District 8 Reaping

Jack Calico:

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The names Jack, Jack Calico.

I am a janitor here in the cloth dying building.

Or I was before I woke up in the closet to your right, or left depending which side of the hall you're standing on.

The fact is, I'm in the closet.

So if you happen to be reading this; HELP ME!!!

I believe I'm suffocating and I'm going to die.

I don't want to die in a closet.

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I looked over the note I had scribbled on a stray piece of cloth, with a broken pencil I had found in my pocket. It was hard to see in the small cramped closet, as the only light was coming from underneath the door, deciding it was ok, I gulped and I slid the note under the crack.

I sat back against the cold wall, wondering how it had come to this; me, alone locked in a closet with a limited air supply, my head throbbing, knowing every breath could be my last..... And gosh! I hadn't even done anything wrong this time!!!

Maybe karma was getting me back for putting a tack on my bosses seat?

I sigh clutching my head, remembering the night before the best I could.

My idiot boss had decided since the reaping was the next day that I would be cleaning the factory late that evening and had left me to my work. I had been really ticked, especially since my boss thought paying overtime was immoral. Really I should just quit one of these days, but I wasn't convinced I could get another job, especially since I wasn't good at much. In fact I generally caused mass destruction in my wake, cleaning was the one thing I was decent at.

But I'm getting sidetracked, I was working overtime, just minding my own business when I heard the clicks of someone high heels coming down the hall. I assumed it was my boss, since he was the only other person here.... But then  again, I had never seen my boss in high heels.... I shrugged and laughed loudly at the thought of the pudgy, gruff man in pink high heels.

I had looked down at my broom and dumped it aside, unwilling to miss the momentous occasion. The footsteps were farther away as I silently ran towards them.  

It only took me a few seconds to catch up with the high heel wearer, and a second more to realize that the wearer was, in fact, not my boss, but an incredibly hot girl.

I had stood there, utterly confused, what was a girl doing In the factory at this hour? The girl turned to face me with terrifying speed, "Uhhh the factory's closed...." I said "As beautiful as you are you need to leave."

She charged me, which was about the last thing I was expecting and promptly had hit me over the head with one of the shoes.

Now I was here.

Suffocating.

I was absolutely positive I could feel the air running out! I was absolutely doomed!!!

I lay down on the cold floor in utter despair, waiting for the lights to dim and me to fade from this world. Gosh, my parents were going to kill me again for this, they were always warning me not to talk to strangers....

Suddenly I heard footsteps outside the door, I jumped at the door banging my fists and screaming for them to open the door.

The door swung open  and I fell onto the floor, gasping for breath, breathing in the cool air in gratefully.

"Kid... Are you alright?" A deep accented voice asked gruffly. I looked up to my rescuer; a peacekeeper.

I jumped to my feet and hugged him awkwardly. "THANK YOU KIND SIR FOR SAVING ME!!!!" I yelled louder than I had intended, I was just so excited to be alive. "I WAS SURE I WAS GOING TO SUFFOCATE TO DEATH!!!"  I let go of him in relief.

"Uhhh.... Kid.... That closet wasn't air tight.... You were fine." He grunted as if I was stupid. I stopped and turned to face him, putting a hand on my hip.

"Well excuuuuuse me. I believe I know when I'm suffocating to death." I said, shaking my finger at him in my signature sassy manor.

"Ok." The peacekeeper said rolling his eyes and putting his hands up in mock surrender, "Would you like to tell me what you were doing in closet, and if you really thought you were suffocating why you didn't just open the door?"

"I was brutally mauled by this hot girl, then I woke up in the closet and I didn't open the door because it was locked!!!" I yelled

"The door wasn't locked. You never checked it did you?" He asked dryly.

I froze..... I hadn't checked it..... I had just assumed..... Never mind I couldn't let this butch know that!  "Of course I checked it!!!! And guess what?!!! It was LOCKED!!!!" I lied, awkwardly my cheeks turning pink.

The peacekeeper looked at me unamused. "Look kid, we need to take you in for questioning, theirs been a murder." He grunted, much to my surprise.

I know I should concerned about the fact that someone was dead, but the thought of a little action excited me! "Who?!" I gasped excitedly.

The peacekeeper gave me 'the eye', then slowly said "Your boss actually. He was found this morning with a knife in his back...."  The man stared at me making me feel uncomfortable.

"Dude. Stop looking at me like that. It's creeping me out." I said as he grabbed my wrist and dragged me down the hall, towards a group of peacekeepers discussing something gravely.

"Look what I found!" He yelled, pushing me forward so I was more visible to everyone there.

"Hi." I said smiling, trying to be friendly, though I felt otherwise. The way their little black eyes bored into me made me shift feet awkwardly.

"Hi." A large dark one said coldly stepping forward and glaring purposely at me. "Now where did you come from?"

"Uhhhh my mothers stomach..... Just like you..... At least I hope you came from your mothers stomach...... If you didn't that would just me kind of creepy---"

I was cut off by a fierce slap to my face, "OF COURSE I CAN FROM MY MOTHERS STOMACH!!! I KNOW THAT!!! I MEAN TODAY!!! WHERE DID HE FIND YOU!!!" The man spat in my face.

"That guy saved me, you see I was locked in that closet over there and I was suffocating to death and he saved me." I said gesturing to the peacekeeper who stood behind me.

"Might I add something, sir?" The peacekeeper piped up from behind me.

"Permission granted." The big dark peacekeeper grunted to the younger one.

"The door was not locked and he was in no danger of suffocation." He said quickly as if he were afraid I was going to stop him.

"The door was IN FACT locked. And I was IN FACT suffocating." I said to the big peacekeeper.

"Of course it was." He said dryly, quite apparently just to shut me up as his beady little eyes traveled up and down me, inspecting every inch.

"Dude you're creeping me ou--" I started to say, but was cut off by yet another slap to my poor face.

"KNOW YOUR PLACE!!!" He screamed at me, making my ears ring. I shut up right after that.

Suddenly he reached in my pocket and brought out something I hadn't been aware I even owned, a pocket knife that was covered in red.... Stuff. He held it up triumphantly as if he had just solved the case, the other peacekeepers chuckled.

"Is that like strawberry syrup or something?" I asked trying to lick it.

I got slapped again.

"No it's blood!!!!!" The peacekeeper growled hostilely, "You of all people should know that sense  it was in your pocket."

I felt a familiar nauseating wave roll over me. Ewww blood.... My hand went to my pocket where I felt a wet patch of something. How had I not noticed that before?!!

AND I HAD ALMOST LICKED IT!!!!

"This one is a maniac...." I heard one of the peacekeepers whisper to another. "Licking blood?"

"How would you like to explain the bloody knife in your pocket?" The peacekeeper who stood before me snapped, grabbing my attention from his colleagues.

"I- I- cant explain it.... I don't even own a knife to begin with. My parents don't even let me touch sharp things let alone own them. Apparently I'm a public safety hazard." I shrugged trying not looking at the knife. "Can I go home now? I want to get cleaned up."

"Is that all you have to tell us?" The peacekeeper asked meaner than before. I really wanting to get out of there I nodded and turned to walk away, but was brutally grabbed and held back.

"Uhhhh.... What's going on?" I asked confused, a feeling of dread settling itself in my famished stomach.

"Mr. Calico, you are under arrest for the murder of your boss." The peacekeeper said tying my hands behind my back.

"But I didn't kill him!!!" I cried, panicking knowing I should of told them about being attacked before hand. "It was this girl!!! Yeah this girl!!! She stuffed me in the clo--"

"Silence!!!!" He yelled, dragging me out of the building roughly.

I frowned knowing that this was not good.

.......

I was right actually for once, this was not good. 20 minutes later I was unfairly locked in a stone cell with a madman who seemed to think he was a ape.

I sat huddled in a corner terrified as he sniffed me curiously. It was really invasive and down right wrong especially when he looked me directly in the eye and said "Smell yummy. Like chicken."

I shivered closing my eyes and praying silently that he would go away.... I remember how when I was little my mother and I would always walk to the small brick school house at the edge of the district. In order to get there though, I remember we used to have to walk through the 'bad' part of district. She had told me that the big muscle men wouldn't hurt me if we didn't make eye contact. I squeeze my eyes shut hoping she was right....

Suddenly I jerked my eyes open as I felt a wet slimy sensation on the side of my face. My head snaps around to make eye contact with the apeman next to me.

He looked at me curiously. "No taste like chicken.....?"

My eyes open even wider in horror as I realize what had just happened. He.... He had just LICKED me!!!! Ewww!!!! I had no idea where his tongue had been!!! Without thinking I slap him with all my might and yelling "KEEP YOUR TONGUE TO YOURSELF, BONZO!!!"

The ape man sat there startled, I heard a chuckle coming from the hall, I glance through the bars to see two of the guards were watching the scene in amusement. REALLY? "There must be a law against licking people without their permission!" I cried looking at them for help.

They shook their heads and shrugged, smirking a little. I turned back to see what they found so amusing.... The ape man was growling. He was growling. That was bad. Really bad. Apparently the ape man wasn't used to getting slapped.

I tried to back up but I was already against a wall. "Me no name Bozo!" It grunted, it's breathing deep and rapid.

"Of course not, you beautiful thing you...." I laughed nervously, though I suspected that flattery was not going to get me out of this one.

I heard one guard say "I bet you three cigars Walter crushes the kid."

I was tempted to yell, "Really?!" But I couldn't bring myself to tear my eyes away from 'Walter'. Walter slowly reached forward and grabbed my shoulder and started squeezing it. I could of sworn I heard a crack.

Panic seized me. Without warning I felt my hand brutally punch the gorilla man. Startled he lost his balance and fell sideways cracking his head loudly on the bars of the jail.

I froze and looked to the guards who both looked stunned. Walter didn't move. How was that possible? It most of just been dumb luck but still.... I clasped my still throbbing shoulder and eyed the body, it was still breathing a little, but not a lot.

The guards looked freaked, I knew I had to say something. "You owe him three cigars....." I said helpfully.

After that it was all a blur, some medics came in and dragged Walter away and I was alone. Most people probably would of been scared of the idea of being alone in a collapsing cell, but I can't say it really bothered me. I was spending quality time with me. Now how awesome was that? Pretty awesome I figure because I'm pretty awesome.

Of course there was the internal fear that I had killed poor evil gorilla-man Walter and the fear that he was still alive and was planning its revenge as I thought. So yeah that wasn't fun, actually in general this session of 'me time' wasn't tuning out to be that awesome.

I sigh and lay there, for days and days probably, wasting away in the rotting cell of death.

Then the door clicked open, the guard who now possessed three cigarettes beckoned for me to come. I eagerly jumped to my feet, ready to face whatever was coming next- except execution. Execution was not acceptable; I was too young and beautiful to die.

He roughly grabbed my arm eyeing me warily, he must think I'm a trained killer... I could have fun with this. I raised my eyebrows, "Careful, I've killed men with this finger." I said sticking my pinky in his face. He jerked his head back, crossing his eyes trying to keep his eye on my finger of death.

"Get that thing out of my face!" The strangled cry rose from his throat.

I waved it back and forth. "Are you sure? I think it's pretty." He nodded his head vigorously with a look of terror on his face.

Without warning a brilliant escape plan hit me. I smiled evilly, "I also killed my boss with that arm. I haven't washed it. It probably still has his blood on it."

"What arm?" The guy asked squeamishly, quickening his pace.

"The one that you're so lovingly hugging." I said flatly, he screamed letting go yelling "Ewww!!!" That was all I needed. I sprinted through the halls with not the slightest clue to where I was going.

"I'M FREEEEEE!!!!" I screamed as I darted through the halls of the prison. I turned a corner hard and bumped into something that made me fall backward, very painfully might I add. Suddenly I was being hauled to my feet before I could even register what had happened I was being glared at by an angry guard.

He glanced at the number that had been written on my shirt. He sigh and began dragging me down another hall. This hall was carpeted, looking all pretty and well kept in comparison to the cell halls. He opened a wooden door at the end of the hallway and pushed me though. It was a office with two men sitting side by side.

"Sir, prisoner 1286 attempted to escape. I caught him and brought him here. Further orders?" The guard yelled haltingly, even though the men he was communing with were only like two feet away. They flinched at his painfully loud voice.

"No, Fitzgerald.... You may leave.... Just," The man on the left raised his finger, "You are not in the army, quiet down for the sake of my eardrums."

"Sir, yes, sir!" He yelled just as loud as before while he exited, shutting the door behind him.

The man on the left grunted, "I'm going to fire him." I figured he must be in charge or something. I stood there awkwardly shifting feet, wondering what exactly was going on here.

The man on the right looked at me. He had a lumpy nose and curly hair, "Do you know who I am?" He asked, "I am the mayor and I have ordered you here." He continued without waiting for my answer. "You are Jack Calico, the boy who killed your boss last night?" I started to answer that I had not in fact killed him, but he continued once again without waiting for my answer. "Good. How old are you? You look young, 13, 14?"

To my surprised he looked at me expectantly for an answer. "Umm actually I'm 17." I said, a bit insulted that he thought I was younger.

"A bit small but you'll do nicely." He turned to the man on the left. "He's the one." Then he looked back to me, excitedly. "Do you know what today is?" Once again he waited for an answer.

"No idea. I've been in that cell for years, wasting away with no one to feed me. I'm hungry." I noted feeling the gurgle in my stomach.

The man on the left raised an eyebrow, "It was three hours."

"Pfft." I blew a clump of my black hair out of my eye. "I think I'd know if it was only three hours."

The man rolled his eyes, as the mayor smiled broader. "Arrogant! People will like that!"

"No that's just stupidity at its peak." The man on left said dryly gesturing toward me.

"Ah hem." The mayor said coldly glaring at the man, "Head Peacekeeper Blank, I am your all knowing mayor. I know all. He's brilliant. And for your information, Jackie boy, it's Reaping Day."

"Thank you. I love you mayor, your brilliant too!" I said gratefully to our awesome mayor.

"See? He's amazing!" The mayor said happily, as Peacekeeper Blank put his hands over his face and shook his head. "Now all you have to do is volunteer for the games!"

"Yea- Wait- say what?" I asked  in confusion slash horror, eying the mayor with concern.

"Your going to district eights tribute! Your going to volunteer or be killed. If you win, your pardoned of your crimes! Isn't that great?" The mayor said enthusiastically, I seriously wasn't feeling it. I did not want to be killed by some career on steroids, thank you very much. I value my good looks.

"Why? Why don't you send Walter?" I asked starting to debate in my head how awesome the mayor actually was.

"See, get this," The mayor said, still bubbly, like he was about to go around scattering lollipops and bubblegum to all the good little children of the world instead of sending me to my death. "In all 39 years of the game district eight has never had a victor, we need one. So last night a thought hit me- what if we blackmail a kid who already has killed someone into volunteering for the games? They would be like the career of eight! No one would see it coming! So I called Blank over here and asked if he had anyone who fit the description, but he didn't. They were all too old, then he brought you in today and called me up! It was a blessing from the president herself!" He said dreamily, cradling his jaw in his hand.

Oh dear, this was not good. Not good at all, "Ummm all-awesome mayor sir? See I didn't actually kill my boss.... I was framed."

He did not look amused. "That's what they all say. Now do you choose death by a firing squad or do you choose only probable death in The Hunger Games?"

"So like death or death?" I asked uncertainly, the mayor nodded enthusiastically.

I racked my small brain for something I could say to him to prove my innocence. Nothing came to mind. "Please don't kill me I have a mom and a dad and a little sister....." I said slowly, rather pitifully really.

The mayor still did not look amused. "Choose kid or I will." He barked, the bubbly-ness gone.

"Fine.... I'll volunteer....." I said, cracking under the pressure. At least then I'd have a chance. Maybe I could hide in a tree until everyone else has murdered each other? Oh man....

"Good choice!" The not-awesome-in-the-least mayor said getting out of his seat and patting me on the back. "You're free to go, I'll see you at the reaping. Now, if I don't see you at the reaping, if you've run, I will have your family murdered brutally." He smiled as if he had just offered me a puppy, "Bye, Jackie boy!"

I turned around and pushed the door open. Luckily Fitzgerald was waiting for me, he escorted me out of the justice building. As I walked down the steep steps of the building my head reeled. I generally avoided thinking at all costs, but now it was all I could do.

On the way home I was so deep in thought that I got lost several times, knocked some old lady into a puddle, and accidentally tripped over several cats. (District 8 is full of them to keep the mouse population at bay so they can't eat our fabrics.) By the time I got home, I both looked and felt a wreck. Yay, I matched now, I thought in frustration.

I pushed the door open to our little home and was instantly attacked by my mother in a bear hug. "Sweetie! Where were you? We were so worried when you didn't come home last night! We heard your boss was dead! What happened." Her electric blue eyes locked with mine and I sigh taking a seat at the table. My little sister Rosie ran over and clung to my leg laughing, too young to understand something was wrong. My father sat where he always sat in his wheelchair eyeing me in concern.

I started to explain, and the farther I went the more mortified their expressions came. Finally I sat back, tears brimming in my eyes, "I don't know what to do."

My mother looked at me for a second and started waling, a loud mournful sound that resembled the sound of the cats that fought at night. Maybe she had spent too much time around cats. Maybe we all had.

"Susie- stop it. You're just making to worse!" My father barked, my mother attempted to muffle the noise and raising a finger she left the room to go calm herself down. "Jack you need to volunteer. You have no choice." He rolled his chair over to me, "You just.... You just need to listen to what your mentor says. Do everything he says, and when you have to kill someone don't hesitate." He said slowly, stroking his black mustache. "I love you son, I'm glad you stopped by to tell us what happened. You don't have anytime to get changed so say goodbye to your sister and Rosie, you'll see us after you volunteer."

I nodded numbly, bending over and hugging my sister tight. I was suddenly attacked by my mother in another bear hug. I hadn't heard her come back in.

It was the longest hug she had ever given me, and eventually I had to pry myself from her grasp or I was going to be late. I didn't want to, it felt safe in her arms, but I couldn't give satan mayor an excuse to hurt them.

I didn't look back, I couldn't. I walked alone to the reaping in silence. Nobody seemed to notice me, but I was ok with that.

I got to the square in a matter of seconds and I got in line so the peacekeeper could brutally stab me with a needle. I noticed my friend in front of me, I almost didn't say hello, but she saw me and smirked.

"Hey Jackie! You look depressed. You never look depressed, is everything ok?" Grail asked eyeing me with concern.

I plastered a smile on my face, "Of course I'm depressed! I had to work overtime again last night!" I said dramatically throwing an arm over my face. As soon as I heard Grail laugh I felt better.

"Oh you poor thing." She pouted sarcastically. Man she was awesome. "I heard you killed our boss.... Is that true?" She asked, though it was clear she expected me to say no.

"No of course I didn't kill him. He gives me money at the end of the week!" I said, "I don't know why everyone thinks I did! You and me both know I don't have the brains to pull something like that off!"

"Sometimes I wonder how you have the brains to breathe let alone plan a murder." She said dryly raising an eyebrow with that stupid smirk in her face.

Suddenly a fit of coughing caught my attention. The peacekeeper, who turned out to be an old hag was coughing to get Grails attention. It was her turn. Instantly I was transfixed with the old woman- or man. It was hard to tell. I wondered how something so old could possibly be alive let alone be a peacekeeper.

Grail flinched as the needle entered her skin. They pressed her finger to the paper then waved her through. She turned back and waved, "See you after the reaping!" She yelled running off the the 16 year olds pen. I felt a rock plunk in my stomach. "Yeah.... Just maybe not where you thought you'd see me...." I whispered sadly.

The hag looked at me expectantly. I stepped forward, reluctant to let it touch me. Could age catch? It yanked my hand forward stabbed the needle in roughly. "So how old are you?" I found myself asking, then added "I'm 17." to make the question sound a bit more normal.

The hag sent me the most terrifying death glare I'd ever seen, not looking away as it pressed my finger to the paper. "Don't laugh boy. Someday you'll look like this." It cackled then shoved me away. Another rock plunked in my stomach, would I? I had never felt such a desire to grow old and hideous as I had right now.

I strolled over to stand with the 17 year olds. Thankfully I didn't see anyone else I knew, I don't think I could of been my normal stupid borderline annoying self.

I mulled in the crowd, listening to the other boys whisper in concern of getting reaped. Little did they know they weren't in danger in the least.

Without warning the infernal noise of a hand pounding on a microphone flooded the plaza. Everyone threw their hands to their ears and moaned.

"This thing on?!" The escort asked, "Good. Sorry. Just making sure it was working. Anyway, welcome to the 39th reaping for The Annual Hunger Games! I'm Peterson Carrington, but everyone just calls me Crazy Pete. I have no idea why." He laughed loudly into the microphone.

Crazy Pete looked like a zombie clown. He was all done up, his face bleached white with heavy makeup covering it. His hair was in a perm, though his neon outfit was in shreds and there was blood fusing down the side of his cheek from a cut.

"Can I just take a moment to say that you, district eight have the meanest cats I have ever met? I tried to innocently pet this adorable fluffy one and it attacked me! It was evil! It was possessed! You poor citizens I promise to talk to the president about replacing them with nice kitties." He raised his hands as if expecting applause. Nobody applauded, we all knew all cats were evil. Not even a genetically modified cat could be nice. "Or maybe not...." He added lowering his hands. "Anyway we have a special film straight from the capital!" He stepped back as the screen lit up behind him.

Normally I would of rolled my eyes, everyone had seen the stupid thing at least 12 times, but now I welcomed it. Anything to give me time before I had to volunteer.

“War, terrible war. Widows, orphans, a motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land. Thirteen districts rebelled against the country that fed them, loved them, protected them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained.

And then came the peace, hard fought, sorely won. A people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born.

But freedom has a cost.

When the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation we would never know this treason again.

And so it was decreed, that each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up in tribute, one young man and woman, to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice. The lone victor, bathed in riches, would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness.

This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future.”

Crazy Pete walked back out into the middle of the stage, "Ok then! Isn't that just lovely everyone?  Now onto the good stuff! The moment of truth everyone, the fatal, fantasical, moment which decides whom shall represent district eight in The Hunger Games!" He yelled, "Yeah baby! Now as tradition states we will start with the young lady!" He walked over to the glass bowl on the left of the stage.

I felt the hairs on my neck stand up and instinctively looked toward the side of the stage where the mayor sat. He locked eyes with me and smiled. I was veeerrrry tempted to make a obnoxious gesture but I resisted for the sake of the poor 12 year olds who stood in front of me.

"Zeria Maim!" He read boisterously.

Zeria Mame? What kind of of name was that. A really hot black haired girl's face lit up the screen, for a moment her jaw dropped a little in surprise, then her face was expressionless as he long legs carried her up to the stage. I noticed unlike most of the people in eight she didn't look half starved and a few days from death's bed. She looked healthy and buff.... And familiar. I couldn't place her though.

Instead of taking the stairs she leapt four feet onto the stage with ease. Of all the girls that could get reaped it had to be commando girl.

"And now onto the young gentlemen!" Crazy Pete said skipping over to the boys bowl. Without any dramatic pauses he yanked the top card out and read it. "Blu Thread!" He yelled as a pale boys face lit up the screen.

My heart was racing so fast I felt like I was going to pass out. I had to volunteer. I had no choice. I looked over to the mayor who was shooting a needly stare at me. "I volunteer." I whispered.... No one heard me. Blu started to walk up to the stage.

Could I bring myself to yell it again? I had to. They would hurt Rosie. "I VOLUNTEER!!!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. Everything seemed to stop as eyes turned to me in surprise.

I numbly walked up to the stage. I suddenly felt a arm grab mine. I looked over to see Grail. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" She screamed at me, her eyes wild.

"I-I didn't want to!" I said, her panic seeping into me and morphing with mine.

"Well them don't! Tell them there's been a mistake! THERE'S BEEN A MISTAKE!" She screamed as a peacekeeper grabbed her and started to drag her away from me.

"No wait...." I said starting toward her, but felt a peacekeeper grab my arm and drag me onto the stage. I tried to pull myself from his grasp but he was too strong. She disappeared from my sight, and I let out a breath.

I was on the stage, "What's your name son?" He asked eyeing me with interest. "Jack Calico." I said numbly.

"Now presenting district eight's tributes Zeria Maim, and district eights first volunteer Jack Calico! Now shake hands you two." He said smiling rather ecstatically.

I turned to Zeria, feeling rather sick to my stomach. This was all too much for my weak digestive system. Something clicked in her eyes as she saw me. She stuck out her hand with a venomous smile on her face.

I wondered where I knew her from as I stuck out my hand to shake hers. She grasped my palm in hers, nearly crushing it. She noticed my discomfort and her smile grew even more venomous.

That was when it clicked.

She was the girl who had knocked me in the head with the shoe and killed my boss.

And we were going into The Hunger Games together.

OK there's reaping 8. What do you guys think of Jack? What do you guys think of Zeria? I had so much fun writing this chapter.... I hoped you liked it as much as I liked writing it!

Next update will be Tuesday!

~A.K.A. Anonymous