Klepto felt sick to his stomach. The sunlight was so intense that it made his eyes water. He hadn't felt this overwhelming sense of anxiety since the war. He and his family laid low, made sure to avoid the crossfire, and by the time the Capitol regained control of the districts, all of the Wichmeiers were alive. He was so elated that the bloodshed had ended. And then in a matter of months, the Hunger Games charter was enacted.
If only I were photosynthetic, Klepto thought. This boiling Sun would be feeding me. I'd be a shoe-in for these "Hunger Games."
He was so lost in thought that he didn't even hear the name of the girl who was Reaped. He'd seen her around. Probably around 13 years old. How unlucky that she got picked.
"And now for the boys," said Agoston Langbrook, the escort for 5. Klepto's stomach churned. The odds of being Reaped were low, yes, but the odds were still there. And here he thought he was so lucky, surviving the war that saw so many losses. It was only the beginning. Maybe, just maybe, that luck would carry over. Keep him from being chosen.
"Klepto Wichmeier!"
His vision began to spin.
How? How could this be happening?
Hot tears began to well up in his eyes. There was no hiding now; he collapsed to his knees, dizzy with nausea. Two Peacekeepers hoisted him to his feet and began to walk him to the stage, but he collected himself and promised to cooperate. He was chosen, so might as well be dignified about it.
He stumbled onstage and met Agoston, who greeted him with a smile and held a flowery lavender parasol over his head.
"The Games haven't started yet," said Agoston impishly. "Don't go dying on us yet!"
Agoston slapped Klepto's rear, startling him and making Agoston roar with laughter.
"Before we can go on, I must ask if anyone here would like to volunteer. If you do, this is your last chance before these two saps get shipped off to the Capitol. Going once...going twice..."
"Over here, bud!"
A 16-year-old girl skipped her way onto the stage. Although older than the girl that was reaped, she acted as though she was younger. Spry and carefree. She wore her dirty blonde hair in two tight buns, and her clothes were relatively inmodest. It was as though she believed she was tapping in for a game of tag.
"Layla Marie-Velvet Bloom Fawn here, and I volunteer as tribute!"
She giggled, like she thought introducing herself was funny.
"I'm ready to represent District 5 to the best of my ability."
"As you wish," said Agoston with a smirk. "You get a break this time, kid."
The younger girl hugged Layla before rushing off the stage.
"With that, the tributes from District 5 are officially locked. Give it up for Layla Bloom Fawn and Klepto Wichmeier!"
The crowd whooped and hollered. Layla grinned cheek to cheek, and waved goodbye as she exited downstage. Klepto didn't care to entertain them.
