Alexandre Nzuzi - Nine - 12 - FIN

Alexandre Nzuzi was a boy who was rugged and quiet, who preferred to watch the birds fly through the sky and work wherever he could. He hoped to be as big and strong as his father, who worked tirelessly in the factory making gun shells and ammunition alongside his mother, so he tried all of the heavy lifting at school to show how strong he was growing. He appreciated how his mother was soft and caring and soothed him the night before the Reaping. The fear of disappointing his parents was intense, yet now he wonders what will happen next. His mother had told him there was no chance for him to be Reaped as he panicked the night before, but he was right. Alexandre walked up the stairs towards the voice calling his name. What were the odds that his name, one out of hundreds if not thousands, would be called? He looked down at the rest of the children of Nine, at his friends and schoolmates, and wondered what would happen next. His parents never allowed him to watch the Games because he was so young. Alexandre felt panic and fear grow in him, but he tried his best to look as solid and steadfast as his father had to show his mother that he was capable. So he stood next to the person who called his name, hands behind his back, trying to look resolute, not realizing that he was walking to his death. However, one tear still escaped his eye and went down his face.