Rose's pale pink hair fell onto her face. She slowly brushed it
into a ponytail. Her leopard print jacket hangs on a branch in the
tree, and Rose takes it. She makes her way to the square. It was
Reaping day, and she remembered last year. She shudders as she
remembers the peacekeepers throwing her into the train. She misses
Mallory, but she shakes the thought away.
Echo had put on his best outfit, looking himself over in the
mirror. The Reaping was a day highly anticipated in his district,
several children would often fight to be the first to volunteer and
fight in the Hunger Games. It went without being spoken that those
that were 18 years old would volunteer. This was how every reaping
went, and it never mattered who was selected, because they would
never go. He sighed, running a hand through his hand once more
before leaving for the Reaping. It honestly felt like just a
formality at this point. He wasn't 18, so he wasn't volunteering,
and if he was selected he'd only have to wait half a second before
somebody moved to take his place. Echo felt confident in his
abilities, sure, but when it came to it he would need more training
to be able to come out of the arena alive. Finally he made it to
the square. It looked the same as any other districts, with a few
minor changes that were expected. He would only be here for about
45 minutes tops.
Rose stood next to a sour faced girl about her age with waist
length blonde hair. A girl named Thorn. AKA Rose's worst nightmare.
The girl was insufferable. As the reaping began, Rose's nerves
began to grow. When the mayor explained that people would pick who
goes in there place, Rose's stomach fell into her shoes. The male
tributes were picked. When it came time for the female, her blood
ran cold when she heard "Thorn Tailow." Immediately, the girl next
to her says "I pick Rose Mathis!" silence filled the air. Thorn
looked triumphantly at Rose as Rose stepped up with a deep sigh.
Echo had been shocked, to say the least, when it was announced how
the reapings would work this time around. Four tributes being sent
to the arena this time, and they could choose any one of their
choosing to send into the arena, though he figured that would
happen. This was, after all, district 2. He watched as the two
female tributes had walked up on stage, a spark of recognition hit
when he glanced at Adelaide. He shook his head, watching as they
stated to call up the male tributes. The first boy, Echo sworn he
had never seen before, and he doubted they were anything special.
He was nearly ready to zone out when he heard his name. Then it was
repeated. His brain barely recognized that he had been selected to
enter the games. Nobody could volunteer, he could fight in the
arena. A small grin grew on his face as he bounded up next to the
other tributes. This definitely wasn't how he planned his day
going, but he'd take it. He stood tall, despite all the heated
glares sent in his direction by the older children. Instead, he
just sent them a smug smile. He was going to participate in the
Hunger Games, and he was going to win.
Rose glared at Thorn as the peacekeepers led her away. Usually,
there would be an hour for the tributes to say goodbye. But since
there was no one Rose wanted to say good bye too, she just sat on
the train. The other girl from 8 was younger then her. So Rose sat
next to her and began to comfort her. When the hour was up for
everyone, the train took off. Rose wandered into the kitchen and
ate some food. It was much better then the things she got in eight.
Echo was pulled into a room by the peacekeepers, quickly flopping
down on a plush chair that was sat in the middle. He stared at his
mother and father as they entered the room. It was silent for a few
moments, though his parents made sure not to leave too much unsaid.
They said they're goodbyes, and he promised to come back a victor.
As he stepped onto the train he quickly moved to sit down with the
other tributes from 2, though he didn't talk to them much. This
would possibly be the worst period of time. The space before the
games wasn't something he was looking foward too.