Chapter Text
I woke up in my bed as always. It could've been a normal morning but it just wasn't. It was reaping day. The tributes for the 72nd hunger games would be picked today.
I got up and put on a dress that I had made myself. Then I stepped out of my room. I lived in an orphanage. My parents had left me there when I was a baby. I didn't remember it but I had been told that. They had left me a letter, though. Explaining that my family was part of the covey and that they were being hunted for being rebels.
I went downstairs for breakfast. The whole orphanage was already eating except for a couple of kids. I sighed and sat down. The housekeeper gave me some food. And by ‘some food’ I mean like a littlest of little bits of food. I didn't complain, though. At least I got food. I had heard that in District 12 most people had almost no food.
After I had eaten breakfast, I went outside. The reaping would happen in two hours so I had time to work.
I walked to the factory I worked at. Someone shouted my name: “Phobos Crimson!” I turned around and it was my coworker, Oliver. He was quite annoying. I think he had a crush on me but he was bad at showing it. “Hey, Oliver.” I answered. “Why are you going to work? Reaping is in two hours,” he asked. “Work is important. I get money.” He left me alone.
When I arrived at the factory, I immediately started working. I sewed and cut fabric for what felt like hours. But it was minutes. I glanced at the mirror next to my work station and a girl with curly brown hair and a skinny figure stared back at me. I sighed. If I got picked for the games, I would die the second I got to the arena. After working for a while, I looked at my watch. The reaping would start in half an hour. I cleaned up the work station and left the factory.
I walked to the square where the reaping was held. The escort was already there and people were walking to the square. I saw the kids from my orphanage and I went to stand next to them.
After a while of just standing there, the reaping started. The escort, named Daphne or something, started with the same speech that she gave every year and played a video made by president Snow. Goodness, I hate president Snow. He was the one who was in charge of the hunger games. 24 innocent children were sent to an arena to fight to death every year. That's what the reaping was for.
Daphne started by saying: “Ladies first!” as she always does. And then the moment that changed my life happened. I heard my own name. “Phobos Crimson Clade.” I could have collapsed or cried but I didn't. I put on my best brave face and walked up to the stage. “And then for the boys…” Daphne paused to add tension. “Alvin Taylor.” Alvin walked up to the stage. I recognized him. He was from my school. We shook hands and went inside the city hall.
No one came to say goodbye to me, not even Oliver. I was annoyed but not sad. Not really. I didn't even have friends.
After a while, the peacekeepers escorted me out and to the train station, where Daphne and Alvin were waiting. We went into the train and left District 8. Maybe for good.