Panem

The day of the reaping. God, I'm scared. What if I get chosen? There's even less of a chance I'll live now. 26 tributes in the arena. And I have no one to volunteer for me. It's strictly forbidden in the orphange. And I have enough tesserae for three people.

After the matron inspects my clothes (I don't know why; she knows I have one set) the whole orphanage walks to the town square. It used to be prechosen. But population has been cut down since the rebellion. Way down. I stand in the 12 year old section. I'm staring at my feet. I don't know anyone near me. I'm not listening until I hear my name, "Lali Flicker." It's ampliphied. I've been reaped.

The escort trapizing across the stage is promising s great show. "Of course it is. I'll be in it." I whisper to a friend. She laughs. The lady finally, FINALLY, calls the girl's name. Its not me. But I volunteer anyway. I don't even know the person called. "And your name?" the lady says. "Althea Iberis." I reply, smiling. This is goin to be great.

Phox was pissed. I was so close to escaping this whole ordeal... I mean.. I turn 19 in two months.. come on!He walked on the stage and glared at everybody. He had to win. His whole life was ahead of him, And he didn't want to give it to the capitol.

I review my mental checklist, 1. Taken out enough tesserae for my entire familiy (25 people), 2. Promised every boy eligible to be reaped that I'd volunteer for them, 3. Gotten angrier and angrier. Everyone is afraid. I'm volunteering this year. Of course. I'm the best. And I'm angry. I'm getting revenge. "Oh, Danny." my mother sighs. "You don't need to do this." I start to speak, to yell at her, but my dad cuts me off. "Of course he needs to do this. Cato's death isn't going to avenge itself." He turns to me. "make sure you give the audience quite the show, especially with the Distict 12 tributes."

At the reaping, I sit on the ground until I hear te female. "Luna Kay." Sure, why not? I've seen her fight. And then the boy's.... I get ready to volunteer. But then my name's called. I don't need to.

Tula wakes up. "Daddy!" she shrieks. "Daddy, I had another nightmare." She's in a mental hospital. Her father is long gone. "It's the day of the reaping." she babbles. "Even patients can get reaped. What if I get reaped, Daddy? I have lots of tesserae." She started frantically rubbing her little dipper scar. "Maybe I want to die, Daddy. Maybe I'll volunteer. Only if it's someone I know.... I don't know to many people." Her fright gone, she falls back asleep.

The doctor rolls her to the square. She's strapped in, not allowed out of the wheelchair. The reaping is boring. Tula's on the verge of something, either sleep or a breakdown. But neither comes. Because the escort is picking the girls. And the name that falls from her lips is Tula Lagy.