The Reaping

"I hope you're right. My family can't take another Humger Games death. That would tear us apart. Plus, I care for Jokk more than I cared for Derek. I really think he might survive, despite what the others say. He promised me he would win. I've never known Jokk to brake a promise." By now, I felt crazed. What I was saying couldn't be true. Sure, it was what I wanted, but could it be, maybe, a lie? "I have faith in him. I . . . I really do." That was the truth.

After seeing Jokk's train zoom off, I answer Coral. "He will. He . . . He will." I hold my head up high and look at my other friends. They didn't seem to have as much faith in him as I, but it was understandable. My thoughts were going crazy, and I couldn't think properly. Still, something told me that Jokk would put up a good show, for he wasn't someone to mess with. Nor will he ever be.

Cinn nodded, "I'm sure he can. He'll make it far; to the end," Jokk was strong; Cinn had a good feeling inside that he'll be one of the best in the Games.

Cinna nodded, and ran after her. Cinn, being her clumsy self, tripped over the floor. A bit embarrassed, she followed Coral out, hoping that wasn't her last conversation with Jokk.

"Okay. Anything to keep me away from home. It's going to be a mad house there. I know it was when Derek was chosen as a tribute." For some reason, talking about Derek calmed me. Knowing that death was behind us, and that winning could be so close ahead. Truthfully, I didn't care about anything that came with winning except survival. I didn't need the big house like Cinn's. I didn't need money, and I could find food. The only thing I did need was Jokk. Though, it wasn't in my control anymore. "Yeah. Let's go watch the other reapings." I control my breathing, and keep my chin jutted out. Most eyes would be on me when I went out. I needed to look proud.

Cinn watched the screen. They showed the new Tributes, but all of them just blurred together. Cina couldn't really remember any. She thought through things, and realized that she could have went into the arena. She could help Jokk for Hade. Or she could have been the one who killed him. Cinnamon knew the arena wasn't where she belonged, though.

The girl that stuck out for me was the one from 12. She was built well, and looked deadly. Also, the career tributes looked fierce. The worst one, the boy from 1. He was strong, though he probably wasn't smart. "Jokk can take these guys."

Cinn grinned, with confidence, "I bet he can." Why did Cinna have a feeling this would be a winning year for 5?

I smile at Cinn. She was starting to believe. "As long as he can forget about the fact that he's a pawn in a game . . . He'll be a winner!" My attitude had changed. Now I was only worried about Jokk getting a good stylist. Most 5 stylists were mediocre, but were hardly ever winning. We were really close to the middle after all.

Cinn smiled. She didn't have much to say, so she agreed with Hade, "Yep!" she nodded. Cinna was really starting to believe they'd see Jokk again.

My stomach started to do flip-flops in my stomach as I remember Jokk had recently caught a rabbit. He wouldn't get to eat it, and it would go bad before he came home, which he would. A rabbit was pretty good considering he hunted with knives. The reapings were finally over, and I turn to look at my friends. "Well?" I ask.

"You guys can come over my house, if you want," Coral, of course would have to agree. She looked at Hade, waiting for an answer from her.

I nod at Cinn. "Sounds great. I bet your parents are glad someone took your place, huh?" I giggle for a second, remembering how her dad was in the games. He knew what it was like. He knew about that slaughterhouse of an arena.