User blog:The Targaryen of District 4/The 525th Hunger Games: Glory Ideas

Confirmed ideas

 * Recycling ideas from previous games.
 * Lyanna and Jacob - civil war
 * Civil war - districts fighting against districts
 * Jacob - wants to unite all of Panem against Lyanna
 * The games will slowly but secretly be hijacked by Jacob's team.
 * The games will turn into a tournament.
 * Firewater
 * One of the tributes is a spy, working for Jacob.
 * Lyanna - is basically squandering the nation's money on her luxurious lifestyle
 * The reason why the games are called glory: Lyanna is supportive of the "belief" that the games are glorious/foreshadowing of the games turning into a tournament.
 * Part of the arena is a desert.
 * Narlis and Rowana to be executed during Lyanna's first story POV
 * Vuhan - ghost of a District 9 tribute - was a rebel, is helping the rebels and knows what's going on
 * The bodies of Narlis and Rowana to be shown in the Chariot Parade.

Stuff to do

 * Make Calaris' lunaii - green hair, yellow eyes, green beard and yellow suit
 * Make Prasa's lunaii - black hair, blue eyes, winter clothing
 * Make Deloise and Ambrosia's lunaiis - almost identical, brown hair and lilac eyes, but wearing different coloured outfits (Deloise - gold, Ambrosia - silver)
 * Make Milanis' lunaii - blonde hair, blue eyes, light blue suit
 * (Malia Sarona) Make Malia's lunaii - pink hair
 * Make Narlis' lunaii - red hair, green eyes, white shirt
 * (Rowana Lucrian) Make Rowana's lunaii - brown hair, brown eyes, red shirt and a mask
 * Make Mayor Polan's lunaii - black hair with a strand of blonde, pink eyes, yellow vest
 * Make Silena's lunaii - auburn hair, blue eyes
 * Make Mayor Arina's lunaii - TBA
 * Make Rhynor Palmaris' lunaii - TBA
 * Make Mayor Belacourt's lunaii - TBA
 * Make Titus Needle's lunaii - grey hair, frown, white uniform
 * Make Corlynne's lunaii - TBA
 * Make Mayor Zirion's lunaii - TBA
 * Make Brynden Morton's lunaii - TBA
 * Make Xaylor Borealis' lunaii - white-blonde hair, lilac eyes
 * Make Mayor Karuina's lunaii - TBA
 * Make Warring Baral's lunaii - short blonde hair, uniform
 * Make Mayor Darstan's lunaii - TBA

Tribute Information

 * Ricardo Simmons - 16, District 2, For 9 years, from the ages of 4-13, he was abused by his father, who pestered him to join the peacekeeper force. Once he finally caved in, his father continued pushing him to do his best, be it forcefully or verbally. This caused Ricardo to have very few friends. When Ricardo was reaped, he was visited by his father, who wanted him to be a brutal Career. In defiance, Ricardo has decided to become an Anti-Career.


 * Dexter Grif - 16, District 3, is a guy who was born wealthy. He normally has other people do things for him, since he's extremely lazy. His backstory is similar to that of an average wealthy kid who had the misfortune of being reaped. He only has three real advantages: he's good at hiding, excellent with vehicles (a poor skill to have, unless he can use some wire trap), and has good accuracy. However, the main disadvantage to him? He's a huge glutton, and will likely steal food for a personal stash.


 * Lavernius Tucker - 18, District 4, is a innuendo-filled, dirty-minded, pun-maker. He's always cracking jokes, if not reminiscing on his days working with ancient artifacts in the ocean. He, along with Michael, would work as artifact testers and guards for the scientists. Lavernius would one day end up being fired, alongside Michael, and they were left without homes, as the government of Panem tried to cover it all up. Lavernius would become a street fighter, and would, on the way, encounter his rival "team", all dressed in red, in the same uniform as him and Caboose. Eventually, when Caboose was reaped, Tucker knew he had to volunteer to help his little deranged friend.


 * Michael Caboose - 17, District 4, Caboose was shot by an ancient gun, and would lose most of his sanity due to this), Caboose is a slightly nutty, crazed blonde, who has a knack for injuring his allies, but this could be used by calling the enemy his allies, so he'll attack them before his true allies. Due to his crazed personality, Caboose is regarded as childlike, and has also developed a weird thing in which he blames Tucker for everything.

All of them prefer to be called by their last names, and the reds and blues are rival gangs. Caboose and Tucker = Blues, Simmons and Grif = Reds.
 * Additional information on Caboose: Also, I think I should be specific about Caboose's personality. He's insane, but in a really childish way. He only blames Tucker when he does something wrong, especially when he kills Tribute A and Tribute B gets mad over Tribute A's death. He's very kind, tries his best to be sweet, and is generally a bit of a derp.
 * Advice:  Caboose, although you may not fully trust him, I need you to follow Tucker's orders. He is your best bet for the time being.

Tucker, Rita dislikes you all for joining the Careers. Explain to her that you want the best bet for Caboose to get out of here alive, and that's the only reason you chose the Careers instead of a private or other alliance. Try and negotiate a truce with her, and if need be, get a little stockpile set up ready to go every day in a mutual spot so that you can continuously give her supplies. When (not if, since this batch of Careers seem very watchful) you're caught, try to negotiate a little more with them. If anything, they'll keep you around for your weaponry skills and comedic value. If all else fails, negotiate that you can get your bag and weapon of choice, and then a 30-second headstart for running with Caboose.

Word Count (POVs)
OVERALL WORD COUNT OF THE REAPINGS - 15,619 WORD COUNT OF THE STORY POVS SO FAR - 2,102 OVERALL WORD COUNT OF THE TRAIN RIDES - 3,213
 * Reaping - Haleigh (Capitol): 1,894
 * Reaping - Claude (District 0): 1,477
 * Reaping - Moltra (District 1): 1,805
 * Reaping - Ricardo (District 2): 1,158
 * Reaping - Marcella (District 3): 1,004
 * Reaping - Lavernius (District 4): 917
 * Reaping - Corin (District 5): 937
 * Reaping - Grayson (District 6): 768
 * Reaping - Lilith (District 7): 1,722
 * Reaping - Jack (District 8): 896
 * Reaping - Dedenne (District 9): 777
 * Reaping - Marshall (District 10): 542
 * Reaping - Lilac (District 11): 620
 * Reaping - Ashton (District 12): 521
 * Reaping - Sonia (District 13): 582
 * Story POV #1 - Betrayal: 1,647
 * Story POV #2 - A Revolution's Foundations: 455
 * Train Ride - Crystal (District 0): 436
 * Train Ride - Manta (District 1): 491
 * Train Ride - Courtney (District 2): 699
 * Train Ride - Caspian (District 3): 608
 * Train Ride - Rita (District 4): 979

Mentioned Characters
- Aclane, D2 mentor

The Capitol - Haleigh Walker (R)
As soon as I woke up, the beams of sunshine hit me. Like every morning, my eyes were temporarily sensitive to the sunshine. After a while though, I gained clear vision. I hoped that fate wouldn't be harsh on the poor Capitol citizens today. Unfortunately, the majority of the rich would be betting on which, to them, "peasant" would get reaped, because they've never had to struggle to make ends meet and those who do have to struggle are a "fun source of mockery".

But I know that not all rich people are like that. I know that I'm not, because I have worked and I make it my duty to help the poor, wherever I can, whenever I can.

As soon as I rose from my bed, I heard something being placed outside my bedroom door. I waited until the person was gone to go towards the door and see what it was. The person could have been anyone, since my parents found it necessary to hire an onslaught of maids and servants.

It turned out to be two carefully wrapped up presents. I could only assume that the presents were my reaping attire.

And I was right. It was my reaping attire. A floor-length, lime green dress with embedded diamonds. It was a beautiful dress, but very lavish and probably very costly. I was not ungrateful, but the dress was not my style. I prefer more simplistic things.

But I'd still put it on, since I only had to wear it for this one occasion. Even if I wasn't reaped, my parents would more or likely buy me new reaping attire for next year. If I was reaped, I'd eventually have to take it off once I reached the Tribute Residence building.

The other present contained shoes, also lime green and embedded with diamonds, that matched my dress. Luckily, they weren't high heels, just flat shoes.

I changed into the dress and put on the shoes, before taking a moment to gaze in the mirror.

I felt uncomfortable. Extravagance certainly isn't for me. I used to embrace extravangance, but now, after learning the truth and to iterate, I prefer simplistic things.

I watched as the diamonds on my dress and shoes sparkled and glimmered. All I could think of was the amount of effort those District 1 factory workers had to put in to make sure that these diamonds were up to Capitol standards. If you count the entire dress, then add the effort of the District 8 factory workers onto that.

The final thing that I needed to do, after waking up and trying on the attire, was to tame my curly hair. When I felt satisfied with the state of my hair, I left my room and greeted my parents.

"If you do get reaped, dear, remember that you represent this family as well, not just the Capitol."

"Make us proud. A Walker victor would bring so much more money and power."

"As well as glory."

I replied to my parents with a "Thank you", before turning to my friend. My parents considered her to be my personal servant, but to me, she was an advisor. Someone I could trust.

"Can I speak to her?" I asked them.

"Of course."

I took her to a room where I was positive that I could not be heard.

"Listen to me, you don't have to do everything that my parents say. If you need to take a break, take a break. Don't let them stop you."

"But it is my job. I can't lose this job." She tearfully replied.

"Do you really want to be a servant?" I asked her.

"Of course, it's the only way that I can be close to you."

I smiled sadly at her. She reciprocated my smile, also sadly.

"If I win the Games, then you will still be close to me. Only, you'll have your own house, as well as food and new possessions."

"But what if you die? What if you don't make it out of the Games?"

I sighed at the questions. "Then you can carry on what I started. Look after those in need. Make sure that they know that the derogatory things said about them by the rich are not true."

"Of course. You truly are an amazing person, Haleigh."

We parted on an emotional hug. Me and my parents also departed on a hug, but it was not as emotional.

I was escorted to the Presidential Mansion by my family's chauffeur. Looking at those around me made me feel better about what I was wearing. My dress was not as extravagant as what people surrounding me were wearing. Some were even ridiculous.

On my way towards the Mansion, I saw an elderly woman fall. I quickly rushed over to help her.

"Thank you, young lady." She smiled. I smiled back and gave her her walking stick, before resuming to head to the Mansion.

I didn't converse with the Peacekeepers who scanned my hand. The procedures that I had to follow had become like an annual routine. Once I had been scanned, I made my way into the section for the 15 year old girls.

Ignoring everyone else, I looked at the big screen, which was showing President Averling, whose speech was commencing. Her black hair managed to flow gracefully like always and her dark eyes peered at everyone. The only way that I could describe President Averling was that she was an intimidating beauty.

Her brother was nowhere to be seen.

"Citizens of the Capitol, it is my duty to welcome you to the reaping of the tributes representing us for the 525th Hunger Games!"

As the enthusiasm in the President's voice increased, the majority of the citizens cheered.

"Hopefully, none of you have forgotten. These games are not only the 525th edition, but they are also the 21st Quarter Quell. This means that 60 of the nation's youth will be competing and that means 4 will be of the Capitol. 2 males and 2 females."

The citizens continued to cheer whilst the President paused. The rest of her speech consisted of her talking about how the games are, in her eyes, glorious and how winning them is the epitome of power. I didn't believe this, but I still managed to listen.

After the President's speech finished, the Capitol's escort, Calaris Balne, arrived. He was very relatable to a lot of citizens because he was eccentric. Whatever colour he wore, as well as what contact lenses he wore depended on his mood, but his hair and beard was always green. Right now, he seemed joyful and excited, so he wore a daffodil-yellow suit and yellow contact lenses.

I guess those lenses had to be clear for him to be able to see us.

"It's the moment of truth! Time to pick the first female that will be representing the Capitol!" He exclaimed happily. He walked over to the female reaping bowl, then picked up the first slip that he could find and opened it up.

"Oreo Dutton!"

The screen immediately showed footage of us in the audience, frantically searching for who Oreo was. The screen finally settled on a bright pink haired girl from the 18 year olds section. She had peculiar neon orange eyes and donned an ridiculous red outfit, with earrings that contrasted. Her arms were not covered, showing off her creative tattoos.

However, I could not take my eyes off her eyes and hair. I couldn't get over how peculiar they were.

She was indeeded a lot more peculiar than those who I had seen earlier.

"Hello Oreo!" Calaris greeted her. Oreo looked shy, but optimistic.

"Hello Calaris."

The two conversed. Oreo looked like she didn't want to talk much, but she did so anyway, presumably for the sake of appearances.

"Thank you, Oreo. Ladies and gentleman, your first female tribute, Oreo Dutton!" Calaris cheered when the conversation between him and Oreo was over. She seemed to have impressed the audience, as many cheered for her.

"Now, time for the first male tribute!"

He walked over to the male reaping bowl, doing the same as what he did earlier.

"Jo-"

"I VOLUNTEER!"

This time, I faced the stage and not the big screen, surprisingly having a good view of what was going on. The male who yelled was brutish. I managed to see him arise from his section, which I identified as the 18 year old males section since it was opposite to the section which Oreo came out of.

From what I could see, he was tall and muscular, with blonde hair. He looked so out of place for a Capitol citizen, a stark contrast to Oreo. He looked like he belonged in District 1 or 2, as his appearance was stereotypical for a tribute of those districts.

"What might your name be?" Calaris asked the boy.

"Zach. Zach Winnings." He briefly replied, as he tried to walk inside the Justice Building. Peacekeepers blocked the entrance, though.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I want to go inside. I don't want to stand here in front of a bunch of people." He replied, with venom in his voice.

"Uh, that's what you're supposed to do at reapings." Calaris responded to Zach's venomous tone with sarcasm. Calaris' sarcasm worked for the audience, but certainly not for Zach, who attempt to storm over at Calaris to attack him. But before he could, the Peacekeepers restrained him.

"Next time, don't be so rude."

Calaris proceeded with the reaping, walking over to the female reaping bowl to select the second female tribute.

"Haleigh Walker."

Rather than becoming distraught or scared, I sighed. I knew this was a possibility, due to the amount of times that I had applied for tesserae to feed the poor.

But I could only imagine how shocked and confused my parents must be.

"Haleigh, where are you?"

After taking the time to clear my mind, I started walking out of the section. I ignored those staring at me and focused on walking ahead.

"Oh Haleigh, how are you?" Calaris asks me when I reach the stage. Also ignoring Zach's cold glare, I stand near Oreo.

"I'm fine." I reply. I didn't really want to converse.

"You don't sound like it. Anyway, who do you hope to win the games for?"

"My family." I lie. I was actually doing this for the poor and the unfortunate.

"Well, your parents will be proud of you, I'm sure."

The second male for the Capitol and the final tribute was a 17 year old named Gladia, who volunteered. He looked older for his age, mainly because of his mustache, but could still potentially be mistaken for a District 1 or 2 tribute since he had slick black hair and light blue eyes.

He remained calm, like Oreo, but when conversed with, I could tell that he had a sense of honour.

"And there you have it, the four tributes that will be representing the Capitol in the 525th Hunger Games!" Calaris cheered, prompting the crowd to cheer. When he stopped cheering, he sneered at Zach, who was still being restrained by Peacekeepers.

I promised to win for the poor. Not for myself, not for my family and not for the Capitol. And that promise is one that I intend to keep.

District 0 - Claude Foster (R)
The Capitol reaping was yesterday. My parents made us watch it at a neighbour's cabin, since our television had been taken away by the scumbag that is, Mr West. The man who had tried to make our lives a living hell.

The neighbour was nice to begin with, so that's how we were able to watch it.

Despite being cold and miserable, I managed to remember the tributes who were reaped. From what I recall, there was a kid with blonde hair, wearing a green dress, a pink haired girl with tattoos, a boy who had to be restrained by Peacekeepers because he almost beat up the escort and a boy with a mustache.

What I paid more attention to was how obedient my three other siblings were. They were so happy and content, despite the circumstances. I was partially content, since I had come to terms with the inevitable, but I was not happy. I am pessimistic.

If any of my siblings were reaped or volunteered for the games, they would at least have a chance of winning. I would more or likely die in the bloodbath.

My chances would be slim to none.

I shoved on anything comfortable that I could find and classed it as my reaping wear. In that case, it was a white t-shirt and khaki pants. I then put on my coat and boots, before heading towards my family.

My parents knew about the attitude that I had towards myself. They always tried to get me to speak positively about myself.

But that's impossible when you have no redeeming qualities.

My siblings were all dressed smartly, compared to me. As I then looked at my mother, who tried to lighten my mood by smiling at me, she walked over to me.

"Claude, please just know this. You're not worthless, you're not pathetic. You are a smart, likeable young man." Mother grabbed hold of my hands and gazed into my eyes.

"Mother, you're only saying that because I'm your son." I say.

"No. I'm not saying this because you're my son, I'm saying this because it's true. You may not believe it because you can't see it, but I can. I love you."

I sighed and gave her a hug. She started crying.

"I love you too, Mother. I'm sorry you'd have to watch me die if I was in the Games."

I couldn't help myself. I felt really guilty as I watched my mother continue to cry.

"You're not going to die in the games, son. Stop putting yourself down." She sniffled.

"Your mother's right. Now let's go."

Father led us out of the cabin. I didn't continue the conversation after leaving, as my father was talking to my mother about Mr West and how he hadn't "visited". Mother replied that it was probably because he had to prepare his own son for the reaping.

I wish there was something that I could do about that wretched man.

Instead of continuing the conversation from earlier, I just looked at the ground and watched my footsteps imprint into the snow.

When I did look up, it was either towards the sky or the trees, the latter of which had been caked in snow. It wasn't winter, so the leaves were still on the trees. There was also some sun, but it was hardly warm.

Summer in District 0, however, was really just an extended winter.

As I walked past, I wiped snow off the nearest branch. I continued to do this for all branches that was nearest to me, until we reached the square.

Since families had their own section to stand in, we had to depart near the Peacekeepers. I hugged my parents for, more or likely, the second to last time ever. Both of them tried to get me to feel positive, by reminding me of the slight possibility that I may live to see another year.

Fate's not on my side, though.

I also said goodbye to my siblings, before going to the Peacekeepers to be scanned and making my way into the section where I was supposed to stand.

The escort was Prasa Marquille. She was like me in a lot of ways - cold and commonly unhappy being two.

Her black hair scarcely covered her ears and she had the dark rings of sleep deprivation under her blue eyes. She even held a plastic cup of Capitol coffee in her hand to try and keep warm, despite wearing a couple of layers of winter clothing.

"Hello District 0." She greeted in a dull, sleepy tone. No one responded.

"Here's a clip of the speech made yesterday by our wonderful President."

The screens behind her showed the footage of President Averling making her speech. Even though it was meant to be focusing on the President, footage of the tributes also showed. I got to see the four Capitol tributes in more detail.

The footage stopped once the speech was over.

"Now, let's just get this over and done with."

Prasa, clutching her coffee tightly in one hand, picked up a slip from the female reaping bowl. She took a drink of the coffee, before opening up the slip.

"E-"

"I volunteer!" shouted a very feminine voice. I looked to see that the girl was from the 17 year old females section, wearing fur clothing. She was a pretty girl, with pale skin and dark brown hair and eyes that looked almost black, but she looked very ill as well.

She wasn't distraught or upset, but rather emotionless.

Prasa waited for the girl to reach the stage, before she said anything.

"Any reason why you volunteered...?" Prasa asked, putting the microphone near her.

"Nova Deimos. I volunteered in memory of my friends."

Prasa didn't really care for Nova's reply. She just shrugged it off with an "Ah" and walked over to the male reaping bowl.

"Glacier Frost."

Almost straight away, Glacier stormed out of the section that he was in and appeared on stage. I knew exactly who he was now. He was the boy who murdered his own parents, as well as the boy with the strange light blue hair and eyes. What was even stranger was that when he was featured on the news, his hair and eyes were crimson red.

Peacekeepers immediately apprehended him and the citizens starting gasping and gossiping amongst one another. Prasa was about to interact with Glacier, but he gave her a threatening glare. This stopped her and made her go towards the female reaping bowl instead.

"Crystal Sagittarius."

Crystal was a girl with black and blue hair. Some girls tried to prevent her from going up to the stage, but she proceeded, regardless. She looked very paranoid, facing all different directions.

"15 year olds are dominating this year." Prasa absentmindedly remarked. She then asked Crystal if she was okay.

"I'm fine." Crystal replied. Prasa rolled her eyes. She's definitely used that excuse to cover up how depressed she truly felt.

It was weird seeing how much I could relate to an escort.

Prasa walked to the male reaping bowl again. I suddenly felt that karma was about to do something in my favour.

"Jerry West."

I burst out in a fit of laughter. Initally, I was pleased that the dirtbag's son was reaped. I imagined Jerry's brutal death and how he could be a fitting target for a sadistic Career's gutting session.

But then I remembered. I found a way to get the Wests to stay away from my family. Once and for all.

And it required me to volunteer. I didn't care though. I wasn't scared of death, especially in the games.

Everyone stared in shock. My family was presumably going to be more shocked than everyone else. They knew about my personality, but they didn't think I'd be the type to volunteer. It should have occurred to them though.

Even the Wests looked surprised, which they should be because I saved their son.

Before I got up on stage, I grabbed Jerry by the collar and angrily threatened him; "You go home and tell that dirtbag of a father you've got that Claude Foster has saved his son today. Don't ever let him forget this! And if he ever lays a finger on my family..."

I didn't get to finish my threat as the Peacekeeper drags me onto the stage. I end up standing next to Glacier, who seems to be giving everyone the death glare.

I don't gaze at the crowd, instead gazing at the floor.

"Alright. I really want to leave now, so here are the tributes representing District 0 this year." Prasa commented, before walking into the Justice Building. I get escorted by the Peacekeepers, walking behind the Peacekeeper who apprehended Glacier.

I volunteered to save my family's enemy's son from death. Now, I'm going to die.

District 1 - Moltra Flare (R)
Ah, District 1 multimillionaires and billionaires. They may be the ugliest person in society, but what really matters is their riches.

Because if you want to live the high life, you need money to back you up.

Girls hate me and guys want to have intercourse with me. I sail through life, knowing that the two cancel each other out.

I really don't care what others, especially jealous girls, think of me, because I have boys throwing themselves at my feet. I can manipulate people to get what I want. Even if it means killing them.

But I don't dislike everyone. The only person who I care about in life, the only person who I genuinely like, is Inter, my crush.

And I hoped that he wouldn't volunteer or get reaped today.

I woke up in Hunter Foracre's king-sized bed, lying next to Hunter himself. He was so ugly. Greased hair that he probably hadn't washed in days because he was too busy trying to pick up girls, as well as a genuinely ugly face.

He was the exception to the stereotype that "everyone in District 1 is beautiful".

As I tried to stop imagining Hunter's attempts at picking up girls as I was becoming disgusted, I put my pink dress, which had been shoved in the corner of the bedroom, back on. I then walk over to where I had taken off my Capitol designer bag and my heels, and put them back on.

I tried not to be loud in doing so. I wanted to get Hunter's bank vault card and leave.

Seeing as the card was placed on a nearby desk, close to where he was sleeping, I quietly went over to get it.

"Honey."

Hunter was awake. Ugh.

I moved my bag near my back and put the card, which I had held behind my back, inside it. He didn't detect me at all!

He was just lovingly staring at me, a feeling I did not reciprocate.

I looked behind me. Next to where the card had been was a golden statue of an obese man mediating. I assumed it would be heavy to pick up, but when I did pick it up, it was not too heavy but not too light, either. I could pick it up with ease, at least.

I walk over to Foracre's side of the bed, carrying the statue.

"Wait, what are you doing? No!" He pleads desperately. I don't listen to him.

I crush his head with the statue. His blood splatters on the bed, the wall and even my dress and bag. Brain matter flies everywhere, including onto my dress, now completely stained with blood.

Having murdered before, I remained calm. Even though I've managed to get away with a lot of murders, I knew that if I got caught, the most likely thing that the Peacekeepers would do to me is rig the reaping bowl so that my chances of getting reaped increase. Executing me would be a dangerous move to make, even though I'm a serial killer, because I could create an outrage, with the single pull of the manipulation string.

But that scenario wouldn't happen if Inter was reaped or if he volunteered, because I would volunteer to be with him, thus giving me my chance to escape. I wouldn't care about money or seducing men or anything else, because Inter means more to me than anything.

After murdering Foracre, I wiped the brain matter from my dress and used a wet cloth from the bathroom to reduce the stains, as well as to clean the statue. The stains looked like juice stains or wine stains now, rather than blood stains.

I threw the cloth into the basin and exited the house, still carrying the statue.

Through the district, I strutted, heading back home to meet up with Inter before the reapings. Girls whispered about me and talked about me, probably saying nasty things about me as I walked past. I just didn't care. A group of boys wolf-whistled at me. I flirted with them, by blowing kisses.

I felt invincible.

As I turned towards an abandoned alleyway, I heard three men follow me. Three thugs. One was carrying a sword.

"What a pretty girl." The scarred one remarks.

"I would looove to have some fun with her, if you know what I mean." The one who looks like a rat comments.

"Bad idea, boys." I respond. I smile, pretending to be innocent, before I throw the statue at the one who hasn't talked. The hit was a death blow, as he falls to the ground and bleeds out.

I take his sword and use it to decapitate the thug who resembled a rat.

"Scarface" looks on in horror, before backing away slowly.

"The only time your tiny dick will get close to me is right now." I snarl. Scarface is confused. His confusion causes me to kick him in the crotch, flooring him. To finish him off, I use the sword to stab him in the back.

Like I said, I felt invincible.

I throw the sword on the floor and continue on my walk home. When I return home, I see Intra, sitting patiently. He was wearing his white jacket.

"Hello Moltra." He smiled warmly. I was so relieved to see him.

"Hey Inter." I smile back. We share a hug. As we break away from the hug, he notices my dress.

"Two questions. Where have you been and does the stains on your dress have something to do with it?" He asks.

"There was a wine-tasting session in one of the restaurants. I split some on myself by accident." I lie. Luckily for me, Inter didn't know about the murders that I've committed. That's because mentioning murder around him made him distraught, since he had killed someone before, some kid named Magnus. All I remember from that day was that I was smiling as the kid got hurt.

"Ah. At least you're not drunk." He believed the lie. I expected it.

"True."

"So, should we get going?"

"Of course."

I lead Inter out of my house. It was a good idea for me to have worn a dress, since it was really hot. I now hoped that the sun would make the stains fade.

Girls and boys continued to look at me. This time, I didn't look at the boys since I was with Intra.

When we reached the Square, I hugged Inter and wished him luck. I got scanned and then went to stand with the other 16 year old girls, who were all dressed lavishly. Pretty much everyone here was dressed lavishly.

Immediately, they sniggered at me. Two girls looked at my dress and sniggered, probably because I had stains on my dress.

"Hello District 1!" shouted District 1's almost identical twin escorts, Deloise and Ambrosia Danvois, enthusiastically. Most people liked them and found them to be entertaining, probably because they were unintelligent. All I could see were two annoying people.

"Oh my, it's nice to be back here again. Isn't it, Deloise?" Ambrosia's question helped me to figure out who was who, as they both had brown hair and lilac eyes. Ambrosia was wearing the silver dress and Deloise was wearing the gold dress.

"Yes, it sure is! Hey, do you guys wanna see the President's speech and the reapings from the Capitol and District 0?"

No.

"We'll show it anyway, since we have to! Haha!"

I wanted to slap them.

I could really care less about the President's speech or the tributes so far. I do admit that I found the restrained boy from the Capitol and the kid with the weird hair from District 0 cute, but that was all.

"That was wonderful! Now, it's time to select the first female tribute representing District 1!" Deloise cheered. She went to the reaping bowl and spent a good couple of minutes rummaging around the bowl.

"Hurry up already!" Someone from the male part of the crowd shouted. Deloise continued to rummage until eventually, she picked up a slip.

"Willow Mervall!"

Willow appeared to be a scared little girl, with white blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore normal clothes, compared to everyone else.

"Are you okay, Willow? You look scared?"

"It's just nerves. But I'm somewhat okay."

Ambrosia rubbed her back, trying to be sympathetic. "You'll be okay, Willow."

It was then Ambrosia's turn to pick a tribute. When she was finished rubbing Willow's back, she went to the male reaping bowl.

"Robin Blanchard!"

I swear, Robin was a younger version of that restrained Capitol boy. They resembled each other almost completely, a difference being the colour of their hair and height. Both looked like they were about to murder someone.

Let's just see if he tries to get into the Justice Building.

"Hello Mr Blanchard, how are you?"

"Great. I'm great." He replied angrily.

Deloise seemed to be intimidated by Robin, proceeding to walk towards the female reaping bowl.

"Ka-"

"I volunteer!" I shout. Because I was overthinking, I had a sudden feeling that something was to go wrong. I felt like maybe I could actually be caught for those murders earlier. With no control, I shouted my claim to volunteer.

"Well come on up, young lady."

I held my hand to my chest. I felt really vulnerable, my feeling of invincibility and my high self-esteem dying. I tried not to look at anyone, especially not Inter.

This was so rare for me.

"What's your name, sweetie?"

"Moltra. Moltra Flare." I reply. From the corner of my eye, I could see Deloise giving me a sad smile. I sighed miserably.

"Time to pick the second male tribute!" Ambrosia cheered. She rummaged around the bowl. Twins think alike and I will never understand it.

"Inter National!"

I sighed again, as I felt my heart sink deeper into my chest. I didn't want this to happen, but it did. Now, the only way it could be rectified is if someone volunteers in his place.

Just as Inter walked up to the stage, my wish was fulfilled.

"I VOLUNTEER!" Someone yelled.

"Ooh, two volunteers."

The volunteer was a green haired boy with lime eyes and of a monstrous height. He definitely put Zach, I think his name was, to shame. He wore a long, green suit to match his hair, eyes and height.

"Wow, aren't you tall? What's your name?"

"My name's Manta Li." He smiled, bearing his fang-like teeth. I'm pretty sure he was a bat or any creature with fangs in his past life.

"Well Manta, it's nice to meet you. Ladies and gentleman of District 1, here are your tributes!" Both twins cheered in unison, to conclude the reaping.

I'm normally not thankful. But this time, I was. Thank you, Manta. Thank you.

District 2 - Ricardo Simmons (R)
"Where's Jarin?"

"He got sent to District 4. Had to go and take care of some pirates."

"If Jarin's in District 4, then where's Liaro?"

"Liaro was put on the President's brother's case. Went to join the other Peacekeepers in the Capitol."

"Wait, what happened to the President's brother?"

"He went missing. Was last seen at the announcement of the Games, as he was nowhere to be found during the Capitol reaping. So did a bunch of the elite. I reckon he doesn't like the fact that his sister is the President, so he got his advisors together and went to his hideout to form a scheme to become the President. I smell a civil war brewing."

"Shh, keep your voice down. You can't just voice your opinions out loud."

"It's only a theory, Rayon. Relax."

I eavesdropped on the conversation that my colleagues were having. Really, I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to be a Peacekeeper, as I was perfectly happy with my life as a member of a Panem-wide gang, but I had no choice. My father's abuse had led me here.

Us three were some of many that were put on patrol, guarding the Peacekeeper Headquarters. The two colleagues next to me were complaining about Jarin and Liaro being put on better cases. Meanwhile, I just wanted to go somewhere that wasn't here.

Luckily for me, my patrol was about to end. When the two were called to deal with a public fight or something of that sort, I walked off in the opposite direction. I needed to get ready for the reaping.

I used a system of alleyways to make my way home, finding it to be much quicker and easier.

Father.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, sternly, as soon as I walked in. He didn't turn to face me, as he was too engrossed by the television.

"My patrol ended. I need to get ready for the reaping." I replied, taking off my Peacekeeper's helmet.

I expected him to yell at me. Instead, he didn't talk.

I went into my room and changed out of my uniform. I felt much cooler, since the uniform had made me feel hot and sweaty.

I then put on a red T-shirt, jeans and red trainers, before leaving. I didn't bother to say goodbye to Father.

Unlike The Capitol and District 1, District 2's weather was not so nice. It was normally cloudy or raining. In rare occasions, there was thunder and lightning. Right now, the sky was covered in grey clouds.

I used the same system of alleyways to get to the Square. I didn't see any of my fellow gang members or any members of the rival gang, the Blues, around, which was for me, odd.

By the time I reached the Square, District 2's escort, Milanis Kane, was already there. He was pretty normal, having blonde hair and blue eyes and not an outrageous hair or eye colour, and likeable, which was what I admired. He donned a light blue suit.

"Hello District 2, I know you guys are very enthusiastic about the games and I also know that you like to get things over and done with. So, here's the President's speech."

The footage of the President from the Capitol reaping played. She reminded me of an eagle that was about to take off, for some reason.

I listened to her speech all the way through. When it was over, I turned my attention back to Milaris.

"Now, time for the first tribute."

He walked over to the female reaping bowl and picked up the first slip he could see.

"Andr-"

"I volunteer as tribute!"

The volunteer was a girl with blonde hair with brown highlights and a rose in her hair. That's what I could see from where I was stood, anyway.

I finally got a better view of the girl when she made her way onto the stage and pushed her hair away from her face.

"What's your name, volunteer?" Milanis asked her.

"Nutmeg. Nutmeg Spica. And I'm still alive."

Milanis seemed to be fascinated by the tattoo on Nutmeg's head. Whilst he was gawping at the tattoo, the crowd gasped in shock. Meanwhile, Nutmeg smirked at the crowd.

"Is your tattoo representative of something?"

"Yes, it is."

Milanis would have enquired Nutmeg further about her tattoo, but he knew that he had to get on with the reaping. Rather than walking towards the female reaping bowl, he walked towards the male bowl.

"Poa-"

"I volunteer!"

Yet another volunteer. This time, it was a red haired or blonde haired 18 year old. I couldn't tell. He also had one of his ears pierced.

"What's your name, second volunteer?"

"Pompeii Vulcan."

"Do you think you have a good chance of winning the Games, Pompeii?"

"Yes. I think I have a great chance."

I looked towards the female division. Most of the ladies were already swooning over him, when they've only just learned his name.

"You've got a good attitude, Pompeii." He remarked, patting him on the back before going over to the female reaping bowl.

"Courtney Dax."

A visibly hot-headed, brown-haired girl stormed up to the stage. After having three boys, in previous reapings, that looked like they wanted to murder someone, Courtney finally broke that pattern by being the first female.

Milanis didn't know what to say to those on stage, so he recycled the same question that he asked Pompeii to Courtney.

"Do you think you have a good chance of winning the Games, Courtney?"

"Certainly."

The escort seemed intimidated by Courtney's anger, so he decided that the best thing to do would be to conclude the reaping with one final selection.

And that selection was me, "Ricardo Simmons."

I wasn't afraid of being reaped. It was the fact that when I get brought into the Justice Building, my father would visit me and command me on how to act in the Games. I could already imagine it. He would want me to a brutal Career and mercilessly slaughter everyone until I'm the only one left.

But that's not going to happen. He can't tell me what to do anymore.

Ignoring everyone's glares, I go to Milanis. He asks me yet the same question.

"Do you think you have a good chance of winning the Games, Ricardo?"

I look to the crowd. They groan in boredom when Milanis asked me the question. I then look back at Milanis.

"Call me Simmons. And as of my chances, I'll see what happens." I am careful to give a vague response.

"I see. Well folks, here are your tributes for the games." Milanis grabs my hand and raises it. He also encourages Courtney, Pompeii and Nutmeg to hold hands and raise them. We do so briefly, as we didn't really want to hold hands.

The thought of my father paying me a visit shortly lingered in my mind.

District 3 - Marcella Brynlee (R)
"Wake up, Marcella. It's the day of the reaping." Alana's voice woke me up. I groaned as soon as I heard "reaping". I didn't want to attend the reaping, and I hoped that Rowan or my siblings didn't want to attend either. I was scared that seeing the Peacekeepers would stop me from controlling my emotions.

Seeing them especially after what they did to all of us.

"Do we have to go?" I asked, when I finally turned over and faced the two people that I shared a bedroom with.

"Yes. We don't want to, but we have to." Rowan replied, presumably from the corner of the room. I rose out of my bed and put on the first pair of decent clothes that I could find.

Only the teenagers left the house, after saying our goodbyes of course. Darrow stayed in the house, minding our younger siblings, as we prepared to walk from the outskirts to the Square.

Rowan talked to me about how she felt and how she thought that the Peacekeepers were going to rig the reaping bowl so that she would get reaped because of her participation in helping me and my remaining family.

I could only try to reassure her.

"But you know it's a very high possibility." She usually responded.

It wasn't hot in District 3, but it wasn't cold either. However, in this temperature, plants and flowers were able to grow, as the yard in the house I shared with Rowan and my siblings blossomed with flowers, as well as some plants.

Skyscrapers surrounded us, especially of those belonging to technological companies. These same companies normally competed to try and build the taller skyscraper or the most impressive skyscraper.

Sometimes, we could find a skyscraper belonging to a non-technological company. But this was normally uncommon, as the majority of the district's skyscrapers belonged to the technological companies.

After a long walk, which hurt my feet, we parted near the Peacekeepers. The very people that I hated.

"Good luck." I wished Alana and Rowan.

"Good luck, Marcella."

We shared a warm hug, to finalise our wishes of good luck. I didn't want to leave them. I wish we could have stayed like this for a lot longer, had it not been for the Peacekeeper who broke us up.

"That's enough. Get into your sections!"

I felt bittersweet as I felt the Peacekeeper's hand on my shoulder, after I got scanned. I quietly went into the section that I was supposed to be in, and only looked around for Alana and Rowan when the Peacekeeper escorting me made his way to the stage.

We waited for Malia Sarona, our usual district escort and a pink-haired girl of 19, to appear on stage. But she didn't show up.

"Where's Malia?" I could hear one girl ask another girl.

"How am I meant to know?" The other girl counter-asked, bitterly.

That's when our elderly Mayor appeared. Luckily, he would reveal what had happened to Malia. But there would always be that group of people who wouldn't believe him.

"Malia is ill. She could not be the escort this year."

Well that's odd. Now I was starting to see where those group of people were coming from, as Malia is normally very healthy and well.

"Instead, I'll conduct the reaping. Those who become our tributes will be taken to the Capitol by two of our most beloved victors, who are currently waiting on the train."

After talking about the victors, the Mayor showed the footage of the President making her speech at the Capitol. I tried to pay attention to it, but thoughts of Rowan and Alana's wellbeing clouded my mind.

"Thank you for that." He thanked the Peacekeepers, signalling for them to turn it off. "Now, let's pick out the tributes."

Unlike escorts, who normally have a distinctive personality, the Mayor was monotonous.

He only had the strength to pick up the first slip that he could get a hold of. His young assistant helped to unravel it.

"Rosalind Bree." He spoke slowly. Rosalind walked up to the stage, with suspicion on her face. She was short and had short, brown hair.

Like I said before, the Mayor didn't have a flamboyant personality, so I wasn't surprised when he didn't converse with Rosalind. He just systematically moved to the male reaping bowl.

"Caspian Mahoney."

Tall and handsome, he walked up to the stage with a sense of creepy pride. Rosalind made sure that she was at the opposite end of the stage, far away from Caspian. She didn't seem to be fooled by Caspian's appearance. Caspian gave her an evil smile.

Following his systematic pattern, the Mayor then walked over to the female reaping bowl again.

"Rowan..."

I could not let this happen. She's been through too much as it is. She could not enter these games. I had to volunteer.

"I volunteer as tribute!"

As I made my way to the stage, I heard Rowan call out to me. "What are you doing, Marcella?! NO! You can't do this!"

"I have to, Rowan. You've already suffered enough."

"But so have you!"

"I put you into this mess. It's my fault." I replied, ignroing her as I continued my walk. I tried to avoid Caspian and resist how handsome he was, and I tried to stay away from the Peacekeepers.

"Name?" He asked, his voice dull.

"Marcella Brynlee."

Finally, he went back to the male reaping bowl and picked out a slip with the name "Dexter Grif" on it. Dexter walked up to the stage lazily. He was dressed in red, but his hair was orange. His eyes were a light orange.

The Mayor had no interest in declaring us the District 3 tributes, just like he didn't have any interest in talking to us or asking us how we felt as we made our way to the stage. I took one glance towards Alana and Rowan, before walking into the Justice Building so that Peacekeepers didn't have to escort me.

District 4 - Lavernius Tucker (R)
"Good fight, Tucker!"

"Way to knock him out, Tucker!"

"My money's on you, Tucker!"

I sat alone, near the fighting ring that I just fought in an hour ago. I won the fight, but the pain from my opponent's hits still lingered.

Normally, I would be making jokes and innuendos, but today, I felt more reminiscent and content. Two strange feelings to have after a fight, I know. But I was feeling like this because of overthinking.

Hopefully, this would be my final reaping. I hoped that I wasn't reaped or that my fellow gang member, Caboose, wasn't reaped either. If we got through this reaping together, than I only had to wish that Caboose would get through his final reaping.

Me and Caboose were more than just members of the Blue team. We were ex-colleagues as well. We had a decent job as artifact testers and guards, our bosses being the elite District 4 scientists. But because of the government and how corrupt they are, me and Caboose were fired. And because we couldn't afford the money to keep a roof over our heads, we were kicked out.

Before I knew it, Caboose had been shot with an ancient gun, causing him to go crazy and to blame me for everything. So whilst he became crazy, I was led to the boxing ring, trying to make some money to get by.

This way of living isn't so bad, though. With every fight that I win, I get the attention of female spectators.

Knowing that I couldn't appear at the reaping in a bloodied vest, I changed into clothes that were of the colour of my gang; blue. I knew that being a Blues gang member, I had to be on the lookout for Red gang members.

When I felt that the pain of my injuries had eased, I left the boxing ring and headed out onto the streets. It didn't take me a while to find Caboose.

"The reaping is your fault, Tucker!"

"Let's go you blonde, crazy bastard."

Me and Caboose walked through the district, past fishmongers and cute girls who were heading for the beach. I could manage to see a part of the sea and a couple of large ships, floating gracefully out on the water. What me and Caboose used to enjoy.

As we walked through this wonderful district, Caboose tried to attack me on several occasions. I knew that I could attack back, due to my skills as a street fighter, but Caboose was my friend. I didn't want to hurt him, even if he is batshit crazy.

We reached the Square. I said goodbye to Caboose and he said goodbye to me in his own way; almost punching me in the face.

"Hey guys." District 4's escort, Narlis Verden, greeted us. Narlis was volatile and angry, but currently, he was trying to be calm.

What was funny was that his hair matched the colour of his face when he was extremely angry. His eyes sparkled with jealousy.

"I'm not going to show you the President's speech, because I don't want to stand here any longer, so I'll just get on with the reaping."

He walked over to the female reaping bowl.

Before he could even pick up a slip, someone volunteered. Narlis snarled.

"What's your name, volunteer?" He asked, angrily, to the girl who was making her way onto the stage. She locked eyes with the Mayor.

"Emilia Oswald."

People gasped. That's when I recognised her as the Mayor's daughter. Grey eyes, brown hair, sense of determination.

"Let me guess, you want to win this for your father and your family?"

Emilia looked to her father, who gave a simple nod.

"Yes. I want to win this to bring honour to my family."

"Said thousands of other tributes who never made it out alive." He replied whilst heading over to the male reaping bowl, making Emilia roll her eyes.

This time, he was able to pick up a slip.

"Aver..."

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE! AH!" That familiar voice yelled. Michael.

"OH AND DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT VOLUNTEERING, TUCKER!" He added.

I don't care, you crazy bastard. I will volunteer.

Because of Michael's crazy demeanour and the high possibility of him going to attack someone, Peacekeepers had to restrain him. Restraining Caboose was tough, because he was like a fish after they had been taken from the sea.

I had to wait to volunteer, as Verden had to pick the other female tribute.

"Se-"

"I volunteer as tribute!"

It was a young girl, who volunteered. She had her black hair in a ponytail and her eyes almost looked red. She also had darker skin than most District 4 citizens.

"And you are probably a psychopath." Narlis remarked, at the sight of Rita. He converting his anger into sarcasm, which was confusing.

"I'm glad you asked. My name is Rita." She replied, sarcastically, causing some of the citizens in the crowd to laugh.

"I couldn't care less."

Now was my moment to volunteer. I knew that Caboose needed guidance in the games.

"I volunteer as tribute!" I shouted, but not as loudly as Caboose since my lungs were not as strong as his.

"Alright. You just say your name and then we can be done." Narlis "instructed" me.

"Lavernius Tucker."

"Okay, District 4, here's your tributes."

I exchanged a glance of frustration with Caboose. He, on the other hand, wanted to attack me, presumably for volunteering.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO, TUCKER!"

District 5 - Corin Greer (R)
I had spent the night on the cold streets of District 5, even though I had Geneviene's house to go to. Most people who walked past me were frustrated dam and powerplant workers, the smell of their workplaces still clinging to them. The air didn't help that. But not everyone who walked past me ignored me. I was still known in the district for being kind (even though I was colder nowadays, thanks to the fire). So when the people who knew me for my reputation saw me, they immediately gave me money and a couple of items, one of them being a blanket.

I appreciated it and genuinely thanked them.

Amongst the items that I had was Elijah's white jacket, which kept the memory of my best friend and my adoptive father alive. It also kept the memory of the fire, because of the edges of it being burnt and the lower part of it being ripped off.

I used the jacket as a small cape, throwing it over my shoulders and tying a knot at the front to keep it together. I then took the other items and placed them in a bag that was given to me, before heading to Geneviene's house.

Wearing the jacket as a cape had given me a lift of hope again.

"There you are. Where have you been?" Geneviene asked when she saw me enter.

"Slept outside again."

"Are you okay?"

"Well, I didn't get pneumonia so I'm thankful for that." I say, aiming to be witty. Geneviene laughed.

"There's a bright side to everything."

A bright side? Does that mean the jacket is a bright side of the fire? Because I doubt "Mr Bright Side" was there when Elijah was killed.

Okay Corin, calm down. "I hope there's a bright side to this reaping." I say, trying to boost my positivity.

If I was to enter the Games, I'd just think of it as another challenge to overcome and my memories of my adoptive father would keep me going. That's all I need. It didn't take me long to get ready. I put on a white dress of mine and a pair of shoes. I also tightened the cape I made with Elijah's jacket.

I was ready to go, until I remembered that Geneviene took longer to get ready.

We walked through the district, yearning for some clean air as smoke consumed most of the atmosphere. As we proceeded towards the Square, the smoke thickened. It thickened so badly that it eventually turned into a fog.

The fog was so thick that we could hardly make out the stage.

"This...will-" Geneviene was struggling to speak due to the amount of times she was coughing. I'm pretty sure this was becoming dangerous, now.

"It's...suffocating..us." I reply, also struggling to talk.

Through the fog, we could see the Peacekeepers at the Square, who were offering civilians masks. We wouldn't need masks, though, if we had clean air to begin with.

Still, we took the masks and got scanned. We knew what to do by now.

"Because of the atmosphere..., we will get...these reapings...over and done..with...quickly." The district escort, Rowana Lucrian, tried to say. She was normal looking, with brown hair and brown eyes. Her mask was currently away from her mouth.

She walked over to the female reaping bowl.

"Corin Greer."

I wasn't afraid. My bravery kicked in. But it was the emotion from Geneviene that got to me.

"Please don't volunteer." I pleaded to her, as all eyes were on us.

"Why? You shouldn't go up there. You don't need this."

"I have a motive for winning, Geneviene. I'm going to do this for Elijah."

I hugged her before I left and before Rowana could call out for me once more. I knew that she wasn't going to be interested in conversing with me and more interested in getting the reapings over and done with.

I looked into the crowd, especially at Geneviene. She was wiping away her tears and looking at me miserably.

At the same time, I saw a very peculiar looking boy in the opposite side of the crowd. A boy who looked similar to me.

Who could that boy be? Yes, he may look similar to me, but I doubt that he could have a connection to me.

Rowana walked over to the male reaping bowl next. The male that was reaped was an angry looking boy, who didn't seem like one for conversations. He went by the name of Anthony Sharpclaw.

He was hiding something.

After drawing Anthony's name, Rowana walked over to the female reaping bowl.

"Talia Mignonette."

A friendly-faced girl appeared onto the stage, from the section which I had just been standing in. She looked like she was hard-working and humble, she seemed to give off that aura. She had long brown hair and light blue eyes, maybe that's what helped me receive that aura.

I exchanged a look with Talia. She shyly smiled, when she took off her mask, and gave a single nod, before turning away.

I hadn't paid attention to Rowana, until she picked the slip featuring the name of the final District 5 tribute.

"De-"

"I volunteer as tribute!"

The volunteer jumped up to the stage. I recognised him as Brett Brawl, the boy who said on live television last year that he would volunteer. Looks like he stuck to his word.

I turned to face the boy once last time. Who was he? Would I ever get to know? What if we did have a connection after all?

I felt strange the minute I saw him.

District 6 - Grayson James (R)
I got up this morning, feeling emotional. I hated the reapings, as I knew what to expect. At least it wouldn't be as emotional as last year. I followed the annual reaping routine, meeting up with my adoptive family at the end of it. My loving parents and my beloved sister, Melinda.

We were currently making our way to the Square. My family regularly tried to keep me calm, which I appreciated.

I looked to Melinda.

"Everything will be okay, Grayson." She reassured me. She was a living reminder of my biological sibling, Melody, whom I had shared a close bond with. Melinda even resembled Melody, as they shared traits of having a warm personality and kindness.

"Thank you, sis." I replied, embracing her once more. Our parents smiled.

When we stopped a couple of metres away from where the Peacekeepers were sat, we decided to say our goodbyes. I tried to think about the possibility of getting through another reaping without being reaped or without Melinda being reaped, but with that possibility was the opposite possibility that myself or Melinda could be reaped this year.

"Just remember that everything will be okay. Maintain positivity, even in the hardest situations." My father advised. I shared a final hug with my parents.

"Now Grayson, go ahead and wait with the other boys your age, alright?" Mother asked.

"Okay, Mom."

My mother kissed the top of my forehead. I also hugged Melinda, before we got scanned and went to wait with the people our age. In the entirety of my walk to the Peacekeepers and then to my section, I was trying to smoothen down my shirt.

Looking at the stage, I immediately saw that Mayor Polan was missing. Combined with the news of the District 3 escort going missing, something strange was going on.

"We're not going to be showing the President's speech. Instead, we'll get on with the reapings." The escort of our district announed. The footage of the District 5 reaping suddenly stopped playing the screens, being replaced by the Capitol emblem instead.

"For the first female tribute, Amy Light!"

The young 12 year old walked up to the stage in a formal manner, but hastily. Unsurprisingly, she was small. She also had bright ginger hair and freckles. In truth, she didn't look like a 12 year old.

I watched as the escoet conversed with Amy, who remained quiet. She was looking at someone in the crowd, but I couldn't make out who it was.

"Now for the male tribute."

The escort picked up the first slip in the male reaping bowl.

"Wheeler Light!"

Amy had a sense of shock in her eyes. That's who she must have been looking at, her brother. Walking up to the stage, I thought that he looked younger than a 12 year old. However, one thing was noticeable and that was how similar he looked to his sister.

Before he had walked to the stage, somebody was ready to volunteer in his place. But Wheeler, who was visibly frustrated and upset from watching his sister getting reaped, tripped them up.

"I'm going to remain as tribute to defend my sister, whether you like it or not!" The young boy barked at the almost volunteer. He then grunted and stood next to Amy.

"Very intriguing" was the only remark that came out of the escort, as they walked over to the female reaping bowl.

"Macy Rayle!"

Now there were gasps in the air. The Rayles were one of the most powerful families in District 6, as well as one of the most controversial.

"Macy Rayle? Come on up."

Everyone was looking around for Macy. Peacekeepers were suddenly roaming through, and that's when Macy was identified: a white haired girl. She looked emotionless and nonchalant.

"How are you feeling?"

"Absolutely peachy." She sarcastically replied. She went over to shake hands with Amy and Wheeler, much to their reluctance. They could see through her.

"And for the final tribute."

I watched as they walked over to the male reaping bowl and picked up the first slip.

"Grayson James!"

I began to tear up. All of that work towards getting out of that horrible place, for nothing. I tried to hold back the tears as I remembered the support that I had from my biological siblings and now my adoptive family, but they just kept on rolling.

"Ladies and gentleman, here are your tributes!"

The escort didn't speak to me, instead pushing us inside the Justice Building. At least I had three minutes to speak to my beloved family before my journey to the Capitol.

District 7 - Lilith Parr-Cymri (R)
"You really think that we aren't going to let you get away with this Lilith. We are coming for you."

This neatly written note turned up last night. I inspected the note, only being able to come to the conclusion that it came from a Parr.

But I couldn't care less. Biologically, I'm a Parr. But technically, I'm a Cymri. It was Cymris who raised me and thus they are who I consider to be my family. I consider Lucius to be my brother, not my half-brother (even though he is biologically my half-brother).

Screw the Parrs and the Wests. We're proof that their feud is coming to an end. Panem knows that now.

"Lilith?"

"Hey Lucius." I say, turning around to see my brother.

"Are you okay? Are you reading that note again?"

"Yeah."

That's when Lucius walked over to me and sat down beside me.

"Lilith, don't let that note bother you. You have me and you have our parents."

I looked at my brother and smiled.

"I know."

I kissed him on the top of his forehead, in which he responded by hugging me.

"I love you, sis."

"I love you too."

Our hug lasted for a couple of moments, before we had to break away. We walked downstairs together, preparing to say goodbye to our parents.

"Despite everything that has happened to you both, you've managed to remain strong. You're two of the bravest youth that I know and we're proud of you."

"You have the potential to defeat those petty Careers, if you do end up in the Games. You two have our full support."

I hugged them both and said goodbye, before departing. Lucius walked behind me this time, following me.

As soon as we left the house, we were hit by the warm air of District 7. There was a pleasant view of the forest, which was nearby from where we lived. Lumberjacks stormed out of the forest, flinging heavy axes over their shoulders and wearing typical District 7 work clothes. We were noticed by several people during our walk to the Square.

"Is that the Parr girl from the TV?" I heard one person whisper.

"Yeah. But she says that she's a Cys-, a Cyr, a Cy-"

"Cymri?"

"That's the one."

People talked about Lucius too, but like me, he didn't care.

Upon arriving, people spotted us and gasped. They burst into a flurry of gossip.

"Goodbye Lucius."

"Goodbye Lilith."

We hugged for the final time, before splitting off into our lines. I joined the back of the line for the 18 year old girls. The two girls in front of me stared at me.

"Excuse me, are you that girl from the TV who said that she was a Parr?"

I really wanted to correct the girl who asked, especially since she didn't look like a girl from District 7 and looked more like a typical blonde from District 1.

"Yes."

They looked to each other and laughed. I maintained an emotionless face, having no regard for idiots like those two.

I got scanned by the Peacekeepers, who detected who I was immediately. I was grateful that they didn't make fun of me. They gestured for me to move along to my section.

I stood away from the two annoying girls, who continued to look at me and laugh. If this was District 1, they could have easily been killed once the reapings started.

"Hello guys."

The district escort was Silena Seacrest, a girl originally from District 4. She had only been in her position for a year, becoming the youngest ever escort at just 16. But her personality was not as great as her achievement. She was arrogant, like a lot of people in District 4.

She played with a strand of her auburn hair, trying to come across as cute to us. From the looks on the faces of the males, I guess it was working. Her eyes were unsurprisingly sea blue.

"Before we go into the reapings, I have to show you this video of the President."

The snippets of the reapings so far had been replaced by the footage of the President's speech from the Capitol reaping.

I paid attention to the video for the first couple of seconds, before observing everything else.

Mayor Arina and her husband were missing. Both of their chairs were empty. I couldn't be the only one to be suspicious of this, since this was not the first disappearance from a reaping.

From what I remember watching, the District 3 escort was missing and the Mayor of District 6 was missing. "Thank you, President Averling." She smiled.

"Now, for the reapings."

I knew the order in which the tributes were to be reaped, since it was the same for every district. Female, male, female, male.

Silena rummaged through the bowl, before picking up a slip. She went to open it, but then put it back into the bowl, raising eyebrows and suspicions from both Peacekeepers and the crowd.

She then picked another slip and opened it up, before putting it back into the bowl.

"This can't be right." She remarked, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Okay, the person whose name is in the third slip will be the one who is reaped." She promised everyone, as she picked up one final slip of paper and opened it up.

She was shocked.

"No way. Come on up, Lilith Parr-Cymri!"

Everyone was now shocked, not just Silena. The two slips of paper that she had picked up beforehand had my name on it, I knew it. The Parrs had rigged the bowl so that I had more of a chance of getting reaped.

I walked up to the stage and stood next to Silena. On my way up, I heard more gossiping and more people calling me a Parr. I knew I had to say something, even if it meant that I was posing more of a risk to myself and my family. But, it was either that or endure more people calling me by the surname of a family who I did not want to know, even if I was biologically a part of that family.

"Is it okay if I borrow the microphone?"

"Sure." Silena replied, confused. She handed me the microphone.

"District 7. Yes, my name is Lilith Parr-Cymri. You may have seen me on TV with my younger brother."

People recognised Lucius and turned to face him as I mentioned him.

"Yes, I am a Parr. Biologically. But the Parrs did not bring me up. They did not raise me. It was the Cymris who raised me, so I consider myself to be a part of the Cymri family. Now, please stop referring to me as a Parr."

My little speech was over. I looked at Lucius, who looked worried for me. We were strong, we knew that, but because I spoke out since my interview, I had a whole new trial to face.

But I was determined to overcome this trial and ensure the safety of my family.

"Well thank you, Miss Cymri. I'm pretty sure we will remember what you said."

I didn't know what to feel afterwards. The most dominant emotion was shock.

"Now, for the male tribute!"

The same happened again. Silena picked up slips and putting them back into the bowl. It didn't take long for me to figure out that the male reaping bowl had been rigged so that Lucius had more of a chance of getting reaped.

"This next slip had better contain the name of a different person!"

She picked up one final slip of paper. This one was the fourth slip that she had picked up.

When she opened it up, she placed one hand on her chest in relief.

"Thank goodness. Vesper Brooks!" A brown haired 14 year old made his way to the stage. He carried an inhaler with him, so I knew immediately that his weakness would be his asthma.

"Do you have asthma, by any chance, Vesper?"

"Yes." He replied, before using the said inhaler.

"Alright."

Silena then walked back to the female reaping bowl. Taking my slips into account, she looked around for the slip of another person.

"WAIT!" One of the Peacekeepers at the stage shouted.

"What is it? Why are you suddenly interrupting?"

"We've received orders to execute someone."

The Peacekeepers stormed past me and Vesper. They picked up a girl from the section for the 15 year olds.

"No!" She cried as she tried to break free from being restrained. The Peacekeepers carried her up to the stage and forced her to kneel. Silena brought us over to the far opposite corner of the stage, so that we didn't get injured by the sudden execution.

The Peacekeeper who interrupted was also the Peacekeeper who placed his pistol at the young girl's head.

"I volunteer! I volunteer!" She desperately pleaded. The Peacekeeper put his pistol back under his belt and the girl got up. Her knees were red because of the pressure that had been put on her to kneel.

"What's your name?"

"My name's Valerie Woolworth."

"And why was you about to be executed, if I may ask?"

Valerie looked relieved, but also very traumatised.

"I killed someone."

The tension was too high for Silena to continue to speak to the girl. Instead, she went ahead with concluding the reaping, by reaping the other male tribute.

"A-"

"I...volunteer as tribute."

Unlike most of the volunteers, the person who volunteered spoke in a confused manner. He knew that he had to walk up to the stage.

The volunteer was a boy of 14, just like Vesper. He had brown hair and red eyes, and he carried a brown maple leaf with him. His token.

He looked amazed and bewildered, like he had never seen District 7 before. I wonder why he looked so confused.

"And you are?"

Marvin stopped looking around when Silena asked him for his name.

"Marvin Xyles."

The Peacekeepers brought Marvin over to stand with the rest of us.

"District 7, here are your tributes! Oh how hectic it has been." Silena remarked. We were then taken into the Justice Building.

All I could think about was Lucius and the challenge that I would have to face, the challenge being the Games.

District 8 - Jack Wang (R)
I despise the Games. I despise the Capitol. I despise those supportive of the Games and the Capitol. That's what caused me to murder my parents. They were supportive of tyrants.

So it's no surprise that I turned up to the Square feeling repulsed, as well as aware for any rebel attacks, as District 8 was prone to rebel rioting.

I stood in the section for the 16 year old boys, waiting for the district escort, Rhynor Palmaris, to arrive.

Half an hour later, he still didn't show up.

"What is going on?" The crowd was gasping. To add to the mystery, Mayor Belacourt was missing too.

We would have left the reaping, since it was raining, had it not been for the Peacekeepers, who were loaded with ammunition and powerful guns.

"Where's the mentor? Wouldn't he be in charge to run the reaping, after the escort and the Mayor?" I heard one person ask to another. But before the person who had been asked the question could answer, the Head Peacekeeper of District 8, Titus Needle, stormed to the stage.

"SILENCE!" He yelled, using intimidation to keep the mass of citizens quiet.

"I will show you the clip of the President's speech. You will listen to this speech in it's entirety. If you dare to misbehave or talk during the playing of the speech, you will be SHOT!"

Once Needle got everyone quiet, he showed the clip. I faced the screen reluctantly, looking at President Averling as she glorified these horrendous Games.

I hated her. Just as the President talked about her birthday...

BOOM!

Needle shot one of the gossiping girls from the 14 year olds section, from what appeared to be in the head.

14.

"STUPID LITTLE GIRL! I GAVE YOU THE WARNING!"

The citizens of the district, those who were too old or too young for the reapings, heard the gunshot and gradually came out of the factories and their homes.

The parents of the girl saw their deceased daughter on screen and ran straight into the middle of the crowd.

"DOWN WITH THE CAPITOL! DOWN WITH THE PEACEKEEPERS! MURDERING CHILDREN!" They chanted.

Now here was the rioting.

Peacekeepers began to shoot at the crowd of rioters, dominated by the rebellious adults of the district. The helpless ones, the ones who just wanted to join in, were being taken up to the stage and executed in front of all of the youth of the district. The 12 and 13 year olds were traumatised, a lot of them hadn't see violence close up, only through their TV screens.

The traumatised couldn't even escape, because they were barricaded by Peacekeepers.

Needle ordered for the other Peacekeepers to turn off the clip and get the reapings done quickly.

One of the Peacekeepers, not even reacting to the violence surrounding them, picked up the first slip from the female reaping bowl.

"Vera Blaize!" The voice of the Peacekeeper was very masculine, since it was very deep.

Vera didn't move. Whoever she was, she was very defiant.

"BLAIZE! WHERE THE F**K ARE YOU?" The Peacekeeper raised his voice, also managing to throw in a cuss, which he probably did to further exaggerate his anger.

Just like Valerie from 7, Vera was identified in the section. Being forced to move out of the section, because the threat of being executed was lingering, she walked to the stage.

She was not just defiant, she was aggressive. She pushed Peacekeepers out of the way, whilst keeping a regard for the rioters.

A rebel indeed.

As soon as she was made to stand next to Titus, she spit at him.

"Deal with this wretched girl." I heard him demand. One of the Peacekeepers unnecessarily knocked out Vera with the end of his gun, rendering her unconscious instantly. Another Peacekeeper walked over to the male reaping bowl.

"Renault Black!" The voice of this Peacekeeper was feminine. A coincidence, perhaps?

Renault was not defiant like Vera. He made his way to the stage quickly, trying to protect himself from the ongoing violence. However, the violence was dying down and it seemed like the Peacekeepers were close to fully eliminating the band of rebels.

A loss of brave people.

Renault remained calm, but was scanning the female section. I assumed he was looking for a relative.

The same Peacekeeper from before walked over to the female reaping bowl again.

"Mercedes Black!"

Mercedes, whilst being calm like her brother, had her arms folded. She made her way to the stage gracefully. By this point, the violence had stopped and the Peacekeepers had unfortunately won.

She gave cold glares towards the male Peacekeepers, but hugged her brother warmly.

The Peacekeeper in charge of the male reaping bowl walked over to the male reaping bowl for the final time.

"Jack Wang!"

Of course it had to be me. I guess this was it. I guess karma was out to get me, even though I had a mindset that I knew was the right mindset.

Walking past the pile of slashed bodies and avoiding the puddle of blood, I headed for the stage. Looking at those bodies, I also saw that the rebels had managed to kill a couple of Peacekeepers.

Kudos to those rebels.

Upon arriving at the stage, all four of us were shoved into the Justice Building. I had no loved ones to say goodbye to.

District 9 - Dedenne Reunee (R)
It was saddening to be in this position, but I was a positive girl. I had to remain optimistic. I looked at the big screens in front of the Justice Building. It was showing the events of the District 8 reaping. The Mayor and the district escort was missing, leaving the Peacekeepers to handle the reaping. Then, just moments after one of the eligible girls was shot, a group of rebels witnessed the shooting and started to riot. Those rioters didn't survive, though.

As of the tributes, there was a ferocious brown haired girl who spit at the Peacekeeper and got hit in the head by another Peacekeeper's gun, a brother and sister and a brown haired teen. It looked like the District 9 reaping would also be run by the Peacekeepers, because Corlynne, the district escort, and Mayor Zirion was missing.

Hopefully, there wouldn't be a riot.

"You all saw what happened in 8's reaping. You all know that we can defeat rebels and their pathetic rebellions. So I suggest you don't become a rebel, if you want to stay alive. Now, watch the President's speech."

Luckily (or maybe slightly luckily), our Head Peacekeeper was not as strict as Titus Needle, but he still had the potential to kill or be violent.

I watched President Averling make her speech, knowing that I couldn't do anything else. I only bothered to take notice of some words and of the President's appearance. She mentioned honour and glory, as well as winning the Games being the "epitome of power".

No one was killed.

Knowing that all was about to be revealed soon, I looked over to the male side of the Square. Ulric was nowhere to be seen.

The Head Peacekeeper declared that he was going to pick the first female tribute.

"Pa-"

The sound of the Peacekeeper's voice was overpowered by loud, hysterical laughing.

"Whoever is laughing, are you going to volunteer?!"

Peacekeepers spotted who it was that was laughing, a drunkard girl from the 18 year olds section. Half of her face was covered by her thick, luscious brown hair. She looked tired, like as if she was the person who pulled all-nighters, drinking by the looks of it. Maybe she was a ruined beauty pageant winner or a model?

Carrying her bottle of vodka around, she staggered towards the stage.

"And just who might you be, drunk girl?"

"I am..." She took a pause to laugh and hold her index finger in the air, preparing what she was going to say next. "Victoria..Assface..Sinclair! Volunteer for these Hunger..Games. And I'm going to pass out."

The Peacekeepers looked at her in disgust.

"Keep hold of her! She's an embarrassment." The Head Peacekeeper ordered. The Peacekepers carrying Victoria took her bottle of vodka away from her. She didn't even bother to retrieve it, choosing to laugh like a maniac instead.

"Now, for the first male tribute."

The Head Peacekeeper was quick in moving on.

"Servus Vinctos!"

The boy was creepy, since his face was hidden underneath a white mask. I couldn't see any emotion from him, as a result. His aura was that of hidden danger.

There was nothing more that I could point out about him, besides the fact that he is the type of person that I would avoid.

"Two more tributes are to be selected!"

Once again, the Head Peacekeeper walked over to the female reaping bowl.

It was me who was reaped.

"Dedenne Reunee!"

I had a normal life in District 9. My parents had died because of starvation and my "biological father" had been an abusive man. I had a job, which despite how vigorous it was, it made sure that I had food to eat, a big priority to me since my parents had died so that I could live, I kept the house running and I met new people everyday. Of course, I also had Ulric.

Not wanting to make the Peacekeepers mad, I headed to the stage. I didn't want to appear as eager, though.

As soon as I reached the stage, I looked for Ulric. Eventually, I found him. I hoped that he wasn't reaped, but I had a feeling that he would volunteer for my safety.

"And finally, the second male tribute."

The reaped was a boy named Quentin Ryes. The Head Peacekeeper almost referred to Quentin as "Millet", before correcting what he had said.

I waited for Ulric to volunteer in Quentin's place.

That never happened.

District 10 - Marshall Vinewood (R)
So many missing people. Mayor Renn was gone.

I didn't stand with the rest of the 17 year olds in the district, because of my height. Instead, I stood with the doctors who are forcing me to volunteer. But people were still staring at me. I was gonna be a medical marvel until my death.

"We're not going to show you the President's speech. I have a migraine and I just want to get the reapings over and done with." The district escort, Brynden Morton, complained. He regularly placed his hand on his head, possibly to show that he really does have a migraine.

Whilst rubbing his poor forehead, he used his free hand to pick out a female name. He then had to use the hand that he had reserved for rubbing his head to open the slip up.

"A-"

Being very tall, I had a great view of the people in the crowd. One girl pushed her way through the crowd and strutted towards the stage.

"Before you ask, my name is Scarlynn Kristow and I volunteer as tribute." She said to Brynden. All I could say to describe her was that she was beautiful, and she had the spirit of a District 1 female tribute, rather than District 10.

"Very well."

He continued to rub his forehead. This time, he opened the slip that he picked up from the male reaping bowl with one hand.

"Jacob Woodward."

He finally sighed in relief as Jacob was not a volunteer. The reaped was one of the 12 year old boys, who kept plucking at his clothes nervously. Unsurprisingly, he was also distraught.

"Don't be upset, child. You'll be okay." I heard Brynden say to Jacob. Jacob looked at him, before looking at the floor again, without saying a word.

"Alright."

He walked over to the female reaping bowl. This was getting repetitive.

"Lunar Powers."

I recognised Lunar. She hugged her significant other (boyfriend/lover/husband even?) and embraced her child (?), before going to the stage. Having a nice complexion and appearance, she could be with anyone. But she seemed like the faithful type.

Now she could possibly be taken away from her family.

Lunar felt sympathy for Jacob, as well as concern.

"And to finish this off, so that I can go and get some pills to treat this migraine."

He just grabbed any old slip from the bowl.

"I volunteer as tribute!" I shout, to please the doctors. Those who weren't looking at me, faced me now. As soon as Brynden discovered that it was me who volunteered, he looked at me like as if I was an alien.

"And my migraine just got worse," he remarked, as I walked to the stage. "If you can hear me, tell me your name."

"I can hear you. My name is Marshall Vinewood."

"Okay Marshall. District 10, these are the tributes which will be representing you in the Hunger Games. Now, time for some pills."

I stood away from Lunar, Jacob and Scarlynn. Scarlynn looked at me in awe, before she walked into the Justice Building. Luckily for me, I was tall enough to enter.

It may be Brynden's time for pills, but to me, it was time to get my revenge.

District 11 - Lilac LaRue (R)
"Time for the reapings."

In a lot of the reapings that I had watched with my parents, I noticed that many of the mayors and district escorts had gone missing. This was strange considering that the President's brother had disappeared too.

District 11 was known for being a rebel district. But recently, the Capitol regained a hold on us.

Could that have something to do with the fact that our Mayor and district escort were not missing?

The speech from President Averling had finished playing. Before the speech, various moments from other reapings had been showing. In District 10, there was a gigantic boy, a white haired girl in District 6 and another boy of a gigantic height in District 4.

Those three were who I significantly remembered.

The district escort walked over to the female reaping bowl. I assumed she was going to follow the typical reaping pattern - female, male, female, male.

"Lilac LaRue."

Wait, what? My name was reaped so suddenly? I didn't expect this to happen.

I didn't feel distraught, but rather confused. I didn't have much to lose if I did die in the Games, besides my parents.

I gulped and headed for the stage, the big screens showing my confusion.

The escort's question for me referred to my evident confusion. I answered the question as honestly as possible, whilst trying to add a hint of humour.

It managed to work.

"Ah dearie, you make me laugh. Because I like your attitude, you get to pick the male tribute."

Once again, I was back to being confused, but I wasn't going to refuse the offer.

"Okay then."

Walking to the other side of the stage, I observed the faces of the crowd. Some people were angry, some were scared. Others looked nonchalant. I finally got to realise what it was like to be an escort. I was the one who was going to determine a boy's fate.

I didn't take my eyes off the bowl, once I reached my hand inside. I picked any random slip and then looked to the escort.

"Open it up." She eagerly instructed me. I did as I was told.

"Lar-"

"I volunteer as tribute."

I sighed. I felt less powerful, thanks to the volunteer.

"Come on up, volunteer."

The volunteer was another male of a tall height. I decided to stand next to the escort, once the volunteer arrived on stage.

"What's your name?" The escort asks.

"Avan Falco."

I only looked at Avan once more, before watching the escort move to the female reaping bowl.

"Anna Tommie-"

The woman burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, upon saying the girl's name.

"I'm sorry, but what kind of name is Anna Tommie? Doesn't anyone see that her name is basically "anatomy"? Hahaha."

A frustrated Anna came to the stage. I sensed her frustration and could actually agree with it. Sometimes, Capitol-hired escorts take things too far.

"And finally-"

"I volunteer as tribute!"

"Oh come on, I didn't even pick the male tribute!"

The volunteer came to the stage. And like Avan, he was handsome. Upon getting to the stage, I figured out that he knew Anna, as they shared a loving hug.

"My name is Ray Xerxes, and you don't have to pick a tribute because I'm the other male tribute." He declared, once he broke free from his hug with Anna. His voice didn't suggest arrogance, his voice suggested a dark awareness.

"Fine. But before we wrap things up, please tell me how you two know each other."

"We're siblings." Anna responded, giving Ray a simple nod.

I continued to look at Ray, even after we were declared the tributes of District 11 and taken into the Justice Building.

District 12 - Ashton Perrie (R)
Some love the reapings. Those bloodthirsty Careers in the Career Districts thrive from them. Normally, they would be fighting each other to volunteer.

Some loathe the reapings. Us rebel districts, to be exact. Volunteering for a Games, orchestrated by a sadistic, power-loving President, was suicide.

And then there's me. A timid boy who found the reapings to be an escape from my emotionally abusive brother. Most of time, the escape that the reapings provided for me was only temporary.

Maybe this year, it might not be temporary.

Our district escort, Xaylor Borealis, was here, but Mayor Karuina, was not. It was no surprise considering how many people were already missing.

"And that was the President's speech. Now, it's time for the reapings."

Xaylor moved her white-blonde hair out of her face, so she could see where she was going. She then walked over to the female reaping bowl. "Clara Jane!"

Clara held her wrist as she walked up to the stage. She was pretty, I'll give her that.

"How do you feel?"

"I feel fine."

Xaylor sighed, before walking over to the male reaping bowl. But before she could even pick out a slip, someone volunteered.

"Come on up, then."

The volunteer looked suspicious. I felt that although he appeared to be shy and reserved, he was hiding something deep and dark. But then again, the same can be said for a lot of the other tributes as well.

"What's your name?"

"M...my name is Tomer..Tomer Wilt."

A stutter. Could this be genuine or could it be a ploy?

"Nice to meet you Tomer. How do you feel?"

"I...might se-seem nervous...but I...am det-determined. I...want...to win- the Games."

"Good spirit. Now, could you just stand next to Clara for me?"

Xaylor walked Tomer over to Clara, before going to the female reaping bowl again. Tomer and Clara exchanged a look.

"I volunteer as tribute!"

"Dammit! Then come to the stage, volunteer." Xaylor seemed irritated at being interrupted by another volunteer.

The volunteer came from a couple of rows at the front, so she didn't have to make a long walk.

"And what might your name be, dearie?"

"My name is Penny Wheatgrove." She replied, twiddling her thumbs.

"Nice to meet you Penny." Like what she did with Tomer, Xaylor put Penny next to the already selected duo. She then walked over to the male reaping bowl.

"If I had my way, these slips would be gone. I'd just point out the tributes instead." She remarked. She probably didn't think that anybody would hear her, but that was not the case. Definitely not the case.

"And the final tribute is Ashton Perrie!"

At that particular moment, I felt my heart rate increase and my self esteem decrease to an all new low. I wanted an escape, but I didn't think it would become a possible permanent escape.

Having no choice, because I wasn't defiant, I went to the stage.

I looked to the crowd to see if he was there.

He was.

"How do you feel, Ashton?"

I look into Xaylor's lilac eyes and say "I don't know."

Because I genuinely don't know.

District 13 - Sonia Arakawa (R)
I've kept this going for so long. 2 years at least. I never got caught.

The Peacekeepers never found me. I had attended several public executions and a reaping, and wasn't recognised because I had disguised myself or hidden myself.

But that could always change. I hope it wouldn't change.

"And that was the President's speech. Now, it's time for the final reapings of this year, so there will be no nonsense."

Our district escort, Warring Baral, was just as militaristic as the Peacekeepers. Mayor Darstan, on the other hand, was not, which was what the Peacekeepers hated. And they probably hated him even more now, because he was missing.

Warring looked like a soldier. He had a tidy uniform, his blonde hair had been gelled back and he donned a beret that matched his uniform. I didn't know if he had actually been a soldier.

"EA-"

"I volunteer as tribute."

Warring put the slip back inside the reaping bowl, as the volunteer came to the stage.

The volunteer looked familiar. I recognised her looks.

"Name?"

"Darya Parr."

That's it. She's a Parr. A family with supposedly the blood of men on their hands. Even though I recognised her from her looks, I didn't care about her. I didn't care about anyone.

One thing I would like to see though is how she would react to that Parr girl from District 7. The one who went on TV and probably pissed off not just the Parrs, but their rivals too.

Let them kill each other, I say.

By the time I had finished smirking at the thought of the two families destroying each other, Baral had already moved to the male reaping bowl and had picked out a slip. "Avian Dorias."

Some black haired kid with a weird nose went to the stage next. He looked emotional, like as if he had just been reunited with one of his family members.

"Stop crying, kid!" He shouted. Avian didn't look a tad bit fazed.

"I'm not someone you can speak to like that, escort. I'm of the Dorias family."

On the other side of the stage, I could see Darya rolling her eyes.

"The Dorias family used to be as powerful as the fucking Idylw-"

Avian's anger increased. Baral, with the flick of a wrist, had the Peacekeepers restrain him, as he moved on to the female reaping bowl.

"Well, well. Sonia Arakawa."

Gasps filled the room. For the first time in years, I was filled with panic. My time escaping from the Peacekeepers was over.

I wore a cloak, hoping it would have helped me. But clearly it didn't. Time for me to reveal myself, then.

Walking up to the stage, I put my hood down, making the crowd even more surprised.

The Peacekeepers who didn't restrain Avian grabbed their guns tightly, at the sight of me. I could do nothing except give my trademark smirk.

If there was one thing that I had to say about Baral, it's that he is fast.

"Caliban...Rweed?"

Baral was confused, until he realised that he had just reaped the district's resident crackhead.

I was internally laughing.

Caliban carried what I presumed was his bong. As soon as he got to the stage, this was taken away from.

Maybe being reaped wasn't so bad after all. They had spruced up the games with a mixture of idiots and tributes who might have a chance.

And it was going to be fun to watch them all suffer.

Story POV #1 - Betrayal
Earlier... The reapings were now complete. But President Averling was not happy.

Thanks to those who were truly loyal to her, Lyanna was able to watch all of the reapings so far. This only added to her current anger, since her brother had gone missing and Lyanna had suspicions that she had been betrayed by him.

The Capitol reaping had gone perfectly well to her. Exactly as she wanted it to be. Because she had gone back inside the Mansion after her speech, she didn't witness the reapings for herself. And because of this, the antics of the Winnings boy had brought the President unusual amusement. Thus, the internally terrified staff were sighing in relief.

She couldn't fault District 0's reaping either, even though she didn't like the escort of that district, Prasa Marquille. She had, however, shown the speech that she had made, thus Marquille was safe. The only tribute from District 0 that caught her eye was Glacier. She was intrigued at the colour of his hair. But then again, she also showed some attention towards Crystal, as her hair was also intriguing.

District 1's reaping was not her favourite. She didn't like the demeanour of the co-escorts, the Danvois twins. She thought of them as too frivolous and careless. But they did show her speech and didn't show any signs of rebellion, so they were careful. Lyanna was surprised at Manta's height, further increasing her intrigue as she had never seen such a tall tribute before.

Oh, but Manta had been surpassed.

District 2 wasn't any better. Nutmeg had been her main source of attention for that reaping, as Lyanna recognised the tattoo on the girl's forehead. The girl's father had become a victor when Lyanna was young. Lyanna held respect for victors who were loyal to the Capitol and actually played the Games, this ideology now reflecting onto her current rule as President. And as of Nutmeg's father? Well, he was one of many victors that Lyanna respected.

But she didn't know that Nutmeg's father had died.

District 3 was where things started to go wrong. The President was quick to notice that the district escort was missing, further increasing her suspicions. She built up a sense of anger when the Mayor of that district gave the excuse that Malia was ill, since she could see through that lie. She was angry because the Mayor was too old and foolish to see that the young escort had lied to him.

She added Malia to her internal list of people who she suspected as a traitor.

District 4 turned Lyanna's anger into rage. Immediately, as Narlis refused to show her speech, Lyanna had ordered Peacekeepers to go to District 4 to hunt him down.

She then ordered the same for District 5, even though Rowana had a valid reason as to why she didn't show the speech.

It did not look good from then onwards. District 6? No speech and a missing Mayor. District 7? Mayor was missing. District 8? Both the escort and the Mayor were missing!

Enraged, Lyanna ordered the Peacekeepers to turn the video of the District 13 reaping off early.

To her, the missing people was another stepping stone in the journey to proving her suspicions correctly. And as of those who didn't show her speech, they would get what they deserved.

Later...

"They're in here, President Averling."

The young President walked amongst Peacekeepers, a stark contrast if looked at in a certain way. No matter how tough she tried to look, she would still have a complexion of youthful elegance.

She had been told that this was bad, by her predecessor, her father. According to her father, if you wanted to be a successful President, you had to be tough.

When she finally arrived, she ordered several of the Peacekeepers to leave, but she allowed for her advisor to stay.

"We captured them, President. We carried out your orders. Now, you have the power to decide what to do with them."

A wall, with a soundproof window, was the barrier between the President, her advisor and the captives. At first glance, the President could only see a reflection of herself. She saw the rubies of her headband sparkling and gleaming. She maintained a strong posture, remembering the advice of her deceased father.

But as the lights of the room were turned on, she could only see the group of captives on their knees. They comprised of all the people she had ordered Peacekeepers to capture; Verden from 4, Rowana from 5, the escort of District 6, Brynden from 10 and Xaylor from 12.

"Were they captured before they were able to board the trains?"

"Of course, President Averling. They wouldn't be here, otherwise."

Lyanna gave the advisor her fiercest glare. The advisor was nervous, but he tried to fight this.

"And neither would I."

Deep inside, the advisor expected to be killed. Instead, Lyanna responded differently.

"Good."

She then turned to face the captives once more. Xaylor was in tears, presumably having figured out what was going to happen to her. Brynden looked at a spot on the floor. Verden was vicious and close to raging out. Rowana remained eerily quiet and the District 6 escort did the same as Brynden.

Suddenly, Verden rose from his place on the floor and started to yell. Lyanna was able to see that the captives could see her standing there, as Verden ran up to Lyanna.

"Tell the executioners to save him for last. I want him to endure the most. They can start off with the District 6 escort."

"Understood."

The advisor gave the orders through his walkie-talkie. Almost immediately, the District 6 escort was picked up and dragged to the room next door. The execution room.

The window in this room, however, was not soundproof. Lyanna would be able to hear everything that the captives say before they die.

The President noticed that those in the other room would be able to hear the execution as well.

"What are your last words, captive?" Lyanna barked.

"Long live the President!"

Lyanna flicked her wrist, to signal the gunshot. The gunshot had been directed at the back of the escort's head, aimed at the brain. As the trigger was pulled, the escort's skull created a fracture, causing blood splatter to go everywhere. The escort's body fell forward after the shot, causing more of the surrounding ground to be covered in blood.

Xaylor screamed, whilst the others were shocked.

"Get them to dispose of the body." Lyanna then instructed. The loyal advisor passed forward Lyanna's next instruction to the Peacekeepers and the escort's body was taken out of the room, ready for the next execution.

"Who do you want to be executed next?"

Lyanna walked back to the soundproof window. The escorts were now looking at her with anger and despair in their eyes.

The President would continue to oversee the executions, until there was no one left to execute. The escorts believed that they had been selected for execution for absurd reasons - especially Xaylor and Rowana. Rowana couldn't possibly show the President's speech because of the fog in District 5 and Xaylor had made a mere remark.

But to the President, she believed that they deserved to die, because they hadn't been careful.

Lyanna gave the order for the bodies to be disposed of. Afterwards, the advisor received a message. A message that the advisors wanted to hold a meeting with the President.

"My advisors want to hold a meeting? Alright. Take me there." Lyanna responded.

There was awkward silence between the two, as they headed to the location of the meeting. The President walked past portraits of past Presidents. When she found a portrait of her father, she stopped to take a moment to admire it.

"Your father was a very wise man, President."

"I know."

Lyanna was not one to share her feelings, but the death of her father had left her feeling emotional. He still had much to teach her, before his untimely death. Now, Lyanna had to learn the rest herself.

When they reached the location of the meeting, the advisor opened the door for the President. She walked into the room silently.

The majority of the advisors were nervous. They felt that if they said any wrong word, they'd end up just like the escorts that had been shot dead.

The meeting had started off with Lyanna gathering information from her advisors.

Some information, she already knew.

"Most of the tributes this year are volunteers."

"The Gamemakers have nearly finished the arena."

"The Gamemakers also have more surprises in mind."

Although she already knew this information, the President needed to hear it once more so that she could officially confirm it. She had listened to conversations that the Gamemakers have had about the arena, so she knew what to expect. She also knew what the tributes had in store for them, making her picture what a lot of the deaths would look like.

And they didn't look pretty.

Later on into the meeting, however, was when the serious information was confirmed.

"President Averling, I have news to confirm. On our mission to find your brother, we found two idiotic rebels in District 10. These rebels conversed about the whereabouts of your brother and I can tell you that his location is within the mountainous region of District 14 and that he has betrayed you."

Lyanna's face turned to evident anger.

"Well, this changes things. Spread the word that these Games are no longer just "games". These games are now going to be political propaganda. Everything that occurs within the arena will have symbolic significance, aimed at rallying Capitol supporters. My first instruction to you is to get the Peacekeepers to find one tribute who stands out and bring them to me. They will act as my spy."