User blog:Ireland?/The 61st Hunger Games: Jen Corpez. Part 1.

My name is Jen Corpez and I am from District Seven.

My family was one of the most friendly in District Seven. I used to work in the forest with my father until the reaping. It was my last reaping and I would be 19 in a few months. I pulled my screaming twelve year old sister to the reaping. I tried my best to calm her dowm but she wouldn't stop. After saying; "If you don't shut up, the Peacekeepers will take you away and gas you." she eventually quietened down. I squeezed my eyes when they pricked my finger, of course I had had this done to me seven times before, but that didn't mean it was less painful. I kissed my sister on the head as the escort, Mr Dynamite, took the stage. His name made me sick. How could someone live with the fact they are choosing someone who has a 23/24 chance of being dead within the next year. 

I felt a chill on the back of my neck. Suddenly, I felt more scared than I had ever had been, and I didn't know that was possible.

"Ladies first, like always." He chuckled. No-one laughed. He put his hand into the bowl of names. Swishing them around, playing with the audiences emotion.

''He was sick in the head. ''

"JENEVE CORPEZ!" His voice called.

I looked to my sister, "Be strong now, I'll be home in no time and we'll eat like royalty. Help father in the forest. He's getting old now. You'll have to take over his job soon." I reassured my sister. She began to cry and wouldn't let me walk to the stage. A tear fell from my eye. ''"You know what happens if you cry and disobey." ''I said.

She then let go, "Good Luck, Jen." She whispered.

I walked towards the stage, tears streaming down my face. Yes, I'll probably be the oldest in the arena but I've never trained for this type of thing.

"Congratulations. You've been reaped." He grinned at me. I scowled at him.

He's not going to be much help in training me, thank god for mentors.

"Next up is the boys..."

I couldn't remember his name, my eyes were fixed on my sister. Before I could do anything else, I shook the boys hand and was whisked off behind closed doors.

''"If you value your life; never ever scowl at me again." ''Mr Dynamite whispered.

I walked down a long narrow hallway before entering a wide room. It was the biggest and richest room I had ever seen. The walls were lined with a maroon-coloured paint. There was a grand table with delux seats all made of wood which shone in the sunlight. Running around the table were several men and women, not speaking but laying out plates of delicious food.

''"EAT UP!" ''Mr Dynamite called. "The train will be here in half an hour, with your mentor. See you then."

I sat at the very end of the long table with the boy sitting at the end. After about five minutes of eating some delectable cake, the boy spoke up.

"What's your name? I'm sorry I didn't catch it, I was too scared." He asked.

"I'm Jen, Jen Corpez. 'I'm 18. I was hoping I would get lucky, as it's my last year.'" I replied. "And you?"

"My name is Nick, Nick Scott. I'm only 13. I was picked because I put my name in the Tessera."

"May the odds be ever in your favour, Nick." I told him. He cracked a small smile before biting into a strange fruit. The fruit came in two different colours; red and green. It had a stalk coming out of the top. I had only ever seen it before once, when I went into the restricted growing areas in the forest. After what seemed like forever eating, I felt full for the first time in my entire life.

''"Paul, you shouldn't of said that to her!" ''I heard a female voice from outside the room. "The only reason she scowled is because she was reaped. I'm sure I done that to you."

The one and only Johanna Mason enter the room with Mr Dynamite.

"This, gentlemen." Paul started. I sighed at his ignorance. "Is your mentor, Johanna Manson."

"You can leave now, Paul." She scowled at him, I laughed. Mr Dynamite walked out. "I'm not going to congratulate you because the shocking reality is that at least one of you will be dead within the next few months. I promise I'll do my very best to prepare you. I'll give you a few handy tips on the train. Let's go."

I smiled as Nick and I followed Johanna down the corridor. She says it as it is, but she's so gentle and nice about it.

''"Don't we get too see our family before we go?" ''Nick asked as we walked.

Johanna sighed and turned around, "I'm sorry. Paul says you can't as it will tear down your walls and you'll be more vulnerable in your training. Although, I've worked some magic and made some peacemakers take some letters from your families to you."

"Thank you." Nick and I whispered.

We walked in silence to the train station. I wondered what my little sister was doing now. Probably crying or sleeping.

When we reached the train station there were thousands of reporters. Johanna told me to say a few words.

''"Mrs Corpez!" ''A man called. "How does it feel being the oldest person reaped?"

This was a shock to me. ''I thought I was going to be one of the oldest. Not the oldest.''

"I'll use it to my advantage.''" I said. "Maybe team up with someone and give them a false sense of security. Then, when they least expect it, I'll take them out."''

The reporters whispered and smiled above themself as I walked into the train carriage.

''Of course I won't do that. But, I'd say anything to get a high training score.''