#ruth7

DJ:

Caesar Flickerman: Welcome DJ, all the way from District 7!  Now, how are you finding the capitol?

DJ: I like it a lot! It is just like home. But buildings instead of trees. I would be scaling each building to get a view from the top!

Caesar Flickerman: So what is your favorite thing about the capitol?

DJ: I’m not quite sure! There is so much. I wish I could have spent more time here.

Caesar Flickerman: You know, if you win, you’ll always get to come back here to mentor each year. You can explore much more then! And a training score of a 9! The odds of doing just that may be in your favor. How do you feel about that?

DJ: I’m happy. Disappointed I didn’t do as well as my brother though.

Caesar Flickerman: Yes, I wanted to talk about that. How has your family dealt with the loss?

DJ: It has been difficult. He was so close to coming home. Our District has shown endless support though. We have been able to survive. We were almost back to normal, until the Reaping that is.

Caesar Flickerman: Yes, I was wondering how the reaping was for you?

DJ: I don’t even consider it a Reaping. I was forced to play. No matter, I’ll get through this. The Gamemakers can throw whatever they want at me.  

Caesar Flickerman: Are you looking forward to the arena, I hear that the game makers have something special planned?

DJ: Bring it on Gamemakers. I have nothing to lose. Let’s make this the best, and shortest Games yet.

Caesar Flickerman: Finally, how well do you think you will do in the arena, are you somebody that we should be betting on?

DJ: I wouldn’t count me out.

Caesar Flickerman: Let’s hear it for DJ all the way from District 7!

DJ

The crowds of District 7 gather for the Reaping. We all have been depressed since my brother, Dallas, last year was killed in the final three. Everyone was so optimistic he would win. But it just wasn’t the case. There could never be another tribute like him for years to come from our District.

From the girls, one named Ruth is reaped and brought up on stage.

For the boys, the announcer reads, “DJ!” No……

There is a huge gasp from the audience and then silence, as everyone waits to see what happens. My heart falls. My mom and dad have no other offspring. They can’t lose both. Several of the other boys realize this. They shout out that they will volunteer and jump out into the aisle leading to the stage. But the Peacekeepers push them back saying, “No volunteers,” with a smirk and a gleam in their eyes. My heart completely drops to the floor. I stare up in horror at the Peacekeepers who grab me from the boys and lead me to the stage.

On the stage, the crowd looks like it’s about to erupt in a fury. But it is silent. Completely silent. I try to accept the fact this was planned, to test me against my brother. But I can’t. I probably won’t till I’m in the arena. But now I need to focus. I wave to the audience. As one, they all wave back.

My mom and dad come to see me. No words. We just hold each other. Last time my mom didn’t cry. This time, she does. At the end of our time, my dad tells me, “You need to win.” Then they are whisked away from the room. 

Ruth