Terra's Reaping
Reaping:
I walk down the dusty streets of District 12, pulling my hair back into a ponytail as I do. A wave of cold air hits me, and the silence in the District is overwhelming. But I don't blame anyone for not wanting to speak right now, because today...we are going to lose two innocents.
Today is Reaping day.
Every year it's the same thing. Two people from each District are chosen to compete in the annual "Hunger Games" and they are required to fight each other to the death.
None of the tributes from District 12 ever survive. They're usually the first people to die in the games.
I walk towards the town square slowly, seeing Peacekeepers pricking the fingers of the younger children who must participate in this. I also see the dirt covered Coal Miners walking towards the place where the Reaping will be held. All of the parents will watch in fear, hoping that none of their children will be the ones that are going to be sent to their death.
Because that's what these games represent; death.
I'm snapped out of my thoughts by a Peacekeeper talking to me. "Give me your hand," they say.
I do exactly that, and let them prick my finger with a small needle. The pain stings, but only for a second. I feel the anxiety and nervousness as I do every year, but this time...it's more prominent.
I watch as terrified 12 year olds walk to their own group. This is only their first year participating in the Reaping.
I remember my first year, too. It was a terribly horrifying experience. But over the past few years, I've learned that being scared doesn't help the situation, though sometimes you just can't help it.
Making my way to the group of 15 year olds, I see a woman walk up onto the stage that's in front of us. It's Effie Trinket, District 12's Hunger Games announcer.
"Welcome, people of District 12!" she says. "My, my, isn't it just a lovely day?!"
No one says a word. Today is anything but lovely.
I touch the edge of my dress as I glance around at the other 15 year old girls. Some of them are holding each other's arms, trying to reassure each other that they're going to be fine.
"As you know, this year, two of you will have the honor of representing District 12 in this year's annual Hunger Games!" Effie says, putting on a wide smile.
How can she think this is an honor? How can anyone from the Capitol think this is an honor?!
"Ladies first, of course," Effie says, walking over to a large bowl on the right side of the stage. Several slips of paper with names on them fill that bowl, but only one will be drawn out.
I hold my breath as Effie reaches her hand into the bowl, still smiling.
I close my eyes, silently waiting for the named to be called and for this to be over.
Effie clears her throat and speaks into the microphone. "Terra Mitchell!"
Wait...what?
"Where is Terra Mitchell?" Effie asks.
Everyone turns to me, gasping. I force myself to move towards the stage, feeling a sick feeling in my gut. It's not like the sick feeling I get every year as I watch other tributes die in the arena, but it's a new sick feeling; the one you get when you know that YOU are the one going out into that arena. And YOU are the one who is most likely going to die.
"Congratulations!" Effie says to me, shaking my hand.
I swallow hard and just stand there, looking out at the crowd. With their eyes, everyone in the crowd says a silent goodbye to me. I force back the tears, and listen to Effie as she picks the male tribute.
The male tribute ends up being some boy named Luke, though I don't know him.
We are rushed off the stage quickly after we are announced as District 12's tributes for this year's Hunger Games.
I never thought I would ever get picked...but I guess sometimes the most unexpected things happen when you least expect them to.