Chapter Text
District 8 rarely has any victors, but when they did have, which is like only 3. Nancy Wheeler, and Jonathan Byers, who are married and decided to not have any kids, afraid of hearing their names being reaped.
The latest victor was Steve Harrington, who was reaped for the quarter quell, some say it was bad luck, others say it was the punishment for his father's wrong doings inside the district.
“Nancy Wheeler” as her name was called for the 47th hunger games, together with Fred Benson, who died with his limbs getting snapped in half after another tribute jumped on him from the trees.
Jonathan was reaped 2 years later, barely making it out alive with losing his left arm. He could not continue his passion for photography.
Steve survived his games by being strategic, using his charm in the right way, and during the final blood bath, using his bat full of nails, he swung for the last tribute who killed his fellow tribute, Eddie Munson, who got killed by piranhas they left inside the lake surrounding the cornucopia
Today is reaping day for the 58th Hunger Games. Each district will have 2 tributes, and those who are reaped will be put into an arena to fight for survival.
I mean, that's what Jonathan always told me
I never believed it, until he got reaped.
I watched him survive for 1 week and 4 days. plenty of time to get killed, but he fought through.
“Penny for your thoughts?” a voice behind me spoke, Chance, mom's friend's son. “You know, your painting won't be finished if you just stare at it, right?” he taunts.
“Why are you here? My mom is not here.” I said, continuing on with fixing the brush strokes of the painting I'm doing.
“Well, I came here for you, because, you know, it's reaping day and I figured to give this to you as a peace offering.” He said, “Seems like you still won't allow me to get to know you, so this is a gift.” he handed the badly wrapped present.
“I still don't understand how you like painting.” He looked at my work, still trying to understand what it means.
I always put meanings in my painting, I just let someone with a creative mind figure out what I meant.
“Thanks. You can leave now, I assume you want to get ready, as you've said, because it's reaping day. off you go, then” I dismissed him as I put my full attention on my work as I heard him mutter a goodbye and walked off.
After a while of silence, hearing the rustling of leaves from trees that surrounded The Victor's village, I heard another set of footsteps, one that I would recognize in a heartbeat.
“Haven't got ready yet, as well?” I heard him ask, “No, I haven't even stood up from this chair since this morning that you left my house.” I replied, putting my paintbrush and pallet down as I looked up to meet his eyes.
”You look dashing in your blue long-sleeved polo”
My person, Mike Wheeler.
“But, it's only 2 more hours till the reaping, it's best to get ready now. You know our friends don't like tardiness.” He said, as I stood up to wash my hands, following me.
“Have you heard? Max’s step dad left them a little while ago? probably still angry about Billy's death.” He informed me.
Billy was reaped a year ago, his arena was much different than the others. temperature dropping every hour that passes. After the 4th day, Billy hit his breaking point and decided to feast on the other tributes.
Apparently, this was the gamemakers breaking point, as they sent an avalanche to kill him, leaving no tributes alive.
“Jane informed me, she went to her house a week ago.” I said, as I dried my hands.
I met Mike when I was 5 years old, we met at school. We both met Lucas 2 years later and Dustin for another 2 years. Jane is my step dad's daughter, him and my mom married when we were 9. We all met Max when she moved here from district 5 during 8th grade.
we've all been best friends since.
“I haven't shown you what Jonathan prepared for my clothes today for the reaping, he said it's for “The Crown”” I said, quoting what my brother told me this morning,
“It's complete, utter bullshit on how we dress up to survive while they dress up to look pretty.” He nodded in agreement
“Well, we'll meet you in 30 outside the Village. Hello, Jane.” He greeted my sister, and asked her to accompany him outside to meet with the others
“Bye.” I muttered and closed my bedroom door to get ready.
_._._.
I showered, made sure to rub every part of my body so that I'll be well groomed for the reaping. I took out the yellow flannel shirt and black pant my brother gave me this morning.
After getting ready, I head on to leave the house, making sure to lock the door and head on to the gate of the village. It wasn't easy leaving my childhood home after Jonathan became a victor, but it did come with it's perks, like being neighbors with the Wheelers.
“Anddddd he’s alive, people.” Lucas, my other best friend, announced. “Nice for you to join us in this fine, dreadful morning, Willy” he remarked.
“Come on, lay off him. He just finished a painting” Mike cut in, as he faced me with a warm smile
“No more of this, its almost time, and we need to get in line” Max mentioned
._._._.
As we got settled in for the reaping, I heard Mike and Dustin chuckling beside me. I ignored their conversation, until I heard Mike tugging my arm.
“Let’s stay at my house tonight after the reaping. I’ve already told the others earlier.” I met his eye. I just nodded as Ms. Callista Kelley, The ‘Reaper”, stood in front of us to greet us, while the soldiers surrounded us.
“Welcome, welcome, children of District Eight — what a dazzling day to change your lives forever! Happy Reaping day!” She greeted us with a cheerful tone, and a delighted face.
“This reaping will be very much different from our past ones, as both the names of girls and boys will be mixed. Let me pick out first names!”
She reached inside the bowl of names, and I felt something tugging at my finger. I turned to Mike who mouthed She's too cheerful for her own good. I chuckled at that, but as soon as she yelled out the name of the “lucky” Victor, I froze.
“Michael Wheeler.”