just in case, Imma put this warning here.

     I can barely contain my anxiety as I wait impatiently in the group of potential female tributes. This is the time I look forward to the least every year. Reaping day. Every year, The Capitol reaps 24 children away from their families, just so that they can kill each other in an arena. District one is considered a career district, so we often get volunteers to go into the hunger games. Not nearly as many as district 2, though. I was too preoccupied with my own thoughts to notice our escort, Andreyni, start talking.

     Once I finally start listening, I wished I could go back into my thoughts. Every year it is the same. exact. damn. speech. My anxiety reaches a peak once she starts walking over to the female reaping bowl. Her nine-inch heels allow her to only take tiny steps without her falling flat on her face. She draws out the action of reaching in and grabbing a name, attempting to create "suspense" and "anticipation." All it really created was annoyance. She slowly teetered precariously over to the microphone and unfolded the paper.

     "Delaney Rodriguez."

     Silence. Dead Silence. The group of girls separates and makes way for the so-called Delaney. She is small, and only looks to be 13 or 14 years old. The fear in her eyes is obvious. She slowly started walking towards the stage with stiff limbs. There was no way she would survive, and she knew that.

     From somewhere extremely close by, I could hear a familiar voice say, "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!"

     "It looks like we have a volunteer!" My escort happily exclaims.

     A look of relief washed over Delaney's features. "Finally!" I thought. I couldn't believe it took this long for someone to volunteer in District One!

     I look around to see who volunteered for the young girl, only to see everyone looking at me. "Holy shit." I thought to myself. I was the one that volunteered. I guess my mouth had reacted before my brain or mind could?

     I keep my face void of all emotion as I walk forwards. I walk up the stairs and towards the middle of the stage.

     "And what might your name be?" She asks me.

     "Y/N L/N," I reply, monotonously. 

     "Oh, wonderful! Now, time for the boys!" She says cheerfully. Why does she make everything sound like it's sunshine and rainbows. It's repulsive!

     She hobbled over to the boys reaping bowl and picked out a slip of paper with her long, yellow nails. She wobbled back over to the microphone.

     "Michae-"

     "I volunteer as tribute!" A booming voice replied. "Wow. Ok. That was fast." I thought as the owner of the voice bounded towards the stage. He is tall and muscular, though not bulky.

     Before even asked, he said into the microphone, "Marvel Davis." (A/N: I don't know Marvel's real last name, so this will do for now)

     "Let's give a round of applause to this years tributes!" Andreyni exclaimed. "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" A roar of applause sounded, and we were ushered off stage. Marvel went into one of the rooms to say goodbye to his family and friends, but I just went ahead to the train. My mom was killed two years ago in a car accident (we are one of the lucky districts that can can afford cars). My dad slowly spiraled into depression. It was difficult as an only child watching that happen. I don't know what was worse. Having to watch him slowly go insane and having to deal with it alone, or coming homr to see that he hung himself.

     After a few minutes of leaning on the entrance to the train, I can see Marvel, Andreyni coming towards the train. Following shortly behing them are Cahmere and Gloss, two of our previous victors. Once we are all in the train and sitting down, Andreyni cheers, "Now, off to the capitol!"

(A/N: First chapter! Sorry if it sucks so far, I swear it will get more iteresting. pls tell me what you think. Should I write more?)