Reaping day. Lukas always dreaded Reaping day, and today was no exception. He hated that he had to see his sisters offered up like sheep for the slaughter, hated that they were expected to treat it like a holiday instead of ritualized murder. It was all a complete circus, and he would be damned if he was expected to enjoy any of it. As he dressed in a dark blue button down and slim black pants, he looked at himself in the mirror. Luke had never been too impressed with how he looked. Not that he looked bad, but he'd always felt self conscious about his figure and how he presented himself. As he fixed his hair, he put it out of his mind. This was not the time to worry about his self-confidence.

The Becker family table was quiet as the girls ate breakfast, his father sat stirring his coffee and Luke became very interested in the wood grain on the table. Reaping day was always quiet, no exceptions. Beth and Alyssa were only 13 and 9, and Luke hated the idea of leaving them. The night before the three of them slept in Luke's bed, Luke promising that none of them would be picked. The chances were fairly slim since Luke refused to sign for Tesserae and he refused to let Beth take any more than she legally got. Lyssa would be safe for another two years. Still, the fact was, Luke had at least 10 entries in this year, which was sometimes enough.

As they separated in the square for the reaping ceremony, Luke kissed Beth's forehead and hugged Alyssa close. He didn't really talk to his father, but let him clap a hand on his shoulder. He got his blood taken and stood with the other 17 year olds, noticing his friends and smiling tightly at them. He clasped his hands tightly in front of him, praying that they'd pick someone else...

Chass looked out at the District. He saw the poor Tributes walk up to the stage. Inside his helmet a tear fell down his face. Although he was on the Capitol's side physically. Mentally, he didn't want to see innocent children die. What has the world come to. And if they defy their choosing, then they will easily be killed. And he may have to be the person to do it. He couldn't shoot a child in the head. Bless you, Lukas Becker. He hoped that Five could bring home a Victory this year. Because there were two Games, they could either let the other Tributes kill all four of them, or at least bring 2 home.

"Lukas Becker!"

Luke stood on stage nervously, not even sure what to do or say. He saw a peacekeeper standing nearby but he kept his face passive. Luke didn't trust peacekeepers, but he was fairly sure no one actually did. Luke knew too many people who ended up on the wrong side of peacekeepers. He went up quietly, and barely spoke aside from telling the escort his name and wishing his partner luck. He heard his sisters start crying, but he couldn't turn around or he'd get cold feet and have to be dragged on stage. Luke knew he was pretty much never going to see District Five again, but he kept his head up. He looked over at the peacekeeper and nodded, not really knowing if the man saw him. He hoped his sisters would be okay without him.